How to apply for a UK spouse visa? Detailed guidance

This article will explain how to apply for a UK spouse visa successfully. Spouses and partners of British citizens or people settled in the UK can apply for a UK spouse visa to join or remain with their partners in the UK. These applications are dealt with by the Home Office under the immigration rules of Appendix FM.

The immigration rules of Appendix FM are not very clear and straightforward to understand. Therefore, through this post, we aim to bring some clarity to the requirements, and cost of a UK spouse visa application.

How to make a spouse visa application?

To make a spouse visa application, you will need to apply online. If you are applying from outside the UK, you can click here. If you are applying from inside the UK, you can click here.

It is very important to use the correct application form and its most recently published version to avoid spouse visa refusal.

Apply online (form FLR (M)) – uK spouse visa application form

If you are applying for a spouse visa inside the UK, then you need to complete the FLR M application form and submit your fingerprints inside the UK.

Appendix FM Partner Visa Form

If you are applying for a spouse visa from outside the UK, you will need to complete the Appendix FM partner visa application form and submit your fingerprints in your country of residence.

Who can apply for a spouse visa UK?

As a foreign national, you can apply for a UK partner and spouse visa as long as your partner is based in the UK:

• Is a British or Irish citizen (either by birth or naturalisation)
• Has settled in the UK and has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), permanent residence, or EU Settled Status
• Has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
• Has a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa

Minimum Age for a Spouse Visa

You and your partner must both be over the age of 18 on the date when you submit your Spouse Visa application.

uK spouse visa fee

The fee to apply for a UK spouse visa from outside the UK is £1,846 and £1,048 from inside the UK.

UK Spouse Visa Requirements

In order to qualify for a UK Spouse Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you meet the following requirements:

• Your partner is British or Irish, is settled in the UK, has been granted pre-settled status, holds a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa or has refugee status or humanitarian protection;
• You and your partner are both over the age of 18;
• You and your partner are not within a prohibited degree of relationship;
• You and your partner have met in person;
• You and your partner are legally married in a marriage that is recognised in the UK;
• Your relationship is genuine and subsisting;
• You and your partner intend to live together permanently in the UK;
• Any previous relationship has broken down permanently;
• You satisfy a financial requirement;
• There is adequate accommodation for you and any dependents;
• You speak and understand English to a required level.

Who can be a sponsor for a UK spouse visa?

In order to qualify for a UK Spouse Visa, your partner must either:

• Be a British or Irish citizen in the UK; or
• Have indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or permanent residence in the UK; or
• Have pre-settled status under Appendix EU; or
• Have limited leave to remain as a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker under Appendix ECAA; or
• Have refugee leave or humanitarian protection status in the UK;

The requirement to Have Met in Person for a UK spouse visa

You and your spouse must have met in person before you apply for a UK spouse visa online. The requirement to have ‘met’ means that you must be able to demonstrate a face-to-face meeting which resulted in the making of a mutual acquaintance.

Genuine and Subsisting Relationship Requirement

In order to qualify for a UK Spouse Visa you will need to provide the Home Office with evidence that your relationship with your partner is a genuine and subsisting relationship.

The outcome of a spouse visa application

A successful application under Appendix FM will generally result in a grant of leave to enter for 33 months from outside the UK or leave to remain for 30 months from inside the UK.

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