Behind all UK family visa applications is a couple deciding to build their life in the UK. Appendix FM is the part of the Immigration Rules that governs that decision for partners, spouses, fiancés, civil partners and unmarried partners of British and settled people....
Spouse Visa Guides and Insights
The UK Spouse Visa lets the husband, wife or civil partner of a British or settled person live in the UK, on a five-year route to settlement, subject to a financial requirement of £29,000 a year (as of July 2026). These guides cover the financial and relationship requirements, accommodation, switching, extensions and the route to settlement. Start with the guides, or browse the full list of insights below.
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Complete guide
UK Spouse Visa: requirements, costs & how to apply
The full guide to the route, from eligibility to settlement.
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The money rule
Financial requirement: £29,000 explained
The central requirement and the ways it can be met.
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Timelines
UK Spouse Visa processing time
How long a decision takes, in and out of country.
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All Spouse Visa guides
UK Fiance Visa Financial Requirement 2026
As a Fiance Visa applicant, you and your British partner must demonstrate a minimum annual income of £29,000. This post explains the UK Fiance Visa financial requirement in 2026, including the income threshold, acceptable income sources, an overview of the documentary...
UK Spouse Visa: Non-Salaried & Zero-Hours Income (Category B)
Many sponsors are paid by the hour or by the shift rather than on a fixed annual salary. For those couples, the financial requirement for a UK Spouse Visa is the same, but the way income is calculated and evidenced is markedly different. Non-salaried and variable...
What is the difference between a Fiancé Visa and a Marriage Visitor Visa?
Last reviewed: 12 June 2026 The Fiancé Visa and the Marriage Visitor Visa both let a couple marry in the UK, but only one lets them stay. The right choice comes down to where the couple plan to live after the wedding. The Fiancé Visa is for a couple who will marry and...
UK Fiance Visa: How to Prove Intention to Marry
Last reviewed: March 2026 To qualify for a UK fiance visa, applicants must demonstrate that they genuinely intend to marry, or enter into a civil partnership, within six months of arriving in the UK. This is a separate requirement from proving your relationship is...
Apply for a UK Spouse Visa FAQs
Applying for a UK Spouse visa can be a detailed and document-intensive process, but with the right guidance and understanding, it can be navigated successfully. In this post, we address the 15 most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on how to apply for a UK Spouse...
Non-Employment Income for a UK Spouse or Partner Visa (2026)
Last reviewed: 20 May 2026 UK Partner Visa applicants can use specific sources of non-employment income to meet the minimum income requirement. Category C is the route for meeting the financial requirement from non-employment income, such as rent, dividends, and...
UK Spouse Visa: New-Job & Changed-Job Income (Category B)
Last reviewed: 20 May 2026 UK Spouse Visa applicants can meet the financial requirement with variable income or income from a new job through Category B under Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules. It uses a two-part test: the current rate of pay must meet the...
How is employment income assessed for a UK Spouse or Partner Visa?
Last reviewed: 9 June 2026 For most couples applying under Appendix FM, the financial requirement is met or missed on the employment income evidence. The financial requirement is the gross annual income threshold a sponsor or applicant must demonstrate under Appendix...
UK Fiance Visa Approved: What are the Next Steps?
Last reviewed: 2 June 2026 The UK Fiance Visa grants six months of leave to enter the UK in order to marry or form a civil partnership with a settled partner, after which the applicant must switch to a Spouse Visa from inside the UK. The six-month window is short, and...
Common questions about the Spouse Visa route
How long is a UK Spouse Visa granted for?
A Spouse Visa granted on an application made from outside the UK lasts 33 months, or 30 months where the application is made inside the UK. It is then extended for a further period before the holder becomes eligible to apply for settlement after five years.
Can a Spouse Visa holder work in the UK?
Yes. A Spouse Visa carries no restriction on employment, and the holder may work for an employer, be self-employed, or study. There is no minimum salary the visa holder must earn, since the financial requirement is assessed on the sponsor and the couple's combined position.
What is the minimum income for a Spouse Visa?
The minimum income requirement is £29,000 a year (as of July 2026). It can be met through the sponsor's employment or self-employment income, certain non-employment income, pension income, qualifying cash savings, or a combination of these.
How Whytecroft Ford can help
The Spouse Visa financial requirement and the relationship evidence are where most of the work sits, and a shortfall in either is a common reason applications are returned. The Whytecroft Ford immigration team prepares Spouse Visa applications end to end, from confirming the right income category to assembling the relationship and accommodation evidence.
To discuss a Spouse Visa application with our team, call 0208 757 5751 or use the contact form.
The material in this article is provided for guidance and general information only and is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice upon which you should rely. In particular, the information should not be used as a substitute for a full and proper consultation with a suitably qualified professional. UK Immigration Rules are subject to change. Please do contact the Whytecroft Ford team if you require further advice.