3 essential points to remember when applying for a Spouse visa UK Extension

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• You have joined your partner in the UK, and now you are enjoying living with your partner in Britain
• But what about when the visa expires? The hassle of extension must be in the back of your mind!
• Britain has a Spouse Visa UK Extension procedure in place for immigrants already living on a UK Spouse visa, to extend their stay in the UK.

• A UK Spouse visa allows partners of British citizens or partners settled in the UK (on ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain) to join them in the UK.
• The UK Spouse visa route is also a pathway to settlement if you extend your visa in time.

• The Spouse Visa UK Extension allows the holder to continue living with their partner in the UK for an additional 30 months
• Combining your time in the UK on a UK Spouse Visa – 2.5 years and Spouse Visa Extension after 2.5 years; will add up to 5 years
• Once you have spent 5 years in the UK, you can apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) i.e. settlement in the UK
• This means that with a Spouse Visa Extension UK, you not only get to live in the UK for a longer time, but you are also one step closer to settlement/ILR in the UK

Besides the basic information, you will need to provide like names of you, your partner (the sponsor), children (if any in the UK), date of birth, current passport, etc. You will need to prove that:

• You continue to have a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner (the sponsor on the initial application)
• Can meet the A2 level English language requirement for Extending Spouse Visa UK
• Can meet the minimum income requirement of at least £18,600 a year (you and your partner can combine your income to meet this amount)
• Other financial requirements

• You might think that the hurdle of Entry Clearance is done, but that’s far from the truth
• A Spouse Visa UK Extension application can be just as demanding as the initial application, so it is advisable not to take it for granted
• Although a Spouse Visa UK Extension application can be tedious, many fail to provide the proper evidence or meet the requirements
• This results in UK Spouse Visa Refusal
• Yes, Spouse Visa UK Extension applications are often refused as well
• Strengthening your case can result in a successful visa process

• One of the crucial parts of applying for an extension – is the timeline!
• As per the Spouse Visa UK Extension rules 2023, you must apply BEFORE your current visa EXPIRES
• You will not be eligible for an extension if you apply after your visa has expired
• The applicant is required to prove that they have been living with the sponsor and continue to be in a genuine, subsisting relationship
• You can apply nearly 28 days before your visa expires

• A hurdle that applicants generally miss out on, is checking the minimum financial requirement.
• To qualify for the extension, you and your partner will have to prove that you have a combined annual income of at least £18,600.
• If you have a child as a dependant, the minimum requirement is £22,400 and an additional £2,400 for each additional child.
• You can meet the minimum income requirement through you or your spouse’s salaried or self-employed income, savings, income for real estate, etc.
• The sponsor doesn’t need to fulfil or contribute to meeting the financial requirements of UK Spouse Visa Renewal.
• If you (the applicant) are working or have the funds, it will count as meeting the requirement as well.

• You are in the UK on a UK Spouse Visa, but when you apply for a Spouse Visa UK Extension, the Home Office will want to confirm if you are still in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner.
• In this case, get advice 6-9 months before the expiry of your UK Spouse Visa – so you understand the evidence requirement you need to submit to extend the visa.

• The UK’s Spouse visa helps couples wave goodbye to the distance and live together in the UK
• But the visa expires in 2.5 years, so what do you do then? The UK has a Spouse Visa UK Extension process in place for immigrants yearning to continue living in the UK
• But while applying for a Spouse Visa UK Extension, there are some factors to be kept in mind, to avoid a UK Spouse Visa Extension Refusal like – submitting proof of relationship, meeting financial requirements, etc.
• These 3 essential points should help you get an insight into applying for a Spouse Visa UK Extension

The UK Spouse visa has many benefits, but also it has some limitations and an expiration date!

Here are 3 essential points that you should remember when you are applying for a UK Spouse visa extension.