Spouse Entry Visa
A spouse visa, also known as a UK Marriage Visa, is a settlement visa that allows you to live together with your British partner in UK for up to 30 months at a time. It can also be extended for another 30 months.
DevelopingHome Office Revision of Minimum Income Requirement for Spouse, Partner and Family Visas
On the 4th of December 2023, the Home Secretary unveiled a series of significant measures aimed at reducing legal migration numbers to the UK by around 300,000. Such measures included an increase in the income threshold for Spouse and Partner Visas from £18,600 to £38,700 which were proposed to come into effect in Spring 2024. This threshold was later changed and reduced to £29,000. There will also no longer be a separate child element to the income requirement.
What does the new law mean for Families?
We are currently awaiting further details, which will be set out early next year. However we can confirm the following:
- If you already have a Family Visa (i.e. a Spouse Visa, a Civil Partner Visa or an Unmarried Partner Visa) on the five-year partner route and you wish to apply to extend your stay or settle in the UK, your application will be assessed against the current £18,600 income requirement and you will not be required to meet the increased threshold of £29,000. This will also be the case for any children seeking to join or accompany you as their parent;
- If you apply for a Family Visa (i.e. a Spouse Visa, a Civil Partner Visa or an Unmarried Partner Visa) on the five-year partner route before the minimum income threshold is raised from £18,600, your application will be assessed against the current £18,600 income requirement and you will not be required to meet the increased threshold of £29,000. This will also be the case for any children seeking to join or accompany you as their parent;
- If you are granted a Fiance Visa before the minimum income threshold is raised from £18,600 to £29,000, then when you apply for a Family Visa on the five-year partner route, your application will also be assessed against the current income requirement of £18,600 and you will not be required to meet the increased threshold of £29,000;
- If you do not already have a Family Visa on the five-year partner route and you wish to apply for a Family Visa on the five-year partner route after the minimum income requirement has been increased in Spring 2024, you will be subject to the new £29,000 minimum income requirement.
- If you are already in the UK on a different route and you wish to apply to switch into the five-year partner route after the minimum income requirement has been increased in Spring 2024, you will be subject to the new minimum income requirement of £29,000.
Staged Increase: Will the Financial Requirement change in the Future?
Applicants should be aware that despite the current reduction in the minimum income requirement, the government have not abandoned their initial proposal of increasing the threshold to £38,700. The government has said that the increase in the minimum income threshold for a spouse or partner visa to £29,000 is part of a staged increase.
In Spring 2024 the partner and family visa minimum income requirement will increase from £18,600 to £29,000, but the plan is for this figure to eventually rise to £34,500 and then £38,700.
To apply for a Marriage Visa and enter the UK, you must be married to, or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, UK settled person or UK refugee. The main eligibility criteria include providing proof that you are in a genuine relationship and that you meet specific financial conditions.
What are the qualification requirements?
The qualifying criteria vary depending on your partner's situation. You need to apply for a Spouse Visa if you are coming to the UK to join your partner or spouse from outside the European Economic Area.
If you hold a Spouse Visa in UK, you have the right to work like all British citizens. However, you cannot claim most benefits, such as public funds, housing allowance or tax credits.
What are the Spouse Visa Financial Requirements?
The British partner, also known as the Sponsor, is required to meet a specific criterion to enable their partner to enter the United Kingdom.
The British sponsor will need to provide evidence of their earnings which should be enough to support themselves and their partner without claiming public funds
The British sponsor must earn at least £18,600 a year, before tax, if there are no dependent children. If you have one dependent child, you will need an income of £22,400 before tax to meet the financial requirement. For any other children, the sponsor will need an extra £2,400 for each subsequent child.
How much does a UK Spouse Visa application cost?
The Home Office's current fee is of £1,523 for any application submitted from abroad. If you are submitting your application from within the UK, the cost is reduced to £1,048. This charge will increase if you are applying with dependents and will increase for each dependent.
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