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...
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 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...
UK Unmarried Partner Visa Application Evidence Explained
The UK immigration rules allow unmarried couples to apply for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa even if they have not lived together, provided they can demonstrate that their relationship is genuine and has subsisted for at least two years. This significant change removes...
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 Spouse Visa Accommodation Requirement: What Counts as Adequate
Updated on 01 June 2026 The accommodation requirement on a UK Spouse Visa is that the applicant and any dependants must have adequate accommodation in the UK, available for their exclusive use, that meets public health standards and is not overcrowded under the...
Recent Changes to Unmarried Partner Visa Rules
The recent changes to the definition of an “unmarried partner” under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules have significant implications for couples seeking to enter or remain in the UK. This update, effective from 31 January 2024, eliminates the previous requirement...
Family Immigration Success Stories
Whytecroft Ford has been providing expert assistance to clients from all around the world who seek to join and remain with their spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, fiancé(e)s, and other relatives in the United Kingdom. Some examples of our successful clients...
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.