A UK Spouse Visa: What is it?

– UK Spouse Visa Consultant in India

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What is UK Spouse Visa by The SmartMove2UK

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What is UK Spouse Visa?

  • The UK Spouse visa, also commonly known as UK Partner Visa, allows British nationals or individuals who have an ILR status, to bring their overseas spouse to the UK on a UK Spouse visa
  • The UK Spouse Visa falls under the UK Family visa category
  • It helps to have full information on the UK Spouse visa to avoid delays and refusals
  • If you have a partner in the UK who is a British citizen or has ILR status, you can apply for this visa and join them in the UK
  • According to The SmartMove2UK’s research, people are confused between what is UK Spouse, UK Fiance Visa, UK Partner Visa, UK Unmarried Partner Visa, and their features
  • Our UK Spouse Visa Experts in India – Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru have received many queries about what is UK Spouse visa, who it is for and which is the right visa category for them

Difference between UK Spouse visa | UK unmarried partner visa | UK Fiancé Visa or UK Partner Visa

Features What is UK spouse visa What is UK unmarried partner visa What is UK Fiancé Visa or UK Partner Visa
Spouse Visa UK is for married long-term partners of British citizens or those settled on ILR, to join their partner in the UK. UK Unmarried Partner Visa is for unmarried long-term partners of British citizens or those settled on ILR, to join their partner in the UK. UK Fiancé Visa or UK Partner Visa is for a Fiancé/Partner of British citizens or those settled on ILR, to join their partner in the UK. You can join your Fiancé/Partner in the UK with this route, however, you must get married within 6 months and switch to a Spouse visa.
Evidence of relationship Yes Yes Yes
Pay IHS Yes Yes No
Meet financial requirements Yes Yes Yes
Take children along Yes Yes No
Permission to work Yes Yes No
Children can get free education Yes Yes
Settlement Yes Yes No

Please note – These features differ based on the main applicant’s visa and immigration status. For example, it depends on your partner’s visa category like the UK Skilled Worker Visa, UK Expansion Worker Visa, etc.

There have been many searches with UK Visa Dependant categories. Britain has many UK Visa Dependant applications from India. Our UK Visa Experts in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru have also assisted clients from 26+ countries to successfully acquire UK Visa Dependant categories.

For whom is the UK Spouse Visa?

The UK spouse visa, also known as the Marriage visa UK, is a family visa category that you will need if you intend to enter and stay in the UK for over 6 months with a partner (spouse/fiancé/unmarried partner).

To qualify for the UK Spouse visa, both, the partner in the UK and the partner applying from outside the UK who wishes to join them in the UK must meet certain criteria established by the UK Immigration Authorities.

The basic requirement for the UK Spouse visa is that both partners must be over the age of 18 years because British law does not recognize marriages between people under the age of 18 years.

The following are the other eligibility Requirements For Spouse Visa UK

  • Your partner must be a British citizen or settled in the UK on ILR.
  • Your marriage or civil partnership must be recognised in the UK.
  • When you apply, you must be able to prove a long-term and genuine relationship (this is to prevent forced marriages, which British law does not recognize).

What is UK Spouse Visa financial requirement?

  • To completely know the route, you must understand the financial requirements for Spouse visa for the UK!!
  • If you are bringing your spouse to the UK, you show that you both earn at least £18,600 per year.
  • Spouse Visa UK Requirements 2023 is the most critical element of your application, and many applicants either fail to meet it or provide enough evidence that they can, resulting in their visas being denied.

What is UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist?

To understand what is UK Spouse visa and successfully qualify for it; provide the following documents:

  • Application form for a UK visa. To apply for a spouse visa, click here.

  • Information you will generally need to provide will include

    • Your whole name
    • Your date of birth
    • Current passport or other valid ID
    • Copy of biometric residence permit (if you have one)
  • To ‌attach a visa, you must have a valid passport with at least 2 empty pages
  • Previously held passports
  • Proof of English language proficiency to meet English test requirements for the UK Spouse visa.
  • Financial proof is required (bank statements, salary slips, etc)
  • Information on immigration history (if any).
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Your national insurance number, if you have one.

How to make a UK Spouse Visa Application?

  • If you are applying from outside the UK, you must apply online.
  • You will be asked to choose between Appendix FM Partner and Appendix FM Child.
  • Choose Appendix FM Spouse and begin filling out your application.
  • When applying, make sure you prepare all documents that you will need to submit.
  • It can help to know expert’s tips on a successful UK Spouse visa application.

Required UK Spouse Visa Documents to show financial support

For a UK Spouse visa, you will need to provide proof of your income, such as

  • Bank statements of the partner who is already in the UK
  • 6 months of payslips
  • A letter from an employer that provides the job title, length of employment, current salary, and payslips

If you are bringing your children

If you intend to bring your children who are not British or EEA nationals to the UK with you, you must prove that you:

  • Earn £3,800 more for your first child.
  • Earn an additional £2,400 for each kid you have after your first.
  • Have documentation to prove you can meet these financial requirements and support your children in the UK.

Applying for the UK spouse visa extension?

Read this blog: 3 essential points to remember when applying for a Spouse visa UK Extension

Spouse Visa UK Cost

Purpose Fees
Application Fee £1,538
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) £1,560
Priority processing fee (optional) Additional £500 (decision within 5 days)

What is the processing time for a UK Spouse visa application?

It can take up to 12 weeks to get a UK spouse visa, or up to 8 weeks if you apply within the UK, either online or by letter. The UK Spouse visa processing time also depends on the merits of the application and the supporting documents provided.

However, application processing may be delayed if:

  • You do not have the required funds,
  • You have not provided certain supporting documents,
  • You have a criminal history,
  • You fail to meet certain criteria

Currently, due to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Britain is providing refuge and prioritising applications from Ukrainian refugees, resulting in a delay in the processing of visas from other countries.

Spouse Visa Refusal UK: Can a Spouse visa UK be refused?

Yes. There are chances of spouse visa refusal for many reasons like – selection of the wrong category, insufficient supporting documents provided, and more.

How can The SmartMove2UK help you with UK Spouse Visa Process/Spouse Visa Refusal UK?

  • Our UK immigration experts in India – Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru have assisted many clients in ending the distance between them and their partners in the UK.
  • In case of a Spouse Visa Refusal UK, you can either file for an appeal or apply again. Our UK-qualified immigration lawyers determine the best option for you based on the reasons for refusal.
  • For our clients from India, to know more about UK Spouse Visa Requirements Documents OR UK Spouse Visa Requirements from India OR process of UK Spouse Visa from India OR how to apply for Spouse Visa UK OR Documents Required For UK Spouse Visa From India, get in touch with our UK Visa Expert
  • We at The SmartMove2UK will guide you through the complexities of immigration regulations with our genuine, cost-effective, and customer-focused services. With a decade of experience, The SmartMove2UK has a 99% success rate in all UK visa categories and a 0% refusal rate owing to no technical mistakes.
  • You can get in touch with our UK immigration lawyer to book a consultation!

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