What do I need for a UK Spouse visa?

There were 154,257 visas and permits granted for family reasons in the year ending June 2020. There is no doubt the vast majority of these visas were granted under the UK spouse visa route. The UK spouse visa is one of the most popular UK visa routes under the Immigration Rules and it was designed to allow non-EEA nationals to join their British or settled spouses in the UK. To submit a successful application, Applicants must meet the relationship, financial, and English language requirements as per Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules. There are a number of benefits that accompany the spouse visa such as unrestricted permission to work and the option to settle in the UK. 

What is a UK Spouse visa?

The UK spouse visa allows non-EEA spouses to join their British or settled partners in the UK. A spouse visa is valid for 30 months and can be renewed for a further 30 months. Following this, Applicants can apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK.

How much is UK Spouse visa fee?

If you submit your UK Spouse visa from outside the UK the Home Office fee is £1523 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). However, if you submit the application from within the UK the Home Office fee is £1033 plus the Biometrics fee (£19.20) and the IHS. The IHS fee for all applications is £400 per year. The IHS fee was set to be raised on 1 October 2020 to £624 per year but this has been put on hold for the time being.

What do I need for Spouse visa UK?

In order to submit a successful UK spouse visa application, Applicants must be able to show that they are in a genuine and subsisting marriage with a British citizen or a settled person who is present in the UK. If you are living with your British or settled spouse outside the UK you may be eligible for a UK spouse visa (subject to meeting additional requirements). Applicants are also required to meet the financial and English language requirements (see below).  

What is the financial requirement for UK Spouse visa?

For entry clearance applications, Applicants are required to show that their Sponsor has an income of at least £18,600. However, for in-country applications, the Applicants can rely on their own income or combine their income with their Sponsors to each the £18,600 threshold.

There are a number of different ways you can meet the financial requirement such as salaried employment or self-employment; however, there are other ways such as rental income, cash savings, and pensions. We recently posted about the different ways Applicants can meet the financial requirement. The mandatory documents under Appendix FM SE vary depending on how you wish to meet the financial requirement. 

What is the English test for Spouse visa for UK?

Applicants are required to pass an English language test with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with at least a CEFR level A1 or above in speaking and listening and must submit the pass certificate. You can also meet the English language requirement if you are from a majority English speaking country or you have studied a degree taught in English.

Can you work in the UK on a Spouse visa?

Migrants who have been endorsed under the UK Spouse visa route are able to work without any restrictions. Migrants can work for an employer or work as a self-employed person.

How early can I apply for Spouse visa extension?

Applicants can apply for their spouse visa extension 28 days before the expiry of their current spouse visa. However, Applicants are advised to commence the application process 3 months before the expiry as this will give them sufficient time to collate the mandatory documents under Appendix FM SE.

Can you switch into a UK Spouse visa?

Applicants who are already in the UK can apply to transfer their existing leave to the UK spouse visa route i.e. switching from Tier 2 or Tier 4 visas to the spouse visa. Applicants must have a visa that is valid for more than 6 months to exercise the switch provision in the Immigration Rules.

How our immigration solicitors can help with a UK Spouse visa application?

Our immigration solicitors in London specialise in UK Spouse visa applications and prepare applications to the highest standard. We have an impeccable track history of submitting successful UK Spouse visa applications for a range of different clients. The key to submitting successful applications is being aware of the relevant Immigration Rules. 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 Legal Representation to submit a UK Spouse visa 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 UK Visa application. Our solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules for UK Spouse visa applications.

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 and meets the requirements, all necessary documents must be provided.

This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence in support of your application. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.

Successful UK Spouse visa applications

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 UK Spouse visa application and the merit of an application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.

We 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 visa 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 the new UK Spouse visa application.

Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.

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