The Partner or Spouse Visa is the main immigration route for bringing a partner to live with you in the UK. It is for married spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners who have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. Cohabitation is strong evidence of this, but in some cases couples may still qualify where they have not lived together continuously and can explain why. The spouse visa application has several requirements, and the Home Office carefully reviews each one. Specifically, a financial threshold must be met, the relationship must be convincingly evidenced, and the supporting documentation must be complete and well-presented. A poorly prepared application can result in a refusal that significantly sets back your plans to live together in the UK. Our immigration team at Reeds is here to make sure your application is handled properly from the outset.
Contact Reeds Solicitors today on 0333 240 7373 or email [email protected] to speak with a specialist that will help you secure your future.
Who Can Apply for a Partner or Spouse Visa?
The visa covers three categories of applicants: married spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners who have been living together for at least two years in a relationship akin to marriage. The two-year cohabitation requirement must be met at the date of application and needs to be evidenced clearly. The UK sponsor must be a British or Irish citizen, hold Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status, have pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or hold a qualifying status such as refugee leave or humanitarian protection. Both parties must be 18 or over.
If either party has been married or in a civil partnership before, evidence that the previous relationship has permanently ended must be included. This applies to both the applicant and the sponsor.
The Financial Requirement for a Partner or Spouse Visa
For applications submitted on or after 11th April 2024, the sponsor must show a minimum gross income of £29,000 per year. This can be met through employment income, self-employment, pension, rental income, cash savings, or a combination of qualifying sources. In many entry clearance applications, the sponsor’s income is the primary source relied upon, although in some circumstances the applicant’s income or prospective UK employment may also be relevant. For in-country applications, the applicant’s income can also be included. Different financial rules may apply where the sponsor receives specified benefits or has refugee/humanitarian protection status.
If your income does not reach the threshold, Cash savings above £16,000 can be used towards meeting the financial requirement, provided the funds have been held for at least six months. In some cases, significantly higher savings may be needed if relying on savings alone. The savings must have been held for at least six months, with bank statements covering that period.
For extensions where the first application was made before 11th April 2024 with the same sponsor, the lower £18,600 threshold continues to apply. We will advise you clearly on which threshold applies to your situation.
Evidencing Your Relationship
The Home Office needs to be satisfied that the relationship is genuine and that both partners intend to live together permanently in the UK. A marriage certificate alone is not enough. Caseworkers want to see the history of the relationship: how it started, how it developed, what regular contact looks like, visits between partners, and credible plans for the future.
For unmarried partner applications, there also needs to be clear evidence of continuous cohabitation for at least two years. This typically means utility bills, bank statements, tenancy agreements, and correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address over the relevant period. Many applicants underestimate the level of detail expected. We have extensive experience preparing relationship evidence bundles and know what makes an application convincing.
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Two of the most common reasons for refusal of Partner and Spouse Visas are problems with financial evidence and insufficient relationship documentation. Both are avoidable with the right preparation.
At Reeds Solicitors, we work through every element of the application with you, make sure the evidence is complete, and submit an application that is well-prepared and clearly presented.
We start by checking your eligibility thoroughly. We confirm which category applies to your relationship, assess whether the financial threshold is met and how best to evidence it, and identify any issues that need to be addressed before submission, such as previous immigration history or a prior marriage that needs to be accounted for.
We calculate whether income meets the threshold, identify the most effective sources of evidence, and prepare a complete financial documentation package. We check that payslips, employment letters, bank statements, and any other documents are in the form the Home Office expects. Incomplete or incorrectly presented financial evidence is one of the most common and most avoidable reasons for refusal.
We help you put together a thorough relationship evidence bundle that shows the Home Office a clear and credible picture of your relationship. We advise on what evidence carries weight, help you identify what you have available, and structure it so that it presents your relationship history clearly.
For unmarried partner applications, we pay close attention to the two-year cohabitation evidence, knowing that this is an area the Home Office will examine carefully.
We complete and review all forms, compile the supporting documentation, advise on biometric enrolment, and manage communications with the Home Office on your behalf. If a caseworker requests further information, we respond quickly and thoroughly.
An initial visa is granted for 30 months. After that, an extension is needed, and after five years in total, you become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain. We advise at every stage and help you plan the pathway to permanent settlement.
Our immigration team at Reeds Solicitors prepares thorough, well-evidenced applications and supports clients through every stage of the process, from the initial application through to settlement.
You can contact us through the Reeds Solicitors contact page on our website, by calling 0333 240 7373, or by emailing [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
A Spouse or Partner Visa allows the spouse, civil partner, or long-term unmarried partner of a British citizen or person settled in the UK to come and live here. It includes the right to work in the UK and leads to settlement after five years.
For new applications submitted on or after 11th April 2024, the minimum threshold is £29,000 per year gross. For extensions where the original application was submitted before that date, the lower threshold of £18,600 applies. We advise on the current threshold at the time of your application.
An initial Spouse Visa is granted for 30 months. It can be extended for a further 30 months. After five continuous years on the partner route, most visa holders become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Yes, a Spouse or Partner Visa includes the right to work without restriction. You do not need a separate work permit.
Useful evidence includes:
- A marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Photographs taken together at different times and places
- Records of regular communication, such as messages, call logs, or emails
- Evidence of visits to each other’s countries
- Joint financial arrangements or shared purchases
- Statements from family or friends who know you as a couple
- For unmarried partners: utility bills, tenancy agreements, and bank statements showing at least two years of living together at the same address
The more varied and comprehensive the evidence, the stronger the application.
Depending on the decision and grounds of refusal, you may have a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, you may have the option to request an administrative review, or the ability to submit a fresh application addressing the reasons given. We review refusal decisions and advise on the most effective response.
Most applicants need to show English language ability at the A1 level for an initial application, rising to A2 for an extension and B1 for settlement. Tests must be taken with an approved provider. Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries and people with a degree taught in English. Other exemptions may also apply in certain circumstances
No, unmarried partners who have been living together for at least two years can apply. You do not need to be married or in a civil partnership, but you need clear evidence of two years of continuous cohabitation.
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