How long is a spouse visa valid for UK? A spouse visa gives a husband or wife permission to live with their spouse who is a British or Irish citizen or who is legally settled in the UK. We take a look at when a spouse visa expires and how long you can stay in the UK on a spouse visa.
To obtain a spouse visa, you will need to provide UK Visas and Immigration with proof of your marriage to a British or Irish citizen or to an individual who has the right to live in the UK because they have indefinite leave to remain or are permanently resident in the country. Refugees and those with Humanitarian protection may also apply for a spouse visa if their marriage took place after they fled from their country.
To speak to one of our expert immigration lawyers, ring us on 0330 133 7777, email us at enquiries@hallidayreeves.com or fill in our Contact Form.
When does a spouse visa expire?
An initial UK spouse visa is valid for two years and nine months, or 33 months. After this time, you will need another visa or you will be required to leave the UK.
Renewing a spouse visa
A spouse visa must be renewed before it expires to avoid the need to leave the country. The same application process will need to be gone through as when the initial visa application was made. It is important that the correct information is provided in support or you could find that your application is rejected or refused and you are no longer able to stay in the UK, at least until a fresh application is made and accepted.
If you make a successful application to extend a spouse visa, you will be granted an additional two years and six months, or 30 months.
Indefinite leave to remain
Once you have spent five years in the UK with a valid spouse visa as the husband or wife of a British or Irish citizen or someone who is legally settled in the UK, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. This will also need to be done before your spouse visa expires to ensure you do not have to leave the country at any point.
You must have lived with your spouse since your last visa renewal and be intending to continue your relationship.
You can only include time spent in the UK under your spouse visa towards the required five year period and not time under another visa or as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner.
You will also have to continue to satisfy other requirements, including the minimum income requirement and knowledge of language and life in the UK.
Contact our expert spouse visa lawyers
At Halliday Reeves we specialise solely in immigration, meaning we have an exceptional depth of understanding and expertise in this complex area of law.
We offer a free enquiry service to discuss your requirements and to ensure you have chosen the best immigration route for your situation.
To speak to one of our expert immigration lawyers, ring us on 0330 133 7777, email us at enquiries@hallidayreeves.com or fill in our Contact Form
