The UK Spouse Visa is a popular visa option for non-EEA family members to join their British or settled partners in the UK. Family unification is important but there are many strict rules and requirements which need to be met in order for an application to be successful. Our Immigration Solicitors in London regularly prepare successful Spouse Visa applications, especially where there are complexities. It is important to submit a successful application to the Home Office the first time; otherwise previous visa refusals can make it more difficult for any future visas to be granted.
What documents do you need to apply for Spouse Visa?
Applications for a UK Spouse Visa are made in accordance with the Immigration Rules Appendix FM: Family Members and Appendix FM-SE: Family Members Specified Evidence. There are several requirements that must be satisfied and ample documentary evidence must, therefore, be provided for the following categories:
- Genuine and subsisting marriage;
- Financial requirement;
- Accommodation requirement; and
- English language requirement.
If our Immigration Solicitors in London are instructed to prepare a Spouse Visa application, we will email a bespoke list of documents that are required for successful applications, based on the Home Office guidance and Appendix FM-SE. Our team will then conduct a thorough review of the supporting documents to ensure they meet the Home Office criteria.
How do I apply for a Spouse Visa?
All applications are now submitted and paid for online. Applicants then have the option of uploading clear scanned copies of their documents directly to the Home Office commercial partners’ website or for an additional fee to take their documents with them to their biometric appointment at a visa application support center for them to be scanned in.
How long is UK Spouse Visa valid for?
A UK Spouse Visa is valid for 30 months (2.5 years). Within 28 days of the expiry of that visa, Applicants can then submit an application to extend their leave in the UK for a further 30 months. Depending on the settlement route the Applicant is on (usually 5 years for straightforward cases or 10 years for discretionary applications), Applicants can then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) in the UK. Applications to then naturalise as a British citizen and get a British passport can be made once an Applicant has had Indefinite Leave to Remain for 12 months.
How long does it take to get a Spouse Visa?
The standard processing time for a Spouse Visa application made outside the UK is 12 weeks. For applications made within the UK, this is 8 weeks. There are also priority visa services available for additional costs which will place the Applicant’s application ahead of the queue and receive a faster decision. Only straightforward applications should use the priority visa service as for more complex cases it may take caseworkers longer to consider the evidence outside the priority service time frame and the fee is non-refundable.
How much does a Spouse Visa cost?
To apply from outside the UK it costs £1,523 to apply, or £1,053.20 from within the UK. All Spouse Visa applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in order to access NHS facilities. For a 30 month visa such as the Spouse Visa, the total IHS fee is £1,000. Applicants pay this online and can calculate how much they need to pay for the IHS on the Home Office website.
*All Home Office fees are correct at the time of writing.
Can I work in the UK on a Spouse Visa?
Yes, the Spouse Visa allows Applicants to work in the UK in employment and as self-employed. Applicants may also study in the UK if they wish.
For extension applications, the Applicant’s income can be considered in terms of meeting the financial requirement either alongside or instead of the Sponsor’s income. For entry clearance applications however, only the Sponsor’s income can be considered for the financial requirement.
Using our Immigration Solicitors in London to submit a Spouse Visa application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on the law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with a spouse visa 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 spouse visa applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your Immigration & Visa 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.
Successful Spouse Visa applications with our Immigration Solicitors in London
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 spouse 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 application and are able to advise you in respect of your prospects and to ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
Our offices are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation to discuss an Entry Clearance Spouse Visa application.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.