The husband or wife of a British citizen or person present and established in the United Kingdom can apply for a marriage/spouse visa to their British embassy. The husband/wife will need to complete 5 years of residence in the UK under the spouse visa category before being able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to the Home Office in the UK.
When applying for a UK spouse visa from Pakistan, applicants may have concerns flooding their minds.
Some applicants apply for a UK spouse visa from Pakistan using the services of inexperienced consultants, resulting in their application being rejected.
Once your UK spouse visa has been refused, you will be able to appeal. It should be borne in mind that new evidence or documents cannot be relied upon in an appeal.
To avoid such disappointment, it is important to hire only the best UK immigration lawyer with in-depth knowledge of UK immigration laws and Home Office policies.
UK Visa Consultants with a team of experienced professionals assist their clients at every stage with authentic and comprehensive advice on a UK Spouse Visa.
Spouse Visa UK allows an individual to get settled in the UK as he is married to a person with indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship.
Spouse visa UK requirements from Pakistan
To make a successful application for a partner and spouse visa, you will need to meet a set of strict eligibility requirements, including providing evidence of:
• You are in a genuine and eligible relationship
• You have the ability to financially support yourselves: a minimum gross annual income of £18,600
• You have suitable accommodation in the UK
• You meet the English language requirement: at least level A1 for your first visa application
Genuine relationship requirement
You will need to show you are in an eligible relationship as follows:
• You are in a civil partnership or marriage that is legally recognized in the UK, or;
• Have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years, or;
• Plan to get married or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving in the UK.
Crucially, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will want to be assured that you are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. As such, they are always alert to the potential for “sham” marriages or relationships, whereby applicants falsely state they are in an eligible relationship when they are not.
If you are unsure if you meet the requirements for a genuine relationship, speak to one of our immigration solicitors, who will be able to confirm this for you.
Spouse visa financial requirement
The spouse visa application requires the applicant and their UK based partner must have a minimum gross annual income of £18,600. According to the latest announcement by Home Secretary James Cleverly, starting from the spring of 2024, the minimum income for a spouse visa will increase to £38,700.
If the applicant has children, an additional £3,800 per year is needed for the first child and an additional £2,400 for each subsequent child. This means the minimum income for an applicant with two dependent children will be £24,800 and for three children, £27,200.
Only the sources of income listed below will be considered:
• Income from employment or self-employment
• Pension of the applicant and/or partner
• Maternity allowances or beverage benefits received by the partner in the UK
• Any other income and/or savings specified by the applicant and/or partner
• You can check our Spouse Visa financial requirement page and How to meet Spouse Visa requirements if you or your partner is self-employed for more detailed explanation.
Exemptions from meeting the financial requirement are available where a sponsor is receiving income from any of the following sources:
• Disability living allowance
• Severe disablement allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Mobility Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance, or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
• Police Injury Pension
• Industrial injury disability benefit
• Attendance allowance
• Carers’ allowance
This means that sponsors will not need to show they earn £18,600 (or more). It is important to note, however, that in the event of a partner qualifying for exemption in line with the above, the applicant will still need to show that they have enough funds to maintain themselves in the UK, as well as having adequate accommodation ( while having no recourse to public funds). For further assistance, please speak to one of our immigration solicitors who will be able to advise you.
English language requirement
As a partner and spouse visa applicant, you will need to show that you have sufficient knowledge of the English language; this can be achieved in 3 ways:
Passing an English language test: you will meet the English language requirements if you pass a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) English test from an approved testing centre. This must be at least level A1 in speaking and writing. If you wish to extend your stay in the UK at a later date, you will need to be able to pass at least a CEFR level A2 to show continuing improvement in line with the time that you have been in the country.
Academic qualifications: you will also meet the English language requirements if you have a degree or other academic qualification which was taught in English.
Exemption: you will not need to meet the English language requirements if you are exempt, including if:
You are over 65 years of age
You have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement
You come from any of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA
Accommodation requirements
Applicants must show they have suitable accommodation in the UK and that it:
• Is owned or occupied exclusively by the applicant and their family members
• Has sufficient living space
• Meets any public health requirements
• You can check our Spouse Visa accommodation requirement page for more information
UK spouse visa required documents checklist
You will need to provide several documents with your visa application, these may include:
• Completed application form and application fee
• Valid passport
• Previous passports
• Evidence of your genuine and subsisting relationship (e.g. shared bills, photographs, correspondence, messages).
• Proof you meet the English language requirements (e.g. CEFR exam certificate).
• Two passport-sized color photos that are in line with the requirements set by the UK.
• Proof you meet the financial requirements (e.g. bank statements, savings statements, wage slips)
• Details of any previous immigration applications, if any
• Details of any criminal convictions
• Your national insurance number (if you have one)
• Proof of accommodation in the UK
• Biometric information (fingerprints and a digital photograph).
Tuberculosis test results if from a country where you have to take the test
To ensure you receive a positive decision on your partner and spouse visa application, you must provide all of the evidence and documentation required by UKVI. Failure to provide all items in the correct format (and properly translated where necessary) may lead to refusal or delay of your visa.
Given the complexity of the partner and spouse visa documentation requirements, we recommend seeking legal advice from a family immigration Solicitor before submitting your application. Our team will ensure that all evidence necessary for your application is provided to UKVI and any errors or omissions are corrected. Call us on 020 3744 2797 for advice on your partner/spouse visa.
How to apply for a UK spouse visa
The application process for a UK partner and spouse visa is completed online (on the Home Office website). The application steps are as follows:
• Check your eligibility for a partner and spouse visa
• Prepare the documents you will need to prove your eligibility
• Complete the online application form
• Pay the application fee (see below)
• Upload any documents required to support your application
• Arrange a biometric appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken
• Attend an interview if invited
UK spouse visa fee/cost
The UK spouse visa application fee is £1,048 if your application is made inside the UK and £1,846 if your application is made outside the UK. Other costs include an Immigration Healthcare Surcharge £624 for each year and a biometric fee £19.20. The super priority service charge is £1,000 if you want to get a decision by the end of the next working day.
Processing time for spouse visa UK from Pakistan
After the initial period of 2 years and 9 months, it is possible to further extend a partner and spouse visa for a further 2 years and 6 months. You must be in the same eligible relationship with your UK based partner, and you must apply before your current visa expires.
Spouse visa to ILR
Once you have resided in the UK for 5 years on your partner and spouse visa, you will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This will mean you can remain permanently in the UK and will no longer be subject to immigration control. To gain ILR, you will need to:
• Have lived in the UK for 5 years on a family visa as a partner
• Have lived with your partner since you last renewed your visa
• Be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner
• Intend to continue your relationship after you apply for ILR
• Meet the English language and Life in the UK requirements
• Prove you have suitable accommodation
• Continue to meet the financial requirements
Spouse visa refused
There are several grounds on which an application for a spouse/partner visa may be refused, including if:
The Secretary of State determines that the exclusion of an applicant from the UK is conducive to the public good
The applicant is subject to a deportation order as of the date of application
The exclusion of the applicant from the UK has been deemed conductive to the public good as a result of the applicant’s conduct, character, or association
Without a reasonable excuse, the applicant failed to show up for a compulsory interview, provide specified information, undergo a medical examination, or report when required to do so. It is immaterial whether the misrepresentation is intentional or known to the applicant or not
• It is undesirable to grant entry clearance for medical reasons
• The mandatory IHS surcharge, alongside other compulsory charges, have not been paid or have failed
• You have not provided sufficient evidence of maintenance and accommodation