Key requirements
To qualify as a partner, both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old. Your partner should also meet one of the following criteria:
- You must be a British or Irish citizen
- You must have settled status in the UK, such as indefinite leave to remain or proof of permanent residence
- Hold pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (they must have resided in the UK before January 1, 2021)
- Possess a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa
- Have protection status (such as refugee status or humanitarian protection)
- Be recognized as a stateless person with permission to stay
After applying, you and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK. If your partner has settled or pre-settled status, you may be eligible to apply under the free EU Settlement Scheme.
What You Must Prove
You need to demonstrate one of the following:
- You are in a legally recognized marriage or civil partnership
- You have been in a committed relationship and living together for at least two years
- You are engaged and plan to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK within six months of arrival
- You have been in a relationship for two years but cannot live together due to work, study, or cultural reasons
Additionally, you must show that you:
- Meet the English language requirement
- Satisfy the financial criteria
If you cannot meet these requirements, you may still be eligible if:
- You have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for at least seven years, and it would be unreasonable for them to leave
- Denying your visa would violate your human rights
Raza, has over 24 years of experience in legal practice. His current practice focuses on Family, Immigration, Personal Injury matters and Conveyancing Law. He is the founding and Managing Director of RMZ Law Offices.
“The process of applying for a spouse visa might feel document-heavy and complex but it is the best way to stay close to your families”
Additional Requirements for Fiancé(e)s and Proposed Civil Partners
If applying as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, you must prove:
- Any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended
- You intend to marry or form a civil partnership within six months of arrival
During your engagement, you cannot work or study. Once married or in a civil partnership, you must apply for an extension to gain permission to work or study.
Proving Your Relationship
Provide official evidence from a government body, bank, landlord, utility provider, or medical professional confirming your relationship, such as:
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, or council tax bills
- Joint bank statements or proof of shared residence
- A letter from a doctor or dentist confirming your address
If you do not have these documents, alternative evidence may include:
- One-off bills (e.g., home repairs or vet expenses)
- Voter registration letters showing the same address
- Student finance documents confirming a shared address
If you live apart due to work, study, or cultural reasons, you must prove your commitment through:
- Regular communication
- Financial support for each other
- Shared responsibility for children
- Evidence of time spent together (e.g., holidays or events)
Visa Duration & Extensions
- The standard spouse/partner visa allows you to stay for 2 years and 9 months
- A fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa lasts 6 months
- If extending or switching to a partner visa, you can stay for 2 years and 6 months
Applications must be submitted online, either from inside or outside the UK.
Fee Waivers
If you cannot afford the application fee, you may be eligible for a fee waiver if you:
- Have no housing and cannot afford accommodation
- Struggle to meet essential living expenses (e.g., food, heating)
- Have a very low income, and paying the fee would harm your child’s well-being
Fee waivers are available for applications both inside and outside the UK.
Processing Times
- Applications outside the UK: Typically decided within 12 weeks
- Applications inside the UK:
- If you meet financial and English language requirements: 8 weeks
- If you do not meet these requirements: Up to 12 months
Expedited processing options may be available for an additional fee.
Including Children in Your Application
You can include dependent children in your application if:
- They are under 18 when you apply (or were under 18 when they first got permission to stay)
- They do not live independently (e.g., have not left home, married, or had children)
Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement)
The earliest you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is after 5 continuous years on a family visa as a partner.Time spent in the UK on other visas or as a fiancé(e)/proposed civil partner does not count towards this five-year period.
If you received a family visa before July 9, 2012, different rules apply.
Financial Requirements
You and your partner must jointly meet a minimum annual income threshold:
- £29,000 (as of April 2025)
- £18,600 if extending a visa first granted before April 11, 2024
Extra financial proof is required for dependent children:
- £3,800 for the first child
- £2,400 per additional child
- If the total requirement exceeds £29,000, you only need to show £29,000 in income.
If your partner receives disability or carer’s benefits, you do not need to meet the minimum income threshold. However, you must prove you have enough resources to support yourselves without additional public funds.