UK Spouse Visa Requirements: Everything You Need to Know

The UK Spouse Visa allows people who are married to a British Citizen or someone who settled in the UK to live together in the UK. However, there are multiple requirements to be fulfilled to be eligible for a spouse visa UK. Today we will be discussing these requirements to be met, and how to apply for the spouse visa and get it approved.

What is a UK Spouse Visa?

The spouse visa is a special permission to stay in the UK granted to those who are married to someone staying within the UK, or someone who is in a relationship or civil partnership with someone who stays within the UK or is planning to get married to someone who stays within the UK. It is a type of family visa but only meant for couples.

Who Can Apply for a UK Spouse Visa?

To be eligible for applying for the spouse visa UK you will need to fulfill certain criteria. To start with, you and your partner will have to fit into one of the following criteria, which you will be required to prove:

You are married to or a civil partner of a British citizen or someone who has settled status in the UK

You are the proposed civil partner or the fiance or fiancee of a British citizen or someone settled in the UK and will be getting into a legal marriage within the next 6 months in the UK.

You have been in a relationship with your partner, who is a British citizen settled in the UK, for at least two years and have been living together.

You have been in a relationship with your partner, who is a British citizen or settled in the UK, for at least two years, but are unable to live together because of work, study, or cultural reasons.

Your partner lives in the UK as a protected person

How Do You Prove That You Meet The Spouse Visa Requirements?

When you apply for a spouse visa in the UK, you must prove that you fit into one of the conditions, as mentioned before. Certain proofs are acceptable, and you will be required to provide them at the time of your application. Let’s explore the spouse visa requirements and the proof that you can provide for them.

A Genuine Relationship:

You must show that your relationship is real. The UK government wants to be sure that your relationship is not fake just to get the visa. Some evidence as mentioned below which you can show to prove your relationship:

Marriage Certificate as acceptable by the UK government

Tenancy agreement or utility bills or some other documents that prove that you have been sharing the expenses with your partner and staying together

Bank statement from a joint account or something similar to prove that you stay with your partner

Proof from the dentist that shows that you and your partner have the same address

A vet’s bill or a bill for home repair that shows that you and your partner share the same address

In case you do not stay with your partner because of work, study, or cultural reasons, you will need to prove your relationship in one of the following ways:

Proof of regular communication with your partner

Proof that you provide financial support to your partner

Proof that you and your partner together take care of a child

Proof of spending time together on holidays retreats or resorts

Financial Requirements:

You and your partner should have enough financial ability to live in the UK without any government help. The minimum amount of money your partner should earn. A couple without children should earn £18,600 a year. £3,800 needs to be added to this in case there is one child and £2,400 more for every additional child. However, if the total exceeds £29,000 per annum, then you will just need to show that you and your partner earn £29,000 a year together. Those without this much income can still use their savings to fulfill the criteria.

English Language Requirements:

You must have competencies to understand and speak English in the UK if you are applying for a visa. You will need to take an English test to show that you can speak and understand English. This test is called an A1 level test which is a beginner level test.

What Documents Do You Need for a UK Spouse Visa?

You need to provide some important documents that are required for the spouse visa UK. Required documents are mentioned below,

Passport

Marriage Certificate

Pay slips or Bank Statements Tax records

English Test results from a valid organization

Rental agreement or Electricity Bills for Accommodation Proof

How long does it take to get a UK Spouse Visa?

The time it takes to get a spouse visa can vary. It can take up to 12 weeks if you are applying from outside the UK and if you are in the UK it usually takes about 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English knowledge requirements. In case you do not meet those requirements, your decision might take up to 12 months. There is another way to make the process faster, which is called priority service. You will need to pay to get an expedited decision regarding this.

How long is the UK Spouse Visa Valid?

The UK Spouse Visa is usually valid for 2 years and 9 months. However, if you are applying as a proposed civil partner or fiance or fiancee then you will be given the visa for 6 months only. You can apply for an extension of the visa once it is about to expire.

Once you have lived in the UK for 5 years, or, it can be 3 years in case you are married to a British citizen, you will be able to apply for the indefinite leave to remain (ILR) status. It is the same as the settled status. After that, you will become eligible to apply for British citizenship.

Can You Work on a UK Spouse Visa?

If you have a UK spouse visa, you are allowed to work in the UK. There are no restrictions on which type of work you can join. You can apply for any kind of job or start a business. You can work for yourself as well.

What happens if the Visa is refused?

Sometimes, The UK government may refuse the UK spouse visa application. It can feel disappointing. However, there are a few options you can do

Appeal the Decision: You can ask the government to look at your case again and explain why you believe the decision was wrong.

Reapply: You can try applying again after fixing any mistakes in your application.

The UK government will tell you why they refused your visa, so you can make changes if needed.

Conclusion:

A UK spouse visa requirements allow married couples to live together in the UK. It comes with several important requirements. You can increase your chances of a successful application by understanding the spouse visa requirements and gathering the right documents including proof of income, accommodation, and relationship is essential. Obtaining a UK spouse visa also requires that the applicant meets key conditions including a genuine relationship, financial stability, and sufficient English skills. Applicants can successfully apply for a spouse visa to join their partner in the UK by fulfilling the required criteria.