Spouse Visa Entry Clearance Guidance

You can apply for Spouse Visa Entry Clearance if you are a partner of a British citizen, or a person settled in the UK and wish to join your married or unmarried partner in the UK.

A UK spouse visa (also known as a “marriage visa” or “partner visa”) is a route to the settlement which means you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Spouse after spending 5 years on a spouse visa.

If you need immigration advice or help with your spouse visa entry clearance application, call our expert spouse visa solicitor at 01614644140.

If you need immigration advice or help with your spouse visa entry clearance application, call our expert spouse visa solicitor in London at 020 341 73700.

What is Entry Clearance for a Spouse Visa UK?

Entry clearance for a spouse visa in the UK refers to the process of obtaining permission to enter the United Kingdom as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK. Entry clearance is essentially a visa that is granted to individuals who wish to join their partner in the UK for the purpose of living together.

The spouse visa entry clearance process involves applying for a visa from outside the UK before you travel. This process is designed to ensure that individuals meet the eligibility criteria and have the necessary documentation to enter the country as a spouse or civil partner.

For more information about the UK Spouse visa, including how to apply and what you need to do in order to get entry clearance, reach out to one of our professional immigration advisers on 01614644140, or contact us online today. When applying for a spouse visa entry clearance from outside the UK, you will need to demonstrate that you meet all the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules.

Guide to Entry Clearance for UK Spouse Visa

To settle in the UK with a Spouse visa, you will first need to be given entry clearance so you can enter the country to join your British partner. You need to apply for spouse visa entry clearance UK online if you are married to a British Citizen or settled person in the UK.

A spouse visa is also known as a settlement visa or Appendix FM Partner visa to settle in the UK permanently. If the applicant meets the requirements for entry clearance as a spouse, the applicant will be granted entry clearance for an initial period of 2 years and 9 months, and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds.

The UK Spouse Visa can lead to indefinite leave to remain or settlement in the UK after a period of 5 years.

Specialist spouse visa lawyers for entry clearance

Our specialist immigration lawyers can guide you to apply for a spouse visa from outside the UK under priority service to get a fast decision. An application for a UK spouse visa is made online to the Home Office.

Our experienced spouse visa lawyers can help you to apply for spouse visa entry clearance from outside the UK if you meet all the spouse visa requirements of Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

How To Apply For UK Spouse Visa Entry Clearance?

The spouse visa entry clearance application is submitted online. In order to successfully apply for a spouse visa application from outside the UK, you will need to pay immigration health surcharge, pay for the UKVI application fee, book an appointment at the local visa application centre, and upload the documents before attending the appointment. Ask a question to our expert spouse visa lawyers and solicitors for free advice for your spouse visa entry clearance application.

Spouse Visa Entry Clearance Requirements 2025

In order to apply for a UK Spouse Visa, you will need to meet the following requirements:

  • Your partner is British or Irish, settled in the UK, has received pre-settled status, is a refugee, or is otherwise entitled to humanitarian protection;
  • You and your partner are both over the age of 18;
  • You and your partner have met in person;
  • You and your partner are legally married in a marriage that is recognised in the UK and you are in a genuine relationship;
  • You and your partner intend to live together permanently in the UK;
  • You meet the financial requirement of £29,000
  • There is adequate accommodation for you and any dependents;
  • You speak and understand English of A1 or above (if applicable);
  • You have the UK TB test (if required).

You can book an appointment with us to discuss your spouse visa entry clearance application.

Documents Required For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

In order to successfully obtain a UK spouse visa entry clearance, you must provide all the following supporting documents:

  • Copy of your photo ID, i.e., your passport;
  • Copy of your birth certificate;
  • Copy of the UK spouse’s passport;
  • Copy of the marriage certificate (needs to be translated in English, if not in English already);
  • Proof of relationship i.e., marriage certificate, pictures, and evidence of subsisting relationship
  • Proof of English language test A1 or above (if required);
  • Proof of TB Test (if required);
  • Proof of financial requirement being met, i.e., bank statements, payslips, employment letter, P60 and employment contract;
  • Documents of suitable accommodation for the application and dependents (if any dependents);

You can contact us to have an exact list of documents according to your circumstances.

Financial Requirement for spouse visa entry clearance

If you apply for a family visa as a partner, you and your partner usually need to prove that your combined income is at least £29,000 a year. This is called a ‘minimum income requirement’.

The financial requirements are different if either:

  • your partner is getting certain disability or carer’s benefits
  • you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and you’re extending that visa – this includes if you first applied as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

How you prove your income depends on how you got it. You may be able to use your savings instead of income to show you meet the requirement.

You can arrange an appointment with our spouse visa entry clearance lawyers for a detailed immigration advice and consultation session.

Various Ways To Meet The Financial Requirement

Where the applicant has to meet the minimum income threshold, the financial requirement can generally be met in the following five ways:

  • Income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work). This is referred to as Category A or Category B, depending on the employment history.
  • Non-employment income, e.g. income from property rental or dividends from shares. This is referred to as Category C.
  • Cash savings of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant, above £16,000, held by the partner and/or the applicant for at least 6 months and under their control. This is referred to as Category D.
  • State (UK or foreign), occupational or private pension of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant. This is referred to as Category E.
  • Income from self-employment, and income as a director or employee of a specified limited company in the UK, of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work). This is referred to as Category F or Category G, depending on which financial year(s) is or are being relied upon.

Exemptions From Financial Requirement

If the UK sponsor is in receipt of any of the following benefits or allowances in the UK, the applicant will be able to meet the financial requirement by providing evidence of “adequate maintenance” rather than meeting an income threshold of £18,600 or above:

  • Carer’s Allowance.
  • Disability Living Allowance.
  • Severe Disablement Allowance.
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
  • Attendance Allowance.
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
  • Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme.
  • Police Injury Pension.

If the applicant’s partner is in receipt of one of the above benefits or allowances on behalf of their child, the applicant will be able to qualify by meeting the financial requirement through “adequate maintenance”. The evidence required to demonstrate that the applicant’s partner is in receipt of a specified benefit or allowance is specified in Appendix FM-SE.

Adequate Accommodation Requirement For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

In order to apply for a spouse visa entry clearance, you must provide the evidence that there will be adequate accommodation, without recourse to public funds, for the family, including other family members who are not included in the application but who live in the same household, which the family own or occupy exclusively: accommodation will not be regarded as adequate if-

  1. it is, or will be, overcrowded; or
  2. it contravenes public health regulations.

English Language Requirement For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

The applicant must provide specified evidence that he/she:

  • has passed an English language test in speaking and listening at a minimum of level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages with a provider approved by the Home Office, UKVI; or
  • has an academic qualification recognised by ECCTIS to be equivalent to the standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, which was taught in English; or
  • is exempt from the English language requirement:

Home Office fees for a spouse visa entry clearance

The Home Office UKVI fees for the spouse visa entry clearance application from outside the UK are as below:

  • Application fee: £1846
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for partner: £1035 per year

If you have a dependent child applying with you at the same time, then you will pay the following fee for the child:

  • Application fee: £1846
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for each child: £776 per year

The immigration health surcharge will rise on 16 January 2024.

Our Fixed Fees For Spouse Visa Entry clearance Application

Our ServiceOur Fixed Fees Range
Full service for spouse visa Entry Clearance to cover all the work until decision by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO)From £1,000 To £1,400
Documents checking service£350

Our spouse visa specialists will provide can provide following services to for spouse visa applications:

  1. Spouse visa 5 years route
  2. Spouse visa 10 years route
  3. Extension of spouse visa
  4. Spouse visa ILR

Switching Into the Spouse Visa Route From Within the UK

You can apply to switch from your existing visa to a spouse visa within the UK. This means, you will not leave the UK to apply for a spouse visa with a few exceptions.

Why Choose Deluxe Law Chambers For Your UK Visa Applications?

Are you looking for expert immigration solicitors in Manchester or London to help with your UK visa and immigration matters? At Deluxe Law Chambers, we provide professional, transparent, and affordable legal services to ensure a smooth visa application process.

Why Choose Us?

  • Expert Immigration Solicitors – With years of experience, we stay up to date with the latest UK immigration laws to give you the best legal advice.
  • Personalised Service – Every case is unique. We offer tailored solutions based on your individual circumstances.
  • Fast & Reliable Visa Services – Need a quick decision? We offer Priority and Super Priority visa services for faster processing.
  • Remote Legal Support – Our solicitors can handle your case online, saving you time and travel costs. You can also visit our Manchester office for in-person advice.
  • Open 7 Days a Week – We provide expert immigration advice every day, including weekends.
  • Free Immigration Advice – Get a 5-minute free phone consultation or book a free face-to-face consultation on Saturdays in Manchester (by appointment).
  • Fixed Fees with Instalments – No hidden costs! We offer affordable fixed fees, with the option to pay in two instalments.

Book Your Consultation Today!

At Deluxe Law Chambers, we are committed to providing professional, fast, and reliable immigration services.

Let us help you with your UK visa application – contact us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

When can you apply for a spouse visa entry clearance?

You can apply for a spouse visa every next day once you are married and your marriage is legally registered.

What is the spouse visa entry clearance processing time?

Th current timeframe to decide a spouse visa entry clearance is 60 days under standard service and 30 working days under priority service.

Is fast track service available for a spouse visa entry clearance application?

Yes, you can apply for a spouse visa from outside the UK under priority service to get a faster decision.

Can I work in the UK on a spouse visa?

Yes you will be able to work as employed or self-employed in the UK on a spouse visa.