Documents Required for a Spouse Visa UK: A Comprehensive List

Spouse Visa UK is a type of family visa that allows you to join your partner who is a British citizen or a person settled in the UK. It is also known as a partner visa or a marriage visa. With a spouse visa, you can live and work in the UK for up to 2.5 years, with the possibility of extending it for another 2.5 years and eventually applying for permanent residence (also known as indefinite leave to remain or ILR).

However, applying for a spouse visa is not a simple process. You will need to meet certain requirements and provide various documents to prove your eligibility. In this article, we will explain what these requirements are and what documents you need to prepare for your spouse visa application.

Relationship Requirement

The first and most important requirement is that you must have a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner. This means that you must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Have met each other in person
• Not be related to each other in a way that would prevent you from marrying under UK law
• Be married or in a civil partnership that is recognized in the UK, or have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years, or be engaged and intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership within 6 months of arriving in the UK
• Plan to reside in the UK permanently after applying

To prove your relationship, you will need to provide documents such as:

• Include marriage or civil partnership certificate, if applicable.
• Evidence of your cohabitation, such as joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, council tax bills, bank statements, etc.
• Evidence of your communication, such as phone records, emails, messages, social media posts, etc.
• Evidence of your shared financial responsibilities, such as joint bank accounts, insurance policies, loans, etc.
• Evidence of your shared social activities, such as photos of you together, travel tickets, invitations, etc.

You should provide as much evidence as possible to show that your relationship is genuine and not entered into for immigration purposes. You should also explain any gaps or changes in your relationship history, such as periods of separation or divorce.

Financial Requirement

The second requirement is that you must be able to support yourself and any dependents without recourse to public funds. This means that your partner (who is the sponsor) must have an income of at least £18,600 per year from employment, self-employment, pension, savings or other sources. This amount increases by £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child who is also applying with you.

To prove your financial situation, you will need to provide documents such as:

• Your partner’s payslips and bank statements for the last 6 months
• Your partner’s employment contract and letter from their employer confirming their salary and employment status
• Your partner’s tax returns and accounts if they are self-employed
• Your partner’s pension statements if they receive a pension
• Evidence of your partner’s savings if they have more than £16,000
• Evidence of any other income sources such as rental income, dividends, benefits, etc.

You should provide evidence that your partner’s income is consistent and reliable. You should also explain any fluctuations or gaps in their income history, such as periods of unemployment or maternity leave.

If your partner does not meet the income requirement on their own, you may be able to combine their income with yours or with other sources such as cash savings (above £16,000), non-employment income (such as rental income), state or private pension (of either partner), maternity allowance or bereavement benefits (of either partner). However, these sources have different rules and calculations that apply to them.

English Language Requirement

The third requirement is that you must have a good knowledge of the English language. This means that you must either:

• Be a national of a majority English-speaking country such as the USA, Canada, Australia, etc.
• Have a degree that was taught or researched in English and is recognized by UK NARIC
• Have passed an approved English language test at level A1 or higher of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

To prove your English language ability, you will need to provide documents such as:

• Your passport or national identity card showing your nationality
• Your degree certificate and academic transcript showing that your degree was taught or researched in English
• Your English language test certificate showing your score and level

You should make sure that your English language test is from an approved provider and that it is valid at the time of your application. You should also check the expiry date of your test certificate as some tests are only valid for 2 years.

If you do not meet the English language requirement on your own, you may be exempt from it if:

• You are aged 65 or over
• Have a medical condition that hinders meeting the requirement
• Exceptional circumstances hinder meeting the requirement.

To claim an exemption from the English language requirement, you will need to provide evidence such as:

• A letter from a doctor confirming your age or condition
• A letter from an official source explaining why you cannot meet the requirement

Accommodation Requirement

The fourth requirement is that you must have adequate accommodation for yourself and any dependants in the UK. This means that you must have a place to live that is safe, secure and suitable for your needs.

To prove your accommodation arrangements, you will need to provide documents such as:

• A letter from your partner confirming that they own or rent the property where you will live
• A copy of the title deeds or mortgage statement if your partner owns the property
• A copy of the tenancy agreement or letter from the landlord if your partner rents the property
• A letter from anyone else who lives in the property giving their consent for you to live there
• Evidence of the size and condition of the property such as photos, floor plans, council inspection reports, etc.

You should make sure that your accommodation meets the minimum standards set by the UKVI. You should also check if there are any restrictions on who can live in the property such as occupancy limits or immigration status requirements.

Other Documents

In addition to the above requirements and documents, you will also need to provide:

• Require valid passport with at least one blank page
• Two passport-sized colour photos that meet the UKVI specifications
• A completed online application form and payment of the application fee (£1,523) and the immigration health surcharge (£624 per year)
• A tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if you are from a country where TB testing is required

Additional documents may be required based on your circumstances, including:

• Evidence of any previous marriages or civil partnerships that have ended such as divorce decrees or death certificates
• Evidence of any children who are applying with you such as birth certificates or adoption papers
• Evidence of any criminal convictions or immigration offences such as police certificates or court documents

You should make sure that all your documents are original or certified copies. You should also make sure that they are translated into English by an accredited translator if they are not in English.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining a Spouse Visa for the UK requires submitting a comprehensive list of documents. These documents are essential for a successful visa application, ensuring smooth travels and a hassle-free entry into the UK. By preparing the necessary documentation in advance, applicants can increase their chances of a positive outcome and enjoy their future travels with their spouse in the UK.