Table Of Contents:
- What is a UK Spouse Visa
- UK Spouse Visa Guide: Documents
- UK Spouse Visa Guide: Fees
- UK Spouse Visa Guide: Timeline
- Summary
A UK spouse visa falls under the umbrella of a UK family visa. This visa is for non-UK nationals wanting to join their married partners in the UK who are British citizens or have UK-settled status here. Those applying for this visa should go through the UK spouse visa guide before they apply. This is important because any wrong step, such as missing documents, not paying the visa fee, or not applying in time, can result in delays or refusal of the application as well.
You will need to apply to the UK Home Office for permission to come or stay in the UK to live with your spouse. As part of the application, you need to provide extensive documents to demonstrate that you meet the UK Spouse visa requirements.
What is a UK Spouse Visa?
The UK spouse visa is a route to unite married partners. The applicant must be a non-UK national, and their married partner must be a British citizen or with UK-settled status. One can apply for this visa from outside the UK or from within the UK if they are already here on another visa, such as a skilled worker visa. With a UK Spouse visa, you can work or study in the UK, and unlike most work visas, a spouse visa allows you to take any type of work.
The Spouse visa leads to settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain) in the UK.
UK Spouse Visa Guide: Documents
You will need to meet several eligibility requirements for a UK spouse visa. For example,
• You and your partner are both over the age of 18
• You and your partner have met in person;
• You and your partner are legally married in a marriage that is recognised in the UK;
• Your relationship is genuine and subsisting;
• You satisfy a financial and adequate accommodation requirement;
• You satisfy the knowledge of English to the required level.
There are other requirements, too.
The most common reason why the UKVI refuses one’s Spouse Visa application is that the applicant fails to include sufficient documentary evidence in support of their application.
You will need to compile and submit various documents in order to prove to the UKVI that you meet the requirements, and other documents to prove your identity and nationality.
1. Documents for Personal Identification
Passports and photographs of both partners.
2. Documents to prove your UK Partner’s Immigration Status
A copy of your UK partner’s British passport, settled status (ILR), limited leave to remain, or Biometric Residence Permit.
3. Documents as Proof of Relationship
Marriage certificate, joint bills, council tax bills, and photos.
4. Documents to Show Your Relationship is Genuine and Subsisting
Shared bills, photographs, and correspondence.
5. Documents for Financial Evidence
Payslips, bank statements showing your or your partner’s income, and employment letters.
6. Documents for Proof of Accommodation
Tenancy agreement or property ownership documents.
7. Documents for English Language Evidence
Certificate at CEFR A1 level or higher from an approved English language test.
You may have to submit more documents depending on your personal circumstances. Importantly, as part of the UK spouse visa guide, you should note that the success of your application hinges on the accuracy and completeness of your documentation.
Taking advice from an expert immigration lawyer will ensure that the documents you submit are appropriate for your application.
UK Spouse Visa Guide: Fees
The standard spouse visa application fee varies depending on where you are applying from. There are also other costs to consider, such as IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge), biometric enrolment fee, priority or super priority service fee (if you choose one of these to get a faster decision).
1. Standard Visa Application Fee
If you are applying for a spouse visa from outside the UK, you need to pay £1,938 per applicant (in case of any dependant children added to your application) as an application fee and £1,321 per applicant if you are applying from within the UK.
2. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Immigration health surcharge allows you to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), and is £1,035 per year per adult applicant.
3. A Biometric Enrolment Fee
A fee of £19.20 may also be required to capture your biometric information (your fingerprints and facial photograph).
4. Priority Service Fee (Optional)
You can choose priority service to get a faster decision (usually within 5 working days), for which you will need to pay £500 in addition to the application fee.
5. Super Priority Service Fee (Optional)
If you are eligible, you can choose Super Priority Service to get a decision usually at the end of the next working day, for which you will need to pay £1,000 in addition to the application fee.
If you cannot pay the Fee
You can apply for a fee waiver if you cannot pay the fee because:
• Neither do you have a place to live, nor can you afford one
• You have a place to live, but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
• You have a very low income, and paying the application fee would harm the well-being of your child
UK Spouse Visa Guide: Timeline
As part of a spouse visa application, you should know when to apply, how long it takes to get a decision after submitting your application, and how long you can stay in the UK if your visa application is successful.
1. When to Apply
If you are making an in-country application, you must apply while you are still in the UK and before your current visa expires. On the other hand, if you are applying from outside the UK, you must apply for entry clearance before traveling to the UK.
If you are on a UK fiancé (e) visa, you can submit the application for a spouse visa at any time after your marriage takes place.
2. Visa Processing Time
It usually takes up to 12 weeks to get a decision if you apply outside the UK. On the other hand, if you apply from within the UK and you meet the financial and knowledge of English language requirements, you’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
If you apply inside the UK but you are unable to meet the financial and knowledge of English language requirements, it currently takes about 12 months to get a decision.
You may be able to get a faster decision by paying for priority service (get a decision usually within 5 working days) or super priority service (get a decision usually at the end of the next working day).
3. How Long Can You Stay
If you have applied from outside the UK, you will be granted a leave of 2 years and 9 months, and if you have applied from within the UK, your visa will last for 2 years and 6 months.
You can apply for a spouse visa extension of another 2 years and 6 months.
Summary
Documentation, fees, and timeline are key elements of the UK spouse visa guide. Documentation is complex, and in the absence of the correct and required supporting documents, your visa application may be refused. In order to prove your identity and to demonstrate that you meet all the eligibility requirements, you will need to compile and submit the necessary documents along with your application.
Paying the spouse visa fee is mandatory unless you have applied for and have been granted a full or partial fee waiver. Application fee and other fees are subject to change. Therefore, you should always check the official website gov.uk to see the latest fees.
You should know when to apply and be prepared to wait for a decision.
If you are unsure of any or all of these, you should take expert immigration advice.
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