Family / Spouse / Partner Visa

UK Spouse Visa Requirements

To succeed, applicants must meet several strict criteria, including:

Genuine Relationship

You must provide clear evidence of a genuine and ongoing relationship, such as marriage certificates, shared financial commitments, correspondence and evidence of cohabitation or plans.

Overseas Marriages

A marriage ceremony outside the UK will be recognised for the purposes of a UK Spouse Visa application if:

• The marriage is recognised in the country where it was performed;
• The marriage was lawfully conducted in accordance with the legal requirements of that country;
• There was no legal impediment under the law of either party’s country of domicile at the time of the marriage; and
• Any previous marriages of either party had been properly terminated through divorce  before the new marriage took place.

An overseas marriage  must be evidenced by a valid marriage certificate issued by the relevant national authority.

Financial Requirement

To qualify for a UK Spouse Visa, you must meet the financial requirement, which ensures that you and your spouse can be adequately maintained in the UK without relying on public funds.

Minimum Income Threshold

• The standard gross annual income required is £29,000.
• This applies regardless of whether you have dependent children. There is no longer a separate child element.
• If you applied before 11 April 2024 and are extending your visa, the old thresholds still apply:
  • £18,600 for a partner with no children
  • +£3,800 for the first child
  • +£2,400 for each additional child, up to £29,000

If your spouse receives certain state benefits, the financial requirement may differ. In these cases, the sponsor must show they can adequately maintain and accommodate the applicant and any dependents, following guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions.

When the Financial Requirement Must Be Met

The requirement applies at three stages of the Spouse Visa route:

1. Initial entry clearance
2. Extension of leave to remain
3. Indefinite leave to remain

Failure to provide the correct financial evidence is one of the most common reasons for visa refusal.

Acceptable Sources of Income and Savings

You may meet the financial requirement through a combination of the following:

• Employment income: Salaried or non-salaried income of your spouse (and/or yourself if permitted to work in the UK)
• Non-employment income: Rental income, dividends, or other lawful income sources
• Savings: Cash savings over £16,000, held for at least six months and under your control
• Pensions: UK or foreign state, occupational, or private pensions
• Self-employment or business income: Income from self-employment, or as a director/employee of a UK limited company

In some cases, multiple sources can be combined to meet the threshold, subject to specific rules.

Applicants relying solely on savings should note that the required level of savings varies depending on whether the application is for entry clearance, an extension, or indefinite leave to remain, based on a formula in Appendix FM.

In exceptional cases, UK Visas and Immigration may consider other credible sources of income or financial support where refusal would cause disproportionately harsh consequences or breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

This requirement is one of the most common reasons for refusal and requires careful legal assessment.

English Language Requirement

Unless exempt, will need to demonstrate English language ability to at least level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

When applying for further leave to remain as a spouse, a higher level of English language ability, at least CEFR level A2, s required.

For application for settlement or indefinite leave to remain, the applicants must meet at least CEFR B1.

You can meet the Spouse Visa English language requirement in one of the following ways:

• ​​By nationality: You are a national of a majority English-speaking country (as listed in Appendix English Language of the Immigration Rules);
• By passing a test: You have passed an approved English language test in speaking and listening at or above the required CEFR level, with a provider and test centre approved by the Home Office. We will advise you about Approved Secure English Language Tests and Test Centres.
• If awarded in the UK: a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree will meet the requirement;
• If awarded outside the UK: the qualification must be confirmed by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) as meeting or exceeding the recognised standard of a UK Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD, and Ecctis must also confirm that the degree was taught or researched in English at or above the required CEFR level.

You may be exempt from the English language requirement if:

• You are aged 65 or over at the date of application;
• You have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement;
• There are exceptional circumstances which prevent you from meeting the requirement prior to entry to the UK.

If you do not meet the English language requirement, and you are not exempt, your Spouse Visa application will be refused.

Accommodation

You must demonstrate that suitable accommodation is available in the UK without recourse to public funds.

If you’re applying for a UK Spouse or Fiancé visa, you must show that there is adequate accommodation for you and your family. This means:

• The accommodation is owned or occupied exclusively by your family.
• You do not need public funds to live there.
• It is not overcrowded and meets public health standards.

“Occupy exclusively” means that at least part of the property, such as a bedroom, is for the family’s exclusive use.

 You can provide evidence such as:

• Owned property: Title deeds, mortgage statements, and proof payments are up to date.
• Living with family: A letter from the homeowner confirming your right to live there.
• Rented property: Tenancy agreement, letter from landlord or local authority, and proof of rent payments.

Private tenancies require extra care, include confirmation that rent is paid in full and on time.

Rules About Overcrowding

• Children under 10 can share a room; couples can share a room; others need separate rooms.
• Babies under 1 are not counted for overcrowding.
• Only bedrooms or living rooms large enough to be used as bedrooms count. Bathrooms and kitchens do not count.
• Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), hotels, or hostels have special rules—local authority confirmation may be needed for additional residents.