What Is a Spouse Visa?
A Spouse visa allows the partner of a British citizen or person settled in the UK to live in the UK. It's one of the most common Family visa routes.
Who Qualifies?
You can apply if you are:
- Married to a British citizen or person with ILR/settled status
- In a genuine and subsisting relationship
- 18 or over
- Meet the financial and English language requirements
Financial Requirement
Your partner must meet a minimum income threshold. The current threshold is £29,000 per year (this may change — always check gov.uk). You can meet this through:
- Employment income
- Self-employment income
- Cash savings (above £16,000)
- Pension income
English Language Requirement
You must prove your English is at least B1 level (CEFR) through:
- An approved SELT test
- A degree taught in English
- Exemption if you're from a majority English-speaking country
Documents You'll Need
- Valid passport
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of your partner's British/settled status
- Proof of accommodation
- Financial evidence (payslips, bank statements)
- English language certificate
- Proof of genuine relationship (photos, communication records)
Application Process
- Apply online on gov.uk
- Pay the application fee
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Provide biometric information
- Submit supporting documents
Duration and Extensions
- Initial grant: 2 years and 9 months
- Extension: 2 years and 9 months
- Total before ILR: 5 years
Path to Settlement
After 5 years on a Spouse visa, you can apply for ILR. After 12 months with ILR, you can apply for British citizenship.
If Your Relationship Ends
If your relationship breaks down, your visa may be affected. You may be able to switch to another visa route if you meet the requirements. Seek legal advice if this happens.
For more about Family visas, see our Family visa guide.
General information only — not professional, legal, or financial advice. Always check official sources (such as GOV.UK, NHS, and the NMC) for anything official. Read our disclaimer.
Libby writes and maintains UKRoute's guides on visas, settlement (ILR) and British citizenship. She keeps immigration pages in line with current GOV.UK guidance and fee schedules.
Ready to practise for the Life in the UK Test?
Test your knowledge with our free Life in the UK practice exams. Hundreds of questions to help you pass.
Comments
1 commentMy application was approved in under 4 months. This guide covered every document I needed.
Leave a comment
Comments are moderated before they appear.