How do I get a UK spouse or partner visa?

For people who want to join or stay with a partner who is British, Irish or settled in the UK.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

You and your partner must both be 18 or over, and your partner must be British, Irish, settled in the UK or have certain other status. You must prove:

you're married, in a civil partnership, or have been together 2 years or more (or will marry within 6 months as a fiancé)
your knowledge of English (at least level A1 for your first visa)
you meet the financial requirements

You can stay up to 2 years and 9 months, then extend. Decisions usually take 12 weeks from outside the UK. For your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.

Key facts

Both 18 or over
Stay 2 years 9 months
Settle after 5 years

What the spouse or partner visa is

The partner visa (often called the spouse visa) is a family visa. It lets you live in the UK with your husband, wife, civil partner, fiancé or long term partner. Your partner must be British, Irish, settled in the UK, or have certain other status.

Who it is for

You can apply if you and your partner are both 18 or over and you are:

married or in a civil partnership
living together in a relationship for at least 2 years
in a relationship for at least 2 years but unable to live together
engaged, and will marry or form a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving (as a fiancé, you can stay 6 months)

The financial requirement

You and your partner must usually have a combined income of at least £29,000 a year. This has applied since 11 April 2024.

Situation	What you must show
Most new applications	£29,000 a year combined income
Extending, if you first applied before 11 April 2024	£18,600 a year, plus £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each other child
Partner gets certain disability or carer benefits	No minimum income, but you must show you can support yourselves and have housing

Savings above £16,000 can count towards the requirement. In some cases, such as having a British or Irish child in the UK, you may still get a visa without meeting it.

English language

Stage	Level needed
First application	At least A1
Extension after 2 years 6 months	At least A2 in speaking and listening
Settlement after 5 years	B1 or higher

A1 is basic everyday English. If you pass B1 or higher at the start, you can reuse that result later.

How much it costs

Applying	Visa fee	Health surcharge (adult)
From outside the UK	£2,064	£3,105 for 2 years 9 months
From inside the UK (extension)	£1,407	£2,587.50 for 2 years 6 months

Example: applying from outside the UK for 2 years and 9 months costs £2,064 plus £3,105, which is £5,169. Each dependant pays the same visa fee again.

How long it takes and lasts

Decision: usually 12 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside if you meet the requirements.
First visa: up to 2 years and 9 months from outside the UK.
Extension: up to a further 2 years and 6 months.
Settlement: you can apply after living in the UK for 5 years in a row.

Things to know

Inside the UK, if you do not meet all the requirements, a decision can take about 12 months.
The rules are the same in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

See full requirements

Common questions

When can I settle permanently?

After 5 years continuously in the UK on a family visa as a partner.

Official sources

1.Family visas: apply as a partner or spousewww.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse
2.Family visas: knowledge of Englishwww.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/knowledge-of-english

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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