UK Spouse Visa Extension After 2.5 Years

A partner of a British citizen or settled person in the UK can apply for a Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years under the 5-year UK Spouse visa route.

If your Spouse visa is due to expire, you must apply for a Spouse visa extension before the end of the initial leave of 2.5 years to remain in the UK.

Usually, an initial Spouse visa grants permission to live in the UK for 2.5 years (30 months), after which you'll be considered an overstayer unless you have made an in-time application.

You can submit your spouse visa extension application 28 days before the expiry date of your Spouse visa to continue your stay in the UK with your partner.

You will be granted a further 2.5 years (30 months) leave to remain in the UK if your spouse visa extension application is successful.

Our team of immigration solicitors can guide you through your UK Spouse visa extension application process. Get in touch to take the first step towards your successful application.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Spouse visa UK?
2. What are the requirements for a Spouse visa extension?
3. The financial (minimum income) requirement for a Spouse visa
4. What is a genuine & subsisting relationship requirement?
5. What is the English language test requirement?
6. UK Spouse visa extension document checklist
7. Application form for Spouse visa extension
8. What is the UK Spouse visa extension processing time?
9. How much does it cost to extend a spouse visa?
10. Refusal of Spouse visa extension application
11. Solicitors for UK Spouse visa extension
12. Need legal advice & assistance?

What is a Spouse visa UK?

UK Spouse visa, also known as a Marriage visa, allows you to join your partner in the UK if you are a spouse of a British citizen or a settled person in the UK.

A Spouse visa entry clearance application is normally granted under the 5 years route to settlement if you meet all the requirements under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. The initial leave will be granted for 2.5 years.

What are the requirements for a Spouse visa extension?

For a successful Spouse visa extension application, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• You can apply for a Spouse visa extension if you were granted initial leave under the Spouse visa category;
• You need to prove that your relationship is genuine and subsisting;
• You must meet the financial requirements of £29,000 gross per year to prove that you can support your family without seeking public funds. This increases if you have children;
• You must meet the requirement of adequate accommodation;
• You must satisfy the English language requirements to prove your knowledge of the English language.

You must meet all other Spouse visa extension requirements depending on your personal circumstances. Speak to our immigration solicitors to discuss the requirements of a Spouse visa extension application.

The financial (minimum income) requirement for a Spouse visa

To meet the income requirements of a UK Spouse visa extension application, you and your partner must have a combined income of at least £29,000 gross per year. You need to meet this income threshold requirement if you want to settle in the UK within 5 years.

What is a genuine & subsisting relationship requirement?

For a Spouse visa extension application, you must prove that you are in a genuine relationship with your British or settled partner.

You can provide several types of documents along with your Spouse visa extension application to meet the genuine relationship requirements such as:

• A joint tenancy agreement;
• A joint mortgage documents;
• Birth certificates of children (if any);
• Photographs showing you have spent time together frequently.

Depending upon your personal circumstances, you might need more evidence to prove your relationship is genuine.

What is the English language test requirement?

You may need to meet the English language requirement for the UK Spouse visa application if you are from a non-English-speaking country. You may be exempt from taking or passing the English language test.

You can prove your knowledge of the English language with an academic qualification, or by passing an approved English language test.

You must pass at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale for your first visa application.

UK Spouse visa extension document checklist

Below is a general list of documents required for a UK Spouse visa application:

• Valid current passport;
• Proof that your relationship is genuine;
• Evidence of meeting the financial requirements of £29,000 gross per year;
• Evidence of meeting the adequate accommodation requirement;
• Proof of meeting the English language requirement;
• Details of any criminal convictions.

You may need to provide additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances.

Book an appointment with our immigration solicitor for eligibility assessment and to get a comprehensive UK Spouse visa extension document checklist.

Application form for Spouse visa extension

You need to use form FLR (M) for your Spouse visa extension application after 2.5 years. You can use the online FLR (M) form to extend your stay in the UK as a fiancé or fiancée of a British citizen or settled person in the UK.

What is the UK Spouse visa extension processing time?

Spouse visa extension applications usually take 8 weeks once you have applied online to extend your spouse visa. However, it might take longer depending on the complexity of the matter.

How much does it cost to extend a spouse visa?

The Home Office fee for a UK spouse visa extension application is £1,048. It does not include Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS).

Click here to find out the latest Family visa fees and Healthcare surcharges.

Refusal of Spouse visa extension application

If your UK spouse visa extension application has been refused and you think the spouse visa refusal is unlawful, then you may be able to appeal against the decision.

Book an appointment with our immigration solicitors to discuss the spouse visa refusal letter, appeal process, costs involved and the appeal processing time.

Your UK Spouse visa application can be refused for several reasons but the most common reasons for UK Spouse visa refusals are as listed below:

• Failed to meet the minimum financial requirements of Spouse visa extension application;
• Failed to prove that your relationship is genuine and subsisting;
• Failed to meet the English language requirement;
• Made a mistake on a Spouse visa extension application form or used the wrong form;
• Missing or incorrect supporting documents or submitted false documents;
• Failed to disclose past criminal convictions in your application.

There are high chances of getting a visa refusal if you are not fully aware of relevant immigration law(s) and eligibility criteria. You should get legal advice from experienced immigration solicitors to boost your chances of success.

Solicitors for UK Spouse visa extension