UK Settlement – How to Apply for a Spouse Visa

If you’re applying for a spouse visa, let’s just be clear about one thing – the process is going to be lengthy, the fee is going to be substantial.

But if you’re aware of the right process and have all the documents needed, you will be able to get an approval to join your spouse in the UK.

What You Should Know about a Spouse Visa

A spouse visa, or a UK marriage visa is a permit that allows foreign nationals – that are married to a UK citizen or someone settled in the UK – to come to the UK. With this visa, you are eligible to work and study, and stay for the duration that visa allows. After a significant time, you can become eligible to apply for a settlement visa as well as naturalization.

Spouse Visa Requirements

To qualify for a spousal visa in the UK, you must satisfy the following clauses:

• You and your spouse must be over the age of 18
• You must be legally married and must have met each other – this requirement is to prevent forced or arranged marriages
• You both must show that you intend to live together on a permanent basis once you’re in the UK
• You must show that your sponsoring partner earns enough to support themselves and any dependents – this is to prevent any claims of public funds
• Your sponsoring partner must have enough savings or should earn a minimum of £18,600 or more each year. This amount may increase if your partner is also sponsoring any dependent children
• You must satisfy their English language requirements by providing your IELTS test results
• Your sponsoring partner must have a suitable accommodation for themselves as well as their spouse

Visa Application Process Details

You may apply for a visa from within the UK or from overseas as well. If you’re already in the UK, you may switch to the spouse visa if you have the following visas, which should be valid 6 months:

• Family visa (fiancé visa)
• Work visa
• Student visa

On average, the processing time for a spouse visa can be between 2-12 weeks, however the timing may vary depending on your location i.e. the country you’re applying from.

If approved, your visa may also differ in the length of stay period. For example, if you apply from a different country, you may be issued a visa for around 33 months. If you apply from within the country, your visa will be for 30 months.

You may extend your visa for another 30 months, which will bring your total time in the UK at 60 months i.e. 5 years. You need to satisfy this requirement if you want to apply for an ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain. However, you will still need to be married and residing in the UK to further qualify. If you’re granted ILR, you will further have the qualification you need to apply for citizenship.

Applying for a Spouse Visa?

Contact Wembley Solicitors! We offer expert assistance for UK visas at an affordable fee! Call us 020 3417 3700 to hire us!