Spouse Visa Extension Under 10-Year Route

You can apply for a Spouse visa extension under the 10-year route if you still do not meet all the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules.

You must apply to renew ('extend') your Spouse visa under the 10-year route before your current visa expires to continue living and working in the UK.

You should apply for a Spouse visa extension within 28 days of your current visa expiring. It’s advisable to start gathering documents and completing the application well in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.

For assistance with your Spouse visa extension application under the 10-year route, contact Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700 or fill in our enquiry form.

Table of Contents

What is a UK Spouse visa 10-year route?

The UK Spouse visa 10-year route is an option for those who cannot meet all the requirements of the 5-year route but still wish to remain in the UK legally.

These requirements include:

• English language proficiency
• Financial threshold (meeting the minimum income requirement)

Individuals facing exceptional circumstances, such as medical conditions or family reasons, preventing them from meeting the 5-year route requirements can apply for a UK Spouse visa under the 10-year route.

Who can apply for a Spouse visa extension under the 10-year route?

You can apply for an extension if:

• you currently hold a Spouse visa under the 10-year route.
• you and your partner are still in a genuine relationship.
• You can still not meet the requirements for the 5-year but wish to remain in the UK legally.

Requirements for a UK Spouse visa extension under the 10-year route

The main requirements for a UK Spouse visa extension application under a 10-year route are as follows: 

• Both, you and your partner must be 18 or over.
• You must hold a valid Spouse visa under the 10-year route.
• You must be in a genuine relationship with your British or settled partner.
• You intend to live together permanently in the UK.
• You must meet the requirement of adequate accommodation.

You must meet all other requirements depending on your circumstances. Feel free to ask a question to our expert immigration solicitor regarding your Spouse visa extension (10-year route) application.

Document checklist for Spouse visa extension (10-year route)

Below is a general list of documents required for a UK Spouse visa extension application under the 10-year route:

• Your passport and your partner's passport.
• Proof that your relationship is genuine.
• Evidence of adequate accommodation.
• Details of any criminal convictions (if any).
• You may be required to demonstrate why you cannot meet the financial, language, or other requirements under the 5-year route.

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 FLR(FP)

You must complete the form FLR(FP) to make a Spouse visa application under the 10-year route. You can use the FLR(FP) form online to extend your stay as a Spouse.

How to apply for a Spouse visa extension (10-year route)?

Once you have all your documents ready, you can apply online. Go to the UK Government website for the application portal. You must:

• Fill out the online FLR (FP) application form on the UK Government website.
• Upload your supporting documents in an acceptable format.
• Pay the required fee using a debit or credit card.
• Schedule a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints and photographs.
• Attend the appointment and complete identity verification.
• Wait for the processing of your application to begin after your biometrics are submitted.

Make sure all your information is correct, and your documents are in the right format. Wrong information or documents can lead to your application being refused. If you're unsure about anything, call Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700 for help.

UK Spouse visa extension processing time (10-year route)

The standard processing time for a UK spouse visa extension under the 10-year route is typically 8 weeks, but it can vary depending on individual circumstances.

You can apply to renew or extend your UK Spouse visa under the 10-year route by using the 'priority service' to get a faster decision within 5 working days.

How long is the Spouse visa extension granted?

Typically, a UK Spouse visa extension under the 10-year route is granted for a period of 2.5 years (30 months).

After each extension, you will need to renew your Spouse visa under the 10-year route until you have completed 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK.

Under the Spouse visa 10-year route, once you have completed 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for ILR.

What is the Spouse visa 5-year route?

If you meet all the requirements of Appendix FM, you can apply or switch to a Spouse visa 5-year route to settlement.

A Spouse visa under the 5-year route means you can apply for ILR to settle in the UK after completing 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK.

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

If your circumstances have changed and you now meet all the requirements outlined in Appendix FM of the immigration rules, you can apply to switch from the 10-year spouse visa route to the 5-year route.

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.

Wembley Solicitors has an expert team of spouse visa solicitors in London to assist you with your Spouse visa extension application under the 10-year route.

Experienced spouse visa solicitors in London for 10-year route extensions

Wembley Solicitors has an expert team of spouse visa solicitors in London to assist you with your Spouse visa extension application under the 10-year route.

Let qualified solicitors in London provide you with legal support for your UK spouse visa extension under the 10-year route.

Contact Wembley Solicitors for assistance

If you need help with your UK Spouse visa extension application, call Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700 or email us at info@wembleysolicitors.com.