You can expect to receive a decision within 12 weeks of attending your appointment at the visa application centre. How fast the processing of your visa will depend on what country you are applying from. If time is of the essence, you can pay an extra £800 for the Super Priority Service. This will ensure you receive a decision on the next working day in most cases.

You can sponsor your partner for a spouse visa as long as you both meet the financial requirements, regardless of whether you have a job. This can include savings or income from other sources, such as rental income or investments.

The financial income requirement for a partner visa is currently set at £29,000, gradually increasing to £38,700. Savings can be used to supplement or replace employment income. Self-employed individuals can also meet this requirement but must provide extensive additional evidence to do so.

Yes, you can switch to a spouse visa from most other visa categories while in the UK, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.

Applications under this category are prone to refusal if not meticulously prepared. With the British government's goal to reduce net migration, immigration officials may reject family visas on even minor grounds, leaving no room for error.

Furthermore, if a UK family visa is refused, appeal or administrative review options might not always be available. In such cases, the only recourse may be to submit a new application or seek a judicial review.

We understand the emotional strain couples face when navigating these challenges. Our spouse visa lawyers offer compassionate and expert support to swiftly address negative decisions by the Home Office and work towards a positive outcome for you.

Yes, you can include children under 18 in your spouse visa application without having to meet any additional financial requirements.

No, a spouse visa holder is not eligible to claim state benefits, including Universal Credit, tax credits, or housing allowance.

You will need to provide the following documents with your application (though this is not an exhaustive list):

- Your current passport or other travel documents

- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate

- Divorce certificate for any previous marriages, if applicable

- Details of any criminal convictions, if applicable

- Tenancy Agreement or Title Deed

- Bank statements

- Evidence of employment income, if applicable

- Your sponsor’s British passport or Indefinite Leave to Remain document

- Details of any children accompanying you to the UK

Under the current immigration rules, there is no limit on the length of absences for holders of a partner or spouse visa, as they are exempt from the 180-day absence rule required for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, it's crucial to remember that when applying for a partner or spouse visa, you are declaring your intention to live with your partner in the UK. Prolonged absences could impact your visa extension or ILR application, as they may suggest that you are not fulfilling the commitment to live together in the UK.

The initial spouse visa is granted for 33 months. If you meet the requirements, you can extend your UK partner visa for 30 months (2.5 years) at a time. You will need to extend your visa at least once to complete the 60-month (5-year) qualifying period for settlement as a partner or spouse. Additionally, you might need to extend your visa if you do not fully meet the requirements for settlement after 5 years, such as if you have not achieved the required level of English proficiency or have not passed the Life in the UK test.