Family Members

Spouse and Unmarried Partner Visa

Spouse and Unmarried Partner Visa in the UK

A spouse visa or unmarried partner visa, part of the family visa category, grants permission for individuals to live with their British or settled partner in the UK for approximately two and half years, with an option to extend the visa for another 30 months. The spouse visa serves as a pathway to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and possibly, British citizenship if all eligibility criteria are met.

To qualify for a UK spouse or unmarried partner visa, applicants must confirm they are in a genuine relationship with their partner and meet the financial and language proficiency requirements. The spouse or unmarried partner visa also grants applicants the right to work in the UK but restricts access to most public funds.

At MGBe Legal, our immigration lawyers guide you through the spouse or unmarried partner visa application process with the required compliance support.

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Requirement for Spouse or Unmarried Partner Visa in the UK 

Age and immigration status criteria

Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old. Your partner should either be a British or Irish citizen, hold settled status in the UK, or pre-settled status under the EUSS scheme, or have protection under refugee or humanitarian grounds.

English language requirement

You must prove your proficiency in English by passing an approved test at level A1 or above, or holding a recognised academic qualification taught in English. You don’t need to pass the English test if you are over 65, or you are from an English-speaking country.

Financial requirement

You must have a minimum gross annual income of £29,000, either through employment, self-employment, specified savings or other sources which, under certain circumstances, can be combined to reach the required threshold. You may get certain exemptions if your UK partner is in receipt of specified benefits, such as disability or care-related benefit. You need to provide specific evidence to satisfy this requirement, as indicated by the UKVI.

Accommodation requirement

You need to show you have suitable accommodation in the UK for you and your family and it is not “overcrowded”, which means it aligns with public health standards. Adequate living space is necessary to confirm your ability to settle comfortably in the UK.

Genuine relationship requirement

You must provide evidence that your relationship is genuine and recognised in the UK. This includes a marriage or civil partnership certificate, or evidence that the relationship is durable, which means akin to marriage, and that you have been in a relationship for at least two years. Cohabitation is not strictly necessary but if you have cohabited, evidence of such cohabitation is required.

At MGBe Legal, we handle the complexities of proving the genuineness of your relationship under UK immigration laws. Our qualified team of UK immigration lawyers is here to guide you through the unmarried partner visa application process with expertise.

  • Your complete application form and payment of the application fee.
  • Your valid passport, along with any previous passports.
  • Original marriage or civil partnership certificate, if applicable.
  • Evidence that your relationship is genuine and subsisting, such as shared bills, photographs, or correspondence.
  • English language reference number or test certificate.
  • Financial requirement evidence, such as bank statements, savings statements, or wage slips, depending on the financial category selected.
  • Proof of suitable accommodation in the UK.
  • Biometric information like fingerprints and digital photograph.
  • Previous immigration applications details or criminal convictions (if applicable).
  • Tuberculosis test results (if required based on your country of residence).
  • Copy of your partner’s passport or evidence of their UK immigration status.
  • Certified translations of documents that are not in English or Welsh.
  • Applications submitted outside the UK normally take up to 12 to 24 weeks to process.
  • If you decide to apply for a priority service for your outside the UK application, your application will be usually decided within 2 to 4 weeks. The priority fee is £500 on top of the visa fees.
  • Applications submitted within the UK are mostly processed within 8 weeks.
  • Using the super priority service for in-country applications may result in a decision by the next working day. The super-priority fee is £1000 on top of the visa fees.
  • If your application does not meet all the requirement of the rules, you can still apply, however if successful, you will only be able to settle after 10 years on this route.
  • Applications which do not meet the rules requirements are very complex, and usually take longer to be decided.
  • Your complete application form and payment of the application fee.
  • Your valid passport, along with any previous passports.
  • Original marriage or civil partnership certificate, if applicable.
  • Evidence that your relationship is genuine and subsisting, such as shared bills, photographs, or correspondence.
  • English language reference number or test certificate.
  • Financial requirement evidence, such as bank statements, savings statements, or wage slips, depending on the financial category selected.
  • Proof of suitable accommodation in the UK.
  • Biometric information like fingerprints and digital photograph.
  • Previous immigration applications details or criminal convictions (if applicable).
  • Tuberculosis test results (if required based on your country of residence).
  • Copy of your partner’s passport or evidence of their UK immigration status.
  • Certified translations of documents that are not in English or Welsh.
  • Applications submitted outside the UK normally take up to 12 to 24 weeks to process.
  • If you decide to apply for a priority service for your outside the UK application, your application will be usually decided within 2 to 4 weeks. The priority fee is £500 on top of the visa fees.
  • Applications submitted within the UK are mostly processed within 8 weeks.
  • Using the super priority service for in-country applications may result in a decision by the next working day. The super-priority fee is £1000 on top of the visa fees.
  • If your application does not meet all the requirement of the rules, you can still apply, however if successful, you will only be able to settle after 10 years on this route.
  • Applications which do not meet the rules requirements are very complex, and usually take longer to be decided.

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Process to apply for Spouse or Unmarried Partner Visa in the UK

1Check your eligibility
Before starting the application, we can set up a meeting to check that you fulfil the eligibility requirements, such as financial thresholds, relationship criteria, and English language proficiency. Ensure you are eligible for a UK spouse visa to save time and avoid errors.
2Prepare required documents
Prepare all the necessary documents like evidence of your relationship, financial proof, and a valid passport, and provide accurate and complete documentation to show that you meet the requirements.
3Complete the online application
Fill out the spouse visa application online on the Home Office website and ensure all details are correct and match with supporting documents.
4Pay the application fee
Pay the required application fee and any additional fees like immigration health surcharge or priority fee.
5Upload supporting documents
Upload the prepared documents online and ensure they meet the immigration rules. If any documents are not in English, provide certified translations.
6Schedule and attend biometric appointment
Book a biometric appointment at a visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and a digital photograph to complete your spouse visa application. In some cases, you may be able to use an App to confirm your identity.
7Attend an interview (if required)
If the Home Office requests an interview, be prepared to answer questions about your relationship and your prospective residency in the UK so that they can verify the genuineness of your application.

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    FAQs

    1What is the difference between a UK Spouse Visa and an Unmarried Partner Visa?
    The Spouse Visa is for legally married or civil partners, while the Unmarried Partner Visa is for couples living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.
    2What financial requirements apply to these visas?
    Applicants must meet the minimum income threshold (£29,000/year) or demonstrate sufficient savings to support themselves without public funds.
    3What relationship evidence is needed for an Unmarried Partner Visa?
    Evidence such as joint tenancy, shared bills, financial commitments, photographs, and communication records proving two years or more of cohabitation is required.
    4Can spouses and partners work in the UK on these visas?
    Yes, holders of spouse and unmarried partner visas may live and work in the UK during the visa validity period.
    5How long do these visas last and what is the path to settlement?
    Initially granted for 2.5 years with an option to extend; after five years on this route, holders may apply for indefinite leave to remain and later citizenship.