This comprehensive guide covers all UK spouse visa requirements for 2026, including the £29,000 financial threshold, application fees, document checklists, and the step-by-step process to join your partner in the United Kingdom. Whether you're applying from outside the UK (entry clearance) or switching from another visa inside the UK (leave to remain), you'll find everything you need to navigate the spouse visa application successfully and begin your path to settlement.
Understanding UK Spouse Visa Requirements and Guidance 2026
The UK Spouse Visa (officially known as the Family Visa - Partner route) allows you to live in the United Kingdom with your British citizen or settled spouse or partner. This visa falls under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules and provides a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years, followed by eligibility for British citizenship.
Marriage to a British citizen does not automatically grant you the right to live in the UK. You must apply for a spouse visa and meet all the eligibility requirements set by the Home Office before you can enter or remain in the country with your partner.
What Are the UK Spouse Visa Requirements?
To qualify for a UK spouse visa, you must be legally married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person, meet the £29,000 minimum income requirement (or have £88,500 in savings), prove your relationship is genuine and subsisting, demonstrate English language ability at A1 level, and have adequate accommodation in the UK that is not overcrowded.
The UK spouse visa requirements are set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Both you (the applicant) and your partner (the sponsor) must meet specific criteria for the application to succeed.
- Relationship: Legally married or in civil partnership (recognised in UK)
- Financial: Sponsor earns £29,000+ per year or has £88,500 savings
- English: A1 level for initial application (A2 for extension, B1 for ILR)
- Accommodation: Adequate housing meeting Housing Act standards
- Age: Both applicant and sponsor must be 18 or over
- Intention: Plan to live together permanently in the UK
Relationship Requirement
Your relationship with your UK-based partner must be genuine and subsisting. You must be legally married or in a civil partnership that is recognised under UK law. For unmarried partners, you must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years.
Evidence of a genuine relationship includes photographs together spanning your relationship history, correspondence (messages, emails, letters), evidence of visits to each other, proof of shared financial responsibilities such as joint bank accounts or bills, and statements from friends and family who know you as a couple.
English Language Requirement
You must demonstrate English language ability at A1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for the initial spouse visa application. This can be proven by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), holding a degree taught in English, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
Accommodation Requirement
You must have adequate accommodation in the UK that is not overcrowded and meets the standards of the Housing Act 1985. This can be rented property (with landlord's consent), owned property, or staying with family or friends if appropriate arrangements are documented.
How to Apply for UK Spouse Visa
Apply online through gov.uk, pay the application fee (£1,938 from outside UK or £1,321 from inside UK) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, book a biometrics appointment, submit your supporting documents, and wait for a decision. Standard processing takes approximately 12 weeks for applications from outside the UK.
The application process differs depending on whether you're applying from outside the UK (entry clearance) or from inside the UK (leave to remain). Both routes require an online application through the official gov.uk portal.
Entry Clearance vs Leave to Remain
- Entry Clearance (Outside UK): Apply if you're currently abroad and need permission to enter the UK to join your spouse. Fee: £1,938
- Leave to Remain (Inside UK): Apply if you're already in the UK on another visa and want to switch to a spouse visa. Fee: £1,321
UK Spouse Visa Fees 2026
For a complete breakdown of all Home Office fees, including dependent children and ILR applications, see our dedicated fees guide.
Processing Times
Standard processing time for spouse visa applications from outside the UK is approximately 12 weeks from when you provide biometrics. Applications made from inside the UK typically take around 8 weeks. These timeframes can vary depending on individual circumstances and the complexity of your case.
UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirements Explained
The UK sponsor must earn a minimum of £29,000 gross annual income. If income is insufficient, savings of at least £88,500 can be used instead. Alternatively, income and savings can be combined using a specific formula. Applicants who first applied before 11 April 2024 remain under the old £18,600 threshold for all future applications.
The financial requirement is one of the most scrutinised aspects of spouse visa applications. The £29,000 threshold was introduced in April 2024 and remains in effect following a review by the Migration Advisory Committee in June 2025.
How to Meet the £29,000 Financial Requirement
The financial requirement can be met through various income sources. For employed sponsors, you must have earned the threshold amount for at least 6 months in the same employment before applying.
Savings Calculation Example
If your sponsor earns £24,000 per year (£5,000 short of the £29,000 threshold), you can make up the shortfall with savings using this formula: £16,000 + (2.5 × £5,000) = £28,500 required in savings held for at least 6 months.
5-Year vs 10-Year Route to Settlement
Most spouse visa holders follow the 5-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain. However, some applicants may be placed on the 10-year route if they don't meet all requirements but are granted leave based on exceptional circumstances or Article 8 human rights grounds.
UK Spouse Visa Extension Requirements
To extend your spouse visa, apply using the FLR(M) form before your current visa expires. You must continue to meet the financial requirement, prove your relationship remains genuine, demonstrate A2 level English, and pay the £1,321 application fee plus IHS. Apply at least 4 weeks before your visa expires.
After your initial spouse visa period (33 months from outside UK or 30 months from inside UK), you'll need to apply for an extension to continue living in the UK. The extension grants a further 30 months of leave.
From Spouse Visa to ILR
After completing 5 years on the spouse visa route (including your initial visa and extension), you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain using the SET(M) form. ILR requires passing the Life in the UK Test, demonstrating B1 level English, and meeting the continuous residence requirement (no more than 180 days absence in any 12-month period). The ILR fee is £3,029.
Common UK Spouse Visa Refusal Reasons
Understanding why spouse visas are refused can help you avoid common mistakes. The Home Office rigorously assesses each application against the Immigration Rules.
- Insufficient relationship evidence: Failing to demonstrate a genuine, subsisting relationship with convincing documentation
- Financial requirement not met: Income below £29,000 without adequate savings to bridge the gap
- Incomplete or incorrect application: Missing documents, unsigned forms, or incorrect information
- English language requirement not met: Invalid or expired test certificate, wrong test level
- Accommodation issues: Property overcrowded or not meeting required standards
- Immigration history concerns: Previous overstays, refusals, or deception
- Minimum income requirement is £29,000 (or £88,500 in savings)
- Entry clearance fee is £1,938; leave to remain fee is £1,321
- Processing takes approximately 12 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK)
- 5-year route leads to ILR; always apply for extensions before visa expires
- Those who applied before 11 April 2024 remain under £18,600 threshold
For the official government guidance on UK spouse visa requirements, visit gov.uk Family Visas or review the financial requirements guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum income requirement for a UK spouse visa in 2026?
The minimum income requirement for a UK spouse visa is £29,000 gross annual income. This threshold has been in place since April 2024. If you cannot meet this through income alone, you can use savings of at least £88,500, or combine income with savings. Those who first applied before 11 April 2024 remain under the old £18,600 threshold for all future applications with the same partner.
How much does a UK spouse visa cost in 2026?
The UK spouse visa fee is £1,938 when applying from outside the UK (entry clearance) or £1,321 when applying from inside the UK (leave to remain). You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year for adults or £776 per year for children, paid upfront for the duration of your visa. Optional priority service costs an additional £500 for a 5-day decision or £1,000 for next working day.
How long does UK spouse visa processing take?
Standard processing time for UK spouse visa applications is approximately 12 weeks when applying from outside the UK, measured from when you provide biometrics. Applications from inside the UK typically take around 8 weeks. Priority service aims for a decision within 5 working days, and super priority aims for next working day. Processing may take longer for complex cases or during peak periods.
What documents do I need for a UK spouse visa?
Key documents include your valid passport, marriage or civil partnership certificate, relationship evidence (photos, correspondence, shared finances), financial evidence (6 months of payslips, bank statements, employer letter or self-employment accounts), English language test certificate or exemption proof, accommodation evidence (tenancy agreement or mortgage statement), and your sponsor's proof of immigration status (passport or BRP). All non-English documents must be translated.
Can I work on a UK spouse visa?
Yes, UK spouse visa holders have full working rights in the UK. You can work in any job, be self-employed, or start a business without any restrictions. You can also study. These rights apply from the date your visa is granted until it expires or you obtain settlement (ILR). Your employer must verify your right to work using your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or digital immigration status.
How do I extend my UK spouse visa?
Apply online using the FLR(M) form before your current visa expires. You must pay £1,321 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, continue to meet the financial requirement (£29,000 or transitional £18,600), prove your relationship remains genuine, demonstrate A2 level English (higher than A1 for initial application), and attend a biometrics appointment. Apply at least 4 weeks before expiry to avoid complications.
What is the difference between the 5-year and 10-year spouse visa route?
The 5-year route is the standard path for applicants who meet all spouse visa requirements, including the full financial threshold. It involves two visa periods (approximately 33 months + 30 months) before ILR eligibility. The 10-year route applies to those granted leave based on exceptional circumstances or Article 8 human rights grounds when they don't meet all standard requirements. It requires four visa periods and takes twice as long to reach settlement.
What happens if my UK spouse visa application is refused?
If your spouse visa is refused, you'll receive a detailed refusal letter explaining the reasons. For applications from outside the UK, there's generally no right of appeal, but you can submit a fresh application addressing the issues raised. For in-country applications, you may have a right of appeal or administrative review depending on circumstances. The refusal is recorded and must be declared in future applications. Consider seeking professional immigration advice before reapplying to strengthen your case.