The UK Spouse and Partner Visa

A UK Spouse or Partner Visa may allow you to join or remain with your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner in the UK. Applications under Appendix FM require careful evidence of the sponsor's status, the relationship, finances, accommodation, English language ability and suitability.

 

At a glance

 

Who it is for: A spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years.

 

Where to apply: From outside the UK for entry clearance, or from inside the UK where switching or extension is permitted.

 

Visitors and people with permission for six months or less usually cannot switch.

 

Initial permission: Usually up to 2 years and 9 months for entry clearance, or 2 years and 6 months for an in-country grant or extension.

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Work and study: Permitted following a grant as a spouse or partner.

 

Settlement: Normally after five continuous years on the standard partner route. A ten-year route may apply where an application relies on exceptions or Article 8.

 

Main eligibility requirements:

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Both the applicant and their partner must be aged 18 or over.

 

The UK-based partner must have an eligible status. This can include British or Irish  citizenship, settlement, qualifying pre-settled status, certain legacy Turkish worker or businessperson permission, protection status, or qualifying permission as a stateless person.

 

The couple must not be within a prohibited degree of relationship and must have met in person.

 

The relationship must be genuine and subsisting. Any previous relationship must have broken down permanently.

 

A marriage or civil partnership must be legally valid and recognised in the UK. Unmarried partners must normally show a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years; two years of continuous cohabitation is not an absolute requirement where there is a good reason the couple cannot live together.

 

The couple must intend to live together permanently in the UK.

 

The applicant must meet the financial, accommodation, English language and suitability requirements, unless a relevant exception applies.

 

Financial requirement:

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For most new partner applications, the couple must show permitted income of at least £29,000 a year. Only specified sources and evidence can be used. Cash savings can supplement income and, in a savings-only case, the amount normally required is £88,500, subject to the detailed holding-period and evidence rules.

 

Transitional rules apply where the first successful application on the partner route was made before 11 April 2024 and the applicant is extending with the same partner. The starting threshold is normally £18,600, with child additions where applicable, capped at £29,000. Where the sponsor receives a specified disability or carer benefit, the £29,000 threshold may be replaced by an adequate-maintenance assessment.

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Why this needs checking: Employment, self-employment, company-director income, savings, pensions and non-employment income each have different documentary rules under Appendix FM-SE. The correct category must be identified before evidence is selected.

 

English language and accommodation:

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A first partner application normally requires speaking and listening at CEFR level A1, an accepted English-taught degree, nationality from a listed majority-English-speaking country, or a valid exemption. After 2.5 years, an applicant who previously relied on an A1 test normally needs at least A2 for the extension.

 

 

For settlement applications made before 26 March 2027, the English requirement is normally B1; for applications made on or after that date it becomes B2, unless an exemption applies. The Life in the UK Test is also normally required for settlement.

 

There must be adequate accommodation owned or occupied exclusively by the family, without overcrowding or breach of public-health regulations and without recourse to public funds.

 

Evidence commonly required:

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Passports, immigration-status evidence and the sponsor's British, Irish, settled, pre-settled or other qualifying status evidence.

 

Marriage or civil partnership certificates, or evidence of a durable two-year relationship.

 

A clear relationship chronology supported by cohabitation, communication, travel, shared-finance and family evidence appropriate to the circumstances.

 

Specified financial documents such as payslips, bank statements, employer letters, tax records, company accounts, pension evidence or savings evidence.

 

Tenancy or ownership evidence, property details and, where appropriate, a housing report or written consent from the owner.

 

English-language evidence, a TB certificate where required, and certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.

 

Common issues:

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•  Using the wrong financial category or submitting documents outside the required dates.

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• Assuming photographs and messages alone prove a genuine and subsisting relationship.

 

• Trying to switch from visitor status where no exception applies.

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•  Failing to explain periods of living apart, name differences, earlier marriages, previous refusals or immigration history concerns.

 

Frequently asked questions:

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Do unmarried partners have to have lived together for two years?

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Not necessarily. The current definition focuses on a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. Where the couple cannot live together, the application needs convincing evidence of the reason and their continuing commitment.

 

Can a partner apply from the UK as a visitor?

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Usually not. Most visitors must leave the UK and apply from overseas, although human-rights or other exceptional issues may require individual advice.

 

Does a grant lead to settlement?

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The standard partner route normally leads to settlement after five continuous years. Time as a fiancé(e), proposed civil partner or on another visa does not count towards that five-year partner period.