Key Overviews The UK spouse visa 6-Week priority service costs £500 on top of the application fee for out of country applications. Super priority service costs £1,000 for in-country spouse visa extensions and ILR applications. Priority is not guaranteed. UKVI can...
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 Unmarried Partner Visa: Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
The UK unmarried partner visa allows couples who are not married or in a civil partnership to live together in the UK, provided they can show a genuine, durable relationship of at least two years. Since the rules changed in January 2024, some long-standing assumptions...
Spouse & Partner Visa Financial Requirement 2026: £29,000 Explained
Last reviewed: 26 June 2026. The financial requirement is the minimum income or savings a couple must show for a UK partner or spouse visa under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. For most new applicants it is a gross annual income of £29,000 (as of June 2026),...
What is Appendix FM For UK Partner & Child Dependant Visas?
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....
UK Fiance Visa Financial Requirement 2026Â
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 Processing Time 2026 – How Long Does It Take?
Last reviewed: 26 June 2026. A standard UK Spouse Visa takes around 12 weeks to decide when applied for from outside the UK, and up to 8 weeks for an in-country FLR(M) extension (as of June 2026). Faster priority and super-priority services are available at extra...
When to Apply for a UK Spouse Visa Extension After 2.5 Years
When to Extend a UK Partner Visa Extending your UK Partner Visa is an important step towards securing your future in the United Kingdom with your partner or spouse. While the process may feel similar to your initial application, the timing of your extension matters....
Further Leave to Remain Family Route – FLR(M) Application
Apply for Further Leave to Remain as a Partner or a Child in the UK For couples living in the United Kingdom under the partner route, applicants are initially granted a limited period of stay, usually 2 years and 6 months. To continue living with your partner in the...
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...
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.