Spouse Visa UK – 2025 Guide to Apply, Requirements & Documents

If you’re planning to live in the UK with your husband, wife, or long-term partner, the Spouse Visa UK can open that door for you. In 2025, this visa remains one of the most common routes for families to stay together in Britain. It allows non-UK nationals to join their British or settled partners and start building a life together, whether you’ve just got married or have been in a committed relationship for years.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know from who can apply and what documents are needed, to the latest rules, costs, and timelines. We’ll also explain the recent updates to the financial rules and how they may affect your application.

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).

It’s different from a fiancé visa, which is for people planning to get married in the UK. The spouse visa is for those already married or living together in a relationship for at least two years.

A spouse visa lets you live, work, and study in the UK. It’s usually granted for two years and six months at first and can be extended. After five years, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is a key step towards becoming a British citizen.

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.

Proposed Changes in 2025: What You Need to Know

The UK government’s recent immigration policy updates have introduced changes that affect family visas, especially around income rules. As of 2025:

• The minimum income requirement has increased from £18,600 to £29,000, with further rises expected later in the year.
• The savings only route remains available, but the amount of cash savings required has also gone up to reflect the higher income threshold.
• The Home Office is expected to apply these new rules more strictly, so it’s important to ensure your application is fully complete.

These changes may affect many families, so it’s worth double-checking the rules before applying.

UK Spouse Visa Requirements (2025 Rules)

To successfully apply, you’ll need to meet several key criteria.

Genuine Relationship

You must prove that your relationship is real and ongoing. This means sharing evidence like:

• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Joint bank accounts or utility bills
• Photos together over time
• Chat logs, travel bookings, or letters showing communication

Financial Requirement

In 2025, the financial requirement has increased. You and your partner must show a combined annual income of at least £29,000. This can come from:

• Employment or self-employment
• Pension income
• Certain benefits
• Savings of £88,500 or more if you do not meet the income rule (calculated using the formula in Appendix FM)

You’ll need to provide payslips, bank statements, tax returns, or savings statements to support your financial claims.

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). Usually, this means passing an approved A1 level English test for your first application.

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 should not be overcrowded.

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 (photos, messages, joint documents)
• English language certificate
• Evidence of accommodation
• Tuberculosis test results (if applying from certain countries)

Double-check everything before submission, as missing paperwork is a common reason for delays or refusals.

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 – UK Spouse Visa (2025)

What is the income requirement for 2025? 

It’s currently £29,000 per year. This may change again later in 2025.

Can I apply without a job? 

Yes, if your sponsor has enough income or savings to meet the requirement.

Can I apply if I meet the savings threshold instead? 

Yes, savings of at least £88,500 can be used instead of income.

How long does it take to get a decision? 

Standard decisions usually take 8 to 12 weeks. Priority options are faster.

Can I work in the UK on this visa? 

Yes, there are no work restrictions.

Can I bring children? 

Yes, dependent children can apply alongside you.

Can I claim benefits on a spouse visa? 

Usually not, unless your partner receives certain disability benefits.

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

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.

Need help understanding the new rules or getting your documents ready? 

Our immigration solicitors in Manchester team offers free legal advice to get you started.

Call 01614644140 or book an appointment for free help with your Spouse Visa UK application today.