These visas are officially referred to as the “family reunion with a person with permanent residence in the UK” visa, and this makes it relatively easy for the partners or spouses of British citizens to join them in the UK.
Who can apply for a spouse visa in the United Kingdom?
You can apply for this visa if you are married to a British citizen or to a person who has the right to live and work, or who has settled status, in the UK (i.e. a person who holds a valid visa or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)).
Work in the United Kingdom without restrictions.
The visa to join your partner or spouse allows you to live and work in the UK for an initial period of two and a half years, and you can also leave and re-enter the country several times. At the end of the two and a half years, you can apply to extend your stay in the UK for another two and a half years.
Once you have lived in the United Kingdom for a total of five years, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
You can also apply for a visa (as a spouse or partner) in any of the following circumstances:
- If you are married to, or in a long-term relationship with, someone in the UK who holds a Student visa
- If you are married to, or in a long-term relationship with, someone who holds a skilled work permit in the UK
- If you are married to, or in a long-term relationship with, someone who holds a business or investor visa (with permission to stay in the UK)
General criteria for the spouse visa:
- You are married, or you can show that you have lived together with a qualifying person for two years.
- You meet the minimum income threshold of £18,600 a year or have cash savings of £62,500.
- If you intend to marry within six months.
