FAMILY / UK VISA GUIDE
Partner & Spouse visa.
Build your everyday life, together.
Understand the relationship, financial and English requirements before preparing a family visa application.
General information · Sources checked 21 September 2026
THE ESSENTIALS
UK spouse & partner visa
requirements.
An eligible partner
Your partner needs a qualifying UK status, such as British or Irish citizenship or settlement. Other qualifying statuses exist; check which applies.
A qualifying relationship
Show a recognised marriage or civil partnership, or that you meet the unmarried-partner rules. Both partners must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Financial requirements
The usual minimum income requirement is £29,000 a year. Different rules can apply to earlier applications and certain benefits. Eligible savings may help; the evidence rules matter.
English and accommodation
Check the English language requirement or an applicable exemption, and show suitable accommodation is available.
GET ORGANISED
Spouse & partner visa
document checklist.
This is a starting point, not a complete document list. What you need depends on your circumstances.
- Passports and evidence of your partner’s UK status.
- Relationship evidence: a marriage or civil partnership certificate where relevant, and records of your shared life or ongoing commitment.
- Financial evidence suited to your income or savings category.
- English evidence, accommodation details and any required TB certificate or translations.
PLAN AHEAD
Fees &
processing times.
The application fee is £2,064 when applying from outside the UK, or £1,407 from inside the UK. The immigration health surcharge, where payable, and optional services are additional. Adviser fees are separate.
GOV.UK gives a usual decision time of 12 weeks for applications from outside the UK, or eight weeks from inside the UK when the financial and English requirements are met. Individual cases can take longer.
Check family visa fees and healthcare costs ↗Check spouse and partner visa processing times ↗
GOOD QUESTIONS
Spouse & partner visa
questions.
Can savings count towards the financial requirement?
Eligible savings may be used towards or instead of income. The amount needed and evidence depend on the rules that apply to your application. Do not assume any bank balance or income source automatically qualifies.
Can I switch from a visitor visa to a spouse visa?
You usually need to leave the UK to apply if you are here as a visitor. Limited exceptions exist, so check your circumstances before making plans. Only planning a short family visit? See the visitor guide.
Must unmarried partners have lived together?
Not always. The rules can cover a relationship of at least two years where there is a good reason you cannot live together. Evidence of the relationship is still needed.
Is a fiancé visa the same?
It is a separate basis within the family route, usually allowing six months to marry or form a civil partnership. Work and study are not allowed during that permission.
Can Dream Gate help with my application?
We’ll review your circumstances and immigration history before confirming whether we can help. If you need specialist advice, we’ll explain the appropriate next step before any work begins.
READ THE OFFICIAL GUIDANCE
Immigration rules change. These summaries are introductory information, not a complete assessment or a promise of an outcome.
Partner and spouse rules ↗Financial requirements ↗Information and evidence ↗English requirement ↗YOU DON’T NEED ALL THE ANSWERS YET.
Your free
consultation.
Start with a free consultation. We’ll discuss your plans, whether our support is the right fit and your next step.
support@dreamgateimmigration.com ↗Keep your first message brief. Please do not include passports, documents or sensitive personal information.