What Is the UK Spouse Visa?
The UK Spouse visa is the immigration route through which the husband or wife of a British citizen, a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain, a person with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or someone with refugee or humanitarian protection can come to — or remain in — the UK to live with their partner. The visa allows the holder to live in the UK, work without restriction, and study.
Who Is Eligible?
- Both parties must be over 18 years of age
- Legally married in a relationship recognised under UK law
- Both intend to live together permanently in the UK
- Sponsor is a British citizen, ILR holder, or otherwise eligible under Appendix FM
- Financial requirement met (£29,000 gross annual income for new applicants)
- Suitable, non-overcrowded accommodation available
- English language requirement met at CEFR Level A1
The Financial Requirement
For applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the sponsor must demonstrate at least £29,000 gross per year. This can be met through salaried or non-salaried employment, self-employment income, pension income, non-employment income such as rental income or dividends, cash savings of at least £62,500 held for a minimum of six consecutive months, or a combination of income and savings.
The English Language Requirement
For the initial entry clearance application, English must be demonstrated at CEFR Level A1 — the most basic level. This can be met by passing an approved SELT at A1 level, being a national of a majority English-speaking country, or holding an academic qualification taught in English recognised by UK NARIC. The requirement increases to A2 at extension and B1 for ILR and naturalisation.
How to Prove the Relationship Is Genuine
The Home Office scrutinises relationship evidence carefully. A compelling application will include the original marriage certificate, photographs together from various occasions over the history of the relationship, evidence of communication (messages, call logs, emails), joint financial arrangements, records of visits (flight bookings, hotel receipts, visa stamps), and supporting letters or statutory declarations from those who know the couple.
Application Fees and Processing Times
The application fee for a Spouse visa (entry clearance) is £1,846 as of 2025. The Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per year — with the initial grant of approximately two years nine months, the total IHS payable at application is usually around £3,932. Standard processing from outside the UK takes approximately 12 weeks. A priority service is available for an additional fee of approximately £500.
How the Spouse Visa Leads to Settlement
After the initial period of approximately two years and nine months, the holder must apply for an extension of a further two and a half years. After five continuous years on the family route, the holder may apply for ILR. Following 12 months of ILR, British citizenship by naturalisation may be available.