Bringing your spouse or partner to the UK is done through the UK Family Visa – Spouse or Partner Route. This visa allows your husband, wife, fiancé(e), or long-term partner to join you in the UK if you meet certain requirements.
Who Can Apply?
Your partner can apply to join you if you are:
- A British citizen
- A UK permanent resident (settled person with ILR)
- Someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection
- Someone on certain visas (depends on visa type)
Eligible relationships include:
- Married spouses
- Civil partners
- Unmarried partners who have lived together for at least 2 years
- Fiancé or fiancée (coming to the UK to marry within 6 months)
Main Requirements
1. Financial Requirement
You must earn at least £29,000 per year (as of 2025), OR have enough savings, OR combine income and savings.
Accepted sources include salary, self-employment, pension, and certain benefits.
2. English Language Requirement
Your partner must show basic English ability (A1 level).
Accepted proofs include:
- Approved English test
- Degree taught in English
- Exemption for disability or certain nationalities
3. Relationship Evidence
You must show that the relationship is real and ongoing. Examples:
- Wedding photos
- Chat/call logs
- Flight tickets and visits
- Joint bills or tenancy
- Money transfers
- Screenshots of conversations
4. Accommodation Requirement
You must prove you have a home in the UK that is not overcrowded.
This can be a rented or owned home.
Documents Needed
- Your passport + partner’s passport
- Marriage certificate or partnership proof
- Bank statements (6 months)
- Pay slips (6 months)
- Employer letter
- English test certificate
- TB test certificate (if required)
- Accommodation document (tenancy/ownership)
- Relationship evidence
How to Apply
- Apply online on the official UK government portal:
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa - Pay the visa fee and IHS health surcharge
- Book and attend biometrics
- Upload or submit documents
- Wait for a decision
- If approved, your partner receives a 90-day entry visa
- Once in the UK, they collect their Biometric Residence Permits (BRP)
Fees and Processing Time
1. Visa Fee
- Applying from outside the UK: £1,846
2. IHS Health Surcharge
- £1,035 per year
3. Processing Time
- Standard: 3 months
- Priority: Faster (extra cost)
Common Reasons for Refusal
- Not meeting the financial requirement
- Weak relationship evidence
- Missing or unclear documents
- Incorrect information on the form
- Not meeting English requirement
To avoid this, double-check all documents and ensure your story is consistent.
After Approval
Your partner will receive:
- A 2.5-year spouse visa
- Permission to work
- Access to NHS
- Ability to extend the visa and eventually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years