Entry Clearance for Spouse Visa UK - Specialist Spouse Visa Solicitors

If you are married to a British citizen or a person settled in the UK and wish to join your spouse in the United Kingdom, you can apply for a Spouse Visa Entry Clearance from outside the UK.

You can apply for a spouse visa entry clearance from outside the UK via Priority Service to receive a faster decision within 30 working days. An entry clearance application for a UK spouse visa is submitted via the UKVI website by completing an online form. You must meet all the spouse visa requirements as set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Following a successful entry clearance application for a UK spouse visa, the applicant will be granted a 33-month spouse visa. Before the expiry of the initial 33 months of the spouse visa, the applicant can apply to renew the spouse visa to complete 5 years on a spouse visa and apply for ILR as a spouse under the 5-year route.

At Premium Solicitors, our team of experienced immigration solicitors provides expert legal assistance for spouse visa applications, helping families reunite quickly and successfully. We understand that being separated from your loved one can be stressful. Our specialist team offers comprehensive support throughout the application process, ensuring your application is professionally prepared and meets all Home Office requirements.

• Page Contents
• Free Immigration Advice
• Eligibility Requirements
• How to Apply?
• How Our Solicitors Can Help
• Why Choose Us?
• Our Team of Immigration Solicitors
• Book an Appointment
• Our Fixed Fees
• Get a Quote
• Other Related Services
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Free Immigration Advice For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

Our specialist team of spouse visa solicitors offers free, one-off 5-minute immigration advice regarding your spouse visa entry clearance from outside the UK. Ask a question to our specialist spouse visa solicitors in London for free immigration advice or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our best spouse visa solicitors and lawyers.

Requirements for a Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

A person applying for a spouse visa entry clearance from outside the UK should meet the following requirements of the Immigration Rules:

• Relationship Requirement
• Age Requirement
• Financial Requirement
• Adequate Accommodation Requirement
• English Language Requirement
• Suitability Requirements
• Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate Requirement

Relationship Requirement for a Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

The applicant’s UK partner must:

• be a British Citizen; or
• have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status in the UK; or
• be an EAA national with pre-settled status in the UK; or
• have a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa in the UK; or
• have leave to remain as a refugee or a person with Humanitarian Protection (HP).

The applicant and their partner must not be within the prohibited degree of relationship. The applicant and their partner must have met in person. The relationship between the applicant and their partner must be genuine and subsisting. If the applicant and partner are married, it must be a valid marriage, as specified. Any previous relationship of the applicant or their partner must have broken down permanently unless it is a relationship which falls within paragraph 278(i) of the Immigration Rules. The applicant and partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK.

Age Requirement for Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

If you are applying for a UK Spouse Visa from outside the UK, one of the fundamental eligibility requirements is that both the applicant and the sponsoring partner must be aged 18 or over on the date of application. This requirement applies to all spouse visa entry clearance applications made under Appendix FM of the UK Immigration Rules.

The age requirement is designed to ensure that both parties are legally capable of entering into a genuine and legally recognised relationship. Failure to satisfy this requirement will result in the refusal of the spouse visa application.

Financial Requirement of £29,000 Gross Per Year from 11 April 2024

As a result of changes to Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules effective from 11 April 2024, the new financial requirement of £29,000 gross per annum applies to an applicant who is making their first application on the partner route on or after 11 April 2024. You will not have to meet the income requirement of more than £29,000 gross per annum if you have any dependent children applying simultaneously along with the lead applicant, and the threshold will remain at £29,000 gross per annum.

To satisfy the financial requirement for a spouse visa, the applicant's UK partner must be working and earning not less than £29,000 gross per year.  The Applicant can combine the sponsor's employment income under Category A with savings if the employment income is less than £29,000 gross per annum. The savings must be £16,000 plus additional savings equivalent to 2.5 times the difference between the applicant's gross annual income and £29,000. 

The applicant's own overseas salary income does not count towards meeting the financial requirement. However, the applicant's savings, rental income, or pension income (if applicable) does count towards meeting the financial requirement and the UK partner's income.

Various Sources of Meeting the Financial Requirements

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). Depending on the employment history, this is referred to as Category A or Category B.
• 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/are being relied upon.

Exemption from Meeting the Financial Requirement of earning £29,000

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 £29,000:

• 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 receiving 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.

Formula for Meeting the Adequate Maintenance Requirements

The Home Office UKVI will use the following formula to determine whether you meet the adequate maintenance requirement for your spouse visa entry clearance application:

A – B ≥ C (A minus B is greater than or equal to C)
Where:
A is the net income (after deduction of income tax and National Insurance contributions);
B is housing costs (Rent and Council Tax); and
C is the amount of Income Support an equivalent British family of that size can receive.

Adequate Accommodation Requirement

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 owns or occupies exclusively: accommodation will not be regarded as adequate if-

1. it is, or will be, overcrowded; or
2. it contravenes public health regulations.

English Language Requirement for a Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

The applicant must provide specified evidence that he/she:

1. is a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
2. 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
3. has an academic qualification recognised by UK Ecctis 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
4. 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 that prevent the applicant from being able to meet the requirements prior to entry to the UK.

Suitability Requirements for Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

When applying for a UK Spouse Visa Entry Clearance, applicants must also satisfy the suitability requirements set out in Appendix Part Suitability of the UK Immigration Rules. Failure to meet these requirements can result in a visa refusal, even where all other eligibility requirements have been satisfied. The suitability requirements allow the Home Office to assess whether an applicant's conduct, character, immigration history, and personal circumstances make them suitable for entry clearance to the UK. 

At Premium Solicitors, our experienced immigration solicitors can assess your circumstances, identify potential suitability concerns, and help you prepare a strong spouse visa application to maximise your chances of success.

The Home Office may refuse an application on either mandatory or discretionary suitability grounds depending on the circumstances of the case.

Common Suitability Reasons for Spouse Visa Refusal

The common suitability grounds for the refusal of a spouse visa entry clearance application may include the following:

• Criminal Convictions
• Deception or False Information
• Previous Breaches of UK Immigration Laws
• Sham Marriage or Sham Civil Partnership
• Unpaid NHS Charges
• Unpaid Litigation Costs owed to the UKVI

In some circumstances, an application may still succeed where there are exceptional or compassionate factors, particularly where refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences for the applicant, their spouse, or any children involved. Human rights considerations under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights may also be relevant.

Each case will depend on its individual facts, and professional legal advice should be obtained before submitting an application where suitability concerns exist.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate for Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

If you are applying for a UK Spouse Visa from outside the UK, you may be required to provide a valid Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate as part of your spouse visa entry clearance application. Failure to provide a required TB certificate can lead to delays or even refusal of your visa application.

At Premium Solicitors, our specialist spouse visa solicitors can advise you on whether a TB test certificate is required for your application and ensure that all supporting documents meet the Home Office requirements.

Who Needs a TB Test Certificate for a Spouse Visa?

You will generally need a TB test certificate if:

• You are applying for a spouse visa from outside the UK.
• You intend to stay in the UK for more than 6 months.
• You have lived in a country listed by the UK Government as requiring TB screening for at least 6 months.
• You were living in a listed country within the 6 months before making your visa application.

The UK Government maintains a list of countries where TB testing is mandatory for visa applicants. Countries commonly requiring TB testing include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, and many others. Applicants should always check the latest official list before applying.

The TB test must be carried out at a clinic approved by the UK Home Office. Certificates issued by non-approved clinics will not be accepted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

If the results confirm that you do not have active tuberculosis, you will be issued a TB Test Certificate for your visa application. A TB Test Certificate is generally valid for 6 months from the date of the chest X-ray or the date of certificate issuance. Your spouse visa application should be submitted before the certificate expires. If the certificate expires before the visa application is submitted, a new TB test may be required.

How To Apply for a Spouse Visa Entry Clearance?

The step-by-step process to apply for a spouse visa UK from outside the UK is as follows:

1. Complete the application form online for a spouse visa UK on the UKVI website.
2. Submit your completed application form for a spouse visa in the UK online by paying the application fee. You also have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for the spouse visa entry clearance application.
3. Book an appointment with the UK visa application centre to enrol your biometrics and hand over your passport for the processing of your spouse's visa in the UK.
4. Upload all supporting documents online in PDF format before you attend your biometrics enrolment appointment so that they can be considered in support of the spouse visa application.
5. Attend your biometrics enrolment appointment and wait for a decision on your spouse visa entry clearance application, which will be made within 30 working days if you apply through Priority Service or within 60 working days if you apply through standard service.

How Can Our Spouse Visa Solicitors Help?

Our specialist team of spouse visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis for your UK spouse visa application. Our fixed fee for your entry clearance application for a spouse visa will cover all the work of our spouse visa solicitors on your entry clearance application until a decision is made by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) on your application. The casework to be carried out by our spouse visa solicitors in relation to your entry clearance application for a spouse visa UK will entail the following:

Advice on requirements: Our spouse visa solicitors will advise you on the requirements you must meet for your UK spouse visa application to succeed.

Advice on documents: Our spouse visa solicitors will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to submit with your spouse visa entry clearance application.

Assessment of documents: Our spouse visa solicitors will assess your documents to ensure that all the documents you provide in support of your entry clearance application for a spouse visa in the UK comply with the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Completing the application form: Our spouse visa solicitors will complete the relevant application form for your UK spouse visa entry clearance.

Submitting an application through Priority Service: Where possible, our spouse visa solicitors will submit your online entry clearance application through the Priority Service to get a faster decision on your UK spouse visa.

Booking an appointment with the application centre: After you submit your entry clearance application online, our spouse visa solicitors will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.

Preparing a detailed cover letter: Our specialist spouse visa solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the entry clearance application, explaining that all relevant legal requirements have been satisfied for approval of the UK spouse visa entry clearance application.

Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our spouse visa solicitors will upload all supporting documents for the UK spouse visa entry clearance application.

Follow-up work: Our spouse visa solicitors will handle all follow-up until the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) decides on the spouse visa application.

Why Choose Us For Spouse Visa Entry Clearance Application?

There are several reasons to choose our experienced spouse visa solicitors and lawyers in London to handle your spouse visa entry clearance application. The main reasons include the following:

High-Quality Legal Services: Our team of the best spouse visa solicitors in London provides high-quality legal services for spouse visa entry clearance applications. The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients.

Remote Legal Services: Our specialist spouse visa solicitors and lawyers can provide you with expert spouse visa advice and legal representation remotely from our offices in London. Using modern technology, our specialist spouse visa solicitors and lawyers can handle your spouse visa entry clearance application remotely, without you needing to visit our offices. Whilst we are more than happy to welcome clients into our offices, if this is their preference, we are proud to offer our legal services for spouse visa entry clearance applications remotely to save you time and travel costs.

Open 7 Days A Week: We are open seven days a week and pride ourselves on providing dedicated spouse visa advice and legal representation.

All Work Carried Out By Qualified Specialist Immigration Solicitors: Our specialist team of fully qualified and experienced spouse visa solicitors, who have extensive experience dealing with spouse visa entry clearance applications, will carry out all the casework on your spouse visa entry clearance application.

Fast Track Visa Service: Our experienced and qualified spouse visa solicitors will prepare and submit your spouse visa entry clearance application as quickly as possible using the fast-track process. Where possible, our spouse visa solicitors will submit your spouse visa entry clearance application through Priority Visa Service to expedite the decision process.

Free Immigration Advice Online: Our specialist team of spouse visa solicitors and lawyers can provide one-off free immigration advice online through our website enquiry form.

Fixed Fees With Payment Plan: Our spouse visa solicitors and lawyers charge reasonable and affordable fixed fees for spouse visa entry clearance applications with the option to pay our fixed fee in two instalments whereby you pay half of the agreed fixed fee when we start our work on your spouse visa entry clearance application and the remaining half when we have fully prepared the spouse visa entry clearance application and it is ready for submission to the Home Office UKVI.

Our Team of Specialist Solicitors for Spouse Visa Entry Clearance

Our spouse visa solicitors are specialists in spouse visa entry clearance applications from outside the UK. As one of the best spouse visa solicitors, we have successfully helped thousands of clients with their spouse visa entry clearance applications. Our highly experienced and fully qualified spouse visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your spouse visa entry clearance application from outside the UK. 

Meet Our Team of Spouse Visa Solicitors in London

At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our spouse visa solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the spouse visa process with professionalism and care. 

Our team comprises a diverse group of spouse visa solicitors who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.

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Schedule Your Consultation With Our Spouse Visa Solicitors

Are you seeking expert immigration advice and consultation from our highly skilled team of spouse visa solicitors and lawyers in London? It's easy to secure an appointment with our dedicated spouse visa specialists. Our expert team of spouse visa solicitors and advisors can provide detailed immigration advice and consultation face-to-face in our offices in London or virtually over Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp or Phone. Book your appointment today using the appointment booking link provided below:

• Book An Appointment Online With Our Spouse Visa Solicitors in London

Our spouse visa experts are ready to assist you with your spouse visa concerns. Book your appointment today for personalised guidance and support.

How Much Does Spouse Visa Entry Clearance Cost?

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What Are Our Other Spouse Visa-Related Services?

• Spouse Visa UK
• Switching to a Spouse Visa (5 Years Route)
• Switching to a Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)
• Extension of Spouse Visa (5 Years Route)
• Extension of Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)
• ILR as a Spouse (5 Years Route)
• ILR as a Spouse (10 Years Route)
• Family Visa UK
• Entry Clearance Appeal Against Refusal of Spouse Visa

FAQs - Spouse Visa Entry Clearance UK

The following are the various frequently asked questions (FAQs) about an entry clearance application for a UK spouse visa:

What is entry clearance for a UK spouse visa?

Entry clearance for a UK spouse visa is the permission granted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to allow a non-UK national to enter the UK as the spouse or partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK. This application must be made from outside the UK before travelling.

Who can apply for entry clearance as a spouse or partner?

You can apply for entry clearance as a spouse or partner if:

• Your partner is a British citizen or holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status
• You are legally married or in a recognised civil partnership (or meet unmarried partner requirements)
• You intend to live together permanently in the UK

What is the Evidence Flexibility Policy of the UKVI for the financial requirement? 

Under Appendix FM-SE, decision-makers have the discretion to defer an application pending submission of missing evidence or the correct version within a reasonable deadline. Decision-makers will not have to defer if they do not think correcting the error or omission will lead to a grant.

Decision-makers can also 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.

What documents do I need to apply for a UK spouse visa entry clearance?

The documentary evidence to be submitted in support of a UK spouse visa entry clearance varies from case to case, depending on the personal circumstances of the applicant and the UK sponsor. Our fast-track spouse visa solicitors can provide you with a comprehensive list of supporting documents after fully assessing the personal circumstances of the applicant and the UK sponsor.

Typical documents may include:

• Valid passport
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Proof of relationship (photos, communication, visits)
• Financial documents (payslips, bank statements, employment letters)
• Proof of accommodation
• English language certificate
• Tuberculosis  (TB)Test Certificate (if applicable)

How long does a UK spouse visa entry clearance application take?

The processing time of the spouse visa entry clearance application is as follows:

Standard Service

An application under standard service is normally decided within 60 working days of the biometrics enrolment at the UK visa application centre.

Priority Service

An application under Priority Service is normally decided within 30 working days after biometrics enrolment at the UK visa application centre.

How can I challenge the refusal of a spouse visa entry clearance application?

You can challenge the UKVI decision to refuse your spouse visa entry clearance application by filing an entry clearance appeal with the First Tier Tribunal (FTT).  You should file an appeal against the spouse visa entry clearance refusal within 28 days of receiving the refusal decision. An immigration judge at the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) will determine your appeal and decide whether or not the decision to refuse your spouse visa entry clearance application is lawful. 

Can I submit my spouse visa entry clearance through Priority or Super Priority Service for a faster decision?

Yes, you can apply for a spouse visa entry clearance through the Priority Visa Service, where a decision will be made within 30 working days.

What is a genuine and subsisting relationship requirement?

You must demonstrate that your relationship is real, ongoing, and not entered into for immigration purposes. Evidence may include:

• Communication records
• Travel history and visits
• Joint financial responsibilities
• Supporting statements

How long is a UK spouse visa granted for after entry clearance?

If granted, the spouse visa is usually issued for:

• 33 months (2 years and 9 months) on entry clearance

Within 28 days before the expiry of the spouse visa, you can apply for an extension of the spouse visa from inside the UK.

Can a spouse visa entry clearance application be refused?

Yes, applications may be refused if:

• Financial requirement is not met
• Insufficient relationship evidence
• Incorrect or incomplete documentation
• Failure to meet the English language requirement

Professional legal advice significantly reduces the risk of refusal.

Can I work in the UK on a spouse visa?

Yes, once your entry clearance is granted and you enter the UK, you have the full right to work, study, and establish a business without restrictions.

Is there a minimum income exemption for a spouse visa entry clearance?

Yes, exemptions may apply if:

• The sponsor receives certain benefits (e.g., disability benefits)
• In such cases, the adequate maintenance test applies instead of the standard income threshold

Can children be included in a spouse visa entry clearance application?

Yes, dependent children can apply as part of a family visa application, provided they meet the eligibility requirements set out in Appendix FM.

Why choose Premium Solicitors for spouse visa entry clearance?

At Premium Solicitors, our experienced immigration solicitors offer:

• Fixed-fee spouse visa services
• Detailed document checking and legal representation
• High success rate in entry clearance applications
• Fast-track priority and super priority submissions
• Remote services
• Available 7 days a week
• 5-star Google Reviews rating
• Specialist spouse visa solicitors

How can I get help with my UK spouse visa entry clearance application?

You can contact spouse visa solicitors at Premium Solicitors for:

• Free initial advice for 5 minutes
• Expert legal advice tailored to your circumstances
• End-to-end application support covering all the work until a decision is made on your spouse visa entry clearance application

Can I reapply for a spouse visa after my application is refused?

You can reapply for a spouse visa entry clearance if the Home Office UKVI refuses your spouse visa and you do not want to challenge the refusal by way of an appeal, or if you believe that the decision made by the Home Office UKVI is correct and the fresh application can address the concerns of the decision maker.