Do you qualify?
- You are legally married and your marriage is recognised in the UK
- You both intend to live together permanently in the UK
- You meet the financial requirement, through income, savings or a combination
- You meet the English language requirement
- You have suitable accommodation in the UK
Documents you'll need
| Document | Details | Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Passports and any previous visas or BRPs | Required |
| Application form | Completed and checked by us before submission | We prepare |
| Marriage certificate | Your marriage certificate, with a certified translation if it is not in English | Required |
| Relationship evidence | Evidence of your relationship, such as photos, messages and travel records | Required |
| Financial evidence | Financial evidence: payslips, bank statements, employer letter or savings statements | Required |
| English language evidence | English language test certificate or degree evidence | Required |
| Proof of address | Proof of accommodation, such as a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement | Required |
We give you a full checklist for your circumstances at your consultation.
Spouse visa financial requirement in 2026
For most new spouse and partner applications, the UK partner must show a gross income of at least £29,000 a year. The government had planned to raise this to £38,700, but that increase was paused, so £29,000 remains the figure for 2026.
You can meet the requirement in several ways, and you can often combine them:
- Salaried or hourly employment in the UK
- Self-employment or company director income, using your most recent tax year
- Pension income
- Rental and investment income
- Cash savings held for at least six months
If you rely on savings alone, you need £88,500 for a first application. Savings can also top up a lower income: the amount needed is the shortfall multiplied by 2.5, plus £16,000.
If your partner receives certain disability or carer's benefits, a different and usually easier "adequate maintenance" test applies instead.
Why spouse visa applications get refused
Most refusals we see come down to evidence, not eligibility. The Home Office decides on the documents in front of it, and there is rarely a chance to fix a mistake after you submit.
The most common problems are:
- Payslips and bank statements that don't match, or don't cover the full required period
- Self-employed income shown with the wrong tax documents
- Too little evidence that the relationship is genuine and continuing
- An English test from a provider or centre the Home Office doesn't accept
- Accommodation that is overcrowded, or with no proof you can live there
We check every document against the rules before your application goes in.
English language, accommodation and relationship evidence
For a first spouse visa, the applicant needs English at level A1 in speaking and listening, through an approved test or a degree taught in English. The level rises at each later stage: A2 when you extend, and B1 for settlement.
You must also show you will have suitable accommodation in the UK without public funds, such as a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement, and your landlord's permission if you'll live in someone else's home.
For the relationship, the Home Office wants to see that your marriage is genuine and that you intend to live together. Useful evidence includes photos together over time, messages and call logs, travel records, and letters showing a shared address.
How long a spouse visa takes, and the route to settlement
Applications made from outside the UK are usually decided within about 12 weeks, and applications from inside the UK within about 8 weeks. Priority services are available in some countries for an extra fee.
A spouse visa is granted for 2 years and 9 months from outside the UK, or 2 years and 6 months from inside. You then extend for another 2 years and 6 months, and can usually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years.
The government has proposed moving most routes to a 10-year settlement period. Its proposals indicate that partners of British citizens would keep a 5-year route, but the final rules haven't been published. We'll tell you exactly where you stand at your consultation.
Spouse visa help in Manchester and across the UK
We're based at 61 Mosley Street in Manchester city centre, and we help couples across Greater Manchester, including Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Stockport. We also work with clients anywhere in the UK and overseas by phone, video call and email.
Your application is prepared and checked by IAA-regulated advisers, and our fee is agreed in writing before we start.
How we help
- Check your eligibility and confirm the right route at your consultation
- Give you a personalised document checklist
- Prepare and complete your application forms
- Review all evidence against the current rules before submission
- Keep you updated until you have a decision
Fees and timescales
Our fee is agreed before we start. See our fees. Government fees are paid separately, and are listed on GOV.UK.
Common questions
How much do we need to earn?
The financial requirement is set by the Home Office and has changed in recent years. We confirm the current figure and whether your income, savings or both can be used during your consultation.
Can I apply from inside the UK?
Sometimes. It depends on the visa you hold now. Some visitors and short-term visa holders cannot switch and must apply from abroad.
How long is the visa granted for?
A spouse visa is usually granted for an initial period, after which you apply to extend it. We explain the full timeline to settlement for your situation.
Can I use my partner’s overseas income?
Not for a first application made from outside the UK. Only the UK-based partner’s income counts at that stage. When you extend from inside the UK, both of your UK earnings can usually be combined.
Do we need to be married?
Not always. If you are not married but have lived together for at least two years, you may be able to apply as unmarried partners. Fiancé(e)s can apply to come to the UK to marry. We can tell you which route fits.
Can my partner work in the UK on a spouse visa?
Yes. A spouse visa lets your partner work and study in the UK. They cannot claim most public funds while on the visa.