Family / Spouse Visa

The UK family (spouse or partner) visa lets the partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK - for example someone with indefinite leave to remain or settled status - live in the UK. You can apply as a married spouse, a civil partner, an unmarried partner who has lived with your partner in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years, or a fiance(e) intending to marry within six months of arriving.

The core eligibility tests are that your relationship is genuine and subsisting, that you intend to live together permanently in the UK, that you can be adequately accommodated without recourse to public funds, and that you meet the financial and English-language requirements. Because this is a route to settlement rather than a temporary stay, the Home Office scrutinises the authenticity of the relationship and the supporting evidence closely.

The financial requirement is the part of the application that most often causes problems. As of 2026 the minimum income requirement is 29,000 pounds a year, which can be met through employment income, self-employment, certain non-employment income, or by holding sufficient cash savings (broadly 16,000 pounds plus 2.5 times any income shortfall) held for at least six months. In some circumstances the income of both partners can be combined.

You must document this carefully with payslips, bank statements, employment letters, or business accounts, following strict evidential rules where even small gaps or formatting issues can lead to refusal. Getting the financial evidence right - matching the exact specified documents to the income source you rely on - is the single most important practical step, and many applicants seek advice specifically on this requirement before applying.

You must show your relationship is genuine and ongoing with evidence such as a marriage or civil partnership certificate, proof of living together, joint finances, communication history, and photographs across the relationship. For unmarried partners, two years of cohabitation evidence is central. The Home Office is alert to relationships arranged primarily for immigration, so a consistent, well-evidenced history is essential.

English-language requirements rise over the route: typically A1 for the initial application, A2 at the 30-month extension, and B1 for indefinite leave to remain, each demonstrated through an approved Secure English Language Test or an exempt qualification such as a degree taught in English. Planning your language tests early avoids delays, since you cannot progress to the next stage without meeting the required level.

The application fee from outside the UK is about 1,938 pounds, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at 1,035 pounds per year, the cost of an approved English test, and the tuberculosis test where required. Standard processing is usually around 8 to 12 weeks, with priority and super-priority services available for an extra fee to speed up a decision.

The family visa is a five-year route to settlement, granted in two stages of roughly 33 and 30 months, after which you can apply for indefinite leave to remain provided the relationship and requirements continue to be met. The visa grants full work rights with no occupation restriction, making it one of the most flexible long-term routes for families, and it can lead to British citizenship the year after settlement.

Planning around the real numbers makes the Family / Spouse Visa far less stressful. On cost, Application £1,938 (out of country) + IHS £1,035/yr + English test and other costs. On timing, Usually about 8 to 12 weeks (priority options faster). Budget a little extra for document translation, certified or notarised copies, any required medical examination, photos to specification, and travel to a consulate or biometrics appointment. These smaller costs add up and are easy to overlook. Start gathering your documents early. A partner who is a British citizen or settled person, a genuine relationship, and the minimum income requirement (£29,000) plus suitable accommodation and English language ability. Beyond those specifics, almost every applicant needs a passport valid well beyond the intended stay, recent photographs, and proof of funds or income. Where papers are issued in another language, official translations and sometimes an apostille or legalisation are expected, so confirm the exact format before booking your appointment.

Family routes succeed on the strength of two things: genuine-relationship evidence and the sponsor's eligibility. Gather a broad, dated record of your relationship, communication, photos together, joint finances or tenancy, and travel history, rather than relying on a single document. Confirm the sponsor meets any minimum income or housing requirement and can prove it with payslips and statements. Keep certificates (marriage, birth) translated and, where needed, legalised. Inconsistent dates or thin relationship evidence are the most common grounds for delay, so present a clear, chronological story backed by paperwork.