A Spouse visa 5-Year route is a route settlement in the UK that allows you to live together with your partner in the UK for up to 30 months (2.5 years). A spouse visa can be extended for another 30 months (2.5 years) if you meet certain eligibility requirements.

You can apply for a Spouse visa under the 5-year route if your partner is a British citizen or has, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), pre-settled status or settled status in the UK.

You can apply, extend, or switch to a UK Spouse visa under a 5-year route if you do not meet all the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules.

Our Spouse visa solicitors are experts in dealing with all types of Spouse visa applications such as Spouse visa extension, switching from a Fiancé(e) visa to a spouse visa, applying for a Spouse visa under a 5-year route, applying for a Spouse visa under a 10-year route and more.

Contact us today to get legal assistance for any type of Family visa application or other UK immigration matters.

Table of Contents

  1. What is a Spouse visa UK?
  2. What are the requirements for a Spouse visa?
  3. What documents are required for a Spouse visa?
  4. UK Spouse visa (10-year route)
  5. Processing time for UK Spouse visa applications
  6. How much does a UK Spouse visa cost?
  7. Switching from a Spouse visa 10-year route to a 5-year route
  8. Switching from a Fiancé(e) visa to a Spouse visa
  9. Appeal against Spouse visa refusal
  10. Spouse visa solicitors
  11. Spouse visa solicitor fee
  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.

If you are applying from outside to enter the UK on a Spouse visa, you must be married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, or a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), pre-settled status, settled status, or refugee status.

A Spouse visa entry clearance application is normally granted under the 5 years route to settlement if you are meeting 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?

The main requirements for a UK Spouse visa application under 5-year route are as follows: 

  • Both, you and your partner must be 18 or over;
  • You need to prove that your relationship is genuine and you intend to live together permanently in the UK;
  • You need to meet the financial requirements to prove that you can support your family without seeking public funds;
  • 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 UK Spouse visa requirements depending on your circumstances. Feel free to ask a question to our expert immigration solicitor regarding a Spouse visa application under the 5-year route.

The financial (minimum income) requirement for a Spouse visa

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

Spouse / Partner visa minimum income requirement from 11 April 2024

From 11 April 2024, the minimum income requirement of a UK Spouse or Partner visa is increased from £18,600 to £29,000 gross per year. Contact our immigration solicitors on 0203 417 3700  or complete our online enquiry form for your eligibility assessment.

You may be able to use your cash savings instead of income.

English language 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.

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

What documents are required for a Spouse visa?

Below is a general list of documents required for a UK Spouse visa application under 5-year route:

  • Valid current passport;
  • Proof that your relationship is genuine;
  • Evidence of meeting the financial requirements;
  • 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 in London for your Spouse visa eligibility assessment and to get a comprehensive UK Spouse visa document checklist.

UK Spouse visa (10-year route)

You can apply, extend, or switch to a UK Spouse visa (10-year route) if you do not meet all the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules.

Mostly, the applicants who cannot meet the English language requirement or financial requirement of earning £29,000 gross per year would apply for switching to a Spouse visa 10-year route.

Under a 10-year route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after spending 10 years on a spouse visa. In the meantime, if you meet the Appendix FM requirements, you can switch to 5 years spouse visa route anytime.

Processing time for UK Spouse visa applications

Currently, the UK Spouse visa application processing time is up to 24 weeks if applying from outside the UK. Time starts from the date of your appointment at the visa application centre.

You should usually get a decision on your Spouse visa within 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK.

How much does a UK Spouse visa cost?

Currently, the fee for a UK Spouse visa application is £1,846 if you are applying from outside the UK and £1,048 for inside applications excluding IHS fees.

Find out the latest Family visa fees and Immigration Healthcare Surcharges (IHS).

Switching from a Spouse visa 10-year route to a 5-year route

You can switch to a Spouse visa 5-year route anytime if have leave to remain as a spouse under the 10-year route and you meet all the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules.

If you do switch to the Spouse visa 5-year route from the 10-year route, then any time spent on the 10-year route will not count towards your qualifying period for ILR.

Switching from a Fiancé(e) visa to a Spouse visa

You can switch from a Fiancé(e) visa to a Spouse visa before the expiry of your Fiancé(e) visa. You must meet all the eligibility requirements for a Spouse visa.

Appeal against Spouse visa refusal

If your UK spouse visa application under the 5-year route 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.

Spouse visa solicitors

Our expert team of UK immigration solicitors and lawyers will be able to assist you with any type of UK Family visa or immigration application.

Immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors will:

  • Provide detailed immigration advice.
  • Assess your personal circumstances and eligibility for a UK Family visa.
  • Assess the eligibility of your sponsor.
  • Explain the entire UK Family visa application process.
  • Give you a completed checklist of documents according to the type of visa application and your circumstances.
  • Check all the supporting documents to ensure that they are sufficient and in the correct format.
  • Fill out the complete application form and prepare detailed representations/cover letters for the Home Office UKVI in reference to the Immigration Rules.
  • Book an appointment for you to enrol your biometrics.
  • Upload all the supporting documents.
  • Liaise with the Home Office UKVI throughout the process until we receive the decision.
  • Keep you updated with every stage of your application.

Contact our UK Family visa solicitors in Wembley, London on 020 3417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for immediate legal advice & assistance with your UK visa application.

Spouse visa solicitor fee

Our fixed-fee Spouse visa solicitors charge a fixed fee in the region of £800 to £1000 (excluding VAT) for complete legal services in relation to the UK Spouse visa (5-year route) application.

We provide expert advice, practical assistance, and professional representation to guide you through the application and decision-making process, from start to finish. 

We're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), so you know you're in safe hands.

Contact our solicitor today to get legal advice and assistance with your UK immigration matters.

You can call us on 02034173700 or leave your details here for a callback request regarding your legal matter.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.

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