UK Spouse Visa
Applying for a UK spouse visa can be a complicated and daunting process. This guide aims to provide a detailed overview of the application process, including tips and tricks to help you avoid pitfalls and ensure that your application is as strong as possible. Hurlingham Law will guide you on all the relevent steps in more detail when acting as your representative.
Step 1: Check your eligibility: Before you begin the application process, it’s important to check that you meet the eligibility requirements for a UK spouse visa. These include:
- You and your spouse must be over 18 years old
- You and your spouse must have met in person and be legally married or in a civil partnership
- You and your spouse must intend to live together in the UK
- You must meet the financial requirements, which means that your spouse must earn at least £18,600 per year, or you must have sufficient savings to support yourselves without relying on public funds. This tends to be the trickiest part of the application. Hurlingham Law has assisted in all earning types: salaried, self employed, contractors, company directors or for those using the savings route to satisfy the financial requirements.
Step 2: Once we have confirmed your eligibility, the next step is to gather all the necessary documents for your application. These may include:
- Your passport and your spouse’s passport
- Evidence of your marriage or civil partnership, such as a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
- Evidence of your intention to live together, such as joint tenancy agreement or utility bills in both names
- Evidence of your spouse’s income, such as payslips and bank statements
- Evidence of your English language ability, such as an approved English language test or a degree taught in English
It’s important to ensure that all of your documents are up-to-date and in the correct format. If your documents are not in English, you will need to provide certified translations.
Step 3: The application form for a UK spouse visa can be completed online or on paper. It’s important to read the guidance notes carefully and ensure that you provide all of the required information. Some tips for completing the form include:
- Provide as much detail as possible about your relationship with your spouse, including how you met, how often you communicate, and any visits you have made to the UK or other countries together
- Double-check all of your information before submitting the form to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date
- If you have any questions or are unsure about any aspect of the application, seek professional advice from an immigration lawyer or advisor. At Hurlingham Law we would draft the application online on behalf of the applicant(s).
Step 4: The fee for a UK spouse visa application is currently £1,523. It’s important to ensure that you pay this fee on time and in full, as failure to do so may result in your application being rejected.
Step 5: As part of the application process, you will need to attend a biometric appointment to provide your fingerprints and a photograph. You will be sent an appointment letter with details of the location and time of your appointment. Hurlingham Law would book the biometric appointment on your behalf for a time and place that is convenience to you.
Step 6: After you have submitted your application, you will need to wait for a decision. The processing time for a UK spouse visa application varies depending on where you are applying from, but it can take up to 12 weeks or longer in some cases. You can check the current processing times on the UK government website or check with your immigration advisor. There are also fast track options.
Tips and Tricks:
- Start the application process as early as possible to give yourself plenty of time to gather all of the necessary documents and prepare your application.
- Keep copies of all of your documents and correspondence, including emails and letters from the Home Office, in case you need to refer to them later.
- Seek professional advice from an immigration lawyer or advisor if you are unsure about any aspect of the application process.
- Be honest and transparent in your application, as providing false or misleading information can result in your application being rejected or your visa being revoked at a later date.
Contact Hurlingham Law to discuss your application to avoid disappointment and delays.