Spousal Visa Solicitors
For couples separated by borders, a spousal visa can be a lifeline, allowing them to reunite and build their lives together in the UK.
At Lawhive, our network of expert immigration lawyers has extensive experience in handling spousal visa applications and is committed to helping you understand the immigration system in the UK.
They are on hand to provide clear, step-by-step guidance on the spousal visa application process. From initial consultation to submission and follow-up, we offer comprehensive support from fully regulated and vetted solicitors for affordable fixed prices, with no hidden fees in sight.
If you're planning to apply for a UK spousal visa, let Lawhive help you through the process and provide you with the expertise and support you need to increase your chances of success.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and quote for the services of a specialist spousal visa lawyer.
What is the UK spousal visa?
A spousal visa, also known as a UK spouse visa, allows the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen or someone with settled status in the UK to live and work in the UK.
Who can apply for a UK spousal visa?
You can apply for a UK spousal visa if your spouse or civil partner:
Is a British or Irish citizen
Has settled in the UK and has Indefinite Leave to Remain, permanent residence, or EU Settled Status;
Has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK;
Has a Turkish Business person via or Turkish Worker visa.
You must have met in person at least once and need to prove that your relationship is genuine and subsisting. This typically involves providing evidence such as photographs, communication records, and cohabitation documents.
You and your partner must also intend to live together permanently in the UK.
What do you need to be able to prove to get a spousal visa?
To apply for a spousal visa in the UK, you need to prove that you:
Have been living together in a relationship for at least two years before applying
Are a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner planning to marry or enter into a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK.
Alternatively, if you've been in a relationship for at least two years but can't live together due to work, study, or cultural reasons, you must also meet this criteria.
Also, you need to demonstrate a good knowledge of English and meet specific financial requirements.
If you can't provide this proof, you might still be eligible to apply for a visa or extend your stay if you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen, or has lived in the UK for seven years, and it would be unreasonable for them to leave, or if forcing you to leave the UK would breach your human rights.
If you are applying as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, you must show that any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended and that you plan to marry or become civil partners within six months of arriving in the UK.
You will not be able to work or study during your engagement period.
Once you marry or enter into a civil partnership, you will need to apply to extend your stay, and upon approval, you will gain the right to work or study in the UK.
How do I apply for a spousal visa?
To apply for a spousal visa, you must apply online, whether you are in the UK or outside of the UK.
What evidence do I need to apply for a spousal visa?
To apply for a spousal visa, you will need to provide:
Your full name
Date of birth
Current passport or other valid travel ID
Copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports
A copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one
Details of any previous immigration applications you’ve made
Details of any criminal convictions
Your national insurance number, if you have one
Your parents’ date of birth and nationality if you’re applying from outside the UK
Your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
A certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh
You also need to prove your knowledge of English and proof of your finances and that you can meet the financial requirements of your visa.
Plus, you also need to prove your relationship by detailing how long you've known each other, lived with each other, and the things you pay for together.
You may also need a sponsorship form from a family member.
What are the financial requirements for a spousal visa?
To qualify for a spousal visa in the UK, you and your spouse or civil partner must have a combined income of at least £29,000 per year.
The income can come from various sources, including:
Employment or self-employment
Savings over £16,000 held for at least six months
Income from retirement pensions
Rental income or dividends from investments.
In some cases, exemptions to the income threshold apply. For example, if the applicant or their sponsor receives certain disability benefits or carer’s allowance, the financial requirement might be waived.
What if I can't meet the financial requirements for a spousal visa?
If you can't meet the financial requirements for a spousal visa, you might still be eligible to apply for a visa or extend your stay in the UK under certain conditions. For example:
If you have a child who is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for at least seven years.
If making you leave the UK would breach your human rights.
If you do not meet the financial requirements, the earliest you can apply to settle permanently in the UK is after 10 years of residence.
How much does a spousal visa cost?
The fee for a spousal visa is £1,846 if you're applying outside the UK, and £1,048 if you're applying in the UK.
You might also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
For each adult (18 or older) it costs:
£2,587.50 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
£3,105 if you’re staying for 2 years and 9 months
£5,175 if you’re staying for 5 years.