UK Spouse Visa Solicitors
Advice for couples applying from inside or outside the UK
The financial requirement, relationship evidence and English language rules are precise — a genuinely strong case can still be refused if the evidence isn't presented correctly. We help you get it right the first time.
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Tell us briefly about your circumstances and a qualified, SRA-regulated solicitor will get back to you — usually within one working day.
- Free initial consultation, no cost to discuss your circumstances
- Personally reviewed by a qualified, SRA-regulated solicitor
- No obligation to instruct us afterwards
- Advising clients UK-wide and overseas by phone and video
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A member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
What is a UK Spouse Visa — and who can apply?
A Spouse Visa (entry clearance or leave to remain as a partner under Appendix FM) lets the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or settled person live with them in the UK, and it's the standard route to eventual settlement.
Eligibility is always assessed on individual circumstances — including the sponsor's own status, any previous immigration history, and whether either party has been married before.
Check Your EligibilityWhat you need to show
The Relationship
A legally valid marriage or civil partnership that is genuine and subsisting, evidenced across the whole relationship.
Financial Requirement
Usually £29,000 gross annual income, or the equivalent in savings — the most common area of difficulty. See below.
English Language
CEFR A1 for entry, A2 at first extension, B1 for settlement — unless an exemption applies.
Accommodation
Adequate accommodation without recourse to public funds, meeting UK space/occupancy standards.
Genuine Relationship Evidence
Communication history, photos over time, joint financial ties, and cohabitation evidence where applicable.
Sponsor's Status
British citizen, settled (ILR), or another qualifying status — this affects your route to settlement.
The financial requirement, explained
This can also be met through £88,500 in savings held for 6+ months, a combination of income and savings, or (for some pre-April 2024 applicants) the older £18,600 threshold under transitional rules. There's no extra amount for dependent children.
Ways to meet the requirement & important nuances
- Employment income — payslips, bank statements and an employer letter.
- Self-employment income — tax returns, HMRC documentation and business accounts, usually averaged.
- Cash savings — £88,500 held for at least 6 consecutive months, on its own.
- Pension income — where in payment for the required period.
- Combination of income and savings — (income shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000. E.g. £23,000 income (£6,000 shortfall) needs £31,000 in savings held for 6 months.
- Other specified income sources recognised under Appendix FM-SE, in limited circumstances.
Nuances worth knowing:
- Applicants granted a partner visa before 11 April 2024, extending with the same partner, may still be assessed against £18,600.
- Meeting the figure on paper isn't enough — evidence must be in the exact format and time window the Rules require. Many refusals happen to sponsors who genuinely earn enough.
- Always confirm the current threshold on GOV.UK or with Britlaw before relying on any figure.
What if I don't meet the financial requirement?
Not meeting the standard threshold doesn't automatically close the door — but it doesn't guarantee an alternative route either. Depending on your case:
- Combine income and savings using the formula above.
- The 10-year partner route, where refusal would cause unjustifiably harsh consequences for family life under Article 8 ECHR — longer and more complex (10 years to settlement, not 5), assessed strictly on individual circumstances.
- The adequate maintenance test, in specific circumstances such as certain disability or carer's benefits.
There's no single answer for everyone in this position — a proper assessment of your circumstances is the useful next step.
What documents will I need?
The exact evidence depends on your circumstances — income source, relationship history, and whether you're applying from inside or outside the UK all change what's needed.
View the full document checklist
This is a general guide, not a guarantee this list is complete for your case.
Identity:
- Valid passport(s) for applicant and sponsor
- Previous passports showing travel/immigration history, where relevant
Relationship evidence:
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate (translated if not in English)
- Evidence of an ongoing, genuine relationship
- Evidence any previous relationships have permanently ended
Financial evidence:
- Payslips, P60s and employer letter, or
- SA302s, tax overviews and business accounts, or
- Bank statements evidencing 6+ months' savings
Accommodation & English:
- Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or homeowner's letter
- Approved English test certificate, or evidence of exemption
Status & additional evidence:
- Evidence of the sponsor's British citizenship or settled status
- Evidence relating to dependent children, if applicable
- Evidence addressing a previous refusal, if applicable
- Translations and certified copies of any non-English documents
How the application process works
Assess
Eligibility, relationship, sponsor status and the right route.
Prepare
Gather and prepare financial, relationship and accommodation evidence.
Submit
Apply via GOV.UK, biometrics, and submit supporting evidence.
Decision
Home Office review (up to 12/8 weeks), then approval or refusal advice.
See all 10 steps in detail
- Initial eligibility assessment — confirming the relationship, sponsor status and likely route.
- Identifying the correct route — entry clearance, or switching/extending in-country.
- Gathering supporting documents — identity, relationship, financial and accommodation evidence.
- Preparing evidence to the specific evidential standard the Rules require.
- Completing the application via the relevant GOV.UK system.
- Biometrics — at a Visa Application Centre (overseas) or UKVCAS centre (UK).
- Submitting supporting evidence, digitally or in person depending on the route.
- Home Office consideration — up to 12 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (in-country), can vary.
- Decision — approval, or a refusal letter with reasons.
- Next steps — collecting your visa/BRP and planning your extension, or reviewing refusal options.
How Britlaw Solicitors can help
The route can, in principle, be applied for without legal representation — many applicants do. Couples usually instruct a solicitor for one of these reasons:
Eligibility Assessment
A clear, honest view of where you stand before you commit to anything.
Evidence Review
Financial and relationship evidence checked against Appendix FM-SE.
Complex Circumstances
Self-employment, job changes, previous refusals, complex history.
Refusal Advice
Understanding what went wrong and the right next step.
Full Preparation & Submission
A more thorough, better-organised application from the start.
Extensions & Settlement
FLR(M) extensions and planning your route to ILR.
A solicitor cannot guarantee approval — the decision rests with the Home Office. What professional advice does is ensure your application is prepared to the correct standard, and that avoidable mistakes don't cost you your fee and your time.
Fixed-fee ranges are published on our Fees page, and every matter starts with a free initial consultation.
Book a Free ConsultationRefusals — what to know
Refusal is common enough to understand in advance — not as a source of alarm, but as a guide to getting it right the first time. Most refusals come down to preparation and evidence, not the underlying relationship.
Already been refused? Here's what matters
A refusal is not the end of the process — but the right next step depends on:
- The stated reason(s) in your Home Office decision letter
- Which type of application you made (entry clearance, FLR(M), etc.) — this affects your rights of challenge
- Your wider immigration history, including previous refusals or overstays
- Whether a fresh, better-evidenced application or an appeal on human rights grounds is the appropriate route
We don't recommend appealing or reapplying as a default — it depends on reading your specific refusal letter properly.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
| Application type | Standard processing time* |
|---|---|
| Outside the UK (entry clearance) | Up to 12 weeks |
| Inside the UK (FLR(M) extension/switching) | Up to 8 weeks |
| Priority service (outside UK, where available) | Faster, additional Home Office fee |
| Super Priority (in-country only) | Next working day, additional fee |
*Home Office published service standards, not guarantees. Always check current times on GOV.UK.
There are two separate costs: Home Office fees (to government, change periodically — always confirm on GOV.UK) and Britlaw's legal fees, published on our Fees page per the SRA's Transparency Rules:
- Spouse/Partner visa — entry clearance£1,200–£2,500
- Spouse/Partner visa — in-country extension (FLR(M))£1,000–£2,000
No VAT is currently charged. Priority/Super Priority services carry an additional Home Office fee and speed up the decision, not the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much income do I need for a UK Spouse Visa?
Can I use savings instead of income?
What if my sponsor doesn't earn £29,000?
How long does a Spouse Visa take?
Can I apply from inside the UK?
Can I work on a Spouse Visa?
What evidence proves a genuine relationship?
What if my Spouse Visa was refused?
Can I apply with children?
Do I need an English test?
How long does a Spouse Visa last?
Can a fiancé(e) apply instead of a spouse visa?
Can I eventually get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Can a solicitor check my documents before I apply?
Do I need a solicitor for a Spouse Visa?
Planning a UK Spouse Visa? Get Advice Before You Apply.
Speak with Britlaw Solicitors about your circumstances, eligibility and supporting evidence — with no obligation to instruct us afterwards.
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