--Spouse & Partner Visa · New Application
UK Spouse Visa Application
The financial requirement is the single most common reason spouse visa applications are refused — almost never because the sponsor doesn’t earn enough, but because the evidence submitted doesn’t prove it in the exact format the Home Office requires. We check your category and your evidence before anything is submitted.
--Eligibility
What you'll need to show.
Genuine, subsisting relationship
Married, civil partnered, or an unmarried partner who has lived together with your sponsor for at least 2 years.
UK-based sponsor
Your partner must be a British citizen, settled in the UK, or hold relevant status allowing them to sponsor you.
Financial requirement
£29,000 minimum gross annual income, met through one category or a permitted combination — see below.
English at A1
An approved Secure English Language Test, unless you qualify for an exemption.
--Financial Requirement
The 7 categories, explained.
On an entry clearance application, only your UK-based sponsor’s income counts — not what you earn abroad. This changes once you’re in the UK on the switching or extension stages.
Refusals almost never happen because the sponsor earns too little — they happen because the specified evidence doesn't prove what was actually earned, in the exact format Appendix FM-SE requires. An incomplete employer letter or a savings account funded too recently are enough.
| CATEGORY | SOURCE | WHAT'S REQUIRED |
|---|---|---|
| A | Salaried employment, 6+ months | 6 months of payslips and matching bank statements, plus an employer letter confirming role, salary and that employment is ongoing. |
| B | Employment under 6 months, or variable income | Must meet the threshold on current salary AND on total income over the previous 12 months. |
| C | Non-employment income | Rental income, dividends, interest, maintenance payments — evidenced over the 12 months before application. |
| D | Cash savings | Only savings above £16,000 count. Formula: (annual shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000. Must be held 6+ months. £88,500 needed to meet the full requirement on savings alone. |
| E | Pension income | State, occupational or private pension in payment — award letter plus 3 months of bank statements. |
| F / G | Self-employment / company director | Based on the most recent full tax year's gross taxable profit (F) or averaged over 2 years (G). SA302, HMRC tax year overview, and full accounts required. |
Some categories can be combined to meet the threshold (e.g. Category A with Category D) — but the rules on which combinations are permitted are precise, and getting this wrong is a common cause of refusal.
--Documents
What you'll need to provide.
--Our Process
Four steps, start to finish.
Category assessment
We identify which financial category genuinely fits your situation — and whether combining categories helps.
Evidence checked
Every document cross-checked against Appendix FM-SE's exact requirements before submission.
Application submitted
Your adviser submits and books your biometric appointment.
Decision and next steps
We explain your 30-month grant and the path towards extension and settlement.
--Questions
Frequently asked.
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION | ANSWER & DETAILS |
|---|---|
| What are the main requirements for a UK Spouse Visa Application? | To submit a successful UK Spouse Visa Application, you must prove you are legally married to a British citizen or settled person, meet the £29,000 financial threshold under Appendix FM, possess suitable accommodation, and demonstrate English language proficiency at level A1 or higher. |
| How long does a UK Spouse Visa Application take to process? | Standard processing for an out-of-country UK Spouse Visa Application takes up to 24 weeks (6 months) from your biometric appointment. In-country switching or extension applications take up to 8 weeks. Priority processing options are available in select locations to accelerate decision times. |
| How do we meet the UK Spouse Visa financial requirement? | Your UK Spouse Visa Application can meet the financial rule through salaried employment (Category A or B), self-employment (Category F or G), non-employment income, or cash savings (Category D requiring £88,500 if relied upon solely). Specific combinations of these categories are also permitted under Appendix FM-SE. |
| What documents are needed to prove a genuine relationship? | A robust UK Spouse Visa Application requires a valid marriage or civil partnership certificate, along with joint evidence spanning your relationship history such as cohabitation records, shared bank accounts, tenancy agreements, official correspondence, and proof of regular communication. |
| What English language test is needed for a spouse visa? | Applicants must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at level A1 (speaking and listening) for an initial UK Spouse Visa Application from abroad. If extending your stay after 2.5 years, the requirement increases to level A2, while Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) requires level B1. |
| Can I work in the UK on a Spouse Visa? | Yes. Once your UK Spouse Visa Application is approved, you are granted full work rights in the UK. You can accept employment, work as a self-employed individual, or study, with no restriction on hours or business sector. |