Apply Entry Clearance For Spouse Visa From Outside the UK

A spouse visa entry clearance application is a process for non-UK residents who wish to join their British or settled partner in the United Kingdom. This application must be made from outside the UK, before travelling to the country. The visa allows the applicant to enter and live in the UK with their spouse, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. An application for entry clearance for a spouse visa UK is made according to the requirements in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. As a result of an application for entry clearance for a spouse visa, the applicant is granted initial leave for a period of 33 months.

To qualify for a spouse visa, both the applicant and their partner must meet several key requirements:

Valid Application: The applicant must submit a valid entry clearance application for a spouse visa UK from outside the UK;

Relationship Requirement: The applicant must be a spouse of a person who is either a British Citizen, a person with ILR / settled status, an EU national with pre-settled status, a refugee, a Turkish Businessperson visa holder, a Turkish Worker visa holder or a stateless person. The relationship of the applicant with the UK spouse must be genuine and subsisting;

Age Requirement: The applicant and the applicant's UK spouse must be aged 18 or over at the date of application for spouse visa entry clearance;

Financial Requirement: The applicant's UK spouse must be working and earning not less than £29,000 gross per year. If you are exempt from meeting the financial requirement of £29,000 gross per year, you will be required to meet the adequate maintenance requirement instead;

English Language Requirement: The applicant must meet the English language requirement at CEFR level A1 in listening and speaking only;

Suitability Requirements: The applicant's application for spouse visa entry clearance should not fall for refusal on suitability grounds as set out in Appendix FM: Family Life of the Immigration Rule;

Tuberculosis Test Certificate Requirement: The applicant should provide a Tuberculosis test certificate, if this is required under Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) of the Immigration Rules.

The step-by-step process to apply for a spouse visa entry clearance from outside the UK is as follows:

Completing the Application Form Online: You should complete the application form online for spouse visa UK on the UKVI website;

Submitting Application Online: Once your application form is fully completed, you can submit it online for spouse visa entry clearance by first paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and then the spouse visa entry clearance application fee.

Booking Appointment for Biometrics: After the online submission of your spouse visa entry clearance, you should book an appointment online with the UK visa application centre to enrol your biometrics and hand over your passport for the processing of your UK spouse visa entry clearance application.

Uploading Supporting Documents: Once you have booked an appointment for the enrolment of your biometrics, you will be able to upload all supporting documents online in PDF format before you attend your biometrics enrolment appointment so that they can be considered in support of your UK spouse visa entry clearance application.

Attending Biometrics Appointment: You should attend your biometrics enrolment appointment and wait for a decision on your UK spouse visa entry clearance application. 

Decision on the Application: If you apply through a priority service, you will receive a decision on your spouse visa entry clearance application within 30 working days of the biometrics enrolment date or within 60 working days if you apply through a standard service. 

If your application for UK spouse visa entry clearance is successful, you will be given a visa vignette for 90 days to enter the UK. Upon entry, you should collect your Biometrics Residence Permit (BRP), which will be valid for 33 months. 

Here are the key reasons why you should choose Premium Solicitors for your UK spouse visa entry clearance application: 

Comprehensive Expertise: Premium Solicitors prides itself on its in-depth understanding of the UK immigration system. Their specialist spouse visa services encompass all aspects of the application process, from initial consultation to final approval. The firm's solicitors are well-versed in the intricate requirements of UK spouse visa entry clearance, including the necessary documentation, financial criteria, and relationship evidence. This expertise ensures that clients receive accurate and up-to-date advice tailored to their unique circumstances.

Personalised Service: One of the hallmarks of Premium Solicitors is their commitment to providing personalised service. They recognise that every client’s situation is different and requires a bespoke approach. During the initial consultation, the solicitors take the time to understand the client's relationship history, financial situation, and any potential challenges. This thorough assessment allows them to craft a customised strategy aimed at maximising the chances of a successful UK spouse visa application.

Step-by-Step Guidance: The spouse visa application process can be overwhelming, but Premium Solicitors offers step-by-step guidance to make it manageable. Their services include assisting with the preparation and submission of the spouse visa application, advising on the necessary supporting documents, and ensuring all paperwork is accurately completed. Additionally, they provide ongoing support throughout the process, answering any questions and addressing concerns that may arise.

High Success Rates: Premium Solicitors boast a high success rate for UK spouse visa applications, reflecting their expertise and dedication to client success. They keep abreast of the latest changes in immigration law and policy, ensuring that their advice is always current and in line with the latest changes to the immigration laws and policy guidance. Their meticulous attention to detail and proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of spouse visa application refusals due to errors or omissions.

Client Testimonials: Numerous clients have shared positive testimonials about their experiences with Premium Solicitors. Many highlight the firm's professionalism, empathy, and effectiveness in handling their spouse visa applications. These testimonials underscore the firm’s reputation for excellence and reliability in the field of immigration law. The exceptional quality of our spouse visa services is reflected in our 5-star Google Reviews rating, with 99% of our clients expressing their satisfaction.

Additional Support Services: Beyond spouse visa entry clearance applications, Premium Solicitors offers a range of related immigration services. These include advice on switching to a spouse visa, extending a spouse visa, and navigating the complexities of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and citizenship applications. This comprehensive suite of services ensures that clients have a trusted legal partner throughout their entire immigration journey.

Premium Solicitors has established itself as a premier provider of specialist spouse visa services, combining legal expertise with personalised, client-focused support. Their commitment to excellence and high success rates make them a top choice for individuals seeking to bring their spouse to the UK. By choosing Premium Solicitors, clients can navigate the complexities of the visa application process with confidence, knowing they have expert guidance every step of the way.

You can apply online for a UK spouse visa from outside the UK.

No, you cannot apply for a UK spouse visa entry clearance from inside the UK, and you must apply online from outside the UK. The applicant must be outside the UK at the time of online submission of the spouse visa entry clearance application. 

The spouse visa entry clearance application submitted through a standard service is normally decided by the Home Office UKVI within 60 working days. 

The spouse visa entry clearance application submitted through a Priority Service is normally decided by the UKVI within 30 working days. 

Yes, you can submit your UK spouse visa entry clearance application through a Priority Service for a faster decision on your spouse visa application within 30 working days. 

To apply for a UK spouse visa entry clearance,  your UK spouse must either:

• be a British or Irish citizen
• have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence
• be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
• have a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa
• have protection status (leave to remain as a refugee, permission to stay as a refugee or a person with humanitarian protection)
• have permission to stay as a stateless person

Yes, you will have permission to work and study in the UK while in the UK on a spouse visa. 

You can apply for a UK spouse visa entry clearance at any time after your marriage registration, and there is no waiting period specified under the law. 

Yes, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for three years, even though you will be granted a UK spouse visa for 33 months. 

You can add your non-British children to your UK spouse visa application as dependants if they are under 18 when you apply. If your child is from your previous relationship, you must prove that you have had the sole responsibility for the upbringing of your child for your child's application to be successful. 

To be eligible for a UK spouse visa, the applicant must be married to the UK spouse and should meet all other eligibility requirements, including the financial, relationship, accommodation, and English language requirements. 

The sponsor must have an annual income of at least £29,000 or sufficient savings. 

As a result of changes to Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules effective from 11 April 2024, the new financial requirement of £29,000 gross per annum applies to an applicant who is making their first application on the partner route on or after 11 April 2024. You will not have to meet the income requirement of more than £29,000 gross per annum if you have any dependent children applying simultaneously along with the lead applicant, and the threshold will remain at £29,000 gross per annum.

To satisfy the financial requirement for a UK spouse visa, the applicant's UK partner must be working and earning at least £29,000 gross per year. If the sponsor's employment income is less than £29,000 gross per annum, the applicant can combine the sponsor's employment income under Category A with savings. The savings must be £16,000 plus additional savings equivalent to 2.5 times the difference between the sponsor's gross annual income and £29,000. 

The applicant's overseas salary income does not count towards meeting the financial requirement. However, the applicant's savings, rental income, or pension income (if applicable) counts towards meeting the financial requirement in combination with the UK partner's income.

Yes, you must provide evidence that your relationship is genuine and subsisting. This can include photographs, communication records, and other relevant documentation.

Also, the applicant and their UK spouse must not be within the prohibited degree of relationship. The applicant and their UK spouse must have met in person. The relationship between the applicant and their UK spouse must be genuine and subsisting. Any previous relationship of the applicant or their UK spouse must have broken down permanently unless it is a relationship which falls within paragraph 278(i) of the Immigration Rules. The applicant and the UK spouse must intend to live together permanently in the UK.

Both the applicant and the UK spouse of the applicant must be at least 18 years old.

Yes, you must demonstrate your English language proficiency at CEFR level A1 or higher, unless you are exempt.

If your UK spouse visa application is refused, you may have the right to appeal the decision or submit a new application with additional evidence.

Where the applicant has to meet the minimum income threshold, the financial requirement can generally be met in the following 5 ways:

• Income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work). This is referred to as Category A or Category B, depending on the employment history.
• Non-employment income, e.g. income from property rental or dividends from shares. This is referred to as Category C.
• Cash savings of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant, above £16,000, held by the partner and/or the applicant for at least 6 months and under their control. This is referred to as Category D.
• State (UK or foreign), occupational or private pension of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant. This is referred to as Category E.
• Income from self-employment, and income as a director or employee of a specified limited company in the UK, of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work). This is referred to as Category F or Category G, depending on which financial year(s) is or are being relied upon.

Where the applicant’s UK spouse is in receipt of any of the following benefits or allowances in the UK, the applicant will be able to meet the financial requirement at that application stage by providing evidence of “adequate maintenance” rather than meeting an income threshold of £29,000:

• Carer’s Allowance.
• Disability Living Allowance.
• Severe Disablement Allowance.
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
• Attendance Allowance.
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
• Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
• Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme.
• Police Injury Pension.

If the applicant’s UK spouse is receiving one of the above benefits or allowances on behalf of their child, the applicant will be able to qualify by meeting the financial requirement through “adequate maintenance.” The evidence required to demonstrate that the applicant’s partner is in receipt of a specified benefit or allowance is specified in Appendix FM-SE.

The Home Office UKVI will use the following formula to determine whether you meet the adequate maintenance requirement for your UK spouse visa entry clearance application:

A – B ≥ C (A minus B is greater than or equal to C)
Where:
A is the net income (after deduction of income tax and National Insurance contributions);
B is housing costs (Rent and Council Tax); and
C is the amount of Income Support an equivalent British family of that size can receive.

The applicant must provide specified evidence that there will be adequate accommodation, without recourse to public funds, for the family, including other family members who are not included in the application but who live in the same household, which the family owns or occupies exclusively: accommodation will not be regarded as adequate if-

1. it is, or will be, overcrowded; or
2. it contravenes public health regulations.

You’ll need to have information and some evidence ready when you make your UK partner visa application. You should include information for you and any dependants applying at the same time.

You’ll need to provide:

• all your names
• your date of birth
• your current passport or other valid travel ID
• copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports
• a copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one
• details of any previous immigration applications you’ve made
• details of any criminal convictions
•  your national insurance number, if you have one
• your parents’ date of birth and nationality
• your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
• a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh

You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the UK spouse visa. You’ll also need an email address to make an online application.

You’ll also need to:

• prove your knowledge of English
• give proof of your finances

You may need to provide other additional documents depending on your circumstances - for example a sponsorship form from your spouse in the UK.

You’ll need to include details of anyone you previously married or had children with. Include evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate.

You’ll need to give details of your children (and your UK partner’s children if you have one). You’ll be asked about all children, even if they’re not applying.

You’ll need to give details of:

• their name
• their nationality
• their date of birth
• their passport details
• who the child normally lives with
• any other people with parental responsibility for your child, for example your step children’s other parents
• how you’re involved in their day to day life
• arrangements you have to see the child - for example the courts have granted you access
• the child’s extended family
• any countries your child has visited or lived in

You can apply for a fee waiver if you cannot pay the fee because you:

• do not have a place to live and cannot afford one
• have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
• have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Apply for a fee waiver online from outside the UK.

Yes, you must provide a Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if you are a national of a country listed in Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) of the Immigration Rules. 

Our spouse visa solicitors charge a reasonable fixed fee to handle your UK spouse visa entry clearance application. Our fixed fee will cover all our work on your UK spouse visa entry clearance application until the Home Office makes a decision on your application.

You can check our fixed fee for UK spouse visa entry clearance application by visiting our page - Our Fixed Fees For Family Visa Applications