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 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...
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...
UK Spouse Visa vs Unmarried Partner Visa: The Differences
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026 The UK Spouse Visa and the Unmarried Partner Visa are two routes under Appendix FM for the partner of a British or settled person, and they share almost all of the same requirements. The single biggest difference is how you prove your...
Which Income Sources Can Be Combined for a UK Spouse Visa?
Updated 01 June 2026 The financial requirement on a UK Spouse Visa is a gross annual income of £29,000, known as the minimum income requirement, set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. It can be met by the sponsor alone, by the sponsor and the applicant...
Can I Live with Parents When Applying for a UK Spouse Visa?
When applying for a UK Spouse Visa, you must show that you and your partner will have adequate accommodation in the UK, without relying on public funds. Many applicants ask whether they can live with their parents and still meet this requirement. The answer is yes,...
Do You Need to Live Together for a UK Spouse Visa?
When planning to apply for a UK spouse visa, one of the most common concerns for couples is whether they must already be living together to qualify. This is particularly relevant for applicants in long-distance marriages, newlyweds, or those separated due to work or...
UK Spouse Visa Approved: Savings & Employment Combined
At Whytecroft Ford, we specialise in advising and representing clients navigating the UK Spouse Visa application process. In this case, we supported a successful UK Spouse Visa application with cash savings and employment income, a combined approach permitted under...
UK Spouse Visa Proof of Relationship Documents
Last reviewed: 26 June 2026. Of all the requirements for a UK Spouse Visa, the relationship requirement is the one couples worry about most, because a real relationship still has to be proved on paper. The rule is that the relationship must be genuine and subsisting,...
Client Success Story: UK Spouse Visa Approved Using Overseas Cash Savings
At Whytecroft Ford, we specialise in simplifying complex immigration challenges. One of our recent success stories showcases how a well-prepared application using overseas savings, held entirely in foreign currency, can result in a smooth and efficient outcome. Our...
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.