UK Spouse & Partner Visa 2026: The Complete Guide

What is the UK Spouse & Partner Visa?

The UK Spouse and Partner visa is the primary family immigration route that allows a non-UK national to join and live permanently with their husband, wife, civil partner, or long-term unmarried partner in the United Kingdom. It falls under the Family visa category and is governed by Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

The visa is granted initially for 33 months if applying from outside the UK. After an extension of a further 30 months, you will have completed the five years of continuous residence required to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Once you hold ILR, you are no longer subject to immigration control and can eventually apply for British citizenship.

Who can apply?

You can apply for a UK Spouse or Partner visa if you are aged 18 or over and your partner in the UK is one of the following:

• A British or Irish citizen
• A person settled in the UK — with Indefinite Leave to Remain, EU Settled Status, or proof of permanent residence
• A person with refugee status or humanitarian protection leave
• A holder of a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa
• A person with pre-settled status who started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

You cannot apply for a Spouse or Partner visa if your partner is in the UK temporarily on a work visa or student visa — in that situation, you would need to apply as a dependant instead.

Relationship types covered

The visa covers three categories of relationship:

• Married couples and civil partners — your marriage or civil partnership must be legally recognised in the UK
• Unmarried partners — you must have been living together in a genuine relationship for at least two years, or be able to provide strong evidence explaining why cohabitation was not possible (such as work commitments, study, or immigration restrictions)
• Fiancé(e)s and proposed civil partners — granted a short-stay visa to enter the UK and marry within six months; you must then apply to extend your leave as a spouse. Note: you cannot work or study during this initial period

Genuine and subsisting relationship

Regardless of relationship type, UKVI must be satisfied that your relationship is genuine and subsisting — meaning it is real, ongoing, and that you intend to live together permanently in the UK. Caseworkers scrutinise applications carefully and will look for evidence such as shared accommodation, joint bank accounts, utility bills at the same address, photographs together, and regular communication records.

Financial requirement: the £29,000 threshold

The minimum income requirement for a UK Spouse or Partner visa application in 2026 is £29,000 gross per year. This threshold was raised from £18,600 on 11 April 2024 and remains in place for all new applications made in 2026.

The income requirement is assessed primarily against the sponsor's (the UK-based partner's) earnings, though the applicant's own income can also be counted in certain circumstances — for example if the applicant is already working in the UK with permission to do so. Accepted income sources include employment, self-employment, pension income, and other lawful earnings. Multiple sources can be combined to meet the threshold.

Meeting the requirement through savings

If the £29,000 income threshold cannot be met fully through earnings, you can use cash savings to make up the shortfall. The savings formula is:

English language requirement

You must demonstrate English language ability at a minimum of level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for your initial spouse visa application. The requirement increases to A2 on your first extension and to B1 for your second extension (just before you apply for ILR).

You can meet the requirement in one of the following ways:

• Pass an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) in speaking and listening at the required level — accepted providers include Trinity College London and IELTS SELT Consortium
• Be a national of a majority English-speaking country (including the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and others listed on GOV.UK)
• Hold a degree or equivalent qualification that was taught or examined in English — you will need a certificate confirming this from the awarding institution

Exemptions apply if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, or have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement.

Accommodation requirement

You must show that there is adequate accommodation available in the UK for you and your partner to live in, without relying on public funds and without the property being overcrowded according to public health regulations.

Acceptable evidence includes a tenancy agreement or mortgage documents, council tax bills, and utility bills confirming the address. If you plan to live with family members, you will need written confirmation from them along with evidence that the property has sufficient space. For applications from outside the UK, the accommodation must already be arranged — prospective accommodation is not accepted.

Fees and costs

The IHS covers NHS access for the full duration of your visa. For an initial 33-month (2 years and 9 months) grant, the IHS alone amounts to approximately £2,846. Budget carefully — the total upfront cost for an outside-UK application including IHS regularly exceeds £4,500 before any legal fees.

If you cannot afford the visa fee in exceptional circumstances, a fee waiver may be available — for example if you cannot meet your essential living costs.

How long does the visa last?

The initial Spouse or Partner visa granted from outside the UK lasts 33 months (2 years and 9 months). When applying for an extension from inside the UK, the grant is 30 months. Together, these two periods complete the five years of continuous residence needed for ILR eligibility.

Work rights

Once your Spouse or Partner visa is approved, you have full permission to work in the UK — there are no restrictions on the type of employment or the number of hours you work. You can take up employment, change jobs freely, and undertake most self-employed activities. You cannot, however, claim most public funds (benefits), housing allowance, or tax credits during your stay on this visa.

Note: if you entered on a fiancé(e) visa, you cannot work or study until you have married and extended your leave as a spouse.

How to apply

1. Confirm your eligibility

   Check that your sponsor meets the £29,000 income requirement (or can supplement with savings), that your relationship qualifies, and that you can meet the English language requirement before committing to the application.

2. Gather your documents

   Collect your passport, marriage or civil partnership certificate (or two years of cohabitation evidence for unmarried partners), six months of payslips and bank statements, English language test certificate, accommodation evidence, and any decree absolutes from previous marriages.

3. Complete the online application

   Apply on the official GOV.UK website. Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge at this stage. Ensure all details match exactly across your documents — discrepancies are a common cause of delays.

4. Attend a biometric appointment

   Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph. If applying from outside the UK, this will be at your nearest UK Visa Application Centre in your home country.

5. Await a decision and set up your eVisa

   If approved, you will receive an eVisa — a digital record of your immigration status linked to your UKVI account. There are no physical BRP cards. Set up your account and link your travel document before travelling to the UK.

Decision timelines

Standard processing times for a UK Spouse or Partner visa are:

• Approximately 12 weeks — applying from outside the UK (standard service)
• Approximately 8 weeks — applying from inside the UK (standard service)
• Within 30 days — priority service from outside the UK (additional fee)
• Next working day — super-priority service from inside the UK (additional £1,000)

Applications from inside the UK that do not meet the financial or English language requirements can take significantly longer — up to 12 months in some cases. Applying well in advance of your current visa expiry and ensuring your application is complete and accurate from the outset is essential.

Route to ILR and British citizenship

The Spouse and Partner visa sits at the beginning of a defined route to permanent settlement and, ultimately, British citizenship:

• 1

  Initial Spouse / Partner visa — 33 months

  Granted on entry from outside the UK. Full work rights from day one.

• 2

  Extension (FLR(M)) — 30 months

  Applied for from inside the UK before the initial visa expires. Must continue to meet financial and relationship requirements. English language moves to A2.

• 3

  Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — after 5 years

  Apply once you have completed five continuous years on the partner route. Requires B1 English, a Life in the UK Test pass, and ongoing relationship evidence. ILR removes the need for further visa applications.

• 4

  British citizenship — optional, from 12 months after ILR

  Spouses of British citizens can apply for naturalisation after holding ILR for 12 months. Requires continued residence and meeting the good character requirement.

Adding children to your application

You can add dependent children under 18 to your Spouse or Partner visa application. Each child must be included separately and will require their own visa fee and IHS payment. Children must be living with both parents or, if only with one parent, you must show the other parent has given consent or that parent has died.

Frequently asked questions

• How much does a UK Spouse visa cost in 2026?

  The UK Spouse visa fee is £1,938 if applying from outside the UK, or £1,321 from inside the UK. On top of this, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year of your visa. An initial 33-month grant therefore carries an IHS of approximately £2,846. A super-priority service from inside the UK costs an additional £1,000.

• What is the income requirement for a UK Spouse visa in 2026?

  The minimum income requirement is £29,000 gross per year. This threshold applies to all new applications in 2026 and has not been raised further since it was introduced in April 2024. The sponsor's income is assessed primarily, though the applicant's own UK earnings can be included in some circumstances.

• Can I use savings instead of income for a UK Spouse visa?

  Yes. If the £29,000 income threshold is not met through earnings, you can use cash savings to bridge the gap. The formula is: (annual shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000. For a £10,000 income shortfall, you would need £41,000 in savings. All savings must have been held for at least six months before the application.

• How long does a UK Spouse visa last?

  An initial UK Spouse visa granted from outside the UK lasts 33 months (2 years and 9 months). It can be extended for a further 30 months. After 5 years on the partner route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

• Can I work on a UK Spouse visa?

  Yes — once your Spouse or Partner visa is granted, you have full unrestricted permission to work in the UK. There are no limits on hours or job type. You cannot, however, claim most public funds such as housing benefit, tax credits, or income support.