If your partner is from the United Kingdom, you may be eligible for immigration to the United Kingdom on the basis of a UK Spouse Visa. This is due to the fact that the United Kingdom marriage visa, which is also referred to as the United Kingdom spouse visa, enables the married partners of UK nationals to come to the United Kingdom provided that they are married to someone who is already in the United Kingdom.
In addition, if you are in possession of a Spouse Visa in the United Kingdom, you have the same rights to work as British citizens do. On the other hand, you will not be eligible for the vast majority of benefits, such as public funding, housing allowance, or tax credits.
However, the requirements to be eligible for a UK spouse visa change depending on the circumstances of your partner’s life. For instance, if you are going to the United Kingdom from a country that is not a member of the European Economic Area, you will need to submit an application for a United Kingdom Partner Visa.
But, in this post, we will provide you with proper guidance on how to apply, the eligibility criteria, and other conditions that you need to meet in order to apply for a spouse visa in the United Kingdom.
Requirements to Meet for a Spouse Visa in the UK
The requirements for obtaining a visa as a UK spouse must be met by both couples. That would be the person who already lives in the UK and the applicant who wants to join them there. They are required to satisfy a number of requirements imposed by the United Kingdom Immigration Authorities. The primary requirement for the Spouse visa is that both the resident and the applicant must be over the age of 18, as British law does not acknowledge marriages between parties less than 18.
The following are the additional criteria that must be met to qualify:
• The individual whose service you desire must be a citizen of the United Kingdom.
It is required that either your marriage or your civil partnership be recognised in the UK.
• When you apply, your relationship must be at least two years old in order to be considered (this is to prevent arranged marriages which British law does not recognize).
• If you are a fiancé, you are need to provide evidence that you will get married within the next half year.
• You are need to provide evidence that you will be establishing a civil partnership within the next six months if you are in the process of forming a proposed civil partnership.
• The financial criteria must be satisfied by the partner who is currently residing in the UK.
• The applicant must demonstrate that they are proficient in the use of the English language.
Evidence of a Legitimate Connection for the UK Spouse Visa
When the authorities in the UK acknowledge your marriage or civil partnership, then you will be able to apply for a spouse visa. This is the initial portion of your application to obtain a visa to enter the United Kingdom.
You should be very careful when submitting proof of your marriage or relationship because the embassy or consulate where you are applying will automatically refuse your visa application if they suspect that you are in a fake marriage or relationship for the purpose of obtaining visa benefits. You should take extreme caution when submitting proof of your marriage or relationship.
Clarification and explanations of terms
The Terms
Recorded Marriages As evidence of a registered marriage, both the applicant and the UK resident are required to present a marriage certificate that was issued by either the government of the United Kingdom or another formal authority from another country.
Partnership with the People The connection between two people of the same sexual orientation is referred to as a civil partnership. Civil partnership couples have the same rights as married couples, despite the fact that their relationship is not recognised as being equivalent to marriage.
Marriages according to the norm The law does not recognise traditional weddings that have not been registered; as a result, the parties involved in these partnerships are required to register their unions with the Department of Home Affairs.
Fiancé, fiancée or prospective civil partner You will be required to provide evidence that any prior marriages or civil partnerships that you have been a part of have been legally dissolved in order to submit an application as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner. In addition to this, you will be required to provide evidence that you intend to wed your partner within the first six months of your arrival in the UK.
UK Spouse Visa Needed Documents
The following is a list of the necessary paperwork for obtaining a spouse visa for the United Kingdom, which you will need to bring with you when you go to meet with the consular officer:
• Application for a visa to the UK. In order to apply for a visa for your spouse, you will need to complete form VAF4A.
• A legitimate passport that has at least one clean page available for affixing a visa.
• Your prior passports.
The United Kingdom calls for two colour photographs that are passport size, and this satisfies their prerequisite.
• Demonstration that the required language is English.
• Your complete given name.
• Demonstration of sufficient financial means.
• The day and year you were born.
• Documentation of your connection, such as images of the two of you spending time together, etc.
• Information regarding any past applications for immigration, if there have been any.
• Your social security or national insurance number, if you have one.
• A certified copy of your criminal history.
• The date of birth and nationality of both of your parents, if you are applying from a country other than the UK.
• Documentation to verify the accommodation. You will be required to produce documentation that demonstrates where you are.
Throughout your time in the United Kingdom, you will have a place to stay.
• Information pertaining to biometrics. This involves going to the right application location and providing your fingerprints as well as a digital photograph of yourself.
• Evidence that the fees for the spouse visa have been paid. You are necessary to produce the document that proves you have paid the visa fee in accordance with the requirements.
What Kind of Financial Documentation Do You Need to Submit for the UK Spouse Visa?
You are required to provide evidence that your joint annual income is at least £18,600 if you wish to bring your spouse to live in the UK with you.
Many applicants fail to satisfy this required component of their applications, which results in the rejection of their visas. Because the United Kingdom does not wish to take in people who are not able to take care of themselves financially, they stipulate that applicants must be able to bring in at least a certain amount of money each year.
What constitutes evidence that one is able to financially subsist?
You are able to count on the following sources of income towards the fulfilment of the requirements for the UK Spouse Visa income category:
• The amount of your pay, providing it is earned in the UK.
• Have a savings account worth more than £16,000.
• Funds from a pension.
• income from sources other than employment, such as property rentals or
• Dividends.
The necessary documents to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for a UK spouse visa.
You will be required to provide documentation of your income, such as the following examples:
• Statements from the partner’s bank account who is already living in the UK.
• Paystubs for the previous six months.
• A letter from the employer that specifies the position the employee holds, the length of time they have been employed there, the current wage, and paystubs as well.
You will have additional monies set aside for your children in the event that you decide to travel with them alongside you. That is to say, if you and your partner have plans to move to the United Kingdom with your children who do not have British or EEA citizenship, you will be required to comply with the following regulations:
• Raise an additional $3,800 for your first child by working more.
• You will receive an additional $2,400 for each kid you have after your first child if you have more than one child.
Language Qualifications for UK spouse visa
The ability to communicate in English is another criteria for the UK Spouse visa, and it is one of the most significant ones. So, in addition to submitting your application for a visa, you will also be required to present some sort of certificate that demonstrates your proficiency in English. Such documents are:
• Provide evidence in the form of a document or academic certification that was either studied in English or conducted its research in English. These kind of documents should be recognised by UK NARIC as being comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Either that, or you take a recognised English language test and earn a score that is at least equivalent to CEFR level A1 in both speaking and listening.
Exemption from the requirement to provide proof that you are proficient in English
In the event that you are a minor, currently unwell, or above the age of 65, you will not be required to demonstrate English language proficiency. And for the people who live in these nations that are included on this list below:
• Antigua and Barbuda • Australia • The Bahamas • Barbados • Belize • Canada • Dominica • Grenada • Guyana • Jamaica • New Zealand • St. Kitts and Nevis • United States of America • Saint. Lucia • Trinidad and Tobago • St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Application for a Spouse Visa to the UK
The application process for a spouse visa in the UK will consist of going through these few easy procedures. When applying from a country that is not the United Kingdom, the first step is to complete the online application.
Online completion of the VAF4A form
If you are applying from a country other than the UK, you must submit your application online. You will need to fill out the VAF4A form in order to get started on your application for a spouse visa to the UK.
If, on the other hand, you are applying from within the United Kingdom, you have two different options available to you. You have the option of applying either online or via mail. You also have the option to submit your application at a premium service centre. To accomplish this, you will need to either complete an application online and then book an appointment or fill out the form that is provided and then book an appointment.
UK Spouse Visa Fee
The application price for a UK Spouse Visa differs depending on the method you choose to utilise. If you want to join your partner in the United Kingdom and apply for a spouse visa from outside the country, you will have to pay a charge of £1,464.
On the other hand, the charge for applying for a Spouse Visa from within the UK will be £993 if you do so online or by letter, but it will be £1,583 if you apply in person in the UK using the premium option.
In addition, you will be required to pay an additional amount of £1,464 for each dependent if you apply for the visa outside of the United Kingdom, £993 if you apply for the visa in the United Kingdom online or by post, and £1,583 if you apply for the premium service in the United Kingdom in person.
UK spouse visa application time
The process of applying for a spouse visa in the UK can take up to 12 weeks, however it can take up to 8 weeks if the application is submitted from within the UK either online or by post. On the other hand, if you submit your application for a UK Spouse Visa in person in the United Kingdom, you will receive a response to your application within one day.
On the other hand, the time it takes to process your application could be extended in the following circumstances: • Your income does not reach the minimum criteria.
• You are unable to provide evidence of your proficiency in English.
• I have an appointment for an interview.
• Have a criminal record.
• You have not given all of the documents that are required.
Advantages of Obtaining a UK Spouse Visa
There is a long list of perks that come along with obtaining a UK spouse visa. Yet, the fact that the UK spouse visa does not impose any work limitations is the principal benefit of this visa. With a spouse visa, in contrast to a work visa, which restricts your ability to solely work for the company that sponsored you, you are free to accept employment from any business.
Additionally, the spouse visa is a route that is more flexible in terms of income requirements, with a joint need of £18,600 for financial stability that applies to both you and your partner. On the other hand, in order to qualify for the work visa, you need to demonstrate that you have a yearly income of at least 25,600 pounds or that you make at least the “going rate” for your position.
FAQs
How long does it take to get a spouse visa for the UK?
Processing times for family visa applications might take up to a maximum of 24 weeks. If you are applying to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner, or family member of someone who already has British citizenship or is settled in the UK, you should get a decision within 24 weeks of attending your appointment at the visa application centre. This is the case even if you are applying to settle in the UK for a different reason.
Is it simple to obtain a visa for one’s spouse in the United Kingdom?
It is free, and the application process is more simpler than obtaining a visa. Even if they weren’t physically present in the UK by the deadline of 31 December 2020, your partner may still be eligible to submit an application to the EU Settlement Programme. Checking to see if your partner is eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Plan is something you can do.
How much money must be in a bank account in order to apply for a spouse visa in the UK?
Appendix FM of the Immigration Regulations outlines all of the requirements that an applicant must fulfil in order to be eligible for a spouse visa. These regulations stipulate that applicants must either have a monthly income of at least £18,600 or a cash savings requirement of at least £62,500. (or a combination of both).
What are some of the reasons a spouse visa might be denied?
The most common reason for the denial of partner visas is a lack of documentation to indicate a real and committed connection between the two people applying. The applicants and their partners or spouses who are sponsoring them need to submit evidence in all four of the following areas: finances, social life, the composition of the home, and the degree to which they are committed to one another.
How Long Am I Allowed to Remain in the United Kingdom If I Have a Spouse Visa?
If you have submitted your application to join your spouse in the United Kingdom, you will be granted permission to remain in the country for a period of two years and six months; however, if you have submitted your application as a fiance or proposed civil partner, you will only be granted permission to remain for a period of six months. You will be required to request an extension of your stay once this term has passed.
How do I make a request to have my spouse’s visa in the United Kingdom extended?
If you have 28 days left before the expiration of your existing UK visa, you will be able to submit an application to extend your spouse’s visa in the UK. In order to seek a visa extension, you will need to provide evidence that during your time in the UK, both you and your partner have been constantly residing with one another.
What Are the Differences Between the Several Categories of Family Visas for the UK?
Other types of UK Family visas include the Spouse Visa, as well as the Parent visa and the Child visa.
• Child visa.
• A visa for a family member who will give you with long-term medical care.
Conclusion
You have an understanding of how to apply for a spouse visa in the UK as well as the prerequisites for doing so. Thus, you can apply by following our application guide.
