You can apply online to switch into a spouse visa (10-year route) from inside the UK if you do not meet the requirements for switching into a spouse visa (5-year route). An application to switch to a spouse visa under the 10-year route is usually made by applicants who cannot meet the financial, immigration status, or English language requirements. An application to switch to a spouse visa (10 years) route is made online using the FLR (FP) application form under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. You can apply to switch to a spouse visa (10-year route) through Super Priority Service to get a decision within 24 hours.
As a result of a successful application for switching into a spouse visa (10 years route), the applicant will be granted leave to remain for 30 months (2.5 years) under the spouse visa 10 years route.
Premium Solicitors, open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, are specialist UK immigration solicitors. The high quality of UK visa and immigration services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced SRA-regulated immigration solicitors is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients.
Free Immigration Advice for Switching to a Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)
Our specialist team of spouse visa solicitors can provide free 5-minute immigration advice on your application to switch to a spouse visa under the 10-year route. Ask a question to our specialist team of spouse visa solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice with our specialist spouse visa solicitors.
Specialist Spouse Visa Solicitors
Our spouse visa solicitors specialise in applications for switching to a spouse visa (5-year route) from within the UK. As one of the best spouse visa solicitors, we have successfully helped thousands of clients with their applications for switching to a spouse visa under the 5-year route. Our highly experienced and fully qualified spouse visa solicitors offer fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee advice and legal representation for switching to a spouse visa (5-year route) from inside 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 with a wealth of experience and knowledge. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.
Arshad Mahmood
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Tushita Scalzullo
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Nargis Khodadady
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Asad Malik
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Alina Rizvi
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Victoria Gbenoba
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Nazamah Munir Akhtar
Immigration SolicitorOur team of expert spouse visa solicitors and lawyers is proficient in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Marathi, Farsi, Italian, and German, enabling us to communicate effectively with you regarding your immigration matters.
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:
Our spouse visa experts are ready to assist you with your spouse visa concerns. Book your appointment today for personalised guidance and support.
Can I Apply for a Fee Waiver to Switch to a Spouse Visa Under the 10-year Route?
You can apply for a fee waiver online if you are submitting an application to switch to the 10-year spouse visa route and are unable to pay the Home Office UKVI fees for the application. Home Office UKVI decision-makers must take into account the full amount payable by an applicant when considering a fee waiver request. The total amount refers to the combined immigration application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Where an applicant can pay the whole of the immigration fee but none, or only part of the IHS, the immigration fee will be required, and the waiver will be applied to the IHS. If the applicant is unable to pay the fee or the IHS, the Home Office UKVI will waive both. Read More
Can I Use Super Priority Service For Switching To Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)
As specialist spouse visa solicitors based in London, we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and its commercial partners, UKVCAS Sopra Steria, to provide a Super Priority Service for switching into a spouse visa. If you submit your application through the Super Priority Service, a decision will be made within 24 hours.
Our spouse visa solicitors can prepare and submit your spouse visa application more quickly and secure a decision sooner through Super Priority Service. This way, you will not have to wait months (sometimes years) for a decision on your application.
What are the Requirements for Switching to a Spouse Visa (10-year Route)?
The requirements for switching to a spouse visa under the 10-year route from inside the UK include the following:
Valid application: The applicant must submit a valid application to switch to a spouse visa (10-year route) in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
Immigration status requirement: The applicant must meet the immigration status requirement in accordance with the requirements of Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
Relationship requirement: The applicant must be the spouse of a person who is either a British Citizen, a person with ILR / settled status, an EU national with pre-settled status, a refugee / humanitarian protection status holder, a Turkish Businessperson visa holder or a Turkish Worker visa holder. The relationship of the applicant with the UK sponsor must be genuine and subsisting, and the appropriate evidence of the genuineness and subsistence of the marriage should be provided in support of the application for switching to a spouse visa.
Age requirement: Both the applicant and the UK spouse must be aged 18 or over.
Suitability Requirement: The applicant should meet the suitability requirements as set out in Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules.
Paragraph EX1: The applicant should meet the requirements of paragraph EX1 of Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules.
What is the EX1 Requirement for Switching to a Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)?
One key requirement for the applicant to succeed in an application to switch to a 10-year spouse visa is to meet the requirements of paragraph EX1 of the Immigration Rules.
The requirements of EX1 can be satisfied by showing that either:
- The applicant has a parental relationship with a child under 18 who is in the UK and who is:
- British Citizen; or
- holding ILR; or
- has lived in the UK continuously for 7 years; and
- It is unreasonable to expect such a child to leave the UK.
OR
- The applicant has a genuine and subsisting relationship with the UK spouse who is either a British Citizen, a person with ILR / settled status, an EU national with pre-settled status, a refugee, a Turkish Businessperson visa holder or a Turkish Worker visa holder, and there are insurmountable obstacles to family life with that partner continuing outside the UK. Insurmountable obstacles mean the very significant difficulties that would be faced by the applicant or their partner in continuing their family life outside the UK, which could not be overcome or would entail very serious hardship for the applicant or their partner.
What is the Immigration Status Requirement for Switching to a Spouse Visa 10 Years Route?
The applicant must not be in the UK-
- as a visitor; or
- with valid leave granted for a period of 6 months or less, unless that leave is as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, or was granted pending the outcome of family court or divorce proceedings
The applicant must not be in the UK –
- on immigration bail, unless:
- the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant arrived in the UK more than 6 months prior to the date of application; and
- paragraph EX.1. applies; or
- in breach of immigration laws (except that, where paragraph 39E of these Rules applies, any current period of overstaying will be disregarded), unless paragraph EX.1. applies.
How To Apply for Switching to a Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)?
To apply for switching into a spouse visa (10 years route), you should take the following steps:
- Complete the online application form FLR (FP) on the UKVI website.
- Submit the completed application online by paying the Home Office UKVI fees, which include the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), unless you applied for a fee waiver and your fee waiver application has been approved by the Home Office UKVI;
- Book your biometrics appointment with the UKVCAS by creating an account on the UKVCAS web portal.
- Upload all the supporting documents online before the biometrics enrolment appointment date.
- Attend your biometrics enrolment appointment. You should take your BRP card, your passport, and your biometrics appointment letter with you to your biometrics appointment.
- Wait for a decision on the application, which will normally be made within 3 to 6 months if submitted through standard service and within 24 hours if submitted through Super Priority Service.
When Can I Apply for Switching to a Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)?
You can apply for a spouse visa under the 10-year route any time after you are married to your UK-qualifying spouse. There is no need to wait until 28 days before the expiry of your current leave to remain. To apply for a spouse visa under the 10-year route, you must meet all the relevant requirements as set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
Can I Switch From a Spouse Visa 5 Years Route to a Spouse Visa 10 Years Route?
If you are in the UK under a spouse visa (5-year route) and you do not meet the financial requirement to extend your spouse visa under the 5-year route, you can apply for switching to a spouse visa (10-year route). All the time previously spent under the 5-year route will also count towards the ILR qualifying period for the 10-year route. When applying to switch from a spouse visa 5-year route to a 10-year route, there will be no financial requirement or English language requirement for the application. We can prepare and submit your application through Super Priority Service, so you receive a decision within 24 hours.
Can I Switch From a Fiancé Visa To a Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)?
A person who is in the UK on a fiancé visa can apply for switching into a spouse visa under the 10-year route soon after the registration of the marriage of the applicant with the UK qualifying partner, if the applicant cannot satisfy the financial requirement for an application to be approved under the 5-year route. An application to switch from a fiancé visa to a spouse visa can be made through Super Priority Service to obtain a decision within 24 hours, so the applicant can obtain the right to work in the UK as soon as the spouse visa application is approved by UKVI. It is always open for the applicant to switch back to the spouse visa 5 years route any time in future after the application under the spouse visa 10 years route has been approved by the Home Office UKVI.
Can I Switch From a Student Visa to a Spouse Visa (10-Year Route)?
A person in the UK on a student visa can apply to switch to a spouse visa (10-year route) after getting married to a UK partner if the applicant or the UK partner cannot meet the financial requirement. It is always open for the applicant to switch back to the spouse visa 5 years route any time in future after the application under the spouse visa 10 years route has been approved by the Home Office UKVI.
Can I Switch From a Work Visa To a Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)
A person in the UK on any work visa can apply to switch to a spouse visa under the 10-year route from inside the UK if they marry a UK partner while on a UK work visa. Only where the applicant or UK partner is not able to meet the financial requirement will the applicant consider applying under the spouse visa 10 years route; otherwise, an applicant in such circumstances would normally apply under the spouse visa 5 years route. It is always open for the applicant to switch back to the spouse visa 5 years route any time in future after the application under the spouse visa 10 years route has been approved by the Home Office UKVI.
Can I Appeal Against the Refusal of an Application to Switch to a Spouse Visa?
If your application for switching to a spouse has been refused by the Home Office UKVI and you have been given the right to appeal against the refusal decision, you should file an appeal with the First Tier Tribunal within 14 days of the refusal decision. The appeal against the refusal decision can be successful on the grounds that the decision to refuse is not in accordance with rules or in contravention of your right to private and family life as envisaged under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). An Immigration Judge at the First Tier Tribunal will hear and determine the appeal. Our specialist spouse visa solicitors can provide the legal services you need to represent you in your spouse visa appeal to challenge the refusal decision.
How Can We Help With Switching to a Spouse Visa Under the 10-Year Route?
Our specialist team of family visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation for your spouse visa switching application on a fixed-fee basis. Our family visa solicitors can legally represent you in your application to switch to a spouse visa and carry out all the work on your application until a decision is made by the Home Office UKVI. The immigration casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your application for switching to a spouse visa will entail the following:
Advice on requirements: Our spouse visa solicitors will advise you on the requirements you need to meet for your spouse visa application to be successful.
Documentary advice: Our spouse visa solicitors will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to be submitted in support of your application for switching to a spouse visa.
Assessing documents: Our spouse visa solicitors will assess your documents to ensure that all documents you provide in support of your application to switch to a spouse visa comply with the requirements of the immigration rules.
Completing the application form: Our spouse visa solicitors will complete the relevant application form for your application for switching to a spouse visa.
Submitting an application through Super Priority Service: If required, our spouse visa solicitors will submit your application for switching into a spouse visa online via Super Priority Service to obtain a decision within 24 hours.
Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your application for switching to a spouse visa, our spouse visa solicitors will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.
Detailed cover letter: Our specialist spouse visa solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application for switching to a spouse visa to explain all the relevant legal requirements for your application to be approved by the Home Office UKVI.
Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our spouse visa solicitors will upload all supporting documents online to support your application to switch to a spouse visa.
Follow-up work: Our spouse visa solicitors will handle all follow-up until the Home Office UKVI decides on your application to switch to a spouse visa.
Why Choose Us for Switching to a Spouse Visa (10-Year Route)?
There are several reasons you can choose our London-based spouse visa solicitors and lawyers to handle your application to switch to a spouse visa from inside the UK. 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 switching to a spouse visa in the UK from inside the UK. 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 representations remotely from our offices in London. Using modern technology, our specialist spouse visa solicitors and lawyers can handle your application to switch to a spouse visa 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 applications remotely to save you time and travel costs.
Open 7 Days A Week: We are open 7 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 applications, will carry out all the casework on your application for switching into a spouse visa in the UK.
Fast Track Visa Service: Our experienced and qualified spouse visa solicitors will prepare and submit your application to switch to a spouse visa in the shortest possible time using the fast-track process. Where possible, our spouse visa solicitors will submit your spouse visa application through the Super Priority Visa Service to obtain a decision within 24 hours.
Free Immigration Advice Online: Our specialist team of spouse visa solicitors and lawyers can provide one-off free immigration advice online for switching to a spouse visa through our website enquiry form.
Fixed Fees With Payment Plan: Our spouse visa solicitors and lawyers charge reasonable and affordable fixed fees for an application to switch to a spouse visa. You can pay our fixed fee in two instalments: half when we start working on your spouse visa application, and the remaining half when we have fully prepared the application and it is ready for submission to the Home Office UKVI.
How Much Does Switching to a Spouse Visa (10-Year Route) Cost?
The costs associated with your application are outlined below:
Our Fixed Fees for Your Application
Our fixed fee for processing your application ranges from £1,000 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT. Our fixed fee will cover all our work on your application, including advising on documents, checking your documents, completing the application form and submitting the application online, booking an appointment for biometrics enrolment, preparing a cover letter in support of the application, uploading all supporting documents to be considered in support of the application, and carrying out all other follow up work until decision by the Home Office UKVI on your application.
Our agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of your case and the volume of work involved in your application. You will make an initial payment of half our fee when we start working on your matter, and the remaining half is due once we have fully prepared the application and it is ready for submission.
Unable to afford the cost of the full service? You have the option to book an appointment online for our one-off immigration advice and consultation service for a fixed fee of £100 (including VAT) or our immigration document checking service for a fixed fee of £300 (including VAT).
UKVI Fees for Your Application
In addition to our fixed fee for assisting you with your application, you are also required to pay the Home Office UKVI fees. The UKVI fee for your application is £1,407, and there is an additional charge of £2587.50 for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Therefore, the total amount payable to the UKVI for the application is £3,994.50.
Additionally, you can pay an additional £1,000 as a Super Priority Service fee to have your application decided within 24 hours.
Get a Fixed Fee Quote for Your Immigration Matter
At Premium Solicitors, we believe in transparency and simplicity. We offer fixed-fee quotes for our specialist UK visa and immigration services.
Ready to get started? Use the link below to request a fixed-fee quote tailored to your needs.
How to Engage Us for Your Immigration Matter?
You can instruct immigration solicitors in London at Premium Solicitors for your immigration matter by getting in contact with us using one of the following means of contact:
Call Us: 0044 20 3930 3900
Email Us: info@premiumsolicitors.co.uk
Complete Enquiry Form: Send your enquiry through our website enquiry form
Book an Appointment Online: You can book an appointment with one of our specialist immigration solicitors in London for detailed immigration advice and consultation on your immigration matter.
What Are Our Other Spouse Visa-Related Services?
- Spouse Visa UK
- Entry Clearance for Spouse Visa UK
- Switching to a Spouse Visa UK (5 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
- In-Country Immigration Appeals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Switching to a Spouse Visa (10 Years Route)
The following are the various frequently asked questions (FAQs) about an application for switching into a spouse visa under the 10-year route:
Switching to a spouse visa on the 10-year route means applying for leave to remain in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or settled person under Appendix FM (Family Life), when the applicant does not meet all the requirements of the standard 5-year route. This route typically applies where there are exceptional circumstances or human rights considerations under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
You may be eligible to apply for switching to a spouse visa under the 10-year route, if:
- You are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with a British citizen or settled partner
- You are already in the UK (lawfully or unlawfully in some cases)
- You do not meet the financial or immigration status requirements of the 5-year route
- There are insurmountable obstacles to family life continuing outside the UK
- Refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences
Yes, switching is usually done from within the UK using the FLR(FP) application form. This route is specifically designed for individuals who cannot meet the strict requirements of entry clearance or the 5-year partner route.
Exceptional circumstances arise where refusal of the application would breach your right to family or private life under Article 8. This may include:
- Presence of British children
- Long residence in the UK
- Medical or compassionate factors
- Risk of serious hardship if required to leave the UK
- Insurmoutable obstacles to continuing family life outside the UK
“Insurmountable obstacles” refers to very significant difficulties that would prevent you and your partner from continuing your family life outside the UK. These obstacles must be substantial and not easily overcome.
Unlike the 5-year route, the strict minimum income threshold does not apply.
If successful, you will usually be granted:
- 30 months (2.5 years) of leave to remain
You must extend your visa multiple times until you complete 10 years before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Yes, in some circumstances. The 10-year route is more flexible and may allow applications from:
- Overstayers
- Individuals without valid leave
However, each case depends on the specific facts and human rights considerations.
Yes, once granted leave to remain under the 10-year partner route, you will generally have the right to:
- Work full-time or part-time
- Be self-employed
- Study in the UK
The documents required for switching to a spouse visa under the 10-year route may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances. Typical documents may include:
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, cohabitation evidence)
- Identity and immigration documents
- Evidence of accommodation
- Birth certificates and passports of any children
- Supporting evidence of exceptional circumstances
Processing times vary, but typically:
- Standard applications: up to 12 months or longer
- Priority services (if available): within 24 hours if the application is submitted through Super Priority Service
Delays may occur if further evidence is required.
Generally, switching from a visitor visa is not permitted. However, exceptions may apply in cases involving:
- Human rights claims
- Exceptional or compassionate circumstances
Legal advice is strongly recommended in such cases.
Yes, once you complete 10 years of continuous lawful residence on this route, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet all relevant requirements.
If your relationship ends:
- You may no longer meet the partner visa requirements
- You may need to switch to another immigration category
- In some cases, you may rely on private life provisions
No, you do not have to meet the English language requirement and financial requirement to switch to a spouse visa under the 10-year route.
Yes, you can apply for a fee waiver online if you submit an application to switch to the 10-year spouse visa route and cannot pay the Home Office UKVI fees for the application.
At Premium Solicitors, our specialist immigration lawyers:
- Provide expert advice on complex spouse visa cases
- Handle applications under both the 5-year and 10-year routes
- Offer fixed-fee services with no hidden costs
- Deliver tailored legal strategies based on your circumstances
- Are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year