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.
Need certified translations for UKVI?
- Upload your documents
- Get an instant per-word quote
- Receive a certified PDF ready for submission
Who Can Apply for a UK Spouse Visa?
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). |
Financial Requirement for a UK Spouse Visa
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).
Proof of income examples
- Employment income (payslips + employer letter)
- Self-employment income (accounts + HMRC evidence)
- Savings (where applicable)
- Other permitted income sources
UK Spouse Visa Document Checklist
The exact checklist depends on your route and circumstances, but most applications include evidence across these categories.
Identity and travel
Passports, previous visas, and any relevant immigration history documents.
Relationship evidence
Marriage or civil partnership certificate, photos, messages, travel proof, and evidence of living together (if relevant).
Financial evidence
Payslips, employment letter, bank statements, or self-employment documentation, depending on how you qualify.
Accommodation
Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, title deeds, or a letter confirming your living arrangements.
English language
Approved English test results or a recognised qualification (where applicable).
Extra evidence (if applicable)
Divorce certificates, name change documents, child-related evidence, or legal documents relevant to your case.
Certified Translations for UK Spouse Visa Applications
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.
What you receive
- Certified PDF (standard delivery)
- Certification statement
- Clear formatting for caseworkers
- Hard copies available on request
How It Works
Upload your documents and receive an instant quote. If you are unsure what to translate, message us in chat and we will advise.
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Upload your documents
PDF exports are best. Photos are fine if they are clear and not cropped.
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Receive an instant quote
Pricing is calculated from the content using transparent per-word pricing.
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Translation and checks
We run checks for completeness, names, dates, and consistency.
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Certified delivery
You receive a certified PDF ready to include in your UKVI application.
Fast help for deadlines
If you are working to a submission deadline, use the chat in the bottom right corner and we will advise on the best option.
Upload documentsFrequently Asked Questions
UK spouse visa requirements, documents, and certified translations for UKVI.
Do I need certified translations for a UK spouse visa?
If any supporting documents are not in English, UKVI will usually expect certified translations. This commonly includes marriage certificates, divorce documents, bank statements, payslips, and tenancy agreements.
What is the minimum income requirement for a spouse visa?
GOV.UK states that when applying as a partner or spouse, you and your partner usually need to prove a combined income of at least £29,000 a year. There are transitional rules for some extensions where the first application was made before 11 April 2024. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Can I translate only part of a document for UKVI?
It depends on what the document is used to prove. For official applications, it is usually safest to translate the relevant pages that show the key evidence clearly. If you want to minimise costs, upload the full document and tell us it is for UKVI and what it is used to prove.
Can you translate bank statements and payslips for the spouse visa?
Yes. Financial evidence is one of the most common areas where translations are needed. If your documents contain repeated lines or mixed languages, we can advise what usually needs translating for UKVI.
Do you translate stamps, seals, and handwritten notes?
Yes, where the text is readable. If something is unclear or partially illegible, we can include a translator note to reflect the original document accurately.
How long do spouse visa document translations take?
It depends on document length, language, and urgency. You will see an estimated delivery time during checkout, and express options may be available.
What will my certified translation include?
Your translation includes the translated content plus a certification statement confirming accuracy, the translator or translation company details, and the date of certification. You receive a certified PDF as standard.
Is it safe to upload my spouse visa documents?
Yes. Communications are encrypted, access is restricted to authorised staff, and files are retained only as long as needed to complete the work, then securely purged from our servers.