Our London office at Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn, WC1V 7QH, provides guidance for partners applying to join a British citizen or settled person in the UK. The information below explains the spouse (partner) route under the Immigration Rules used in England and Wales and sets out practical steps and common documentary requirements for applicants applying from overseas.

Who can apply

The spouse (partner) visa is for adults (18+) who are married to, in a civil partnership with, or in a durable relationship equivalent to marriage with someone who is either a British citizen, settled in the UK (holds indefinite leave to remain) or has refugee/humanitarian protection. Applicants normally apply from outside the UK and, if successful, are granted an initial period of leave to enter or remain (generally 30 months), renewable to complete the route to settlement (usually five years in total).

Key requirements

Applicants must satisfy a set of core tests under the Immigration Rules. The principal requirements are:

• Relationship: Evidence the relationship is genuine and subsisting (marriage/civil partnership certificate, photographs, correspondence, travel and cohabitation history, financial interdependence).
• Financial: The sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold (baseline for a couple without children), or the applicant and sponsor can rely on alternative sources such as savings, lawful non-employment income or combinations of income and savings. Where children are included, higher amounts apply. Precise calculations should be confirmed using current Home Office guidance.
• Accommodation: Proof of adequate accommodation for the family without recourse to public funds.
• English language: The applicant must meet the applicable English language requirement or be otherwise exempt under the Rules.
• Immigration status: Both parties must be free from serious immigration or criminal history that could affect the application under the Rules.

Application process and timings

Applications are submitted online to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) from outside the UK. Applicants will usually need to:

1. Complete the online application form for a family visa.
2. Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for the period of leave requested.
3. Book and attend a biometric appointment at a local visa application centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph and submit supporting documents (originals and translations where applicable).
4. Await a decision. Processing times vary by country and service level; applicants should allow adequate time before travel plans.

Successful applicants normally receive initial leave for 30 months (two and a half years), extendable for a further 30 months; after five years of qualifying residence applicants may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), subject to meeting the relevant residence, knowledge of life in the UK and language requirements.

Practical checklist

• Valid passport and any previous passports showing travel history.
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (or evidence of a durable relationship).
• Evidence of cohabitation and contact (bank statements, joint bills, messages, tickets, photographs).
• Proof of sponsors income/employment (payslips, employer letters, tax returns) or evidence of savings and other income.
• Details and evidence of accommodation in the UK.
• English language test certificate or evidence of exemption.
• Certified translations of any documents not in English or Welsh.

Jurisdiction and sources

Primary authoritative sources and practical guidance are published by the UK Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration. Key official pages include:

• Apply to come to the UK as a partner or spouse — GOV.UK
• Immigration Rules: Appendix FM — GOV.UK
• UK Visas and Immigration — GOV.UK
• Immigration Health Surcharge — GOV.UK
• English language requirements — GOV.UK

If you are preparing an application from overseas, local visa application centre procedures and processing times vary by country; check the GOV.UK country pages for up-to-date practical details.

General information only; not legal advice and not a substitute for advice on a particular matter.