The genuine relationship requirement is the most evidence-heavy part of an unmarried partner visa. The couple must show a relationship like a marriage or civil partnership that has lasted at least two years before they apply. Where the evidence does not convince the...
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.
Start here
Complete guide
UK Spouse Visa: requirements, costs & how to apply
The full guide to the route, from eligibility to settlement.
Read guide ›
The money rule
Financial requirement: £29,000 explained
The central requirement and the ways it can be met.
Read guide ›
Timelines
UK Spouse Visa processing time
How long a decision takes, in and out of country.
Read guide ›
All Spouse Visa guides
How much does a UK Unmarried Partner Visa cost in 2026?
For most couples, the cost of a UK Unmarried Partner Visa is one of the largest costs when starting a life in the UK. The cost is not a single fee but a combination of the Home Office application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, with further optional and...
Accountant’s certificate of confirmation for a UK Spouse or Partner Visa
A self-employed sponsor often has the income to meet the financial requirement comfortably, yet the evidence rules are where these applications are won or lost. The accountant's certificate of confirmation is one document within that evidence, and for many...
How to Get Married in the UK: Notice, Visas and the Rules
Getting married or forming a civil partnership in the UK begins with giving notice at a register office at least 29 days before the ceremony, and most foreign nationals need the correct visa before they can do so. If you give notice without the correct immigration...
Switching from a UK Fiance Visa to a Spouse Visa in 2026
A UK Fiance(e) Visa is valid for six months and is granted on the condition that the couple will marry or enter a civil partnership within that period. Once the marriage or civil partnership has taken place, the applicant must apply in-country under Form FLR(M) to...
Switching from a Skilled Worker Visa to a UK Spouse Visa in 2026: Process, Cost and Eligibility
Skilled Worker Visa holders can switch to a UK Spouse Visa from inside the UK provided they meet the partner, financial, English language and accommodation requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. To be able to switch inside the UK, applicants...
Spouse Visa UK: Foreign-Language Documents and Certified Translations
A certified translation is required for every UK spouse visa document that is not in English or Welsh. The requirement is met by an independent professional translation, submitted alongside the original, that carries the translator's certification details. This post...
Spouse Visa Payslips and Bank Statements: How to Evidence the Financial Requirement
The financial requirement for a UK spouse visa application must be demonstrated in accordance with fixed specified-evidence rules. Employment and self-employment income is evidenced with payslips and corresponding bank statements. This post provides an overview of the...
UK Spouse Visa Refusal Reasons 2026: Common Grounds and What to Do Next
A UK Spouse Visa application can be refused on financial, relationship, language, accommodation or suitability grounds, and most refusals come down to evidence rather than eligibility. The Home Office UKVI applies a strict threshold on documentary evidence you must...
UK Spouse Visa Cash Savings Requirement 2026: How £88,500 Works
Cash savings are one of the routes to meeting the financial requirement on the UK Spouse Visa, used either on their own or to top up income that falls short of £29,000. As of May 2026, meeting the requirement through savings alone takes £88,500, held for six...
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.