Spouse Visa Application Support with UK Immigration Pathways

The spouse visa application requires a financial threshold to be met of £29,000. For new entry clearance applications, this financial requirement needs to be met by the sponsor only. For new in-country applications or an extension a combined income can be used to meet the financial requirement.

Acceptable forms of income that can be used as evidence of the financial requirement, include:

• Income from employment or self-employment/directorship of UK company

• Income from rental properties, investments, stocks, shares and dividends

• Pension payments

Alternatively, the financial requirement can be met solely through cash savings of £88,500 or any shortfall in income can also be topped up through savings.

Exempt Benefits from the Financial Requirement

If the sponsor receives certain benefits, they may be exempt from meeting the standard £29,000 minimum income requirement. Instead you’ll need to show that you and your partner can be adequately maintained without relying on additional public funds.

These exempt benefits include:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer’s Allowance

• Severe Disablement Allowance

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

• Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

• Mobility Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance, or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme

• Police Injury Pension

There are three forms of relationship that are recognised by the Home Office to satisfy the genuine and eligible relation definition. These include:

• A legally recognised marriage formed either within the UK or abroad – Marriage certificate would be required as evidence

• A legally recognised civil partnership formed either within the UK or abroad – Civil partnership certificate would be required as evidence

• A durable partnership which has been ongoing for at least 2 years – Evidence of ongoing relationship can be more difficult to show, but documentation accepted can include:

  • Cohabitation evidence – tenancy agreement, mortgage agreement, utility bills and other official and credible documents

  • Shared financial responsibilities – bank statements, mortgage agreements, finance agreements, joint purchases

When applying for a spouse visa the application must include evidence of suitable accommodation in the UK, must not be overcrowded and is;

• Owned or rented exclusively by the applicant and sponsor

• Or is a home owned or rented by a friend and family member and permission is arranged for the applicant and sponsor to live in the property

When applying for the spouse visa the applicant will need to demonstrate that a certain level of English is met. This can be done in one of the following ways;

1. Passing an English language test, provided by an approved testing centre of a level of at least A1 in speaking and writing. Moving forward for a spouse visa extension and indefinite leave to remain application higher levels will be needed.

2. Having academic qualifications of at least degree level that was taught in English.

Exceptions are available for applicants who are aged over 65, have physical or mental health conditions that prevent them from meeting the requirements or the applicant is a national of an English speaking country.

Yes, but you'll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other. Many genuine couples live apart due to work, studies, or other commitments. You’ll need to provide evidence of ongoing communication, supporting one another financially, caring for any children you have together, visits, and plans together to show your relationship is genuine and subsisting.

Processing times vary depending on where you apply. Standard applications can take around 8–12 weeks from outside the UK and up to 12 weeks inside the UK. Priority and super-priority services are available in many countries for faster decisions.

If you fall short, there may still be options available. You can rely on cash savings, combine income sources, or show exceptional circumstances (for example, where there are children involved). For the English requirement, approved test centres and exemption routes exist for certain applicants.

After five years of continuous residence in the UK as a spouse or partner, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Once ILR is granted, you can then apply for British citizenship after 12 months (or immediately if married to a British citizen).

Yes. Once your Spouse Visa is granted, you are free to work, study, or start your own business in the UK without any restrictions. You’ll also have access to the NHS, though you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application.

There is no fixed limit on time spent outside the UK during your Spouse Visa, but extended absences may affect future settlement applications. To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years, you must show that the UK is your main home and that you and your partner live together permanently. Frequent or lengthy trips abroad, especially more than six months at a time could raise concerns with the Home Office.