What are the requirements for a UK Spouse visa in 2024?
- Details
- Written by: Wembley Solicitors
A UK spouse visa allows couples in a genuine and subsisting relationship to live together in the UK, providing a pathway to settlement (ILR) and UK citizenship.
In this guide, you will learn about the latest UK Spouse visa requirements in 2024, including genuine relationship, financial, and English language requirements.
If you have any questions regarding the eligibility criteria and requirements of a UK spouse visa, call our immigration solicitor today at 0203 417 3700. or fill in our online enquiry form.
Table of Contents
- What is a UK Spouse visa?
- Who is eligible for a UK Spouse visa?
- UK Spouse visa requirements 2024
- UK Spouse visa financial requirement
- UK Spouse visa minimum income requirements
- UK Spouse visa financial requirement calculator
- Genuine and subsisting relationship requirements
- UK Spouse visa English requirement
- UK Spouse visa document checklist
- UK Spouse visa fee 2024
- How can Wembley Solicitors assist with your UK spouse visa application?
- Frequently asked questions
- Need Legal Advice & Assistance?
What is a UK Spouse visa?
A UK Spouse visa, also known as a Marriage visa, allows married partners of British citizens or settled persons to join or remain with their spouse in the UK.
UK Spouse visa grants you the opportunity to work, study, and access various benefits while residing in the UK. Furthermore, it serves as a pathway to potential settlement (ILR) and future British citizenship.
Who is eligible for a UK Spouse visa?
To be eligible for a UK Spouse visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Both partners must be over 18 years old.
- The applicant must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or someone who has settled status in the UK.
- The marriage or civil partnership must be legally recognised in the UK.
- The couple must have met in person.
- The couple must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
UK Spouse visa requirements 2024
To qualify for a UK Spouse visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Both, you and your partner must be 18 or over.
- You must be in a genuine and subsisting marriage with a British citizen or settled person in the UK.
- You must meet genuine and subsisting relationship requirements
- You and your partner must meet the financial requirement
- You must meet the adequate accommodation requirement
- You must meet the English language requirement
You must meet all other 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.
UK Spouse visa financial requirement
Under new immigration rules 2024, you can meet the Spouse visa financial requirement by using employment income of £29,000 or through cash savings of £88,500.
You can meet financial requirements via:
- Employment income of at least £29,000 gross per year; or
- £88,500 in cash savings (if solely relying on cash savings, with £0 income); or
- combination of employment income and cash savings (depending on the source of the income).
UK Spouse visa minimum income requirements
From 11th April 2024, the minimum income required to meet the financial requirement of a UK Spouse visa is increased from £18,600 to £29,000 gross per year.
You must earn more than £29,000 gross per year to meet the financial requirement if you are applying for a UK Spouse visa with dependent children (under 18).
You'll need an extra:
- £3,800 a year for the first child
- £2,400 a year for each additional child you have after the first child
UK Spouse visa financial requirement calculator
If you have no other income and no children, use this formula to calculate the amount of cash savings needed to meet the spouse visa financial requirements:
Total Savings Required = £16,000+(Income Shortfall×2.5)
Genuine and subsisting relationship requirements
When applying for a UK spouse visa, you must provide compelling evidence that demonstrates the genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner.
Various types of documents can be submitted along with the Spouse visa application as evidence to support your claim of a genuine relationship, such as:
- Photographs of you and your partner together at different stages of your relationship, capturing special moments and milestones.
- Letters or emails exchanged between you and your partner, demonstrating ongoing communication and emotional connection.
- Joint financial records, such as bank statements or proof of shared assets, indicate financial interdependence.
- Proof of cohabitation, such as rental agreements or utility bills, showing that you and your partner live together.
UK Spouse visa English requirement
To meet the UK Spouse visa English language requirement, you can prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test unless exempt.
For your first UK Spouse visa application, you must pass at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
UK Spouse visa document checklist
The following comprehensive document checklist outlines the required documents to strengthen your Spouse visa application.
- Valid passports
- Biometric residence permits (if applicable)
- Full birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Decree absolute or death certificates (if either party was previously married)
- Evidence to prove the genuineness of the relationship
- Evidence of meeting the financial requirements
- Proof of income (e.g., pay slips, bank statements, employment contract)
- Proof of accommodation in the UK (e.g., tenancy agreement, mortgage statement)
- Proof of meeting the English language requirement
- Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
For more information or assistance with your UK spouse visa application, you can contact us at Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700.
UK spouse visa fee 2024
As of the latest update 2024, the fee for a spouse visa application from outside the UK is £1,846 per person and £1,048 if applying from inside the UK.
Additionally, there is an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) that needs to be paid, which grants access to the National Health Service (NHS). The IHS fee is currently £1,035 per year. Check the latest IHS fee on the official GOV website.
The current fee for a UK spouse visa application is set by the Home Office and is subject to change. You should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government's official website before applying for a visa.
How can Wembley Solicitors assist with your UK spouse visa application?
Wembley Solicitors has experienced immigration solicitors who can provide professional advice and guidance throughout the UK spouse visa application process. We can help you understand the requirements, prepare your documentation, and ensure a smooth application.
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.
Frequently asked questions
The requirements for a UK Spouse visa include meeting income thresholds, providing proof of a genuine relationship, and submitting necessary documents.
Evidence of a genuine relationship can include marriage certificate, photographs, joint bank statements, travel documents, and correspondence showing shared financial responsibilities and future plans together.
The document checklist for a UK Spouse visa includes your passport, marriage or civil partnership certificate, proof of finances, proof of accommodation, evidence of a genuine relationship, and English language test results if required.
The initial UK Spouse visa is usually granted for 30 months (2.5 years). It can be extended for another 30 months. After five years of continuous residence in the UK, the visa holder can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Need Legal Advice & Assistance?
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.
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