If you are married to a British citizen or a person who is settled in the United Kingdom, you may be eligible for a UK spouse visa. A spouse visa allows you to join your spouse in the UK and live with them for an extended period of time. However, there are strict requirements that you must meet in order to apply for a spouse visa.
1. Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a spouse visa, you must meet the following requirements:
– You must be married to a British citizen or a person who is settled in the UK.
– You must have met your spouse and have a genuine and subsisting relationship.
– You must intend to live together with your spouse in the UK.
– You must have sufficient knowledge of the English language.
– You must meet the financial requirements.
2. Financial requirements
The financial requirements for a spouse visa are quite strict. Your spouse must have a gross annual income of at least £18,600, or savings of at least £62,500 held for at least six months. If you have children, the financial requirements will be higher. You will need to provide evidence of your spouse’s income or savings and show that you can support yourself without relying on public funds.
3. English language requirements
In order to qualify for a spouse visa, you must pass an English language test. The test must be approved by the UK government and must be at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
4. Application process
To apply for a spouse visa, you will need to complete an online application form and provide supporting documentation. This may include your marriage certificate, proof of your relationship with your spouse, evidence of your spouse’s income or savings, and evidence of your English language skills. You will also need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph). The application process can take several weeks or even months, so it is important to apply well in advance of your planned travel dates.
5. Duration of stay
If your spouse visa application is successful, you will be granted a visa that allows you to stay in the UK for 30 months. After this time, you can apply to extend your visa for an additional 30 months. Once you have been in the UK for a total of five years, you may be eligible for settlement (indefinite leave to remain).
In conclusion, obtaining a UK spouse visa can be a complex and lengthy process. It is important to ensure that you meet all the requirements and provide all the necessary documentation to increase your chances of a successful application.