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How to switch from a fiance visa to a spouse visa?
In this article, we will guide you how you can switch from a fiance visa to a spouse visa visa without leaving the UK.
Our experienced fiance visa lawyers can help you to switch from a fiance visa to a spouse visa before your fiance visa expires. A spouse visa UK will allow you to live permanently with your UK settled or British spouse. After 5 years of spouse visa UK, you can apply ILR.
Switch From A Fiance Visa To A Spouse Visa Without Leaving The UK
As a fiancé visa holder, you can switch to a spouse visa without leaving the UK, but typically the spouse visa application must be completed outside of the UK. You cannot work in the UK on a fiancee visa.
Requirements To Switch From A Fiance Visa To A Spouse Visa
In order to qualify to switch to a Spouse visa from a Fiancé visa, you and your partner or spouse must be over the age 18.
Your UK spouse or partner must also be a British or Irish citizen or have settled or pre-settled status in the UK.
To successfully switch to a Spouse visa, you must:
- Hold a valid Fiancé visa and not have breached any of the conditions associated with your entry clearance
- Satisfy the good character requirement
- Satisfy the genuine relationship requirement
- Meet the financial requirement
- Satisfy the accommodation requirement and provide evidence that you got married in the UK
You will need to meet all the requirements under Appendix FM.
How to prove genuine relationship requirement?
When switching from a Fiancé visa to a Spouse visa, one of the requirements the Home Office will consider is if your relationship with your UK based partner or spouse is genuine.
You can submit following documents to prove you are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your UK based partner:
- Marriage certificate
- Documents showing cohabitation
- Pictures
- Screenshots of chat history
- Letter from friends and family endorsing your relationship as genuine
Can Spouse visas be refused?
Both UK fiancé visas and spouse visas can be refused if the Home Office suspects the relationship is not genuine or if the visa application has been submitted without sufficient evidence. Therefore, it is vital to seek legal spouse visa advice before making an application.
How can I switch to a spouse visa?
You may apply for a Spouse visa either from outside or inside the UK. Either way, you must apply online through the Home Office website.
To apply to switch from a fiancé visa to a spouse visa, you will need to complete the following steps:
- Complete the online FLR (M) application form
- Pay immigration health surcharge and application fee
- Book an appointment with a UKVCAS service centre
- Upload any document requested by the Home Office through UKVCAS portal
- Attend your UKVCAS appointment to provide your biometrics and photograph
What Are the Fees and Processing Times for a Spouse Visa?
Spouse visas cost £1,538 if you’re applying from outside the UK, and £1,048 if you’re applying from inside the UK. The processing time for a spouse visa around 3 to 6 months.
