UK Spousal (Partner) Visa - H1: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

UK Spousal (Partner) Visa – H1: Step-by-Step Guide (2025) – This guide explains everything a sponsor (British / settled person) and applicant need to know to apply for — or extend — a UK spouse/partner visa in 2025: eligibility, documents, financial tests, English requirements, fees, biometric steps, timelines, and next steps toward settlement.

Table of Contents

Quick summary (at a glance)

Minimum income (new applications from 11 April 2024 onwards): £29,000 combined.
Transitional rule (extensions if first applied before 11 April 2024): £18,600 combined.
Application fee (typical): £1,938 if applying from outside the UK; £1,321 if applying inside the UK.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year for most adult applicants (payable as part of the application).
Processing time: Usually ~12 weeks if applying from outside the UK; ~8 weeks if applying inside the UK (when meeting income/English requirements).

H2 — Step 1: Check basic eligibility

You (the applicant) can apply as a partner/spouse if:

You and your partner are 18 or over.
Your partner is either a British or Irish citizen, settled in the UK, has eligible pre-settled status, or another qualifying status.
Your relationship is genuine and subsisting, and you intend to live together permanently in the UK.
(See GOV.UK guidance for full definitions and exceptions.)

H2 — Step 2: Meet the financial requirements (how much money you need)

Minimum income threshold

New partner/spouse applications (from 11 April 2024): £29,000 combined income per year.
If your partner applied before 11 April 2024 and you’re extending: £18,600 combined per year.

Child add-ons: if applying with dependent children, extra amounts may apply (e.g. £3,800 for the first child, £2,400 per additional child in many cases) — check GOV.UK guidance.

How can you meet the threshold

Allowed income sources include (examples):

Employment income: payslips (usually 6 months), employer letter, bank statements.
Self-employment: HMRC self-assessment (SA302), business accounts, tax records.
Pension income, maternity pay, or some benefits (varies — check rules).
Cash savings (see formula below). (Specified evidence required.)

Using cash savings — exact calculation (showing arithmetic)

If you rely only on cash savings (no regular income), the Appendix FM rules use this formula:

Multiply the annual minimum income by 2.5 (the length of the initial grant in years).
Add £16,000 (the base amount of savings that don’t count towards the threshold).

Example for £29,000 threshold:

Step A: 29,000 × 2 = 58,000.
Step B: 29,000 × 0.5 = 14,500.
Step C (A + B): 58,000 + 14,500 = 72,500.
Step D: 72,500 + 16,000 = 88,500.

So: £88,500 in cash savings (held for the required period) is the typical figure if you rely solely on savings to meet a £29,000 threshold.

Notes: savings must usually be in accessible bank accounts and held for a continuous period (often 6 months) — see Appendix FM-SE for evidence rules. GOV.UK

H2 — Step 3: English language requirement

First (initial) family visa application: you must prove CEFR A1 (speaking & listening) unless you qualify for an exemption (e.g., you’re from a majority English-speaking country, or have a degree taught in English).
When extending (after 2.5 years): you will usually need at least A2 speaking & listening (or rely on previous higher-level test).

Approved SELT (Secure English Language Tests) providers are listed on GOV.UK; check accepted tests and exemptions.

H2 — Step 4: Documents & evidence checklist (practical)

Collect clear, certified (where required) originals and scanned copies. Typical required documents:

Identity & civil status

Current passport(s) for applicant and sponsor.
Full marriage / civil partnership certificate or evidence of long-term partnership (if unmarried partner: proof of 2+ years cohabitation in many cases).

Proof of sponsor’s status

Sponsor’s British passport / proof of settled status / BRP / evidence of permanent residence.

Relationship evidence (genuineness)

Photos together, travel tickets, joint bills, joint tenancy/ mortgage or utility bills, messages/emails, letters addressed to both of you. (Provide a range of sources and cover a period of time.)

Financial evidence

Employed: employer letter, payslips (usually 6 months), bank statements showing salary paid (6 months).
Self-employed: HMRC SA302s, tax returns, business bank statements, accountant’s letter.
Savings: bank statements showing amount held for required period (often 6 months).

Accommodation

Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, council tax bills, or a letter confirming accommodation capacity (no overcrowding).

Health

TB test certificate if you have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more in the last 6 months (list on GOV.UK).

Other

Criminal record certificates if requested, divorce/death certificates for previous marriages (if relevant).

Tip: prepare a short covering letter that explains the evidence set and how it meets Appendix FM categories — it helps the caseworker navigate your bundle.

H2 — Step 5: Fees, IHS & premium services — (exact figures & examples)

Application fees (2025 figures):

Apply from outside the UK (entry clearance): £1,938 (Route to Settlement fee line in Home Office table).
Apply inside the UK (leave to remain): £1,321 (typical ‘leave to remain’ fee).

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):

£1,035 per year for most adult visa applicants (students/youth rates differ). For a 3-year visa that’s £1,035 × 3 = £3,105 (example on GOV.UK).

Premium processing options (optional):

Priority service: ~£500 (to expedite decisions).
Super-priority: ~£1,000 (next working day decisions inside UK). (Fees vary by service and location; check latest Home Office fee table).

Example (approximate total cost applying from outside)

Application fee: £1,938.
IHS for ~3 years: £3,105.
Total (no priority): 1,938 + 3,105 = £5,043.
(If you add priority or translations/interpreter costs, add those on top.)

H2 — Step 6: How to apply (practical sequence)

Fill the online application form on GOV.UK for the family/partner route and pay the application fee and IHS when prompted.
Book and attend biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre / UKVCAS to provide fingerprints and photo. You’ll be told whether to upload documents online or bring them to your appointment.
If required, get a TB chest x-ray at an approved clinic and include the certificate.
Pay for priority/super-priority if you need a faster decision (optional).
Submit any additional evidence requested during the process.

H2 — Step 7: Waiting for the decision & what happens if approved

Processing standards: ~12 weeks for applications made outside the UK; ~8 weeks inside the UK (for cases that meet financial and English requirements). You can pay for expedited services where available.

If approved (applying from outside):

You will typically receive a 30-day travel vignette in your passport to enter the UK (or an eVisa notice). After arrival you must collect your BRP (or use the eVisa system) as instructed — usually within 10 days of arrival or before the vignette expires (whichever is later).

H2 — Step 8: Arrival & practical to-dos

Collect your BRP / confirm eVisa per instructions. (Failure to collect may cause problems.) UK Government Publishing
Register with a GP, open a bank account, apply for a National Insurance (NI) number when eligible, start work (if permission allows) — keep evidence of residence & work for future ILR.
Keep every payslip, tenancy agreement and bank statement — you’ll need these when you extend or apply for settlement (ILR).

H2 — Extending the visa & getting Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Initial length: If applying from outside, the grant is usually 2 years 9 months (33 months); if applying/switching inside the UK, leave usually granted for 30 months. (You then apply to extend before this expires.) GOV.UK+1
ILR (settlement): Typically available after 5 years on the partner route, subject to meeting financial, relationship, residence, English and Life in the UK test requirements (B1 for ILR).

H2 — Common pitfalls & tips

Don’t submit thin or inconsistent relationship evidence. Provide varied joint documents across dates.
If relying on savings, ensure funds are held for the required continuous period (often 6 months) and in permitted accounts.
Check TB list early — book accepted clinic if needed (some applicants must travel to a neighbouring country if no clinics exist).
Avoid third-party copycat sites charging extra — always start on GOV.UK. (Pay only official fees at application time.)
If your case is borderline (complex finances, criminal records, previous immigration history), consult an immigration adviser/solicitor.

H2 — Useful GOV.UK pages (official)

Family visas overview & apply as partner/spouse.
Financial requirement / proof of income (Appendix FM details).
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs.
Visa Fees table & premium services.
TB test guidance & country list.

H2 — FAQ (short)

Q: How long does the partner/spouse visa take?
A: Usually ~12 weeks if applying from outside and ~8 weeks if applying inside the UK (when meeting requirements). You can pay for priority services.

Q: How much income do I need?
A: £29,000 combined annually for new applications on/after 11 April 2024 (transitional £18,600 for those extending under earlier grants).

Q: Can I use savings?
A: Yes. If relying solely on cash savings you will typically need £88,500 (formula: 29,000 × 2.5 + 16,000 = 88,500).

Q: Do I need a TB test?
A: Only if you’ve lived in a listed country for 6 months or more in the last 6 months — check the GOV.UK list.

Q: How soon can I apply for settlement (ILR)?
A: Usually after 5 years on the partner route (subject to meeting other requirements such as English level and Life in the UK test).

Also:

UK Spousal (Partner) Visa – H1: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)