Family Visa (Spouse/Partner)
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 1005 days
- Processing time
- 12 weeks (outside UK), 8 weeks (inside UK meeting requirements)
- Fee
- £1,938 (outside UK) or £1,321 (inside UK)
- Validity
- 2 years and 9 months (initial), extendable by 2 years 6 months
- Entry
- Multiple entry
For spouses, partners, or civil partners of British/Irish citizens or settled persons in the UK. Minimum combined income requirement: £29,000 per year (new applications) or £18,600 (extensions with same partner under certain conditions). Must demonstrate genuine and subsisting relationship. Relationship evidence must be less than 4 years old from official sources. Can work and study. Settlement (ILR) possible after 5 continuous years. Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 per year. Super priority service available for £1,000 (UK applications only).
Eligibility
-
Age
Both applicant and sponsor must be at least 18 years old
Min age: 18
-
Financial
Combined income of at least £29,000 per year for new applications. Lower threshold of £18,600 applies when extending with same partner under certain conditions. Savings above £16,000 can supplement income
Minimum funds: £29,000 annual income
-
Criminal record
Must not have unspent criminal convictions. Suitability requirements must be met
-
Nationality
Sponsor must be a British/Irish citizen, have settled status (ILR), pre-settled EU status (arrived before 1 Jan 2021), or hold Turkish Businessperson/Worker visa, refugee/humanitarian protection status
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Payslips, bank statements, tax returns, savings above £16,000, rental income, employment/self-employment income; Minimum amount: £29,000 combined annual income (new application) or £18,600 (extension)
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, letter from host; Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Biometrics appointment
Booking url: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse; Location: Visa application centre
-
Marriage certificate
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Online payment; Amount: £1,938 (outside UK) or £1,321 (inside UK)
-
Language proficiency
Accepted tests: IELTS Life Skills, Trinity College London, or degree taught in English; Minimum score: A1 CEFR (initial), A2 (extension), B1 (settlement)
-
Relationship evidence
Minimum evidence items: 4; Relationship type: Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation)
-
Tuberculosis test
Test type: Chest X-ray at approved clinic (if from designated country); Validity months: 6
-
Health surcharge
Amount: £1,035 per year; Applicant category: Main applicant and dependants
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather relationship evidence (marriage certificate, joint tenancy, bank statements, utility bills), financial documents, English language certificate, passport, and TB test results
-
Online application
Complete the family visa application online
-
Fee payment
Pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
-
Biometrics
Attend a visa application centre for biometric collection
-
Document submission
Submit supporting documents as instructed after biometrics appointment
-
Processing wait
Wait for a decision on your application