If you are a UK-based sponsor wishing to bring your spouse from Albania to live with you in the United Kingdom, this article explains the current Home Office requirements, the step-by-step process, and key risks to watch out for.
1. Which visa route applies?
If you are legally married and intend to live together in the UK, your partner must apply for a UK Family (Spouse/Partner) Visa under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
Because Albania is a visa national country, your wife must apply before travelling to the UK. She cannot enter on a visitor visa and switch to a spouse visa once inside the UK — doing so can result in refusal and future immigration restrictions.
2. Eligibility requirements
A. Sponsor eligibility
- You must be a British citizen, have Indefinite Leave to Remain, settled status, or refugee
status. - Both you and your spouse must be aged 18 or over.
B. Relationship requirement
- You must be legally married, and the marriage must be recognised under UK law.
- The relationship must be genuine and subsisting, and you must plan to live together
- permanently in the UK.
C. Financial requirement
- You must show a minimum income of £29,000 per year (as of 2025) or sufficient savings.
D. Accommodation
- You must have adequate accommodation available in the UK without relying on public funds.
E. English language
- Your spouse must pass an approved A1 English test, unless exempt due to age, disability, or qualifications.
3. The application process
- Submit the online application: Your wife must complete the UK Spouse Visa application on GOV.UK and pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Attend a biometric appointment in Tirana: She must attend the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Tirana, Albania, to submit her fingerprints, photograph, and passport.
- Home Office processing: The application is reviewed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and usually takes 8–12 weeks.
- Decision and travel to the UK: If approved, your wife will receive a 90-day entry visa to travel to the UK but her new Spouse visa status is now reflected in her online e- visa account. The Home Office no longer issue Biometric Residence Permits.
4. Current visa fees and costs (as of November 2025)
Spouse visa application fee: £1,938
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £3,105 (covers 2.5 years of NHS access)
Priority processing: varies depending on VFS Tirana availability
All fees are subject to change and may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations when paying in Euro or another overseas currency – this is set by the Home Office.
5. Common risks and things to watch out for
- Income requirement shortfalls: Failing to meet the minimum income threshold will likely lead to refusal.
- Weak relationship evidence: Provide clear proof of your relationship with photos, travel records, and communication.
- Untranslated documents: All Albanian documents must be officially translated into English and legalised where required.
- Visitor visa misuse: Do not try to switch from a visitor visa to a spouse visa inside the UK.
- Accommodation evidence: Prove that your UK home is suitable and not overcrowded.
6. After arriving in the UK
Your wife will receive permission to stay for 2 years and 9 months. Before expiry, she must apply for an extension. After 5 years of continuous residence, she may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Normally once she has completed 2 years and 6 months of residency from her initial arrival she can apply for an extension and is not required to wait until the full 2 years and 9 months has been completed.
7. Why legal advice helps
A regulated immigration solicitor or adviser can:
- Check eligibility and financial documents
- Ensure Albanian documents meet translation/legalisation standards
- Prepare your evidence pack and submit through VFS
- Represent you in refusals or appeals
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take?
Standard applications take 8–12 weeks; priority processing can be faster.
Can my wife work in the UK?
Yes, she can work and study freely.
Will there be an interview?
Sometimes, if the Home Office has questions about the relationship.
How much does it cost?
£1,938 visa fee + £3,105 IHS (subject to exchange rate changes).
What if the application is refused?
You may appeal or reapply with stronger evidence.
Can she apply from within the UK?
Only if on a visa that allows switching (not a visitor visa).
Is our Albanian marriage recognised?
Yes, if valid under Albanian law and translated into English.
9. Final thoughts
Bringing your wife from Albania to the UK is achievable with careful preparation. She must attend the VFS Global Visa Centre in Tirana for her biometrics and passport submission. By ensuring your documents are correct, income requirements are met, and your relationship evidence is strong, you can maximise your chances of success and begin your life together in the UK.
