- Page Contents
- Overview
- Specialist Spouse Visa Solicitors
- How To Apply?
- Eligibility Requirements
- Financial Requirements
- Adequate Accommodation Requirement
- English Language Requirement
- Re-Applying After Refusal
- How Can We Help?
- Our Fixed Fees For UK Spouse Visa
- Other Related Services
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can apply for spouse visa entry clearance UK online if you meet all the spouse visa requirements as set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Spouse visa is also known as settlement visa or Appendix FM Partner visa. If the applicant meets the requirements for entry clearance as a spouse, the applicant will be granted entry clearance for an initial period not exceeding 33 months, and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds. Before the expiry of initial 33 months spouse visa, the applicant can apply for extension/renewal of spouse visa under 5 years route so that the applicant can complete 5 years on spouse visa and apply for ILR as a spouse under 5 years route.
Specialist Spouse Visa Solicitors
Our expert team of spouse visa solicitors in London,Manchester andBirmingham specialise in spouse visa entry clearance applications. Our specialist spouse visa solicitors have successfully helped thousands of clients with the spouse visa entry clearance applications. Our best team of spouse visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed fee immigration services concerning your spouse visa entry clearance application.Ask a question to our expert spouse visa solicitors forfree immigration advice or submit an online request tobook an appointment for detailed legal advice for your spouse visa entry clearance application.
How To Apply For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance?
An application for spouse visa entry clearance from outside the UK is made online. Upon completion and submission of the online form for spouse visa entry clearance UK, the spouse visa entry clearance fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is paid online. All the supporting documents in support of the spouse visa application are then uploaded online. An appointment is then booked with the Application Centre for the enrolment of biometrics and submission of the Applicant's passport at the designated application centre in the country of residence of the applicant.
Requirements For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance UK
The applicant applying for entry clearance as a spouse of a British Citizen or a person settled person must meet the following requirements:
- Suitability requirements as set out in Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules;
- Both you and your UK spouse must be over tghe age of 18;
- Your UK spouse must also either:
- be a British or Irish citizen; or
- have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain (ILR), settled status or proof of permanent residence in the UK; or
- 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; or
- have a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa; or
- have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
- Genuine and subsisting relationship with the UK spouse (UK sponsor);
- Financial requirement whereby the UK spouse of the applicant must be earning at least £18,600 gross per year or savings of £62,500 if the UK spouse of the applicant has no earnings from employment, self-employment or other means of income;
- Adequate accommodation for the applicant and the UK spouse to be accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds;
- English language requirement to show that the applicant has English proficiency at CEFR level A1 as required by the UK Immigration Rules;
- You should provide Tuberculosis test certificate, where this is required under Appendix T of the Immigration Rules.
Financial Requirement For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance UK
Meeting the financial requirement is one of the key requirements for an application for spouse visa entry clearance UK.
Calculating The Financial Requirement
The applicant must provide evidence that the UK sponsor's gross annual income is at least equivalent to the income as given in the table below:
Applicant | Income Required |
Applicant applying with no children | £18,600 gross per annum |
Applicant applying with 1 non-settled / non-British child | £22,400 gross per annum |
Applicant applying with 2 non-settled / non-British children | £24,800 gross per annum |
Applicant applying with 3 non-settled / non-British children | £27,200 gross per annum |
Applicant applying with 4 non-settled / non-British children | £29,600 gross per annum |
Applicant applying with 5 non-settled / non-British children | £32,00 gross per annum |
The higher financial requirement for applicants applying with child(ren) will apply until the applicant partner qualifies for settlement, even if the child turns 18 before then. However, the 18+ year old’s income and savings will be permitted to count towards the financial requirement.
When Does Financial Requirement Does Not Apply To A Child?
The financial requirement does not apply to a child who:
- Is a British Citizen (including an adopted child who acquires British citizenship);
- Is settled in the UK (holds ILR in the UK) or who qualifies for indefinite leave to enter (ILE); or
- Qualifies under Part 8 or Appendix Armed Forces of the Immigration Rules in a category to which the financial requirement does not apply.
Meeting The Financial Requirement For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance?
According to Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, the applicant must meet:
- the level of the financial requirement applicable to their application; and
- the requirements specified as to:
(a) the permitted sources of income/savings; and
(b) the time periods and permitted combinations of sources applicable to each permitted source relied upon; and
(c) the evidence required for each permitted source relied upon.
Income and cash savings must be in the name of the applicant, their partner or jointly. However, income and cash savings of a dependent child of the applicant can also be included once the child has turned 18 years of age.
All employment or self-employment income must come from working legally. All income and savings must be lawfully derived.
What Are The Various Sources Of Meeting The Financial Requirement?
Where the applicant has to meet the minimum income threshold, the financial requirement can generally be met in the following five 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.
Evidence Flexibility For Financial Requirement
The evidential flexibility is set out in paragraph D of Appendix FM-SE. Under Appendix FM-SE, there is discretion for decision-makers to defer an application pending submission of missing evidence or the correct version of it, within a reasonable deadline set for this. Decision-makers will not have to defer where they do not think that correcting the error or omission will lead to a grant.
Decision-makers are also able to grant an application despite minor evidential problems (but not where specified evidence is missing entirely). There is also discretion for decision-makers where evidence cannot be supplied because it is not issued in a particular country or has been permanently lost. Decision-makers have general discretion to request additional information or evidence before making a decision.
Exemption From Financial Requirement For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance UK (Adequate Maintenance)
Where the applicant’s partner 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 £18,600 or above:
- 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 partner is in receipt of 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.
Adequate Accommodation Requirement For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance UK
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 own or occupy exclusively: accommodation will not be regarded as adequate if-
- it is, or will be, overcrowded; or
- it contravenes public health regulations.
English Language Requirement For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance UK
The applicant must provide specified evidence that he/she:
- is a national of a majority English speaking country; or
- has passed an English language test in speaking and listening at a minimum of level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages with a provider approved by the Home Office, UKVI; or
- has an academic qualification recognised by UK NARIC to be equivalent to the standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, which was taught in English; or
- is exempt from the English language requirement because at the date of application:
- the applicant is aged 65 or over;
- the applicant has a disability (physical or mental condition) which prevents the applicant from meeting the requirement; or
- there are exceptional circumstances which prevent the applicant from being able to meet the requirement prior to entry to the UK.
Re-Applying For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance After The Refusal
If your application for spouse visa entry clearance has been refused by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) and you believe that the decision to refuse your application is valid and lawful and therefore cannot be challenged by way of Entry Clearance Appeal Against Spouse Visa Refusal, you have the option to re-apply for spouse visa. We can provide the required legal help and assistance with re-applying for spouse visa entry clearance after the refusal.
How Can We Help With Your Spouse Visa Entry Clearance Application?
Our expert team of immigration solicitors specialise in UK spouse visa entry clearance applications. If instructed to represent you regarding your application for UK spouse visa entry clearance, we will carry out all the work on your application until a decision is made by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) on your spouse visa entry clearance application. The immigration casework to be carried out by our expert team of immigration solicitors will include the following:
- Assessing your eligibility for spouse visa entry clearance by considering all your personal circumstances;
- Advising you on the weaknesses and strengths of your spouse visa entry clearance application;
- Advising you on the relevant documents to be submitted in support of your spouse visa entry clearance application;
- Assessing your documents to ensure that the documentary evidence is as per requirements of the Home Office UKVI immigration Rules;
- Completing and submitting the online application form to apply for spouse visa UK entry clearance by gathering all the relevant information from you and your spouse;
- Helping you with paying the spouse visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for the application;
- Where necessary, preparing detailed witness statement of the applicant and/or the sponsor explaining the background of their relationship and other relevant factors pertaining to the spouse visa entry clearance application;
- Preparing a detailed cover letter to introduce and support your spouse visa entry clearance application;
- Uploading online all the relevant supporting documents and scheduling an appointment for submission of passport and enrolment of your biometrics;
- Liaising with the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) for a timely decision on your spouse visa entry clearance application.
Our Fixed Fees For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance
Our fixed fees for spouse visa entry clearance application from outside the UK are as given in the fee table below:
Our Service | Our Fixed Fees Range |
Full service for spouse visa Entry Clearance to cover all the work until decision by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) | From £1,200 To £2,500 (no VAT) |
The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the spouse visa entry clearance application and the volume of casework involved in the application. In addition to our fixed fee for spouse visa entry clearance, the applicant also has to pay the Home office UKVI fees for the UK visa entry clearance application.
Other Related Services
- Entry Clearance Appeals
- Spouse Visa UK (5 Years Route)
- Switching Into Spouse Visa UK (5 Years Route)
- Extension Of Spouse Visa UK (5 Years Route)
- ILR As A Spouse (5 Years Route)
- Spouse Visa UK (10 Years Route)
- Parent Of British Child Visa UK
- ILR As A Victim Of Domestic Violence
- Non Molestation & Occupation Orders
- ILR As A Bereaved Partner
- Fee Waiver Application
- Application To Allow Access To Public Funds
FAQs
What is entry clearance for spouse visa UK? ›
Spouse visa is also known as settlement visa or Appendix FM Partner visa. If the applicant meets the requirements for entry clearance as a spouse, the applicant will be granted entry clearance for an initial period not exceeding 33 months, and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds.
What does entry clearance mean UK? ›Entry clearance is the procedure used by Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) at British missions overseas to check, before a person arrives in the UK, if that person qualifies under the Immigration Rules for entry to the UK.
Is UK entry clearance different from visa? ›In broad terms, entry clearance is the official term for a visa, although entry clearance can also be issued in advance to non-visa nationals, notwithstanding that in some cases non-visa nationals can also elect to seek leave to enter at the UK border.
How long is UK entry clearance? ›You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or when you submit your online documents after completing the ID Check app.
What is entry clearance letter? ›An Entry Clearance Certificate (ECC) is needed by anyone who wishes an overseas relative or friend to visit them or, more usually, to live with them permanently. The person requesting the ECC is called a sponsor.
Is entry clearance the same as leave to enter? ›Leave to enter is the outcome of a successful application for entry clearance; it may be granted for a limited or for an indefinite period, depending upon the category of the immigration rules.
How do I get a UK entry clearance? ›You can apply for entry clearance to UK by completing an online application form which is available on the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) website. After you complete the application form, you need to book an appointment to attend your local Visa Application Center.
How long does it take for entry clearance officer to make a decision? ›Usually after attending an appointment the Home Office takes between three to twelve weeks to make a decision, depending on the type of application. However please note that as of July 2022 we are seeing lengthy delays with some applications taking up to six months to receive a decision.
How do I contact entry clearance UK? ›Support line. +44 (0)844 8920232 (outside the UK). Calls cost £0.04 per minute plus your provider's access charge. Our lines are open 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday.
What does clearance mean in the visa? ›Some US visa applicants may get “Clearance Received” or “Department Authorization” in the annotation field. It means that the US Consular officer while reviewing the applicant's file, found some issues with the applicant's records that might impact their ability to issue a US visa to that person.
What does entry clearance officer do? ›
The entry clearance officer (ECO) checks whether the information and documents submitted in support of the Entry Clearance application fulfil all the requirements of the relevant Immigration Rules, in order to grant the applicant.
Can immigration officers deny entry UK? ›An immigration official can deny you entry to the UK at the border, even if you have valid entry clearance. Nationals of certain countries do not require a visa before travelling to the UK and are referred to as non-visa nationals.
How long are UK spouse visas taking at the moment? ›The standard spouse visa UK processing time in 2022 is currently 6 months (on average) if you are making the application from outside the UK and 6-8 weeks (on average) if you are making the application from inside the UK.
What do UK visa officers check? ›their previous immigration history, including visits to the UK and other countries. the duration of previous visits and whether this was significantly longer than they originally stated on their visa application or on arrival. their financial circumstances as well as their family, social and economic background.
How do you know if your UK visa application was successful? ›If your application is successful
You'll be given either: a sticker (called a vignette) that goes in your passport - if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre. access to view your immigration status information online - if you used the smartphone app to prove your identity.
There are two significant dates on the entry clearance: The 'effective' date which is the date on which the entry clearance is issued (and therefore the date on which the applicant can travel)
What is a clearance document? ›A clearance certificate confirms that all tax liabilities of an individual or entity have been paid. The certificate is applicable upon the sale of a business, transfer of ownership, or upon the death of an individual.
What does it mean your application is currently being prepared for consideration by an entry clearance officer? ›It means that the clearance officer is the person responsible for making the decision for your application. Therefore they are about to look at your application. So a decision will be made shortly. Related questions (More answers below)
Is there a time limit to enter UK after getting visa? ›You must enter the UK within the 90 days of this visa and collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) once you have arrived.
What happens if you are denied entry to the UK? ›If you are denied entry into the U.K., you will be held at the airport until you can be returned to the location from which you departed. You are not under arrest and no criminal charges will be filed, you are simply not eligible to enter the U.K. on this visit.
Do I need to test before entry to UK? ›
Travel to England rules
do not need to complete a UK passenger locator form before you travel. do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive. do not need to quarantine when you arrive.
If you are applying for a UK visa from overseas then as part of your immigration application you may be required to provide the Home Office with an overseas criminal record certificate.
What happens after spouse visa is approved? ›Once your spouse visa is approved you can live, work and study in the UK, and travel in and out of the U.K. throughout the visa duration. The visa is valid for 2 years and 9 months.
How long does it take for UK visa to be approved 2022? ›You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) or when you submit your online documents after completing the ID Check app.
Is UK entry clearance right to work? ›You can prove your right to work by showing your employer your British or Irish passport. It doesn't matter if your passport has expired. If you don't have a British or Irish passport, you can use a valid passport from another country. The passport must have a stamp or sticker on it saying you have right of abode.
Why UK visas are getting delayed? ›Processing times have recently been affected by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. For example, partner visa applications from outside the UK, which usually take 12 weeks to process, are currently taking up to 24 weeks to process from the date of biometric enrolment at a visa application centre.
What it is clearance certificate UK? ›The certificate details whether or not the applicant has a criminal record in the United Kingdom.
What is a clearance decision? ›Clearance Decision. A decision made in accordance with this part concerning whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest to grant an applicant a security clearance for access to Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret information.
What is clearance approval? ›Each word must be interpreted in the context of its use. If I were using the words in something I was writing I would probably say that "clearance" means that some person or office has determined that a proposed plan, decision, or act complies with the rules and that "approval" means a go-ahead from higher authority.
What does it mean when it says clearance? ›clear·ance ˈklir-ən(t)s. : an act or process of clearing: such as. : the removal of buildings from an area (such as a city slum) : the act of clearing a ship at the customhouse.
What happens if you lie on a UK visa application? ›
Even if your visa is granted, if you have provided false information on your visa application form you can be refused entry to the UK at the border and banned from entering for up to ten years.
Why would you be refused entry into the UK? ›overstaying (beyond the period of a time-limited visa); breaching a condition attached to your previous leave; having entered the UK unlawfully; having used deception in an application for entry clearance, leave to enter or remain, or in order to obtain documents from the Home Office (whether successful or not).
What do immigration officers see when they scan your passport UK? ›Details of your criminal record are not shown when your passport is scanned. The only time your passport is likely to be 'flagged' is when: there is a warrant out for your arrest either nationally or internationally through Interpol. you are currently undergoing investigation for a possible criminal offence.
What does refused entry mean? ›Definition(s)
In the global context, refusal of entry of a person who does not fulfil all the entry conditions laid down in the national legislation of the country for which entry is requested.
To get a decision within 5 working days
If you're eligible you can choose the 'priority service' when you apply. You'll need to pay £500 in addition to the application fee. You'll get a decision within 5 working days.
If your partner has suddenly been offered employment in the UK, or is already settled there and you need to join them urgently then the fast track spouse visa UK service is ideal for you.
Why does UK spouse visa take so long? ›Considering the disruptions that the ongoing covid era has caused in travels and courier routes, the UK spouse visa processing time 2022 could be a little bit longer as compared to pre-Covid years. This is because the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) might experience slight delays in assessing applications.
Does UK visa do background check? ›Applicants for entry clearance and those applying to remain in this country are checked for UK criminal convictions. Those seeking permission to enter the UK will normally be refused if they have previously been convicted of a criminal offence punishable by at least 12 months imprisonment.
How do visa officers do background check? ›Most of the work of processing a visa is done before the interview even starts: we verify the applicant's identity, enter their biographic data into our system, take fingerprints, analyze biometric data, conduct security checks, screen required documents, and more.
Do UK visa officers check bank statements? ›Overseas bank statements
This is the same tool that UKVI use when checking your visa application. If you use an overseas (non-UK) bank account to show your funds, UKVI will make additional checks. These will include checks that the financial institution is regulated and uses electronic record keeping.
How do I know if my UK visa is approved VFS? ›
Track an application
Check whether this service is available at the Visa Application Centre you are visiting. You can also track your visa application status online. Use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your last name to access this service.
When you get your visa rejected, most countries place a stamp on your passport stating the same. It is therefore easily accessible to any consular officer who will issue your future permits.
Can UK visa be rejected after approval? ›The UK Immigration Office can choose to reject an applicants visa if it finds there is no reason for the applicant to visit the UK based on the information submitted in the visa application form.
What is clearance in visa process? ›Some US visa applicants may get “Clearance Received” or “Department Authorization” in the annotation field. It means that the US Consular officer while reviewing the applicant's file, found some issues with the applicant's records that might impact their ability to issue a US visa to that person.
Is there a time limit to enter UK after getting spouse visa? ›Intention to live together permanently in the UK
When a person first obtains a spouse or partner visa, they will be granted an initial period of permission to stay in the UK. This will be for 33 months if applying from abroad, or 30 months following an in-country application.
You can apply for entry clearance to UK by completing an online application form which is available on the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) website. After you complete the application form, you need to book an appointment to attend your local Visa Application Center.
Do I need PCC for spouse visa? ›When should I send in my police certificates for my spousal sponsorship application? You must provide police certificates when you submit your application package.
Does the sponsor for partner visa need police clearance? ›Police clearances are required for the visa applicant and the sponsor from every country that they have spent a year or more in (calculated cumulatively – all visits to the country added together) in the last ten years.
Was your visa clearance received? ›Why “Clearance received” is written on Visa? When your visa stamp is issued after 221(g) admin processing, you will find “Clearance Received” or “Department Authorization” written on your visa which means that the US embassy contacted USCIS or other security agency to check on your name for more details.
What does it mean when UKVI says a decision has been made? ›And what are the chances that it is approved? A decision has been made on your application and your documents are being returned to the Visa Application Centre (VAC). You will be contacted again by the VAC once these documents have been received and they are ready for you to collect.
What does it mean when your application says process complete? ›
Under review means your application was submitted successfully and your qualification are being compared to other candidates. Process complete means either you were offered a position or were not selected for the position.
What are the 4 types of clearance? ›The four main types of security clearances for national security positions are: confidential, secret, top secret and sensitive compartmented information. This type of security clearance provides access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.
How long is the clearance process? ›The security clearance process takes an average of three to four months to complete but can take up to a full year to complete depending on your background.