Applying for a UK Spouse Visa allows the husband, wife, or civil partner of a British citizen or settled person to live together in the UK. It’s one of the most common family routes to settlement — but also one of the most closely scrutinised.
In 2025, major updates have reshaped the process, including an increased minimum income threshold of £29,000, longer processing times in some regions, and stricter checks on the authenticity and completeness of documents.
This comprehensive guide explains the latest requirements, documents, and step-by-step process to help you submit a strong, compliant application — and avoid the costly risk of refusal. Whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK, this walkthrough covers everything you need to get approved the first time.
The UK Spouse Visa is a type of family visa that allows foreign nationals to live in the UK with their British or settled partner. It’s open to applicants who are legally married, in a civil partnership, or in some cases, unmarried partners who have lived together for at least two years.
· The sponsor must be a British citizen or settled in the UK (holding ILR, Settled Status, or permanent residence).
· Applications made outside the UK are granted for 33 months.
· Applications made inside the UK (switching from another visa) are granted for 30 months.
· After five years of continuous residence, you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
· Fiancé(e) Visa – for engaged couples planning to marry in the UK (valid for 6 months; no work allowed).
· Partner (Unmarried) Visa – for long-term couples not legally married but cohabiting for 2+ years.
· New minimum income threshold: Increased to £29,000.
· Document verification tightening: Caseworkers now apply stricter authenticity checks for financial and relationship evidence.
· Processing times: Average of 12 weeks outside the UK and 8 weeks inside the UK, though actual processing times may vary.
· Transitional rules: Lower thresholds (from £18,600) may still apply to applicants extending under the pre-April 2024 rules.
1. Relationship Requirement
· You must be legally married or in a civil partnership recognised in the UK.
· The relationship must be genuine and subsisting.
· Evidence may include marriage certificates, joint bills, photos, travel records, and communication history.
· Unmarried partners must usually prove two years of cohabitation.
2. Financial Requirement
o Employment (minimum 6 months’ payslips + bank statements)
o Self-employment (tax returns, SA302s, business accounts)
o Pensions
o Cash savings (£88,500+ held for 6+ months can substitute for income)
3. Accommodation Requirement
· The couple must have adequate accommodation without relying on public funds.
· Property can be owned, rented, or provided by family.
· Overcrowding rules apply — ensure space for all dependants.
4. English Language Requirement
· Applicants must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR Level A1 (speaking and listening) for their first visa.
· Accepted test providers include IELTS for UKVI, LanguageCert, and Trinity College London.
· Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries or holders of degrees taught in a UK university institution.
5. Immigration Status of the Sponsor
· The UK-based partner must be a:
o British citizen, or
o Holder of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or
o Holder of Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
1. Check eligibility using the GOV.UK spouse visa guidance.
2. Gather documents following the checklist above.
3. Apply online via the UKVI application portal.
4. Pay the visa fee (£1,938 outside UK / £1,321 inside UK, as of October 2025) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
5. Book a biometrics appointment at your nearest VFS or TLS centre.
6. Upload documents digitally or submit via the scanning service.
7. Await the decision — usually within 8–12 weeks (priority services will shorten this if they are available).
If your application is refused, try not to panic — you’ll receive a refusal letter explaining the reasons from the caseworker.
Next steps may include:
· Administrative Review: If you believe the Home Office made a mistake in assessing your evidence, decision can take up to a year or even more.
· Appeal: If human rights (Article 8 ECHR) are engaged.
· Fresh Application: Often the best option if new or missing evidence can resolve the refusal reasons.
· How long does a UK Spouse Visa take in 2025? Standard processing is around 12 weeks outside the UK and 8 weeks inside. Priority options can reduce this to around 5-30 working days.
· Can I work while on a spouse visa? Yes — full-time employment and self-employment are allowed on the visa route.
· Is there a priority service? Yes, some overseas centres offer a priority or super priority service for an additional fee.
· How soon can I apply for ILR? After 5 years of continuous residence under the spouse route.
· What if my income is just below £29,000? You can use cash savings or combine certain income types to meet the threshold. If that’s not possible, seek advice on exceptional circumstances (Article 8) where discretion may apply.
The UK Spouse Visa process is detailed but entirely manageable with proper preparation. Meeting the five key requirements — relationship, financial, accommodation, English, and sponsor status — alongside a well-organised evidence pack will significantly improve your success rate.
Avoid rushing, double-check every document, and if you’re unsure, get professional advice early rather than after a refusal.
If you need support with anything in this article, please do not hesitate to contact us. Whether it is a second opinion, a deep-dive consultation, a review of the application you have prepared or a helping hand from start to finish, we can support with whatever level of help you need.
A team of highly experienced experts are on the other end of this email address ready to help: info@migrate-uk.com, so get in touch today.