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.
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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
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...
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...
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 Priority Service 2026
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...
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....
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.