A UK Spouse Visa allows a married partner or civil partner of a qualifying UK-based sponsor to live in the UK. It is a key family route for couples planning long-term residence and eventual settlement.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-13.
TL;DR
A UK Spouse Visa is the family route for a husband, wife or civil partner of a qualifying person in the UK. The outside-UK application fee is £2,064, initial permission is usually 2 years and 9 months, and the usual outside-UK decision time is 12 weeks.
£2,064
Outside-UK fee
2 years 9 months
Initial stay
12 weeks
Typical decision
What is a Spouse Visa?
The Spouse Visa is for a person who is married to, or in a civil partnership with, a qualifying partner in the UK. The relationship must be genuine, the marriage or civil partnership must be recognised in the UK, and both partners must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
The route usually requires English language evidence, adequate accommodation and a financial requirement. The current GOV.UK partner financial requirement is normally £29,000 a year, with different rules for certain benefit cases and transitional applications.
A successful spouse visa normally allows work and study and can lead to settlement after 5 years on the qualifying partner route, provided the requirements continue to be met.
Eligibility Requirements
You must satisfy all three conditions to qualify for the Spouse Visa.
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Recognised Marriage
The applicant must show a marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK. Evidence should include the certificate and wider relationship documents showing the relationship is genuine and continuing.
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Qualifying Sponsor
The UK partner must have qualifying immigration status and both partners must intend to live together permanently in the UK. The sponsor’s status and residence evidence are central to the application.
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Income, English and Accommodation
Most applicants must meet the financial requirement, English language requirement and accommodation rules. The usual income threshold is £29,000 a year unless a different rule applies.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Your rights and restrictions while in the UK on a Spouse Visa.
✓ You Can
- Live with your partner in the UK if the application is granted.
- Work and study once granted as a spouse or partner, not as a fiancé.
- Include eligible children as dependants where the rules are met.
- Extend the route more than once if requirements continue to be met.
- Apply for settlement after 5 years on the qualifying partner route.
✗ You Cannot
- Claim public funds unless your immigration status later allows it.
- Count fiancé time towards settlement on the 5-year partner route.
- Rely on weak relationship evidence where the rules require proof of a genuine relationship.
- Ignore the financial requirement unless an exception or alternative route applies.
- Use visitor status as a shortcut to switch in most cases.
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £2,064 outside UK |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Usually £1,035/year |
| Minimum income | Usually £29,000/year |
| Priority service | Additional fee — check current fees |
| Child dependant | Fee applies per child |
How to Apply for a Spouse Visa
Five steps from preparation to decision.
Check Partner Eligibility
Confirm the UK partner’s status, relationship category and application location.
Build the Evidence Bundle
Prepare marriage, cohabitation, communication, accommodation, income and English language documents.
Submit the Online Application
Complete the family visa form from outside the UK and pay the application fee and IHS where required.
Attend Biometrics
Provide biometrics and upload or submit supporting documents to UKVI.
Receive Your Decision
Outside-UK spouse visa applications are usually decided within 12 weeks.
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Spouse Visa from employers and applicants.
What is a Spouse Visa UK?
A Spouse Visa is a family visa for the husband, wife or civil partner of a qualifying person in the UK. It allows the applicant to live in the UK with their partner if the relationship, financial, English and suitability requirements are met.
How much does a Spouse Visa cost in 2026?
The 2026 Home Office fee for a Route to Settlement application outside the UK is £2,064. The Immigration Health Surcharge and optional priority service fees are separate.
How long is a first Spouse Visa granted for?
A first spouse visa granted from outside the UK is usually for 2 years and 9 months. After that, the applicant normally applies to extend for a further 2 years and 6 months.
What is the Spouse Visa financial requirement?
GOV.UK says partner applicants usually need to show combined income of at least £29,000 a year. Transitional rules and benefit-based exceptions may apply in some cases.
Can I work on a UK Spouse Visa?
Yes. A spouse visa normally allows work and study in the UK once granted.
How long does a Spouse Visa decision take?
Partner or spouse applications outside the UK usually take 12 weeks under the current family service standard.
Can I include children in a Spouse Visa application?
Children can be included as dependants if they meet the child dependant requirements. Additional fees and IHS are normally payable for each dependant.
Does a Spouse Visa lead to settlement?
Yes. The earliest settlement point is usually after 5 years continuously on the family visa partner route, provided all requirements are met.
Can I switch from a visitor visa to a Spouse Visa?
You will usually need to leave the UK to apply for a family visa if you are in the UK as a visitor. Limited exceptions exist, so this should be checked carefully.
What evidence is needed for a Spouse Visa?
Typical evidence includes passports, marriage certificate, relationship evidence, accommodation documents, financial evidence and English language evidence. The exact list depends on the facts of the case.
Speak to Our Spouse Visa Advisers
Our immigration specialists handle everything from sponsor licence checks to visa approval — for employers and applicants alike.