How to Make a Successful Spouse Visa Application
Check your eligibility for a spouse visa. You must meet the following requirements:
You and your partner must be 18 or over.
You must be married or in a civil partnership that is recognised in the UK, or have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years.
You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
You must have a good knowledge of English. You can prove this by passing an approved English language test or having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC.
You must be able to financially support yourself and your dependants. You need to meet the minimum income threshold of £18,600 per year, or have enough savings to meet the financial requirement.
You must have proof of suitable accommodation for you, your partner and any dependants.
Prepare the documents you will need to prove your eligibility. You will need to provide evidence of your relationship, your income, your English language ability, and your accommodation. Some of the documents you may need are:
A marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, or proof that you have been living together for at least 2 years, such as tenancy agreements, utility bills, bank statements, etc.
Payslips, bank statements, tax returns, letters from employers, etc. to show that you meet the income requirement.
A certificate from an approved English language test provider or a UK NARIC statement of comparability for your academic qualification.
A letter from your landlord, mortgage statement, council tax bill, etc. to show that you have adequate accommodation.
Complete the online application form on the Home Office website. You will need to provide personal details, information about your partner and your relationship, details of your income and accommodation, and any dependants you have. You will also need to answer some questions about your health, criminal record, immigration history, and travel history.
Pay the application fee and the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. The application fee is £1,048 if you apply from inside the UK and £1,846 if you apply from outside the UK. The healthcare surcharge is £1,560 if you are staying for 2 years and 6 months and £3,120 if you are staying for 5 years. The healthcare surcharge gives you access to the National Health Service (NHS) while you are in the UK.
Prove your identity and provide your documents. How you do this depends on where you are applying from and what type of passport you have. You will either go to an appointment at a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app. You will need to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and photo) and scan or upload your documents.
Wait for a decision on your visa. Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you are outside the UK and within 8 weeks if you are inside the UK3. If your application is successful, you will get a vignette (sticker) in your passport or a digital status that shows when you can enter and leave the UK, and what conditions apply to your stay.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of getting a spouse visa and joining your partner in the UK. If you need any help or advice with your visa application, you can contact us for expert assistance. We are here to help you achieve your goals in the UK.
