11 Ways to Prove a Genuine Relationship for a UK Spouse Visa

Proving a genuine and subsisting relationship for a successful UK Spouse visa application needs various pieces of evidence.

To prove a genuine relationship for a UK Spouse visa, provide evidence such as a marriage certificate, proof of living together, communication and future plans.

A well-prepared application can avoid delays or refusals, making the visa approval process smoother. Wembley Solicitors can help you build a strong spouse visa application.

Need help proving your genuine relationship for a spouse visa? Contact our immigration solicitors at 0203 417 3700 for expert legal advice and assistance.

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What is a UK spouse visa?

The UK Spouse visa allows foreign nationals married to British citizens or settled individuals to live, work, and study in the UK for up to 2.5 years.

To continue living and working in the UK, you can extend your spouse visa for a further 2.5 years (30 months), 28 days before your visa expires.

The spouse visa is a route to settlement, allowing you to apply for indefinite leave to remain after living in the UK for 5 continuous years on the 5-year route.

If you need legal assistance with your UK Spouse visa application, call our UK family and spouse visa solicitors at 0203 417 3700 for expert legal support.

How to Prove a Genuine Relationship for a Spouse Visa?

Proving a genuine and subsisting relationship for a successful UK Spouse visa application needs various pieces of evidence.

To prove a genuine relationship, you can:

1. Provide a Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate
2. Birth Certificates Listing Both Parents
3. Show Proof of Living Together
4. Provide Communication Records
5. Submit Evidence of Visits and Travel Together
6. Show Financial Support and Shared Responsibilities
7. Provide Photos Together Over Time
8. Submit Social Media Interactions
9. Include Letters from Family and Friends
10. Show Proof of Future Plans Together
11. Provide Proof of Legal Name Change (If Applicable)

1. Provide a Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate

Your marriage or civil partnership must be legally recognised in the UK. You must provide a marriage or civil partnership certificate as evidence of your relationship.

Nevertheless, a certificate by itself does not sufficiently demonstrate a genuine and ongoing relationship. You need to provide further evidence to establish that your relationship is genuine.

2. Birth Certificates Listing Both Parents

If you have children together, their birth certificates serve as strong evidence of a genuine relationship for a UK Spouse visa.

The certificates should list both parents' names, confirming your commitment and family ties.

3. Show Proof of Living Together

To prove a genuine relationship for a UK Spouse visa, you should show evidence of living together (if applicable).

 Acceptable proof includes:

• Joint tenancy agreement
• Mortgage documents
• Utility bills (electricity, gas, water, internet) in both names
• Council tax showing the same address
• Bank statements showing the same address

Living together is a strong indicator of a genuine relationship. You may provide joint tenancy agreements, mortgage documents, or utility bills featuring both names at the same address. Even in the absence of joint bills, individual bills to the same address can be beneficial. This illustrates that you have built a life together, which holds significance for the Home Office.

4. Provide Communication Records

If you've been apart due to work, studies, or visa rules, keeping in touch is key. To prove your relationship, share chat logs, call history, emails, and screenshots of video calls. The Home Office doesn't need every message, but regular communication is important.

5. Submit Evidence of Visits and Travel Together

Travelling together is also strong evidence of your relationship. Include flight tickets, hotel bookings, and passport stamps to show you've spent time together.

If you've visited each other in different countries, these documents prove your commitment to your relationship.

6. Show Financial Support and Shared Responsibilities

Sharing finances is a sign of a genuine relationship. If you share money, submit joint bank account statements, money transfer receipts, or evidence of financial support.

If one partner sends money for household or personal needs, include these records. Also, receipts for shared purchases, like home essentials or gifts, show your commitment to each other.

7. Provide Photos Together Over Time

Photos can show your relationship journey. Include pictures from different times, places, and events. The best photos are:

• Family gatherings with both your relatives
• Casual moments at home or in daily life
• Celebrations like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries
• Trips and holidays spent together

The Home Office looks for natural, upstaged photos that show a real relationship, not staged or selective ones.

8. Submit Social Media Interactions

Social media interactions can be extra proof of your relationship. Screenshots of posts, comments, and photos where you've tagged each other can show a genuine connection. But use this as extra evidence, not your main proof.

9. Include Letters from Family and Friends

Letters from family, friends, or colleagues can help prove your relationship. These should describe how they know you as a couple and their observations about your relationship.

If you can, letters from respected community members, such as religious leaders, employers, or legal professionals, can add credibility to your application.

10. Show Proof of Future Plans Together

A genuine relationship looks to the future as well as the present. Showing evidence of your future plans can make your case stronger. This might include:

• Plans for housing in the UK (rental agreements or home purchase documents)
• Job offers or career plans in the UK
• Family planning discussions (if relevant)

Showing you and your spouse are planning for the long term can help your visa application succeed.

11. Provide Proof of Legal Name Change (If Applicable)

If you or your spouse has changed your surname after marriage, update your documents. An updated passport, driver’s license, or national ID card with the new name shows legal steps to match your marital status. This is not required but can help your case.

Key Benefits of Hiring Spouse Visa Solicitors

UK Spouse visa applications have strict requirements, including financial, language, and relationship criteria. Our experienced spouse visa solicitors ensure your application meets all criteria to boost your chances of success.

• Expert Legal Advice: We guide you on financial needs, documents, and application forms.
• Application Preparation: Our team checks your case to ensure all evidence meets Home Office standards.
• Appeals & Refusals: We can assist you throughout the appeals process if your Spouse visa application is refused.
• Minimised Risk of Rejection: We carefully review and prepare your Spouse visa application to meet all UK immigration requirements, reducing the risk of delays, and lowering the risk of it being rejected.
• Fast-Track Service: With our fast-track service, your Spouse visa application can be processed quickly, and you can get a decision in as little as 24 hours.
• Comprehensive Support: From initial consultation to final submission, we guide you through every step of the Spouse visa application process.

How Our Spouse Visa Solicitors Assist with Your Application

Our expert UK immigration solicitors in London assist with all Family and Spouse visa applications.

Step-by-step support from our spouse visa solicitors:

• Expert immigration advice tailored to your case.
• Eligibility assessment for you and your sponsor.
• Step-by-step guidance on the UK Spouse visa process.
• Personalised document checklist based on your application.
• Document verification to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Application form completion with detailed cover letters.
• Biometric appointment booking for your convenience.
• Document uploading to support your application.
• Direct liaison with the Home Office UKVI throughout the process.
• Keep you updated with every stage of your application.

Contact our UK Family visa solicitors in Wembley, London on 0203 417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for immediate legal advice & assistance with your UK visa application.

How Much Do Solicitors Charge for a Spouse Visa Application?

Our affordable family and spouse visa solicitors in London charge a fixed fee of £1,000 plus VAT for legal assistance with a UK Spouse visa application.

Our fixed fee includes all legal services, excluding disbursements, until we receive the Home Office’s written decision.

Contact UK Spouse Visa Solicitors in London

Need help with your Spouse visa application? Contact our spouse visa solicitors in London at 0203 417 3700 and let us help you achieve a successful result.