Spouse Visa UK 2025: SRA Solicitor Guide to £29,000 Income, Requirements & Application

The Spouse Visa UK allows a non-UK national to live and work in the UK, leading to ILR after five years. For 2025, the sponsor must show a Minimum Income Threshold of  £29,000 gross annual income, or use cash savings of £88,500. Core eligibility also requires proving a genuine relationship and A1 level English. Our firm is SRA-Regulated and ready to navigate these complex new financial rules.

Spouse Visa UK 2025: Quick Overview & Key Changes

Question	Direct Answer & Requirement (Current as of 2025)
What is it?	A family visa that allows a non-UK national to live, work, and study in the UK with their British or settled partner.
Minimum Income	The sponsor must typically show a combined annual gross income of at least £29,000.
Alternative Financial Route	Cash savings of £88,500 or more can be used if the income threshold cannot be met (see Financial Requirement section for calculation)
Visa Length & Route to Settlement	The initial visa is granted for 30 (in UK) or 33 (outside UK) months. It leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after a total of five continuous years.
Core Eligibility	You must be 18 or over, legally married/civil partnered, or have lived together for two years, and prove knowledge of English (A1 level).
Official Application Site	The application must be submitted online via the GOV.UK website.

What Is a Spouse Visa UK?

The UK Spouse Visa is part of the family visa category. It’s for non-British nationals who are married to, in a civil partnership with, or in a long-term relationship with someone who is a British citizen or settled in the UK (meaning they have Indefinite Leave to Remain or permanent residence).

Who Can Be the Sponsor?

To apply, both you and your partner must meet certain conditions. Your partner (the sponsor) must be one of the following:

• A British citizen
• Someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK
• An EU national with settled or pre-settled status
• A person with refugee status or humanitarian protection
• You must be aged 18 or over.
• Both opposite-sex and same-sex couples are eligible.

Financial Requirement (The £29,000 Threshold)

In 2025, the sponsor must show a gross annual income of at least £29,000. The minimum amount is the same regardless of whether you include dependent children.

Calculating Cash Savings & The Formula

If you do not meet the minimum annual income through earnings, you may rely wholly or partly on cash savings.

The total cash savings required if relying solely on savings is £88,500.

If combining income and savings, the minimum total cash savings required is calculated as follows:

Minimum Savings = Income Shortfall times 2.5 + £16,000

You must provide payslips, bank statements, and/or savings statements to support your financial claims, demonstrating the funds have been held in a cash account for at least six months.

Accepted Sources of Income (Categories A & B)

The Home Office has strict rules on acceptable income sources:

• Employment (Category A or B): Current income of the sponsor and/or applicant (if they have the right to work in the UK), backed by 6 months of payslips and bank statements.
• Self-Employment/Business: Assessed over the last completed financial year.
• Other Income: Income from pensions, maternity allowances, adoption pay, or UK/overseas property rental income.

Exemption from the Financial Requirement

The £29,000 threshold does not apply if the sponsor receives specific disability or carer’s benefits (e.g., Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment). You must still prove adequate accommodation and no recourse to public funds.

English Language Requirement

You’ll need to prove your knowledge of English unless you’re from a majority English speaking country or are exempt (due to age or health). The required levels are:

• Initial Application (Entry Clearance/FLR(M)): A1 level (in speaking and listening)
• Extension (FLR(M)): A2 level (in speaking and listening)
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): B1 level (in speaking and listening, plus the Life in the UK Test)

Accommodation Requirement

You must have somewhere suitable to live in the UK without relying on public funds. This can be rented or owned accommodation and must not be overcrowded, based on UK housing standards.

Required Documents Checklist

Here’s what you’ll usually need to provide:

• Valid passports for both applicant and sponsor
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Proof of income or savings (payslips, bank statements)
• Proof of relationship (joint documents, correspondence, cohabitation evidence)
• English language certificate (A1 SELT)
• Evidence of adequate accommodation
• Tuberculosis test results (if applying from certain countries)

How to Apply for a Spouse Visa: Step-by-Step

Applying from Inside vs Outside the UK & Visa Validity

The application process depends on your current location and status:

• Applying from outside the UK (Entry Clearance): You will be granted a visa for 33 months. You must not be a visitor or on another short-term route.
• Applying from inside the UK (FLR(M)):You will be granted a visa for 30 months. This is available if you are switching from an eligible visa (e.g., Student, Skilled Worker, Fiancé).

Step-by-step Process for Spouse Visa UK

• Check your eligibility and prepare your documents.
• Apply online via the gov.uk website.
• Pay the fees (Visa Fee + IHS) and upload your documents.
• Book a biometric appointment at a UKVCAS or Visa Application Centre.
• Attend your appointment to provide fingerprints and photo.

Spouse Visa Fees and Processing Times

Here’s what to expect in terms of costs and timelines:

• Visa fee from outside the UK: £1,938
• Visa fee from inside the UK (FLR(M)): £1,321
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Approximately £3,105 (for 2.5 years)

Priority and Super Priority Options

• Standard Processing: Decisions usually take 8 to 12 weeks.
• Priority Service (outside UK): Decision in 5 working days.
• Super Priority Service (inside UK): Decision in 24 hours (if available).

The Difference: 5-Year vs. 10-Year Spouse Visa Routes

The route you are placed on fundamentally determines how long it will take to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

The Standard 5-Year Route to Settlement

This path is for applicants who meet all core requirements (Financial, English, Relationship, etc.). It requires five years of continuous residence in the UK before you can apply for ILR. This is the fastest route to settlement.

The 10-Year Route (Exceptions)

The 10-year route is granted when you do not fully meet all the rules (e.g., income or English language level is not met), but refusal would be disproportionate or result in unjustifiably harsh circumstances.

• ILR Eligibility: After 10 years of continuous legal residence in the UK.
• Switching: You can switch from the 10-year route to the 5-year route as soon as you meet all the stricter financial and English language requirements. Time spent on the 10-year route does not count towards the 5-year clock.

Who Can Apply for a UK Spouse Visa?

To apply, both you and your partner must meet certain conditions. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Your partner (the sponsor) must be a British citizen, have settled status (ILR), or be in the UK under refugee status or humanitarian protection.
• You must be aged 18 or over.
• You need to be married, in a civil partnership, or in a genuine relationship akin to marriage and have lived together for at least two years.
• You can apply from outside the UK or, in some cases, from inside the UK if you’re not on a visitor visa or a short-term immigration route.
• Both opposite-sex and same-sex couples are eligible.

How to Apply for a Spouse Visa

Step by step process for spouse visa uk

• Check your eligibility and prepare your documents
• Apply online via the gov.uk website
• Pay the fees and upload your documents
• Book a biometric appointment
• Attend your appointment at a visa application centre

You’ll then wait for a decision, which usually arrives within 2–3 months, depending on whether you use a standard or priority service.

Applying from Inside vs Outside the UK

If you’re applying from outside the UK, you’ll apply for Entry Clearance.

If you’re already in the UK on a visa that allows switching (not a visitor visa), you can apply for FLR(M) Further Leave to Remain.

Spouse Visa Fees and Processing Times

Here’s what to expect in terms of costs:

• Visa fee from outside the UK: £1,938
• Visa fee from inside the UK: £1,321
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £3,105 per year (total for 2.5 years)

Priority and Super Priority

You can pay extra to speed things up:

• Priority service: decision in 5 working days
• Super priority: decision in 24 hours (if available)

How Long Is a Spouse Visa Valid?

The initial visa is granted for 2 years and 6 months. After that, you’ll need to apply for an extension (FLR(M)) to stay longer.

How to Extend a Spouse Visa

Before your current visa runs out, you can apply to extend it:

• You’ll need to meet the same requirements again (relationship, income, English)
• The process is similar to the first application
• Apply in time to avoid becoming an overstayer

If you extend successfully, you’ll be on the 5 year route to ILR.

Can You Work or Claim Benefits on a Spouse Visa?

Yes, you can work full-time or part-time in any job once your visa is granted. You can also be self-employed or start your own business.

However, you cannot claim most public funds, such as Universal Credit or housing benefit. Some exceptions apply, for example, if your partner receives a disability benefit.

Spouse Visa to ILR and British Citizenship

After 5 continuous years on a spouse visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To qualify, you’ll need to:

• Still be in a genuine relationship with your sponsor
• Meet the financial and language rules
• Pass the Life in the UK Test
• Not have spent too much time outside the UK (usually no more than 180 days in any 12-month period)

Once you have ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after one more year.

Common Reasons for Spouse Visa Refusal

Spouse visa applications are sometimes refused for:

• Missing or incorrect documents
• Not meeting the income or savings threshold
• Weak evidence of a genuine relationship
• Applying while on the wrong visa type (e.g. as a visitor)

To avoid these pitfalls, take time to prepare thoroughly and seek legal advice if unsure.

Other UK Family Visas

There are other options if the spouse visa doesn’t fit your situation:

• Fiancé Visa: for those planning to get married in the UK within 6 months
• Unmarried Partner Visa: for long-term couples who aren’t married but have lived together for at least 2 years
• Dependent Child Visa: for children joining a parent in the UK

FAQs – Spouse Visa UK (2025)

What is the income requirement for 2025?

The minimum income requirement for the UK Spouse Visa is currently £29,000 gross annual income.

Can I apply without a job?

Yes, you can apply without a job if your partner (the sponsor) has enough income, or if you have sufficient cash savings of at least £88,500 to meet the financial requirement for the Spouse Visa.

Can I apply if I meet the savings threshold instead?

Yes, sufficient cash savings of at least £88,500 can be used to cover the entire financial requirement. Savings can also be combined with income if neither meets the threshold alone.

How long does it take to get a decision?

Standard Spouse Visa decisions usually take 8 to 12 weeks from the date of your biometric appointment. Priority options are faster.

Can I work in the UK on this visa?

Yes, once your Spouse Visa is granted, you have the full right to work, be self-employed, or study in the UK without any restrictions.

Can I bring children?

Yes, dependent children under 18 can apply alongside you. You do not need to show any additional income above the £29,000 threshold for dependent children.

Can I claim benefits on a spouse visa?

Generally no, the Spouse Visa has a ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ condition. You cannot claim most public funds, unless your partner receives certain disability or carer’s benefits.

How long can I stay outside the UK on this visa?

There is no formal yearly limit, but try not to spend more than 180 days per year outside the UK if aiming for ILR.

Applying for a Spouse Visa UK in 2025 comes with some new challenges, especially with the higher income thresholds. But if you prepare carefully, gather the right documents, and stay on top of the rules, it’s completely achievable. The most important part is proving your relationship is real and showing you can support yourselves in the UK.

Why Use Our SRA-Regulated Solicitors?

Our specialist team offers a comprehensive Spouse Visa Service based on 10+ years of experience. We provide Fixed Fees and expertise in successfully navigating the new financial rules and challenging common reasons for refusal (including Administrative Review and Judicial Review).

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