Understanding spouse visa refusal reasons is essential for anyone planning to bring their partner to the UK. This comprehensive guide examines the most common reasons applications fail under Appendix FM, from accommodation issues to relationship evidence, and explains your options if your spouse visa is refused.

Table of Contents

Understanding Spouse Visa Refusal Reasons
UK Spouse Visa Refused: Accommodation Issues
Relationship Evidence Failures
Financial Requirement Failures
Common Mistakes in Applications
Medical and Mental Health Refusals
Extension and ILR Refusal Reasons
Appealing a Spouse Visa Refusal
Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding UK Spouse Visa Refusal Reasons

Spouse visa refusal reasons fall into several categories under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) assesses whether applicants meet eligibility requirements relating to relationship genuineness, financial stability, accommodation adequacy, and English language proficiency. Failing to meet any of these requirements can result in your UK spouse visa application being refused.

Spouse Visa Refusal: A decision by UKVI to reject a family visa application where the applicant fails to satisfy one or more requirements under Appendix FM, including the minimum income requirement, genuine relationship evidence, accommodation standards, or English language proficiency.

Understanding why spouse visas are refused helps you prepare a stronger application. The most common spouse visa refusal reasons include inadequate financial evidence, insufficient proof of a genuine relationship, failure to meet accommodation requirements, and errors or omissions in the application form. This guide examines each category in detail, providing practical strategies to avoid refusal.

Key Information Unlike visitor visas, spouse visa refusals typically include a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Your refusal letter will specify your appeal rights and the deadline for submission. Understanding the refusal reasons is crucial for deciding whether to appeal or submit a fresh application.

UK Spouse Visa Refused: Accommodation Issues

Quick Answer

A UK spouse visa can be refused for accommodation issues if the property is overcrowded, unsuitable for the family size, or if insufficient evidence is provided. You must prove your accommodation meets UK housing standards and will not be overcrowded when your partner arrives.

Accommodation refusals are among the most common spouse visa refusal reasons. Under the Immigration Rules, the accommodation must be adequate for the family without being overcrowded or contravening public health regulations. Many applicants underestimate the documentation required to prove their housing meets these standards. For detailed requirements, see our guide on spouse visa accommodation requirements.

Why Spouse Visas Are Refused for Accommodation

Overcrowding concerns: The property does not have sufficient bedrooms for all occupants under UK housing standards
Insufficient evidence: Missing tenancy agreement, property inspection report, or landlord consent letter
Shared accommodation: Living with extended family without clear evidence of available space
Temporary housing: Short-term arrangements that do not demonstrate stable accommodation
Property condition: Evidence suggesting the property does not meet health and safety standards

How to Avoid Accommodation Refusals

To prevent your spouse visa being refused on accommodation grounds, provide comprehensive documentation including:

Property inspection report: An official assessment confirming the property meets housing standards
Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement: Proving your right to occupy the property
Landlord consent letter: Written permission for your partner to reside at the property
Floor plan or photographs: Showing room sizes and sleeping arrangements
Council tax statement: Confirming occupancy and property address

Relationship Evidence Failures

Quick Answer

Spouse visas are refused for relationship evidence failures when UKVI is not satisfied the relationship is genuine and subsisting. This includes insufficient communication records, inconsistent statements, lack of cohabitation evidence, or concerns about arranged marriages of convenience.

Proving a genuine and subsisting relationship is fundamental to spouse visa success. UKVI caseworkers examine the evidence carefully to identify marriages of convenience, where the primary purpose is immigration rather than genuine partnership. Both partners must demonstrate consistent knowledge of each other and provide substantial evidence of their relationship history.

Common Relationship Evidence Refusal Reasons

Inconsistent information: Contradictory details in partner statements about how you met, relationship timeline, or future plans
Limited communication evidence: Insufficient call logs, messages, or video call records showing regular contact
Lack of physical meetings: Few or no visits between partners before the application
No shared financial commitments: Absence of joint accounts, shared bills, or financial transfers
Short relationship duration: Applications submitted shortly after marriage without sufficient relationship history

Evidence Type	Strong Evidence	Weak Evidence
Communication	Daily calls, video chats over 12+ months	Sporadic messages, no video evidence
Visits	Multiple trips with flight bookings, photos	Single visit or no physical meetings
Photographs	Photos over time with family, events	Few photos from single occasion only
Financial	Joint account, regular money transfers	No financial connection between partners

Financial Requirement Failures

Quick Answer

Spouse visas are refused for financial reasons when applicants fail to meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 (as of 2026), provide incomplete documentation, or use inadmissible income sources. Employment gaps, inconsistent payslips, or insufficient savings can also trigger refusal.

Meeting the spouse visa financial requirements is often the most challenging aspect of the application. The minimum income threshold has increased significantly, and the documentation requirements are strictly enforced. Even small errors or omissions in financial evidence can lead to refusal.

Minimum Income Requirement (MIR): The financial threshold a UK sponsor must meet to bring a partner to the UK. As of 2026, this is £29,000 per year from employment or self-employment, with additional amounts required for dependent children. Alternative sources include cash savings, non-employment income, or a combination.

Common Financial Refusal Reasons

Below minimum income: Gross annual income falls short of the £29,000 threshold
Incomplete documentation: Missing payslips, bank statements, or employer letters
Employment gaps: Unexplained periods without income during the assessment period
Inadmissible income: Using income sources not accepted under Appendix FM (certain benefits, third-party support)
Self-employment errors: Insufficient tax returns, accounts, or business evidence
Savings calculation errors: Cash savings not meeting the formula or held for insufficient time

Critical: 2024-2026 Financial Threshold Changes The minimum income requirement increased from £18,600 to £29,000 in April 2024, with further increases planned. Check the current threshold before applying. Applications submitted under the old rules may be assessed differently depending on when they were lodged.

Common Mistakes in Spouse Visa Applications

Quick Answer

Common mistakes leading to UK spouse visa refusal include incomplete application forms, inconsistent information between documents, missing supporting evidence, incorrect fee payments, and failure to disclose immigration history. Even minor errors can result in refusal under the strict evidential requirements.

Application errors are preventable spouse visa refusal reasons that affect many applicants. The UK visa application form requires precise information, and all supporting documents must align with your stated circumstances.

Mistakes That Cause Spouse Visa Refusals

Incomplete forms: Leaving sections blank or providing vague answers
Date inconsistencies: Conflicting dates across application form and supporting documents
Missing translations: Documents not in English without certified translations
Unsigned documents: Employer letters or declarations without proper signatures
Wrong fee payment: Paying incorrect visa fee leading to invalid application
Undisclosed immigration history: Failing to mention previous refusals or overstays, which constitutes deception
Expired documents: Submitting out-of-date English test certificates or TB test results

English Language Refusal Reasons

Meeting the English language requirement is mandatory for spouse visa applicants. Common refusal reasons include:

Wrong test type: Taking an English test not approved by the Home Office
Below required level: Not achieving CEFR A1 for initial applications or A2 for extensions
Expired certificate: English test results older than two years at application date
Unapproved test centre: Taking the test at a facility not on the approved list

Medical and Mental Health Refusals

Quick Answer

Spouse visas are rarely refused solely on medical or mental health grounds. UKVI does not deny family visas based on mental health history alone. However, refusals may occur if an applicant fails the mandatory TB test, has an untreated infectious disease, or if their condition raises concerns under the general grounds for refusal.

Questions about medical and mental health in visa applications cause significant concern for applicants. Under the general grounds for refusal, medical conditions alone are not grounds for refusing a spouse visa unless they pose a public health risk or the applicant cannot be adequately maintained.

Medical Grounds for Refusal: Under Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, an applicant may be refused if their presence in the UK poses a risk to public health. This primarily concerns active, untreated tuberculosis or other notifiable infectious diseases—not mental health conditions or disabilities.

Do People Get Denied Family Visas Over Mental Health History?

Mental health history alone is not a basis for refusing a UK spouse visa. UKVI does not discriminate against applicants with mental health conditions, disabilities, or chronic illnesses. The assessment focuses on whether the applicant meets the specific requirements of Appendix FM, not their health status.

However, medical-related refusals may occur in these circumstances:

TB test failure: Applicants from listed countries must pass a tuberculosis screening
Infectious diseases: Active, untreated infectious conditions that pose public health risks
Maintenance concerns: If medical costs would require recourse to public funds beyond what is permitted

Disability and Spouse Visa Applications Having a disability does not prevent spouse visa approval. UKVI assesses applications based on relationship genuineness, financial requirements, and other standard criteria—not disability status. Applicants should not omit medical information but can be reassured that disabilities are not grounds for refusal.

Spouse Visa Extension and ILR Refusal Reasons

Quick Answer

Spouse visa extension refusals commonly occur due to relationship breakdown, failure to meet the higher A2 English requirement, or financial shortfalls. ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) refusals after the spouse visa route typically involve failing the Life in the UK test, not meeting continuous residence requirements, or absences exceeding 180 days per year.

The spouse visa is granted initially for 33 months (or 30 months if applying from within the UK), after which you must apply for an extension before eventually qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Different refusal reasons apply at each stage.

Spouse Visa Extension Refusal Reasons

Relationship no longer subsisting: Evidence that the couple has separated or the relationship has ended
English level not met: Failure to achieve CEFR A2 for the extension (higher than initial A1)
Financial requirements not maintained: Sponsor's income has fallen below the threshold
Late application: Applying after the current visa has expired without valid reason
Immigration breaches: Violations during the initial visa period such as unauthorized work

ILR Refusal Reasons After Spouse Visa

Life in the UK test not passed: Mandatory requirement for settlement applications
English B1 not achieved: Higher English requirement for ILR than for extensions
Absences exceeding 180 days: Spending more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period
Continuous residence broken: Single absence of more than 6 months breaking the qualifying period
Criminal convictions: Unspent convictions or serious offences affecting suitability
Relationship ended: The marriage or civil partnership has broken down before ILR eligibility

Appealing a UK Spouse Visa Refusal

Quick Answer

If your spouse visa is refused, you typically have the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal within 28 days (if outside the UK) or 14 days (if inside the UK). The appeal allows you to challenge the refusal on human rights grounds. Alternatively, you may submit a fresh application addressing the refusal reasons.

Understanding your options after a spouse visa refusal is crucial. Unlike visitor visa refusals, family visa refusals usually carry appeal rights to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). Our comprehensive guide on the UK spouse visa refusal appeal process provides detailed information on this procedure.

Option	Deadline	Best For
Appeal to Tribunal	28 days (outside UK) / 14 days (inside UK)	When UKVI misapplied the rules or overlooked evidence
Administrative Review	28 days (if available)	Caseworker errors in applying the Immigration Rules
Fresh Application	No deadline	When circumstances have changed or stronger evidence available
Judicial Review	3 months (promptly)	When the decision-making process was unlawful

Key Takeaways

Accommodation, relationship evidence, and financial requirements are the most common spouse visa refusal reasons
Mental health history alone does not disqualify applicants from spouse visa approval
Application errors and incomplete documentation are preventable causes of refusal
Extension and ILR applications have different requirements including higher English levels
Most spouse visa refusals carry appeal rights to the First-tier Tribunal

Frequently Asked Questions About Spouse Visa Refusal Reasons

What are the most common UK spouse visa refusal reasons?

The most common spouse visa refusal reasons are: failure to meet the minimum income requirement (currently £29,000), inadequate proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship, accommodation not meeting UK housing standards, not passing the required English language test, and errors or omissions in the application form or supporting documents.

Can a spouse visa be refused for accommodation issues?

Yes, spouse visas are commonly refused for accommodation issues. The property must be adequate for the family without being overcrowded according to UK housing standards. You need to provide proof such as a property inspection report, tenancy agreement, and landlord consent letter. Shared accommodation with extended family may be scrutinised more carefully.

Do people get denied family visas over mental health history?

No, mental health history alone is not a basis for refusing a UK spouse visa. UKVI does not discriminate against applicants with mental health conditions. Medical-related refusals only occur for public health concerns such as failing the mandatory TB test or having an untreated infectious disease. Having depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions will not result in visa refusal.

What are spouse visa extension refusal reasons?

Spouse visa extension refusal reasons include: the relationship no longer being genuine and subsisting, failure to meet the CEFR A2 English requirement (higher than the initial A1), the sponsor's income falling below the minimum threshold, submitting the application late after the visa expired, or immigration violations during the initial visa period.

What are the ILR refusal reasons after spouse visa?

ILR refusal reasons after the spouse visa route include: not passing the Life in the UK test, failing to achieve CEFR B1 English level, spending more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period, a single absence exceeding 6 months breaking continuous residence, unspent criminal convictions, or the relationship ending before completing the qualifying period.

Can I appeal a UK spouse visa refusal?

Yes, most spouse visa refusals include a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). You must appeal within 28 days if you are outside the UK or 14 days if inside the UK. The appeal is typically on human rights grounds under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Your refusal letter will confirm your specific appeal rights.

What are the chances of spouse visa refusal in the UK?

Spouse visa refusal rates vary based on the quality of applications and applicant circumstances. Well-prepared applications with comprehensive evidence typically succeed. The main risk factors are: applying before meeting the income threshold, submitting weak relationship evidence, inadequate accommodation proof, or making application errors. Refusal rates are higher for certain nationalities and first-time applicants with limited travel history.

How can I avoid UK spouse visa refusal?

To avoid spouse visa refusal: ensure your sponsor meets the £29,000 minimum income requirement with comprehensive documentation, provide extensive evidence of your genuine relationship spanning the entire relationship timeline, submit a property inspection report confirming adequate accommodation, pass the required English language test at an approved centre, complete all application sections accurately, and disclose any previous immigration issues honestly. Professional immigration advice can help complex cases.