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Key takeaways
- 1Most new partner applications must meet a £29,000 minimum income; planned further rises have not been brought in.
- 2Savings can fill a shortfall: £16,000 plus 2.5 times the gap, or £88,500 on savings alone.
- 3English rises in stages: A1 to enter, A2 to extend, B1 for settlement.
A UK Spouse Visa (formally, permission to enter or stay as a partner) allows the husband, wife, civil partner or long-term unmarried partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK to live here.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply for a UK Spouse Visa if:
- You are married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen or a person with settled status in the UK (ILR or EU settled status)
- Your relationship is genuine and subsisting
- You and your partner intend to live together in the UK
- You meet the English language requirement
- You meet the financial requirement
- You will not need recourse to public funds
Financial Requirement
This is the most important, and most often failed, requirement:
Current threshold: £29,000 a year for most applications made on or after 11 April 2024
Further increases: rises beyond £29,000 were announced in 2024 but have not been implemented, and the threshold remains under review. Some people who were already on the route before April 2024 can still rely on the old £18,600 figure.
The income can come from:
- The sponsor's employment income
- Self-employment income
- Non-employment income, such as rent or dividends
- A combination of permitted sources
- Cash savings: savings above £16,000 can make up a shortfall at 2.5 times the gap (so £88,500 on savings alone), held for at least six months
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English Language Requirement
The applicant must show English at A1 on the CEFR scale for a first application. This is usually shown by:
- Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT)
- Being a national of a majority English-speaking country
- Holding a degree taught in English
At the extension stage the level rises to A2, and for Indefinite Leave to Remain it rises to B1. Changes to settlement English levels have been proposed, so check the position before you apply for settlement.
Genuine Relationship Evidence
UKVI looks closely at whether your relationship is genuine. Evidence typically includes:
- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Evidence of contact over time (messages, calls, emails)
- Evidence of meeting in person
- Joint finances or a shared home
- Photographs together at different times and places
Processing Times
- Applying from outside the UK: the Home Office aims to decide most applications within 12 weeks
- Applying from inside the UK: usually within 8 weeks
- Faster decisions: priority and super priority services are available for an extra fee on some applications made in the UK
Complex cases, or those needing further checks, can take longer.
Common Reasons for Refusal
- Failing to meet the financial requirement, or the evidence rules for it
- Not enough evidence of a genuine relationship
- Failing to meet the English language requirement
- Previous immigration breaches
- Incomplete or inaccurate applications
A spouse visa is a significant financial and emotional investment, so professional advice is strongly recommended. Contact Temple Gate Solicitors for expert guidance.
This guide is general information about the law of England and Wales as at 15 October 2026. It is not legal advice, and immigration rules in particular change often. For advice on your own situation, speak to a solicitor.