UK Spouse visa

Overview

To apply for a UK spouse visa, you must meet four main requirements:
• Be in a genuine relationship with a British citizen or settled person
• Meet the minimum income requirement
• Prove your English language ability
• Have suitable accommodation in the UK
If you meet these, you can apply from inside or outside the UK depending on your situation.
Not sure if you meet all the requirements?
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Who can apply?

You can apply if:
• Your partner is a British citizen or has Indefinite Leave to Remain
• You are married, in a civil partnership, or have lived together for at least 2 years
• You both intend to live together permanently in the UK

Financial requirement (explained simply)

You usually need to show a minimum income of:
• £29,000 per year (subject to current Home Office rules)
This can come from:
• Employment income
• Self-employment
• Savings (in some cases)
This is one of the most common reasons applications are refused.
Not sure if your income qualifies?
👉Get early access to check your situation through LawNeeds.

Documents you’ll need

• Valid passports
• Marriage or partnership certificate
• Proof of relationship (photos, messages, etc.)
• Payslips and bank statements
• English language certificate
• Accommodation details

Application process

1. Complete the online application
2. Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
3. Book a biometric appointment
4. Upload your documents
5. Wait for a decision

Common mistakes

• Incorrect financial evidence
• Weak proof of relationship
• Missing documents
• Applying under the wrong category

Get early access to support

Every situation is different, especially when it comes to financial requirements and documentation.

Join the LawNeeds waitlist to:

• Understand your eligibility
• Get personalised legal guidance
• Be first to access in-app consultations with regulated advisors

UK Spouse Visa Requirements (2026) FAQs

What are the main UK spouse visa requirements?

To apply for a UK spouse visa, you usually need to show that your partner is a British citizen, has indefinite leave to remain, settled status, refugee status or another eligible status in the UK. You must also prove that your relationship is genuine, meet the financial requirement, meet the English language requirement, and show that you will have suitable accommodation in the UK.

For most new spouse or partner visa applications, you and your partner usually need to show a combined income of at least £29,000 per year. This is known as the minimum income requirement. Different rules may apply if you are extending an existing partner visa with the same partner and first applied before 11 April 2024.

You will usually need documents such as valid passports, proof of your relationship, evidence of income or savings, accommodation details, and proof that you meet the English language requirement. Depending on your situation, you may also need marriage or civil partnership documents, divorce certificates, payslips, bank statements, employer letters, tenancy agreements, or evidence of ongoing contact.

You may be able to switch to a family visa from inside the UK if you are already in the UK on an eligible visa. However, you usually cannot switch if you are in the UK as a visitor or if your current visa is for 6 months or less, unless specific exceptions apply.

If you apply from outside the UK, you will usually get a decision within 12 weeks. If you apply from inside the UK and meet the financial and English language requirements, you will usually get a decision within 8 weeks. Some applications can take longer, especially where additional checks or complex circumstances are involved.