A UK spouse visa lets the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen, or of someone settled in the UK, live together permanently in the UK. It is the main route into the wider UK family visa system, and — for couples who married after coming to the UK on a fiancé visa — it’s usually the very next step.
This page sets out who qualifies, what the Home Office actually checks, and how the route runs from your first application through to settlement. Where a topic has its own dedicated, in-depth guide — cost, the financial requirement, processing times, refusals — we’ve linked to it rather than repeat it here, so you always land on the most current version.
At JPS Immigration, we are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and have supported individuals and families with spouse visa applications, extensions and settlement for over two decades. Call us on +44 (0) 333 577 0034 for a free initial phone consultation, or complete our contact form.
What Is the UK Spouse Visa?
The spouse visa (technically part of the “partner” category under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules) allows a foreign national to live in the UK with a partner who is:
- a British citizen
- an Irish citizen
- a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or EU Settled Status
- a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
Marriage or civil partnership alone does not create a right to live in the UK — a visa must be applied for and granted first.
If granted, an initial spouse visa is normally valid for 2 years and 9 months (33 months) when applied for from outside the UK, or 2 years and 6 months (30 months) where you are switching from a fiancé, proposed civil partner, or certain other UK visas. It can then be extended for a further 2 years and 6 months, before you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years on the route.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply for a spouse visa if you are the partner of someone in the UK who holds one of the qualifying statuses above, and you:
- are legally married or in a civil partnership, or
- have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years (in which case you apply as an unmarried partner rather than a spouse)
- are in a genuine and subsisting relationship
- intend to live together permanently in the UK
- are both aged 18 or over
The Core Requirements
1. Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
Every spouse visa application turns first on whether the Home Office is satisfied the relationship is real and ongoing — not entered into for immigration purposes. This is assessed on the whole picture: how the relationship developed, shared responsibilities, contact history while apart, and the quality (not just quantity) of the evidence submitted. This single requirement causes more refusals through weak or disorganised evidence than almost anything else on the form.
We’ve written a full, separate guide on exactly what caseworkers look for and how to evidence it properly: Genuine and Subsisting Relationship Evidence for a UK Spouse Visa.
2. The Financial Requirement
The sponsoring partner must usually show a minimum gross annual income of £29,000. This figure has been in place since 11 April 2024 and, as of mid-2026, has not changed — although the Migration Advisory Committee’s June 2025 review recommended the government consider reducing it to somewhere in the region of £23,000–£25,000. No such change has been implemented, and there is no confirmed timetable for one, so £29,000 remains the figure to plan around.
Income can come from employment, self-employment, pensions, savings, or certain non-means-tested benefits, and can be combined with cash savings above £16,000 in defined circumstances. If you first applied on the partner route before 11 April 2024, transitional rules may mean you continue to be assessed against the older £18,600 threshold for your extension or ILR application, provided you remain with the same partner.
For the full breakdown of income categories, the savings calculation, and exemptions, see our dedicated guide: UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement 2026 and UK Spouse Visa Income Requirement 2026: Is It Still £29,000?
3. English Language Requirement
Applicants must show basic English ability, usually by passing an approved test at CEFR level A1 for the initial application (rising to A2 for extension and B1 for settlement), or by holding a degree taught in English.
4. Accommodation Requirement
You must show that accommodation in the UK is available to you, is owned or lawfully occupied, and will not be overcrowded or breach public health standards.
Documents You’ll Need
A typical spouse visa bundle includes:
- valid passports (current and, where relevant, expired)
- marriage or civil partnership certificate
- relationship evidence (photos, messages, travel records, joint bills)
- financial evidence appropriate to your income category
- proof of accommodation
- English language test certificate, if required
- TB test certificate, if applying from a listed country
Missing or poorly organised evidence — rather than a genuine lack of eligibility — is one of the most common reasons applications are refused or delayed.
How to Apply
- Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria
- Gather and organise your supporting evidence
- Complete the online application on the GOV.UK service
- Pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Upload your documents
- Attend a biometric appointment
- Attend an interview, if requested
For current fee figures, application timelines and priority service options, see UK Spouse Visa Cost 2026 and UK Spouse Visa Processing Time.
Extending Your Spouse Visa
After your initial period of leave, you can apply to extend under FLR(M) for a further 2 years and 6 months, provided you continue to meet the relationship, financial, and accommodation requirements. See our full guide: UK Spouse Visa Extension (FLR(M)).
The Route to Settlement (ILR)
After five years in the UK on the partner route, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. To qualify, you must generally:
- continue living with your partner in a genuine relationship
- continue to meet the financial requirement
- pass the Life in the UK test
- meet the English requirement at B1
ILR grants permanent residence and is usually the last step before British citizenship. See our full guide: ILR After Spouse Visa: The Complete Guide.
Note that the government’s 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed extending the qualifying period for settlement to 10 years for a number of routes. As of mid-2026 this has not been implemented for the partner route, and the five-year path remains in place — but it is worth monitoring if your application timeline runs into 2027 or beyond.
If Your Application Is Refused
Refusals commonly arise from gaps in financial evidence, weak relationship evidence, or documents that don’t meet the Home Office’s specified format. A refusal is not always the end of the road — depending on the reasons given, an administrative review, appeal, or fresh application may be available. See our full guide: UK Spouse Visa Refused: What to Do Next.
Common Misconceptions
A number of myths circulate about the spouse visa route — from assumptions about savings-only routes to what counts as a “genuine” relationship. We’ve addressed the most common ones in a dedicated guide: UK Spouse Visa Myths Explained.
Spouse Visa vs Fiancé Visa
If you are not yet married, you may need the UK Fiancé Visa instead, which allows you to enter the UK to marry before switching onto the spouse route. Already engaged and weighing up which to apply for? Our fiancé visa page sets out the practical differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sponsor my partner if I don’t have a job?
Yes. The £29,000 requirement can be met through savings, pension income, rental income, or other permitted sources — not employment income alone.
How much in savings do I need for a spouse visa?
To meet the requirement through savings alone you generally need at least £16,000 held for six months, with the total required rising depending on any income shortfall (broadly £88,500 in savings alone, with no income). See our financial requirement guide for the exact formula.
How long can I stay outside the UK on a spouse visa?
There is no fixed absence limit for a spouse visa in the way the 180-day rule applies to some ILR routes, since family visa holders are exempt from it. However, since the visa is granted on the basis you intend to live together in the UK, prolonged or unexplained absences can affect an extension or ILR application.
Can I work in the UK on a spouse visa?
Yes, spouse visa holders can work full-time or part-time with no restrictions.
Can I claim public funds on a spouse visa?
No. Spouse visa holders are subject to a “no recourse to public funds” condition and cannot claim most state benefits, including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit.
Can I add my children to my spouse visa application?
Yes, dependent children can usually be included, subject to an additional application fee; under current rules there is no extra income requirement per child.
Is the £29,000 income threshold going to change?
Not as things stand. The MAC recommended a lower range in June 2025, but the government has not implemented any change, and £29,000 remains the figure that applies to new applications as of 2026.
This page is reviewed regularly to reflect current Home Office rules and fees. Always confirm the latest figures on GOV.UK before applying, or speak to one of our IAA-regulated advisers.
How JPS Can Help
At JPS Immigration, we have extensive experience in helping with UK Spouse Visas’ applications, refusals, and advice.
IAA-Regulated Immigration Adviser & Founder, JPS Immigration
Former UK Home Office Immigration Officer & British Diplomatic Service Entry Clearance Officer
22+ years’ experience | BBC News contributor | LinkedIn profile
