If your husband, wife, or partner is living in the UK, the UK Spouse Visa provides a clear legal pathway for you to join them and build your life together. Also known as the UK Family Visa, it allows eligible couples to live, work, and eventually apply for permanent settlement in the UK. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the application process, eligibility requirements, costs, required documents, and the latest April 2026 immigration updates.
What Is the UK Spouse Dependent Visa?
A UK dependent visa enables you to travel with or have your family members join you in the UK. The dependent must be your family member or partner. A dependent is any of the following: husband or wife, unmarried or civil partner, or a child under 18 years of age. The spouse visa specifically is for people who are:
- Legally married to a UK citizen or settled person
- In a civil partnership with a UK citizen or settled person
- In a genuine long-term relationship (unmarried) and have lived together for at least 2 years
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, both you and your UK partner must meet these conditions:
About Your Relationship:
- You must prove you are married, in a civil partnership, or have lived together for 2 years
- The marriage must be legally recognised in the UK
- The relationship must be genuine not entered into just for immigration purposes
- You must have met each other in person before applying
- Both partners must be at least 18 years old
About Your UK Partner (the Sponsor):
- Must be a British citizen, Irish citizen, or settled person (with Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status)
- Must meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year, this applies whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK, and the requirement stays the same even if dependent children are included
- There is no requirement for the sponsor to have a job, the income threshold can be met through savings or income from other sources such as rental income and investments
- If relying solely on savings, the sponsor must have at least £88,500 held for a minimum of 6 months
About You (the Applicant):
- Must pass health and character checks
- Must meet English language requirements, IELTS A1 level or equivalent
- Must have a TB test from an approved clinic if you are from a listed country
- Must intend to genuinely live together with your partner in the UK
How Much Does the Visa Cost?
From 8 April 2026, the application fee is £2,064 from outside the UK or £1,407 from inside the UK. On top of the application fee, you also pay:
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)£1,035 per year, giving you access to the NHS for the full duration of your visa
- TB test fee varies by country, £50 to £150
- English language test, if not already exempt, approximately £150 to £200
The total cost for most applicants, including the IHS for the initial 2 years and 9 months, comes to around £4,500 to £5,500 before professional fees.
How Long Does It Take?
Standard processing time for spouse visa applications from outside the UK is approximately 12 weeks from when you provide biometrics. In-country applications typically take around 8 weeks. Speed up your processing:
- Priority service: targets 5 working days (where available) for an additional fee of approximately £500
- Super priority service (in-country only): targets a decision by the next working day
Documents You Will Need
You will upload your supporting documents through the online portal. Make sure everything is clearly labelled, legible, and organised.
Identity and Relationship Documents:
- Valid passport for both you and your partner
- Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (legally certified)
- Evidence that you meet the relationship requirements as a dependent family member including proof of marriage, civil partnership, or 2 years of cohabitation
- Photographs of you and your partner together over time
- Communication records including messages, emails, video call history
- Evidence of visits to each other including boarding passes, hotel records, travel photos
Financial Documents:
- 6 months of payslips and bank statements for employed sponsors (Category A), or 12 months for self-employed sponsors (Category B)
- If using savings, bank statements showing at least £88,500 held for 6 continuous months
- Pension or rental income statements if applicable
Supporting Documents:
- Proof of English language ability, IELTS result or equivalent
- TB test certificate from an approved clinic (if required for your country)
- Confirmation of payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Proof of accommodation in the UK, tenancy agreement or property ownership documents
- Sponsor’s proof of British citizenship or settled status like passport, BRP card, or ILR letter
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
- Confirm that both you and your UK partner meet all the requirements above before starting the application. Pay attention to the £29,000 income threshold, this is the most common reason applications are refused.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
- Start collecting evidence of your relationship as early as possible including photos, messages, travel records, and joint correspondence spanning a long period. The more your evidence demonstrates a genuine, ongoing relationship, the stronger your application.
Step 3: Complete Your TB Test
- If you are from a country on the UK’s required TB testing list, book a test at an approved clinic in your country before applying. Your certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the test.
Find an Approved TB Testing Clinic
Step 4: Take Your English Language Test
- If you are not exempt from the English language requirement, book an approved test. The minimum level required is A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Approved tests include:
Note: You may be exempt if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or hold a degree taught in English.
Step 5: Apply Online Through the Official UK Government Portal
- The application process for a UK partner and spouse visa is completed online on the Home Office website.
- Apply for a UK Family Visa: Official Gov.uk Page
- UK Spouse Visa Online Application Portal
Step 6: Pay the Application Fee and IHS
- Pay both the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge at the time of submitting your application online. You will need a debit or credit card.
Step 7: Book Your Biometrics Appointment
- If applying from outside the UK, you will book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in your country to provide your fingerprints and a photograph. If applying from within the UK, you will use the UKVCAS service to provide biometrics at an approved centre.
- Book a Biometrics Appointment (Inside UK)
- Find a Visa Application Centre (Outside UK)
Step 8: Wait for a Decision
- You can expect to receive a decision within 12 weeks of attending your appointment at the visa application centre. Processing speed depends on which country you are applying from. Track your application status through the UKVI account you created when applying.
Step 9: Travel to the UK
- Once approved, you receive entry clearance valid for 2 years and 9 months. Travel to the UK and begin your life together.
What Happens After Your Visa
The UK spouse visa leads to permanent residency through a clear, structured timeline:
- Initial visa: 2 years and 9 months (if applied from outside UK) or 30 months (if applied from inside UK)
- First extension: Apply to extend for a further 2.5 years before your initial visa expires
- After 5 years total: Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) permanent settlement in the UK
Apply to Extend Your Spouse Visa
Apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
What You Can Do on a UK Spouse Visa
Once you arrive in the UK on your spouse visa:
- You are allowed to work, there are no restrictions on employment for spouse visa holders
- You can study
- You have access to the NHS for the full duration of your visa through the IHS you paid
- You cannot claim most public funds, the visa comes with a “No Recourse to Public Funds” condition
- Your dependent children under 18 can be included in your application
Tips for a Successful Application
- Build a strong evidence file from day one: The Home Office wants to see a genuine, ongoing relationship spanning months or years
- Meet the income threshold before you apply: The £29,000 requirement is non-negotiable. Make sure your sponsor’s finances are clearly documented with payslips and bank statements
- Be consistent: Your relationship story must match across your personal statements, documents, and your partner’s supporting letter
- Submit a complete application: A single missing document can delay or derail your entire application
- Never provide false information: The consequences include a visa refusal, a ban on re-applying, and potential criminal charges
- Consult an immigration lawyer for complex cases: Previous refusals, criminal history, or complicated financial situations are best handled with professional support
Find a Regulated UK Immigration Adviser
Conclusion
Applying for a UK Spouse Visa may seem complicated at first, but understanding the requirements and preparing the right documents can make the process much smoother. Whether you are newly married or in a long-term relationship, this visa offers an opportunity to reunite with your partner and start a future together in the UK.