Spouse & Partner Visa (Appendix FM)
The UK Spouse and Partner Visa (under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules) allows foreign nationals to live in the UK with their British citizen, Irish citizen, or settled partner (holding Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status). It represents a direct 5-year pathway to permanent settlement (ILR) and British Citizenship.
£29,000 gross annual income
£1,035 per year (£3,105 for 2.5-year initial grant)
£29,000 income or £88,500 cash savings
5 Years (Initial 30/33 months + 30-month extension)
1. Statutory Eligibility & Points-Based Scoring
Governed strictly by Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE (Specified Evidence) of the UK Immigration Rules.
Relationship Requirement (Genuine & Subsisting)
Must be legally married, in a recognised civil partnership, or have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 continuous years.
Financial Requirement (£29,000 Minimum Income)
Sponsor (or joint income if applicant is already lawfully working in the UK) must earn at least £29,000 gross per year, or hold £88,500 in cash savings.
Adequate Accommodation Requirement
Proof of suitable housing in the UK that will not be overcrowded and does not rely on public funds.
English Language Requirement (CEFR A1 / A2 / B1)
CEFR Level A1 on speaking and listening for initial entry; Level A2 at 30-month extension; Level B1 for ILR.
2. Financial Rules, Minimum Thresholds & IHS Fees
£29,000 gross annual income
£1,035 per year (£3,105 for 2.5-year initial grant)
Under Appendix FM-SE, salaried employment must be evidenced by 6 months of consecutive payslips (if with employer for 6+ months under Category A) accompanied by matching bank statements and a formal letter from the employer confirming employment terms. If relying solely on cash savings under Category D: £29,000 × 2.5 years + £16,000 = £88,500 held untouched for 6 continuous months.
3. Step-by-Step Application Lifecycle & Roadmap
Gather comprehensive evidence proving a genuine, subsisting relationship.
- Marriage / Civil partnership certificate or 2 years joint tenancy agreements & utility bills
- Photographs spanning the relationship, flight itineraries, and communication chat logs
Collect mandatory specified financial documents strictly conforming to Appendix FM-SE.
- 6 months payslips, matching bank statements, and P60
- Letter from UK sponsor employer on letterhead confirming gross salary and contract type
Obtain property ownership deeds/tenancy contract and pass approved CEFR A1 SELT test.
- Tenancy agreement, landlord letter of consent, and property inspection report (if multi-occupancy)
- Complete IELTS Life Skills A1 test with an approved UKVI provider
Submit Appendix FM application online, pay £1,846 visa fee + £3,105 IHS, and upload documents.
- Upload structured PDF document bundles to VFS/TLS portal
- Attend biometric centre for fingerprinting and passport submission
Receive 33-month visa vignette (if applying from outside the UK) granting full work and study rights in the UK.
- Travel to the UK and begin 5-year countdown to ILR settlement
4. Comprehensive Document Submission Checklist
Relationship Proof
- Official marriage / civil partnership certificate (with certified English translation if issued abroad)
- Proof of 2 years cohabitation (joint tenancy contracts, council tax bills, joint bank statements)
- Letter from both partners explaining relationship chronology and future life plans in the UK
- Supporting evidence: wedding photos, joint travel bookings, communication logs
Financial Evidence (Appendix FM-SE)
- 6 consecutive months payslips (Category A) or 12 months (Category B)
- 6 matching bank statements showing corresponding salary deposits
- Employer letter confirming employment status, gross salary, and permanent contract
- Latest P60 certificate
Accommodation & English
- Tenancy agreement or Land Registry title deed + mortgage statement
- Letter from landlord confirming permission for applicant to reside at the property
- SELT English test certificate at CEFR Level A1 or higher
- TB test certificate from approved IOM clinic (if applicable)
5. Official Government Fees & Surcharges (2026)
| Fee Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse Visa Application Fee (Outside UK) | £1,846 | Payable online upon submission. |
| Spouse Visa Application Fee (Inside UK Extension) | £1,048 | For 30-month extension after initial grant. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £3,105 (£1,035/yr for 30–33 months) | Grants access to free NHS healthcare. |
| Priority Service Outside UK (Optional) | £500 surcharge | Decision within 30 working days. |
6. Top Common Grounds for Refusal & Prevention
Risk: Employer letter lacks specific statutory phrasing (e.g. permanent contract confirmation), leading to refusal.
Expert Prevention: Ensure employer letter includes all 6 mandatory items required by paragraph 2 of Appendix FM-SE.
Risk: Caseworker rejects financial evidence due to deposit discrepancies.
Expert Prevention: Verify that every net salary figure on your payslips matches the credit entry on your bank statement to the penny.
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
After 5 years of lawful residence on the Spouse route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Unlike work routes, spouses married to British citizens can apply for British Citizenship IMMEDIATELY upon receiving ILR (no 12-month waiting period).
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreign cash savings be used to meet the financial requirement?
Yes! Cash savings held in any regulated foreign currency bank account can be converted to GBP using OANDA exchange rates. The required sum (£88,500) must have been held untouched for at least 6 consecutive months.
Can the applicant’s overseas income count towards the £29,000 threshold?
No. If the applicant is applying from outside the UK, only the UK sponsor’s UK income (or combined cash savings) can be counted. If the applicant is already in the UK on a lawful visa permitting work, joint UK earnings can be combined.
Can I work on a Spouse Visa in the UK?
Yes! Spouse visa holders have unrestricted work and study authorization in the UK with zero employer sponsorship restrictions.