What is a UK Spouse Visa?
                     What is a UK Spouse Visa?
Don’t have time to read? 
You can listen to our article!
 https://soundcloud.com/the-smartmove2uk/2022-
guide-what-is-uk-spouse-visa
The UK Spouse visa allows British residents or someone settled on ILR with a spouse living outside the UK, 
to bring them to the UK via this visa under the Family visa category. It helps to have 
full information on the UK Spouse visa to avoid delays and refusals.
If you have a partner in the UK who is a British resident or settled on ILR, you can apply for this visa and 
join them in the UK.
According to The SmartMove2UK’s research, there is a lot of confusion among applicants about what the 
UK Spouse, Fiancé/Partner, and Unmarried partner visa routes are and it’s features.
Our experts in India – Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore have received many queries about what is UK Spouse 
visa, who it’s for and what’s the right category for them.
The difference between the UK Spouse visa | 
UK unmarried visa | UK fiancé / partner visa
Features UK Spouse Visa UK Unmarried Partner Visa UK Fiancé / Partner visa
is for a Fiancé/Partner of 
British citizens or those 
settled on ILR, to join their 
is for married long-term is for unmarried long-term partner in the UK. You can 
partners of British citizens or partners of British citizens or join your Fiancé/Partner in 
those settled on ILR, to join those settled on ILR, to join 
their partner in the UK. their partner in the UK. the UK with this route, 
however, you must get 
married within 6 months and 
switch to a Spouse visa.
Evidence of relationship Yes Yes Yes
Pay IHS Yes Yes No
Meet financial requirements Yes Yes Yes
Take children along Yes Yes No
Permission to work Yes Yes No
Children can get free 
education Yes Yes –
Settlement Yes Yes No
Please note – These features differ based on the main applicant’s visa and immigration status. 
For example, it depends on your partner’s visa category like the UK Skilled Worker, 
Expansion Worker, etc.
There have been many searches. With work and dependent visas, Britain has many 
applications from India. Our experts in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru have received many 
queries about what is UK Spouse visa, who it’s for and what’s the right category for them.
For whom is the UK Spouse Visa?
The UK spouse visa, also known as the Marriage visa
in the UK, is a sort of UK family visa that you will need if you intend to enter and stay in the UK for over 6 
months with a partner (spouse/ Fiancé/Partner).
To qualify for the UK Spouse visa, both the UK resident and the applicant who wishes to join them in the UK
 must meet certain criteria established by the UK Immigration Authorities.
The basic requirement for the UK Spouse visa is that both the resident and the applicant be over the age of 
18 because British law does not recognise marriages between people under the age of 18.
The following are the other eligibility requirements:
• Your partner must be a British citizen or settled in the UK on ILR.
• Your marriage or civil partnership must be recognised in the UK.
• When you apply, you must be able to prove a long-term and genuine relationship (this is to prevent 
forced marriages, which British law does not recognize).
What are the financial requirements for a UK Spouse visa?
 To completely know the route, you must understand the 
financial requirements for Spouse visa for the UK!
 If you are bringing your spouse to the UK, you show that you both earn at least 
£18,600 per year.
 This is the most critical element of your application, and many applicants either fail 
to meet it or provide enough evidence that they can, resulting in their visas being 
denied.
Checklist of documents required for a UK Spouse visa
 To understand what is UK Spouse visa and successfully qualify for it; provide the following documents:
• Application form for a UK visa. To apply for a spouse visa, click here.
• Information you will generally need to provide will include
 Your whole name
 Your date of birth
 Current passport or other valid ID
 Copy of biometric residence permit (if you have one)
• To a ttach a visa, you must have a valid passport with at least 2 empty pages
• Previously held passports
• Proof of English language proficiency to meet English test requirements for the UK Spouse visa.
• Financial proof is required (bank statements, salary slips, etc)
• Information on immigration history (if any).
• Criminal record certificate
• Your national insurance number, if you have one.
Interesting Read
2022 – A Complete Guide to the eligibility requirement for UK spouse visa!
Application for a UK Spouse visa
 If you are applying from outside the UK, you must apply online.
 You will be asked to choose between Appendix FM Partner and Appendix FM Child.
Choose Appendix FM Spouse and begin filling out your application.
 When applying, make sure you prepare all documents that you will need to submit.
 It can help to know expert’s tips on a successful UK Spouse visa application.
Documents required to show financial support for 
a UK Spouse visa
 For a UK Spouse visa, you will need to provide proof of your income, such as
 Bank statements of the partner who is already in the UK
 6 months of payslips
 A letter from an employer that provides the job title, length of employment, 
current salary, and payslips
If you are bringing your children
 If you intend to bring your children who are not British or EEA nationals to the UK with you, you 
must prove that you:
 Earn £3,800 more for your first child.
 Earn an additional £2,400 for each kid you have after your first.
 Have documentation to prove you can meet these financial requirements and support your children 
in the UK.
Applying for the UK spouse visa extension?
Read this blog: 3 essential points to remember when applying 
for a Spouse visa UK Extension
Fee for UK Spouse visa
Purpose Fees
Application Fee £1,538
IHS £1,560
Priority processing fee Additional £500 (decision within 5 days)
What is the processing time for a UK Spouse visa?
 It can take up to 12 weeks to get a UK spouse visa, or up to 8 weeks if you apply within the UK, either online or by 
letter. The UK Spouse visa processing time also depends on the merits of the application and the supporting 
documents provided.
 However, application processing may be delayed if:
• You do not have the required funds,
• You have not provided certain supporting documents,
• You have a criminal history,
• You fail to meet certain criteria
 Currently, due to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Britain is providing refuge and prioritising applications from 
Ukrainian refugees, resulting in a delay in the processing of visas from other countries.
Can a UK Spouse visa be refused?
Yes. There are changes of spouse visa refusal for many reasons like – selection of the wrong category, 
insufficient supporting documents provided and more… However, here are some common reasons cited 
by the UK Home Office for refusing a UK Spouse visa.
How can The SmartMove2UK help if my UK Spouse 
visa is refused
Our UK immigration experts in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and in the United Kingdom – London, have 
assisted many clients in ending the distance between them and their partners in the UK.
In cases of a refusal, you can either file for an appeal or apply again. Our UK-qualified immigration lawyers 
determine the best option for you based on the reasons for refusal.
We at The SmartMove2UK will guide you through the complexities of immigration regulations with our 
genuine, cost-effective, and customer-focused services. With a decade of experience, The SmartMove2UK has 
a 99% success rate in all visas and a 0% refusal rate owing to no technical mistakes.
You can get in touch with our UK immigration lawyer to book a consultation!
+91 9819127002 +91 9819127002
Book your Consultation [email protected]