The spouse visa UK allows you to join your partner in the UK. However, it’s only available to individuals who are married or in civil partnerships; entry clearance cannot be obtained as a fiancé or prospective civil partner (unless within six months they intend to marry). Individuals who satisfy both financial and English language criteria from the Home Office may apply for this visa.
Application Process
People seeking a spouse visa UK should submit evidence of their relationship, such as wedding certificates and photos taken throughout their relationship, call logs that prove communication, as well as proof that they have sufficient funds without accessing public funds such as from the state.
Application processes are complex and will take time. Fees associated with applying may include immigration health surcharge and official translation fees if applicable; priority service applications also incur fees; however, using such services outside of the UK could prove more expensive due to additional travel expenses incurred when making their application.
Evidence Requirements
Evidence is key when applying for a spouse visa UK, and should include documents like bank statements, payslips, and utility bills in both names. Furthermore, couples should provide evidence they live together at their address, such as joint bank accounts or tenancy agreements as proof. They should also present evidence from their employer confirming they met minimum income requirements as well as official tax returns as evidence.
Documents that may help strengthen an application include copies of marriage certificates and any previous visas or permits held by both individuals, which do not fall within an unacceptable degree of relationship (i.e. siblings, fathers and daughters).
Benefits of the Spouse Visa
Once the visa has been granted, the spouse of an individual can work freely in the UK without restriction and may even obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allowing them to remain permanently without facing immigration restrictions.
Anyone interested in applying for a UK spouse visa should get in touch with Immigration Connection immediately in order to book an appointment and speak to one of their advisers about how to navigate through the visa application process, what forms of evidence will be necessary, and best solutions available when looking to secure permanent residency within the UK with all its associated benefits such as accessing healthcare and education systems.
UK Spouse Visa Eligibility Requirements
Relationship Requirements
Spouse visas are designed to enable those who are married to or in civil partnerships with British citizens to come and reside permanently in the UK. A key requirement is that your relationship should be genuine and subsisting; that is, that both partners spend time together regularly as a couple.
The applicant must submit extensive evidence in order to meet this requirement, such as photographs of themselves with their partner(s), call logs that illustrate communication between them, bank statements demonstrating expenditure on one another, meeting financial requirements and offering adequate accommodation suitable for themselves, their partner, and any dependents – that complies with UK standards while meeting family size and needs requirements.
Application Submission
As with the UK Visitor Visa route, applying for a UK Spouse Visa from outside the country should only be done so from an application made outside of it. Anyone already living in the UK on leave as fiancées/civil partners or with permission pending court decisions related to family matters/divorce proceedings should leave before making their application for one of these visas.
Path to Citizenship
Once you have held a UK Spouse Visa for five years, unlike with many other visa options, you may apply to become a British Citizen. The process can take anywhere from 12-18 months and requires continuous residence in the UK over that period – which includes time spent on your five-year path to settlement.
