Everything You Need To Know Before Extending Your UK Spouse Visa

Is an expiry date looming over your spouse visa? It’s imperative that you take necessary steps to renew your visa or else you will be forced to leave the country and be separated from your husband or wife.

Needless to say, keep track of the expiry date and begin the renewal process in a timely fashion. Keep these things in mind to get your hands on the UK spouse visa.

Be prepared

Spouse visa is granted for 2 years and 6 months. After the completion of this duration, you need to apply for a visa extension, if you want to remain the country. This means you have a predetermined deadline to stay in the country. Make the necessary arrangements, before the visa expires.

Do you meet the financial requirement?

Failure to meet visa financial requirement can get you a one-way ticket back to your home country. Therefore, be very particular about visa approval specifications.

In order to meet the financial requirements your spouse’s annual gross income should amount to £8,600.

If you’re sponsoring children as well, your gross income should amount to £22,400. In addition to this, you need to present an additional amount of £2,400 for each sponsored child respectively.

Financial requirements require extensive paperwork and documentation. Start early, to avoid missing out on important details.

Prove your relationship

The government needs proof of your relationship. If you’re applying for spouse visa, they might ask you personal details such as, when and where did you meet, marriage certificate, how long have you lived together, what are your plans and other questions about your relationship.

You will also be asked to submit utility bills, bank statements and tax bills as a proof that you’re living-in as a couple.

When can you apply for ILR?

ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain as a spouse can be applied 28-days after the completion of your first 5 years. If your partner has been working in the UK for a longtime, you can apply for an ILR, after holding a stay visa for 5 years.

How long does the approval process takes?

The process can be delayed for 12 weeks, if you have applied for spouse visa outside of the UK. But if you’ve applied by post or online the response time can be reduced to 8-weeks. However, complex cases, which fail to meet English language requirement or financial requirement, may take months to get processed.

If you’re having trouble extending your Spouse Visa in London, get in touch with Wembley Solicitors. We have a team of experienced legal advisor who deal with complex immigration appeals at a fixed-fee. Call 020-3417-3700 for immediate legal help.