UK Marriage Visa Requirements

UK Marriage visa applications are scrutinized closely by the UK Home Office to make sure that each relationship is genuine and not fraudulent. As a result, UK spouse visa applications must be able to meet the following criteria:

• The application contains all the necessary and required documents
• The relationship between the two applicants is considered genuine
• Both spouses/partners are able to meet the minimum income threshold and other financial requirements
• The foreign spouse/partner has adequate knowledge of the English language
• The spouses/partners can provide proof of suitable accommodation for themselves and any dependents who may travel or live with them in the UK
• The foreign-born spouse or partner has had their biometrics (photograph and fingerprints) collected
• The application includes a clear Tuberculosis (TB) Test from the foreign-born applicant (only if applying from certain countries where this is a requirement)

Applications for a UK Spouse Visa can be made online through the gov.uk website. You can apply outside of your country of residence or inside the UK. Before submitting your application, you will need to make sure that you are eligible and that you have the necessary supporting evidence to prove that you are able to meet the financial and genuine relationship requirements.

For assistance with your UK Marriage visa, contact one of our immigration professionals who can help guide you through the steps as well as help you compile a complete and thorough portfolio of supporting documents.

To apply for a UK Spouse/Partner Visa, you will need to submit a variety of documents to the Home Office with your application. These documents may include the following:

• Your original marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Any evidence which demonstrates that you and your partner have been living together for at least the past two years
• A valid passport
• An approved English language test (such as IELTS) proving that the applicant has met the English language requirement
• Proof of accommodation
• Any evidence that proves the relationship is genuine
• Any evidence that proves you meet the income threshold and financial requirements
• Proof that your spouse or partner is a British citizen or settled person (Ex. British passport, copy of Indefinite Leave to Remain, etc)

All documents must be submitted in their original form. Documents that are not in English or Welsh will need to be accompanied by certified translations.

The cost to apply for a Spouse/Partner Visa will depend on where the applicant is applying. For instance, if the applicant is applying from outside of the UK, the cost will be £1,538. If the applicant is applying for a Partner visa from within the UK, the cost will be £1,048. If there are any dependents that will be added to the application, the cost will go up to £1,538 per person (if applying outside the UK) or £1,048 per person (if applying from within the UK).

In addition, you may face additional costs such as the cost of certified translations if you have any documents that are not in English or Welsh. If you are from a country that is not a majority English-speaking country, you will need to pay for the cost of an approved English language test.

All applicants will need to pay the immigration health surcharge fee whose cost is calculated on the proposed length of stay in the UK. If you are in a hurry and applying from within the UK, you may be eligible to pay £800 for super-priority service which will process the application within a couple of working days.

All applicants who would like to live in the UK will need to prove that they can adequately read, write, and communicate in English. To prove that they have adequate knowledge of the English language, applicants who are not from a country that is exempt will need to have passed a valid English Language test, such as IELTS, within the past 2 years.

American citizens or foreign nationals who are from a majority English speaking country will not need to take an English language test to prove their English speaking ability nor do the following:

• Individuals who are under 18 years old or over 65 years old
• Individuals who have a long-term physical or mental condition that prohibits them from test-taking
• Individuals who hold a degree or another educational qualification that was taught or researched in English and that is considered valid by UK NARIC

A UK Marriage Visa has many requirements to fulfill. The application process can be confusing and challenging for these reasons. An immigration lawyer at IAS will eliminate this stress by assisting you throughout your journey to achieve a Marriage Visa.

Our services include:

• Assessing your documents and completing your application
• Combing through your evidence that proves you and your partner are in a ‘genuine relationship’
• Provide you with a Letter of Representation that argues your case and accompanies your application
• Liaising with the UK government for you

Call us at +1 844 290 6312 or get in touch online to discuss your plans to come to the UK with your partner.

If your application for a UK Spouse/Partner visa is rejected, you will be sent a written explanation of why the application was denied and if you are eligible to reapply or file for an appeal. It should be noted that petitioning for an appeal is a challenging and lengthy process that should not be done without assistance from legal counsel.

Appeals can take up to 12 months to process. Some reasons why a Partner/Spouse visa is denied include the following:

• The foreign national partner or spouse does not meet the language requirements
• The couple can not meet the financial requirements
• The couple has failed to prove that their relationship is genuine
• The visa applicant has not submitted the necessary supporting documents
• The visa applicant has filed an incomplete or inaccurate application

To make sure that you Spouse/Partner visa application will be accepted, it is recommended that your application be as thorough as possible. Our immigration lawyers at Immigration Advice Servies know exactly what the Home Office is looking for in your application and we can help check every detail and piece of evidence before your UK Marriage Visa is submitted.

At IAS, we strive to make sure that your application is completed to the highest standard. In addition, we can also provide you with an accompanying Letter of Representation to submit with your visa application.