Start Your Life in the UK: Spouse/ Partner Visa (Entry Clearance)
Moving to a new country to build a life with your partner is one of the most exciting steps you can take. If you are currently living outside the UK and are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person, your first step is to apply for Entry Clearance as a Spouse or Partner.
A successful Spouse Visa will grant you permission to enter and live in the UK for 33 months (2 years and 9 months). During this time, you will have the right to work, study, and travel. It is also the first vital step on the 5-year pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement).
The requirements for a spouse visa may look simple, but showing that you meet them is not! Decisions are based on the papers you submit, without you ever being interviewed – which means that your paperwork needs to be perfect.
There is a great deal of preparation work required to submit a spouse visa application, and it is easy to underestimate the strict requirements of the rules, which might lead to an application rejection. Attempting to prepare an application by yourself is not therefore recommended, especially considering the high application fees and lengthy delays that could result.
At Immigration Street Legal, we specialise in Spouse Visa applications. In fact, of all the visas we are asked to prepare, spouse visas are the most popular. We understand how daunting it can feel to have your family's future rest on a visa application. We are here to bridge the distance, managing the complex immigration rules so you can focus on planning your new life together in the UK.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply for Entry Clearance if you are outside the UK and your partner is:
A British or Irish citizen.
Someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), EU Settled Status, or permanent residence in the UK.
Someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
(Note: If you are not yet married but plan to marry in the UK within 6 months, you may need a Fiancé Visa instead. Please contact us to discuss the best route for you.)
Key Requirements for a Spouse Visa
Applying from overseas requires careful preparation. The Home Office expects to see comprehensive evidence that you meet several strict criteria:
1. A Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
You must prove that your marriage or civil partnership is legally recognised in the UK and that your relationship is genuine. Because you may have been living in different countries, we will help you compile evidence of your ongoing commitment, such as communication logs, travel history to visit each other, and shared financial responsibilities.
2. The Financial Requirement
You must prove that your UK sponsor (your partner) can support you financially without relying on public funds.
Important Update: The Home Office recently increased the minimum income threshold for new family visa applications to £29,000 per year.
This can be met through employment income, self-employment, pensions, or substantial cash savings. The rules around how you calculate and combine different income sources are incredibly complex, which is why professional legal advice is highly recommended before you apply.
3. Adequate Accommodation
You must demonstrate that you have suitable housing arranged in the UK for when you arrive. The property must be owned or occupied exclusively by your family and must not be legally overcrowded.
4. English Language Requirement
You must prove you can speak and understand basic English. For a first-time Entry Clearance application, you must pass an approved speaking and listening test at level A1 or higher. (You are exempt if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, hold a degree taught in English, or have certain medical exemptions).
5. Tuberculosis (TB) Testing
If you are a resident of certain countries, you will need to undergo a TB test at a Home Office-approved clinic before you can apply. You must include your clear TB certificate with your application.
Important Government Resources
While we are here to handle the entire process for you, you can read the official government guidance here:
Why Choose Immigration Street Legal?
An Entry Clearance application is heavily document-focused. A single missing payslip, an improperly formatted letter from an employer, or taking a language test at the wrong centre can lead to a heartbreaking and costly refusal.
When you instruct Immigration Street Legal, we will:
Assess your specific circumstances (especially your income and savings) to ensure you meet the latest Home Office thresholds.
Provide a tailored, easy-to-understand checklist of exactly which documents you need to gather.
Review every piece of evidence to ensure it meets the strict formatting rules of the UK immigration authorities.
Draft detailed legal representations outlining how you meet the rules and submit the application on your behalf.
Guide you through the process of booking your biometric appointment at your local visa application centre overseas.
Ready to start your life in the UK?
Distance is hard enough without worrying about visa rules. Let us handle the legal work so you can start packing.
Book a Consultation today by completing our Contact Form or call us at 07596 408273 to discuss your move to the UK with our family visa specialists.