Family visas · IAA-regulated advice
UK Spouse Visa Advice in Birmingham & London
Join your husband, wife or civil partner in the UK, or switch to a spouse visa if you’re already here. We check you qualify, build your evidence and prepare your application, for a fixed fee agreed in writing.
Last checked 10 October 2026 · Reviewed by Vishal Gautam, IAA-regulated adviser
Overview
What is a UK spouse visa?
A spouse visa lets you live in the UK with your husband, wife or civil partner. You can work and study, and after 5 years you can apply to settle (indefinite leave to remain).
It’s part of the family route under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. You can apply from outside the UK, or switch from most other visas if you’re already here.
✓This is your visa if…
- You’re legally married or in a civil partnership, and you’re both 18 or over
- Your partner is British, Irish, settled in the UK, or has refugee status or humanitarian protection (or certain other status)
- You’ve met in person and plan to live together in the UK
- You can meet the £29,000 income or savings requirement, or an exemption applies
Quick check
Could you qualify? Six questions, one minute
Answer honestly. Nothing is saved or sent: this is a general guide, not advice on your case.
Is your partner British, Irish, settled in the UK, or a refugee or person with humanitarian protection?Settled means indefinite leave to remain or EU settled status.
Are you legally married or in a civil partnership, and have you met in person?Both of you must be 18 or over.
Do you both intend to live together permanently in the UK?
Can you show £29,000 a year in income, or enough savings?Savings alone: £88,500. Some benefits change the test.
Do you have an approved English test at A1 or above, or an exemption?Exempt if, for example, you’re from a majority English-speaking country or have a degree taught in English.
Will you have somewhere to live without claiming public funds?It must not be overcrowded.
Eligibility
UK spouse visa requirements
You must meet every requirement on the day you apply, and prove it with the evidence the Rules specify.
Your relationship
- Legally valid marriage or civil partnership, recognised in the UK
- You’re both 18 or over and have met in person
- Your relationship is genuine and continuing, and you intend to live together permanently in the UK
- Any previous marriage or relationship of either of you has permanently broken down
Evidence usually includes your certificate, photos together, travel and visits, and how you keep in touch.
The financial requirement
- Your partner’s UK job or self-employment income counts. From outside the UK, your own overseas earnings don’t
- Pensions, other specified income and savings of either of you can count
- Savings above £16,000 count towards a shortfall at 2.5 to 1
- If your partner gets certain disability or carer’s benefits, an adequate maintenance test applies instead
Extending a visa first granted before 11 April 2024? Lower figures may still apply to you: ask us.
English language
- A speaking and listening test with an approved provider (a SELT), still valid when you apply
- Exempt if you’re a national of a majority English-speaking country, have a degree taught in English, are 65 or over, or have a disability that prevents it
Book only an approved test: other tests, even at a higher level, won’t count.
Accommodation
- Adequate accommodation that you own or live in, used only by your family
- Not overcrowded under housing law, and meets public health rules
- Paid for without claiming public funds
Evidence usually includes a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement and, if you live with others, the owner’s permission.
Immigration status and history
- In the UK: you can’t switch if you’re a visitor or have permission of 6 months or less, unless you came as a fiancé(e)
- Your immigration history and any criminal record are checked for suitability
- A TB test is needed if you’re coming from a listed country
Not sure whether something in your history matters? Tell us at the consultation: it’s confidential.
Documents
Spouse visa documents: the easy part
Most people can list the documents. Refusals come from what’s in them, and whether they’re in the exact form the Home Office expects.
What everyone needs
- Your passport, and proof of your partner’s British or settled status
- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate
- £Proof you meet the financial requirement
- AAn English test certificate, or proof you’re exempt
- Proof of where you’ll live
- Evidence that your relationship is genuine
Plus a TB test if you’re coming from a listed country, and certified translations of anything not in English or Welsh.
Costs & timeline
Spouse visa cost and processing time
From outside the UK, the Home Office fee is £2,064, plus the health surcharge of £3,105 for a 33-month visa. Most decisions from outside the UK take up to 12 weeks.
| Home Office application fee | £2,064 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge33 months, charged as 3 years at £1,035 | £3,105 |
| Home Office total, per applicantbefore English test, TB test and translations | £5,169 |
| Home Office application fee | £1,407 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge30 months, charged as 2½ years at £1,035 | £2,587.50 |
| Home Office total, per applicantbefore English test, TB test and translations | £3,994.50 |
Home Office fee and Immigration Health Surcharge from GOV.UK, checked 7 October 2026. The surcharge is charged per year, with part-years of 6 months or less charged at half. English test, TB test and translation costs vary by provider. Our consultation fees →
Apply and give biometrics
Week 0Online application, fee and surcharge paid, then fingerprints and photo at a visa centre.
Decision
Usually within 12 weeks from outside the UKIn the UK, about 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements. If you rely on an exception, it can take around 12 months.
Extend
Another 30 monthsApply before your visa ends. You’ll need English at A2 and to meet the requirements again.
Settle (ILR)
After 5 yearsEnglish at B1 (B2 from 26 March 2027) and the Life in the UK test. Time on a fiancé(e) visa doesn’t count.
British citizenship
As soon as you have ILRIf you’re married to a British citizen, you can apply once you have ILR and meet the other requirements.
Avoid a refusal
Common spouse visa refusal reasons
Most refusals come down to evidence, not eligibility. These are the issues we check first.
Evidence in the wrong form
Income must be shown with specific documents covering specific periods, such as 6 months of payslips and matching bank statements.
We check: every document against Appendix FM-SE before you apply.
Income that doesn’t count
From outside the UK, your own overseas earnings don’t count towards the £29,000; your partner’s UK income and savings can.
We check: which sources count for you, and combine them correctly.
The wrong test
The test must be from an approved provider, at the right level, and still valid on the date you apply.
We check: your test or exemption before you book anything.
Thin relationship evidence
The Home Office must accept your relationship is genuine and continuing. Gaps in contact or visits raise questions.
We check: your evidence tells a clear, consistent story.
Switching when you can’t
You can’t switch to a spouse visa in the UK if you’re here as a visitor, or on permission of 6 months or less (other than as a fiancé(e)).
We check: whether you can apply here or must apply from abroad.
Past immigration problems
Overstaying, previous refusals or not declaring something can lead to a refusal on suitability grounds.
We check: your history, and tell you plainly about any risk.
How we help
Our spouse visa services
Choose a one-off consultation, or let us handle your application from start to finish for a fixed fee.
Eligibility consultation
We review your situation and tell you which route fits, what you need and the risks.
Evidence review
We check your financial, relationship and accommodation documents against the Rules.
Full application
We prepare and submit your application, with a cover letter that sets out how you qualify.
Extension and ILR
We help you extend after 33 months and apply to settle after 5 years.
Our scope: we’re regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority at Level 1. If you’re refused and need an appeal, we explain your options and refer you to a solicitor or higher-level adviser straight away.
FAQs
Spouse visa questions, answered
Can I work on a spouse visa?
Yes. You can work in almost any job, or be self-employed, and you can study. You can’t claim most benefits (no recourse to public funds).
What if my partner earns less than £29,000?
You can use savings instead of or alongside income: savings above £16,000 count towards the shortfall at a rate of 2.5 to 1, so savings alone need to be £88,500. If your partner receives certain disability or carer’s benefits, a lower ‘adequate maintenance’ test applies instead. In exceptional cases, the Home Office must consider whether refusing would be unjustifiably harsh.
Can I switch to a spouse visa from a visitor visa?
No. You must apply from outside the UK if you’re here as a visitor. You also can’t switch if your current permission was granted for 6 months or less, unless you came as a fiancé(e).
How long does a spouse visa decision take?
From outside the UK, usually within 12 weeks. In the UK, about 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements; if you rely on an exception, it can take around 12 months. Priority services may be available for some applications.
Can my children come with me?
Usually yes, under the child route. Children joining a parent on the partner route are covered by the same £29,000 financial requirement, which doesn’t increase for each child. They must also meet the child route’s other requirements, so ask us to check your family’s situation.
How do I extend my spouse visa?
Apply online before your current visa ends, usually after 33 months (or 30 if you applied in the UK). You must meet the requirements again, with English at A2, and you’ll get another 30 months. After 5 years in total on the route you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Read our spouse visa extension guide.
What happens if our relationship breaks down?
Your spouse visa depends on your relationship, so the Home Office may cancel it. You may be able to stay on another basis, for example if you’ve experienced domestic abuse there is a separate route to settle. Get advice quickly, and in confidence.
Can I apply for a spouse visa if I’ve overstayed?
Usually you can’t apply in the UK if you’re here without permission, but there are limited exceptions, for example where there would be insurmountable obstacles to your family life continuing outside the UK. These cases turn on their facts, so get advice before you apply.
Ready when you are
Together, sorted.
Book a consultation, or start with the free quick check on this page.