UK Family Immigration FAQ
Clear answers about UK spouse visas, partner visas, indefinite leave to remain, and the financial requirement. This FAQ aggregates the most common decision points from our family-route articles.
This FAQ is for partners and family members applying for UK spouse or partner visas, extending their stay, or working toward indefinite leave to remain. The questions below reflect the most common uncertainties we see from family-route applicants in UKVI forums and from our own document review clients. Each answer is grounded in the Immigration Rules (Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE), Home Office caseworker guidance, and current UKVI policy as of mid-2026.
The spouse visa financial requirement has changed significantly in recent years, increasing from £18,600 to £29,000, and further adjustments remain possible. The rules around combining income sources, acceptable evidence periods, and the 5-year versus 10-year route to settlement are frequent sources of confusion and refusal. The answers below reflect the current published rules and thresholds as of July 2026. You should verify the exact figures on GOV.UK before filing, as the minimum income requirement may change again.
The question list below serves as a table of contents for the topics covered here. For a deeper treatment of any subject, the linked articles at the end of this page cover step-by-step guidance, document checklists, and the specific Home Office policy references that apply to each application stage.
How to use this FAQ
- Confirm the current spouse/partner minimum income and evidence rules on GOV.UK before you budget — thresholds change.
- Deep dives live on the financial-requirement and checklist pages linked below; this FAQ is orientation only.
- Campus journey logistics for UK universities live on uk.yousafeconsultancy.com; procedure stays on this legal host (editorial-only until a named solicitor review program is live).
Reviewer programs for UK matters are under development; until those programs launch, UK content is editorial-only.
What is the financial requirement for a UK spouse or partner visa in 2026?
The sponsor must show a gross annual income of at least £29,000, or equivalent cash savings using the formula £16,000 + 2.5 × (shortfall). The threshold is the same for initial applications, extensions, and ILR, though the evidence period differs. Income can come from employment (Category A or B), self-employment, property rental, pensions, or certain disability benefits under the "adequate maintenance" exception. Bank statements must end no more than 28 days before the application date. If the sponsor changed jobs recently, Category B may be required. Verify the exact figure on GOV.UK before filing, as the minimum income requirement has changed in recent years and further changes are possible.
Can I combine income from multiple sources to meet the spouse visa threshold?
Yes, but only within specific combinations permitted by Appendix FM-SE. You can combine employment income with cash savings, or non-employment income (rental, dividends) with cash savings. You generally cannot mix Category A employment with Category B employment in the same application. Self-employment income is assessed over a full financial year and cannot be averaged with salaried income in the same category. If you are close to the threshold, it is usually safer to rely on cash savings held for 6 months rather than trying to combine marginal income streams, because mixed-category calculations are a common reason for refusal.
How long do I need to live in the UK before applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR)?
Most applicants on the 5-year partner route apply for ILR after completing 5 years on a spouse or partner visa. You must apply within 28 days of completing the 5-year qualifying period; earlier applications are refused. The 10-year route is available for those who do not meet the 5-year requirements or who have spent time on other visas that count toward the longer period. Time on a fiancé(e) visa generally does not count toward the 5 years. Absences from the UK are assessed on a rolling 12-month basis; a single absence of more than 180 days requires explanation, and cumulative absences above 540 days are heavily scrutinised.
What documents best prove a genuine relationship for a spouse visa application?
UKVI looks for evidence of cohabitation, financial interdependence, and communication over time — not just wedding photographs. Strong evidence includes: joint bank statements or utility bills, a tenancy agreement or mortgage in both names, life insurance or wills naming each other, travel bookings together, and dated photographs with locations spanning the relationship. If you have lived apart for periods, explain why (work, study, visa delays) with supporting documents. A common mistake is submitting only wedding photos and love letters; these help but do not replace documentary proof of a shared life.
Can I apply for ILR before completing 5 years on a spouse visa?
No. You must complete the full qualifying period before applying, and you should submit within the 28-day window before your 5-year anniversary. Applying even one day early results in a refused application and loss of the fee. The only exceptions are the bereaved partner concession (if your sponsor died during the qualifying period) and certain cases of domestic abuse or human rights claims. If you are unsure whether your absences or prior visa history affect qualifying time, verify your dates against your passport stamps and biometric residence permits before booking the Life in the UK test or English exam.
What is the difference between the 5-year and 10-year routes to settlement?
The 5-year route is the standard partner route for those who meet all requirements from the start: relationship, financial threshold, accommodation, and English language. The 10-year route is for applicants who cannot meet one or more of those requirements at every stage, or who have built qualifying residence through a mix of visas (for example, time as a student, worker, or parent). The 10-year route costs more in fees and takes longer, but it can be the only viable path for some applicants. You cannot simply choose the 10-year route for convenience; it applies based on your specific visa history and circumstances.
Where do I verify the current spouse visa financial requirement?
On GOV.UK Appendix FM / family visa money guidance and the live caseworker guidance for the route you are using. FAQ answers here are orientation only — thresholds and acceptable evidence categories change. Cross-check the figure on GOV.UK the week you file, then use the spouse visa financial-requirement deep dive on this site for document packaging strategy.
What English language requirement applies to spouse visa applicants?
Applicants must pass an approved English language test at CEFR level A1 (speaking and listening) for the initial spouse visa application, rising to A2 for further leave to remain after 2.5 years, and B1 for ILR. Tests must be from a provider on the current Home Office approved list. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries and applicants with a degree taught or researched in English are exempt — but the exemption must be evidenced, typically through a NARIC statement of comparability or the degree certificate itself. The Life in the UK Test is a separate requirement for ILR and does not substitute for the English language requirement.
Can a refused spouse visa be appealed or should I reapply?
Since the Immigration Act 2014, most spouse visa refusals do not carry a full right of appeal. You may apply for an administrative review within 14 days if you believe there was a caseworking error, but the scope is narrow — the reviewer only checks whether the original decision-maker made a procedural mistake on the facts you provided, not whether the decision was fair. A judicial review is possible but costly and slow. In most cases, the fastest path is to address the refusal reasons with stronger evidence and reapply. Common correctable issues include: bank statements older than 28 days, missing Category B evidence, insufficient cohabitation proof, or a sponsor's employment letter that omits required details like salary, start date, or job title.
Official sources
Verify fees, forms, and eligibility on first-party government sites. FAQ answers are educational and not a substitute for a DSO, solicitor, or licensed adviser.
Procedural deep-dives
For statutes, checklists, and filing strategy, use these legal owners.
- UK immigration library
Spouse, ILR, and settlement deep dives.
- UK spouse visa document checklist 2026
Evidence standards for partner applications.
Worked example: spouse visa with Category A employment
James, a British citizen employed as a secondary school teacher in Manchester for 4 years, earns £32,000 per year. His wife Amina is applying from outside the UK. James's evidence package includes: 6 months of payslips showing consistent monthly salary of £2,667 gross, corresponding bank statements showing the salary deposits, a letter from his school's HR department confirming his job title, start date, permanent contract, and annual salary, and his most recent P60. He also included a tenancy agreement for their two-bedroom flat (in his name only, with a letter confirming Amina can live there), their marriage certificate, WhatsApp messages and call logs from their two-year relationship, photographs from their wedding and two holidays, and Amina's A1 English test certificate from an approved provider. The application was submitted using Category A (salaried employment for 6+ months with the same employer). Processing took 10 weeks.
Where to go next
The articles linked below each give the full story on one FAQ topic, with Home Office policy references, checklists, and step-by-step guidance for the UK family route.
Need help with a spouse visa or ILR application?
Our flat-fee document checklist review checks financial evidence, relationship proof, and form consistency before you file.