Spouse Visa UK: A Complete Guide to Requirements and Extensions

If you are married to a British citizen or a person settled in the UK, the Spouse Visa UK allows you to live together in the UK. This visa is essential for those who want to start a life with their partner in the UK, and understanding the visa process, spouse visa requirements, and how to apply for a spouse visa extension is crucial. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the UK spouse visa.

What is the UK Spouse Visa?

A UK Spouse Visa, also known as a Marriage Visa, allows non-UK nationals to join their spouse or partner who is either a British citizen, settled in the UK, or has refugee status. This visa provides the holder with the right to live, work, and study in the UK, and it is typically granted for an initial period of 2.5 years (30 months).

Spouse Visa Requirements

To qualify for a Spouse Visa UK, you and your partner must meet several requirements set by the UK Home Office. These requirements ensure that your relationship is genuine and that you can support yourselves financially in the UK.Here are the main spouse visa requirements:

1. Relationship Requirements:
   • You and your partner must be legally married or in a civil partnership recognized in the UK.
   • You must have met in person and plan to live together in the UK permanently.
   • Your relationship must be genuine, and you need to provide evidence, such as photos, travel history, or communication records.
2. Financial Requirements:
   • The UK-based partner must meet the minimum income threshold of £18,600 per year (higher if there are dependent children).
   • Alternatively, savings or other sources of income can be used to meet this financial requirement.
3. English Language Requirement:
   • The applicant must prove they can speak and understand English at the A1 level or higher.
   • This can be demonstrated through an English language test or by holding a degree taught in English.
4. Accommodation Requirement:
   • You must provide proof that you have suitable accommodation in the UK where you and your spouse will live.
5. Immigration Status of Sponsor:
   • The UK-based spouse must either be a British citizen, hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or have refugee or humanitarian protection status in the UK.

How to Apply for a Spouse Visa UK

You can apply for a UK Spouse Visa online through the UK government’s official immigration website. Depending on your location, you may need to submit your application from outside the UK or, if you're already in the UK on a different visa, switch to a Spouse Visa from within the country.During the application process, you will be asked to provide various documents, including:

• Proof of relationship (marriage or civil partnership certificate).
• Evidence of meeting the financial requirements.
• Proof of English language ability.
• Documents showing you have appropriate accommodation.
• Passport and recent photographs.

After submitting the application and attending a biometric appointment, you will wait for a decision, which typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks.

Spouse Visa Extension

A UK Spouse Visa is initially granted for 2.5 years. To continue living in the UK, you will need to apply for a spousal visa uk before the visa expires. The extension will allow you to stay for another 2.5 years, giving you a total of 5 years, after which you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).To qualify for a spouse visa extension, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Continuous Residency: You and your spouse must have lived together in the UK during the validity of your initial visa.
2. Financial Requirements: You must continue to meet the minimum income threshold of £18,600 or provide evidence of savings/income.
3. Relationship Proof: You must demonstrate that your marriage or civil partnership is still genuine and subsisting.
4. English Language: For the extension, you need to show that you meet a higher English language requirement (A2 level).

How to Apply for a Spouse Visa Extension

You can apply for a spouse visa extension online from within the UK. The application should be made before your current visa expires, and you will need to provide updated evidence, such as:

• Proof of continued cohabitation and relationship.
• Updated financial documents showing that you meet the financial requirement.
• English language test results at A2 level (if applicable).

The processing time for a spouse visa extension typically takes up to 8 weeks, but you can apply for priority service for a faster decision.

Conclusion

The Spouse Visa UK offers a pathway for couples to live together in the UK, but it comes with strict eligibility criteria. By understanding the spouse visa requirements and knowing how to apply for a spouse visa extension, you can ensure a smoother process in your immigration journey. Make sure to gather all the necessary documents and plan your application in advance to avoid any complications.If you successfully extend your spouse visa, you can eventually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), leading to permanent residency in the UK and, potentially, British citizenship.