Spouse or Partner Visa

The Spouse or Partner Visa allows individuals to join their spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner in the UK. This visa is designed for those who are in a genuine and long-term relationship with a British citizen or a person settled in the UK. It is part of the UK’s family visa routes and offers the opportunity to live and work in the UK while maintaining your relationship.

This visa can eventually lead to settlement in the UK, provided that you meet the eligibility criteria over time.

Eligibility

To qualify for a Spouse or Partner Visa, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are aged 18 or over.
You are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with a British citizen or a person with settled status in the UK (e.g., indefinite leave to remain).
You and your partner have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years (if applying as an unmarried partner).
Your relationship is genuine and not solely for immigration purposes.
You meet the financial requirement, typically:
- You must have a combined income of at least £18,600 per year or meet other acceptable financial criteria.
You meet the English language requirement, which is usually proven by a degree-level qualification or an approved English language test.
You have adequate accommodation for both you and your partner.

Duration of Stay

You can stay in the UK with a Spouse or Partner Visa for:

2.5 years initially, after which you can apply for an extension.
After 5 years of holding this visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allowing you to stay permanently in the UK.

Application Process

Timeline

You can apply for a Spouse or Partner Visa up to 3 months before your planned travel date to the UK. As part of your application, you will need to:

Prove your identity.
Provide required documents, including evidence of your relationship, financial requirements, and English language proficiency.
You may need to attend an appointment to provide biometric information.

Decision Timeframe

12 weeks if applying from outside the UK.
8 weeks if applying from inside the UK.

Rights and Restrictions

What You Can Do:

Live and work in the UK.
Study in the UK.
Bring your dependent children, if eligible.
Travel abroad and return to the UK during the validity of your visa.

What You Cannot Do:

Apply for most benefits (public funds) or the state pension.
Change jobs or employers unless you meet specific eligibility criteria and update your visa.
Apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) until you meet the necessary residency requirements.

Get in touch with us now at Squadlead to make your Spouse or Partner Visa application process seamless and stress-free!