The UK requirements for a Spouse Visa are some of the most challenging to meet. To prove that you are eligible, you will have to provide extensive documents showing your genuine relationship. Your UK partner will have to earn over £29,000 a year (figure correct as of late 2024).
New rules for UK Spouse Visa: the minimum salary requirement has increased to £29,000 on 11 April 2024. The Spouse Visa UK, part of the UK family visa category, allows eligible foreign nationals to join and live with their partner in the UK, provided their partner is a British citizen or has settled status.
Ing to UKVI, the breakdown of how Spouse visa applications made from outside the UK are as follows: 90% are processed within 3 weeks. 98% are processed within 6 weeks. 100% are processed within 12 weeks.
If you apply inside the UK and you meet the financial requirements and English language requirements, you'll usually get a decision within 8 weeks. If you apply inside the UK and you do not meet the financial requirements and English language requirements, it currently takes about 12 months to get a decision.
Applying as a Spouse of a UK Settled Person If they find any information which may contradict your evidence, or if any statements or evidence cast any doubt over the validity of your relationship, you will be refused your visa.
Provided you are a genuine couple with evidence of your relationship and that you meet all of the requirements, it's not difficult.
How Soon Will I Get a Response? On average, the processing time for a spouse visa is normally up to 90 working days for standard applications (those not using premium application services).
If you wish to apply for a Spouse visa when you're in the UK on a Visitor visa, you will have to first leave the UK. Once you've done so, you can then apply for a Spouse visa to enable you to return to the UK under UK immigration rules, provided that you meet all the mandatory eligibility criteria.