A UK Spouse Visa (partner visa) lets you live in the UK with your husband, wife, civil partner, or long-term partner, as long as you meet the relationship, financial, and English language requirements.
Official rules vary by situation: married, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e), extensions and switching.
Most refusals are document-related: missing evidence, incorrect formatting, or not meeting the financial rules.
If your documents are not in English: you will usually need certified translations for UKVI.
Official guidance: GOV.UK: Family Visas – apply as a partner or spouse | GOV.UK: Proof of Income | GOV.UK: Legal migration statement – estimated immigration impacts
In simple terms: you must both be at least 18, your sponsor must have the right status in the UK, and you must show that your relationship is genuine and that you meet the financial and English language requirements.
| Requirement area | What UKVI is looking for |
|---|---|
| Your sponsor’s status | Your partner must be eligible as a sponsor (for example, a British or Irish citizen, or someone settled in the UK). |
| Relationship type | Married, civil partners, or long-term partners. You must show the relationship is genuine and continuing. |
| Financial requirement | Most new partner applications must show a combined income of at least £29,000 per year (with transitional rules for some extensions). |
| English language | Most applicants must meet an English language requirement (usually via an approved test or a recognised qualification). |
| Accommodation | You must show you will have a suitable place to live in the UK (for example, tenancy agreement, ownership documents, or letter from landlord). |
Tip: Before you upload evidence, confirm which route applies to you (apply from outside the UK, switch inside the UK, extend). This affects which documents you should include.
For most new partner/spouse applications, you and your partner usually need to prove a combined income of at least £29,000 per year.
If you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and you are extending with the same partner, GOV.UK states that the required income can be £18,600 (with additional amounts for children in some situations).
Employment income (payslips + employer letter)
Self-employment income (accounts + HMRC evidence)
Savings (where applicable)
Other permitted income sources
Translation note: If your financial evidence is not in English (bank statements, payslips, tax records, employment letters), UKVI will usually expect certified translations.
The exact checklist depends on your route and circumstances, but most applications include evidence across these categories.
Passports, previous visas, and any relevant immigration history documents.
Marriage or civil partnership certificate, photos, messages, travel proof, and evidence of living together (if relevant).
Payslips, employment letter, bank statements, or self-employment documentation, depending on how you qualify.
Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, title deeds, or a letter confirming your living arrangements.
Approved English test results or a recognised qualification (where applicable).
Divorce certificates, name change documents, child-related evidence, or legal documents relevant to your case.
Tip: If a document is not in English, include a certified translation. Missing or partial translations are a common reason for delays.
Certling provides certified translations into English designed for UKVI submission. Your translation includes a certification statement confirming accuracy, plus the translator or translation company details.
For spouse visa applications, common translation requests include marriage certificates, divorce documents, bank statements, payslips, employment contracts, tenancy agreements, and tax records.
Pricing: We charge per word, so you pay for the content that needs translating — not per-page pricing with hidden thresholds.
