Apply for a Spouse visa extension

Migrants who arrived in the UK on a spouse visa must renew their visa before the expiry of their leave to remain in order to continue residing in the UK with their spouse. The earliest migrants can apply for a spouse visa extension is 28 days before the expiry of their current leave to remain. Our specialist immigration team has an impressive 100% success rate with spouse visa extension applications and can assist with all types of applications including complex applications.

What is a spouse visa extension?

A spouse visa extension will allow you to continue living in the UK as a spouse of a British citizen or settled person. If you arrived in the UK on a spouse visa you would have been granted leave to enter for 30 months and this will need to be renewed for a further 30 months before you will be eligible for indefinite leave to remain (if you are on the 5-year route to settlement).

What are the spouse visa extension requirements?

The requirements for a spouse visa extension are similar to the initial spouse visa application. Migrants must continue to meet the requirements under Appendix FM and FM SE to the Immigration Rules. The main requirements for a spouse visa extension is are that migrants must meet the following:

How much does a UK Spouse visa extension cost?

The Home Office application fee for a spouse visa extension is currently £1523 and a further £19.20 for biometrics. In addition to the visa application fee, migrants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee of £1560 (£624 per year). The fees must be paid at the time of submission. It is also possible to apply for a fee waiver if you can show that you meet the requirements. 

How soon can I renew my UK Spouse visa before it expires?


The earliest migrants can apply for a spouse visa extension is 28 days before the expiry of the visa. However, it is our advice that migrants start preparing for the application at least 90 days before the expiry to ensure the application is well prepared. If you are unable to submit your application before the expiry of your current visa you must seek legal advice as soon as practicable. Our immigration team has ample experience in submitting complex applications.

What is the relationship requirement in a Spouse visa application?

Migrants must meet the relationship requirement by showing that since arriving in the UK on a spouse visa they have continued their marital relationship. In order for migrants to prove their relationship is subsisting, migrants must submit their marriage certificate alongside correspondence/documents addressed to both the migrant and their sponsor. The Home Office expects to see a variety of documents and a failure to submit the correct documents may result in a refusal.

What is the financial requirement in a Spouse visa application?

Migrants must meet the financial requirement also often referred to as the minimum income requirement for spouse visa extension applications. The requirement is met by the Sponsors income unless the Applicant has an income received in the UK. The current threshold is £18,600 for the Main Applicant and an additional £3,800 for one dependant. There is an additional fee of £2,400 for each additional dependant. The salary must be received from the same employer for 6 months or more.

There are a number of different ways you can meet the financial requirement. The most popular routes to meeting the financial requirement are through salaried or self-employment. You can also meet the requirement by using cash savings (£62,500) if you can show that the savings were held for a continuous 6-month period.  In some circumstances, where the Sponsor earns less than £18,600 it is possible to combine cash savings with the salaried employment to meet the requirement. When combing salaried employment with cash savings it is important to use the Home Office formula. It is also possible to rely on non-work employment such as property rentals or dividends. Our immigration team has ample experience in submitting complex applications involving the financial requirement.

Do I need an English test for a Spouse visa extension?

The English requirement for a Spouse visa extension is having a qualification at Level A2 CEFR or above from an approved provider. Migrants applying for a spouse visa extension must meet the English language requirement even if they met the requirement for the initial spouse visa application. Migrants often mistakenly submit the same English language certificate as the initial application but this will not be accepted unless it is above Level A1 CEFR. Migrants can also meet the English language if they have a degree taught or researched in English.

How our immigration solicitors can help submit a Spouse visa extension application

Our immigration solicitors in London specialise in visa applications and can submit successful Spouse visa extension applications. Our immigration team prepares applications to the highest standard. We have an impeccable track history of submitting successful visa applications for a range of clients. The key to submitting a successful visa application is being aware of the relevant Immigration Rules and submitting the correct supporting documents. Our immigration solicitors in London guide Applicants through the requirements and prepare detailed legal submissions in support of the application. In addition to the legal representations, our team of solicitors also provides multiple substantial reviews of the application bundle to ensure that the correct documentary evidence is submitted. We also prepare and assist with the submission of the application.

Using our Immigration Solicitors in London submit a Spouse visa extension application

Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with a Spouse visa extension application. Our solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.

Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications, which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, our solicitors and barristers will ensure all specified documents must be provided.

The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.

Successfully submit a Spouse visa extension application

Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your prospects of submitting a visa application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of a Spouse visa extension application and ensure that you meet all the requirements under the Immigration Rules.

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