How To Submit A Spouse Visa Application – If you wish to come to the UK to live with your spouse, you will need to apply for a UK spouse visa. This permits the spouse of a British or Irish citizen or individual with settled status to live with them and work or study in the UK.
Applying for a spouse visa can be complex as you will need to provide a range of evidence in support of your application. If mistakes are made, your application is likely to be rejected or refused, so it is important to check that everything is in order and that you have included all of the necessary paperwork.
At Halliday Reeves, we secure spouse visas for clients from around the world so that they can come to live in the UK with their husband or wife. We specialise in immigration, meaning we have an in-depth understanding of the law in this area and of UK Visas and Immigration’s processes and requirements.
To speak to one of our expert immigration lawyers about obtaining a spouse visa, ring us on 0330 133 7777, email us at enquiries@hallidayreeves.com or fill in our Contact Form.
Apply Online For A Spouse Visa Application
You will need to apply for a spouse visa online whether you are outside of the UK or already in the UK, for example, on a different visa such as a work or student visa. It should be noted that it is not possible to apply to switch to a spouse visa from a tourist or visitor visa.
The application is made via the government’s website and you will need to provide your email address and a password. Each section must be completed before you are able to move onto the next, although it is possible to save your partially-completed application for up to ten weeks and return to it another time if you need to.
Spouse Visa Application Payment
When you have completed your application form, you will need to pay the government’s visa application fee and the immigration health surcharge (IHS).
The cost of a spouse visa if you are applying from outside of the UK is £1,538. If you are applying from within the UK, it is £1,048. The healthcare surcharge is generally £624 for each year of your stay. For a stay of two years and six months, the cost will be £1,560.
Evidence Needed When You Submit Spouse Visa Application
A wide range of documentation will be needed by way of evidence of facts such as your identity, your relationship, your income and your ability to speak English. You will also need to provide evidence that you have adequate accommodation to house your spouse with you in the UK.
Proof Of Your Identity
You will be required to include details of your identity in your application, including your full name, date of birth, details of previous visa applications you have made, criminal convictions, national insurance number and your parents’ details.
You will also need to provide biometric identity information, ie. your photo and fingerprints, as well as your current passport or other valid travel and identity document and copies of the photo and visa pages in previous passports.
Proof Of Your Relationship
You will need to provide your partner’s details and a valid marriage certificate that is recognised by the UK. You will also need to show that you live together by providing evidence such as a shared tenancy agreement, utility bills or bank statements with both of your names and your address.
Proof Of Your Financial Means
You and your spouse will need a combined income of at least £18,600 per year. If you have dependent children, you will need an extra £3,800 for your first child and £2,400 each for any further children. It may be possible to use savings towards this sum.
Evidence that can be submitted includes six months’ worth of payslips, bank statements showing your income and a letter from your employer giving details of your employment, to include your position, how long you have worked there, the type of contract you hold, how much you earn, how long you have earned this amount and confirmation that your payslips are genuine.
Proof Of Your Ability To Speak English
Unless you come from an English-speaking country or hold a degree that was taught in English, you are likely to have to take an approved English language test and provide the results when applying for your visa.
Other
If you are from an affected country, you will need to provide the results of a tuberculosis test.
Any documents that you provide must be accompanied by a certified translation if they are not in English or Welsh.
The above list is not exhaustive and you may also need to provide other documents, depending on your circumstances.
Contact Our Expert Spouse Visa Lawyers About Submitting A Spouse Visa Application
At Halliday Reeves we specialise solely in immigration, meaning we have exceptional competence in this complex area of law. We can assist you in submitting a spouse visa application to ensure that it has the best possible chance of success and that all necessary evidence is supplied in support.
We offer a free 15-minute enquiry service so that you can have an initial conversation with us about your situation.
We have offices in Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Wakefield and Nottingham. To speak to one of our expert immigration lawyers about obtaining a spouse visa, ring us on 0330 133 7777, email us at enquiries@hallidayreeves.com or fill in our Contact Form.
