UK Spouse Visa Requirements 2024 | How To Apply Successfully

Detailed UK spouse visa guide for 2024 ➡️ www.migrate.org.uk/spouse-vis...
This video is a comprehensive guide about the UK spouse visa requirements in 2024.
This video will be relevant for both out-of-country and in-country applications - including spouse visa extensions.
Note: Since the release of this video, the UK government have increased the minimum income threshold for some applications to £29,000. We discuss this here: • UK Spouse Visa Financi...
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Timestamps:
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00:00 Introduction
00:17 What is a UK spouse visa?
01:18 Applying from outside or inside the UK?
03:22 Spouse visa UK relationship requirements
10:41 Spouse visa UK English language requirement
18:04 Tuberculosis (TB) requirement
21:54 Adequate accommodation requirement
25:01 Spouse visa UK financial requirement in 2024
27:49 Minimum income threshold
33:27 Category A employment income
45:26 Category B employment income
51:19 Specified limited company income
1:00:42 Other non-employment income
1:03:00 Cash savings
1:10:39 Pension income
1:12:24 Self-employment income
1:18:10 Income that cannot be included
1:20:40 Suitability requirements
#ukspousevisa
#ukimmigration
#ukvisa
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➡️ / @migrateorguk
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Why can I trust this video?
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We are an OISC-regulated UK immigration law firm that specialises in UK spouse visas.
Not only do we have more than 770 5* reviews, but we are also unique in that many of our immigration advisors have worked for the Home Office - the UK government department that will process your spouse visa application.
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A note about the financial requirement
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The UK spouse visa financial requirement is the most common cause for UK spouse visa refusals.
We have numerous articles which discuss the various sources of income, as well as a comprehensive financial requirement overview - for both out-of-country and in-country applications - on our website, www.migrate.org.uk.
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Useful links
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Comprehensive UK spouse visa guide for 2024 ➡️ www.migrate.org.uk/spouse-vis...
UK spouse visa financial requirements guide ➡️ www.migrate.org.uk/spouse-vis...
UK spouse visa processing time guide ➡️ www.migrate.org.uk/spouse-vis...
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Our full legal representation service
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Our full legal representation service is for partners who want to ensure that they put the best application forward possible in the least time-consuming and least stressful way possible.
This is our bespoke service designed around your requirements and circumstances and will involve us handling your UK spouse visa application from start to finish.
More information about this service ➡️ www.migrate.org.uk/full-repre...
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Our DIY Application Pack Service
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Our DIY Application Pack Service is for partners who want to apply themselves but would like additional guidance to save time and ensure that the UK spouse visa requirements are met.
This unique service will involve us providing you with detailed written guidance that have been tailored to the information that you provide us.
Thousands of partners have relied on this service and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive - so much so that we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
More information about this service ➡️ www.migrate.org.uk/diy-applic...
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Our reviews
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We are very proud of our reviews which can be found here: www.reviews.io/company-review...

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Updated video to reflect the change in Immigration Rules on 11 April 2024: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ2klotpetBnrKM

[@james_s60]

Excellent video - clear, concise, informative. Thank you!

[@Dantebigz]

Nicely put together, this vidoe is great

[@bistonic]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It is invaluable!

[@cookie_lukey1924]

this the most precise,well explained and accurate way to describe the entire process thank you

[@lazytexter]

Great video, really helpful especially with recent changes. Im going down the savings route with my stocks and shares ISA. However, unclear if im supposed to liquidate the shares or can i show that the investment value has been over the £62.5k requirement for at least the past 6 months?

[@tosinaderemi6472]

Best Video ever seen online on spouse visa requirements. Well detailed

[@mrmcconko4985]

Great viedo thank you!! A quick question about the english test do I need to apply with the certificate? Or can I apply with the email certifcate with the number they provide I read on the gov website that its no necasary to submit an actaul hard paper copy? Any help would be much appreciated❤

[@omersidahmed677]

Really I like the video because it full of informations which help for the spouse visa application

[@michaeladams571]

I have a question please about the financial section? I have just completed the online application for UK spouse visa and at no point did is ask what "Category" we were , nothing about A,B or anything else . does the home office categorise you? or are the catogories a devise you use for us to understand how we calculate it?

[@susanowens1028]

My Fiance and I have been watching to see if the financial requirements will be raised once our Fiance visa is granted. We should have our answer by third werk January 2024. Then we plan to marry by March 15, 2024 and submit the first Spouse visa request from inside the UK by the end of March 2024. Very helpful to know we should be grandfathered in under the 18,600 financial requirements as we are both early 60's and will be retired or about to retire by the time we submit the ILR application. Thank you for providing all this relevant information after the chaos caused from the December 4, 2023 announcement. I tried to advise others undergoing the process to please everyone remain calm but that was hard to do!

[@nm2083]

Thank you a lot for this video it is very helpful. I read somewhere that the ihs fee is going to increase in January 31 instead of January 16th, is it true?

[@planetearth3799]

Great information thanks a million 🎉❤

[@AhmedRaza-lf5nt]

@MigrateOrgUK Could you please help us out if we still require to submit Appendix 2 form if making an out of country application or is it not needed anymore? Thanks thanks so much

[@hamidhusseini2446]

thank you

[@zibasworld5260]

Can you use payslips from 2 different jobs for the last 6 months as I changed job?

[@Real-fussball]

I love these videos you upload, really informative and well structured.

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @Real-fussball, Thank you for your lovely comment. I am glad that you find the videos helpful! Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@AhmedRaza-lf5nt]

@MigrateOrgUK Could you please help us out if we still require to submit Appendix 2 form if making an out of country application or is it not needed anymore? Thanks thanks so much

[@eddierips]

​@@AhmedRaza-lf5nt I ve read is obsolete now, cause when you apply online you already fill all those pages

[@qrc314]

Hello, my fiancée sat the IELTS academic test at a Home Office approved test centre. She has the UKVI number as you have mentioned in her certificate. She sat this exam as she intends to continue her education in the UK. I have been advised that the Home Office will not accept this certificate as she is required to sit the Life Skills exam. Will her academic IELTS test be sufficient?

[@eddierips]

@MigrateOrgUk also, thanks so much but another thing, what happens if the person was on sabbatical for 3 months, and those are part of the application, and didnt get salary, would that ruin everything regarding the financial requirement?

[@dbvnyc]

For spouse visas. Did they (UKVI) not recently amend the living together piece in the rules? if so, update this video.

[@shakeelaiqbal5508]

Hi di you think the 29000 will be reviewed in the future tk bring it diwn to a more realistic amount like 22000 to 24000

[@enoruevbuomwan6540]

Thank you so much having trashed most of the allaying fears regarding spousal visa applications. My question those applying on entirely though savings would they still sit the English proficiency test? Hoping to hear you touch on that aspect in your next video.

[@HairByJamesAnnabel]

Does this also cover people who intend to bring their spouse on an Ancestry Visa ?

[@femimuda7914]

Hi, quite informative video l am in the process of applying for a spouse visa for my spouse and would like to know if I need to add a sponsor invitation letter or is it optional?

[@JusSomeGuy0]

We have been recently refused a visa under category A for having more then 1 employer in the 12 months prior to the application. I can't find anywhere that confirms this is a rule but yet it happened to us. Do you have any clue where i could find such information? Great video!

[@alansimon1075]

Can you create a video on UK visitors' entry requirements?

[@annadarcy6641]

Hello! Thank you so much for all of this helpful information! Will you be making a video about if the sponsor is not in the country? I'm from the United States but have recently received my Irish citizenship through decent and my partner and I are hoping to move to the UK. Currently, my income meets the financial requirement, but I'm still working for a US-based company. I wasn't sure if my income could still count since I would be hoping to obtain new employment in the UK after we arrived. We were hoping to secure his visa before we arrived in the UK so he could start working right away. Thanks for your help! xx

[@yvansiewe5246]

if you overstayed a tourist visa and it has been about 6 months since you left UK and are applying for a spouse UK visa from the USA , will the fact that you overstayed affect your spouse visa application application ?

[@user-eg5pz9me2h]

Does civil partnership in Greece that is recognized legally in Greece recognized as well in UK ??

[@user-gv1uc9ls9h]

Thanks for the informative video, We have a 1 year fixed bond from a nationwide bank, it can't count in cash savings?? Pls help with this!

[@aman113]

Could you advise me if an out of country application requires a housing report to be submitted as currently joint family is living in the premises.

[@emakimberly6541]

Sorry if I missed this, is the spousal income a combination of the person applying for the spousal visa and the spouse or just the person apply or just the spouse ?? Please I will appreciate a response

[@ayushjain5335]

what if the applicants spouse who is a british citizen is working as a consultant to many companies in UK and paying taxes in UK. However she gets payments in a staggered way, not weekly or monthly but by project. Which category will she be in and also can the applicant combine his cash savings with her income.

[@graham3709]

I applied for a spouse visa but I wrote the IELTS General training and had 6.5: overall, 6.5 in listening and 7.5 in speaking, is there anyway the home office could consider my application.

[@gachacaspa]

If using cash savings combined with employment can it be from more than one job?

[@LikeNoman]

hi if i apply on the basis of Cat.B annual income and i lose job after one month of application will the visa get refusal?

[@dwayne5864]

Good day, can you please let me know if a sponsor outside of the UK can be employed by the applicant outside of the UK? (family business) Thank you.

[@Lambyyy]

Where does it say for Category B that at least one payslip is required for current employment? The rules state: "This must be evidenced by the latest payslip or the signed contract of employment (if a payslip does not provide this information)." Most companies payslips are not going to give evidence of the gross annual income, therefore a signed contract of employment is solely required to prove this part.

[@milyas5078]

Hi, thanks for the detailed info. If you wish to apply for spouse visa on savings alone what is the amount? Does the previous amount of £62500 still apply or is this subject to change?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @milyas5078, The first step is to identify the minimum income threshold that will apply to your application. We discuss this at 27:49. If you apply before the change in Spring 2024, the starting point is that the minimum income threshold will remain at £18,600. Therefore, £62,500 cash savings will be required to satisfy the financial requirement alone - assuming that a permitted benefit is not received and assuming that there are no dependant children applying. £88,500 cash savings will be required to satisfy the financial requirement alone if the relevant minimum income threshold is £29,000. £112,750 cash savings will be required to satisfy the financial requirement alone if the relevant minimum income threshold is £38,700. I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@milyas5078]

So the figure will be £112,750 at some point further down the line, that really changes things. Thanks again for the info

[@aashikachakrabarti1995]

Hi thanks so much for this super informative video.Do i need to show my income or my sponsor's/spouse's income?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @aashikachakrabarti1995, You are, of course, most welcome! Where one source of income satisfies the financial requirement alone, it is not necessary to evidence or rely on other sources of income. Therefore, if you or your spouse satisfies the financial requirement via a permitted source of income, it is not necessary to rely on any other sources of income. Please note I used the words "permitted source of income". I don't know your circumstances but if you're the applicant for an out-of-country spouse visa application, you cannot include your employment or self-employment income towards the financial requirement. I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@iandykes5411]

Sorry forgot to mention we got married in the UK last year if that helps at all?

[@conchoprimo]

Are incentives considered part of the salary?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @TheDataDJ, Home Office caseworkers tend to treat incentives the same way as bonuses - they can be included as employment income. I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@user-gv1uc9ls9h]

Hello, thanks for your video, one doubt regarding that, my partner is living with me in UK, is it mandatory to submit accommodation documents, but we can also give joint bank statements, driving licence, marriage certificate(address included) as a proof is accepted ?

[@keithnaylor9700]

Hello.My wife will be applying for ILR in may 2024 can you tell me what cash savings will be required

[@lailaelmouden9077]

Hello. My husband get Industrial injuries disablement benefit. But this money not enough to meet the adequate maintenance. We want use marriage gift and save it for six month before we can apply than we included to his benefit to meet the financial requirement. My question to you please are we still have to divided by 143 weeks because I am oustide UK ? And what about the benefit what he get we will divided by 130 weeks or the same as marriage gift? And if my husband get job soon we will can apply only with one payslips plus his industrial injuries disablement benefit. Please answer me (my husband now in law rather of limit capacity to work)

[@rtm1619]

What happens if you earn far above the 18.6k, 29k threshold but you have a loan for 12 months bringing your actual net salary down below this? Would it get refused?

[@Akaypot]

Hello, can I use a mix of salaried and nonsalaried income? I am currently in a salaried income for over £19k for past two months, and last 10 months prior to this I was non salaried through an umbrella company and earned a day rate which put me well over £19k. Would this be okay for category b?

[@melanieserman3446]

Hello, i just want to ask . Regarding fiance visa, if i applying fiance visa in hongkong if my fiance visa approve in hongkong can i going home in the Philippines and fly to UK ?

[@LikeNoman]

First of all Very helpful Video. My first question is do i need to attach all 12 months payslips for category b and can i apply straight away when i receive my last payslip?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @LikeNoman, Category B does not necessarily require payslips covering the 12 months prior to submitting the application. As we discuss in the video, the financial requirement can technically be met relying on only 1 payslip if that payslip satisfies the financial requirement. I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@AhsanMukhtar]

what are timelines for processing on Spouse settlement applications after biometric?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @AhsanMukhtar, In short, the standard processing time for out-of-country partner visa applications is 2-3 months on average and 6-8 weeks for in-country applications. The above timeframes normally start when the applicant attends the biometrics appointment. The processing time can be reduced if you opt for the priority or super-priority service. We have a video that discusses the processing time on our KZbin channel. Although it was filmed last year, it is still applicable. We also keep our processing time articles on our website, www.Migrate.org.uk, up-to-date. I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@AhmedRaza-lf5nt]

@MigrateOrgUK Could you please help us out if we still require to submit Appendix 2 form if making an out of country application or is it not needed anymore? Thanks thanks so much

[@Pratheek722]

Question : minimum income threshold £29000 should be met by both the partners annual income ? or specifially one who sponsor ( husband or wife) to the dependent should have annual earnings > £29000 ?

[@MstJuggernaut]

How much do they cost in total?

[@josephjay1622]

We have both pictures of each other over 2years but we don’t have social media cause we post don’t post on there,we are married already,do you think that’s a problem ,please respond

[@sakeenael8578]

My husband is applying for a spouse visa which requires 6 months payslips and bank statements. I have Already Paid for health charge on 6th January. I have not paid for the visa application fees because my husbands last payslip is due on 31st a January, Is it ok to make payment for the spouse visa before my husband gets his last payslip or do I have to Wait until I get the last payslip?

[@Natenay5Jak-hk6cy]

Hello, so how long does it take now to process a family visa without paying the priority service?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @Natenay5Jak-hk6cy, 2-3 months on average for out-of-country applications. 6-8 weeks on average for in-country applications. We discuss this further here: www.migrate.org.uk/spouse-visa-uk-processing-time/ I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@Ksanata23]

Sorry for disturbing, would you mind if I ask does it make sense to pay for super priority service? Does it work now? @@MigrateOrgUk

[@Ladderswarehouse]

My Qyestion is... what is your success rate for getting a spouse visa.

[@SAVANNAH768]

Can I submit my pre maternity payslip (which is over 40k a year ) in the last 12month before applying ?

[@tarunrakhasiya4809]

Hello my wife is already in uk as a student visa September 23 Now I apply for Dependent visa I am eligible or not ?

[@tosinaderemi6472]

If a spouse has a 10 years valid visit visa and submitted a spouse visa application. Can the spouse visit the UK with the valid visit visa while awaiting decision from home office?

[@rochellequan]

How am I meant to prove that I've stayed with my partner for 2 years in total on multiple visitor visas if I cant use plane tickets as evidence of when we visited each other or when we went abroad on vacations to different countries? Will pictures count? Will the home office acknowledge pics that say "this is us here" "this is us there"?

[@TehCacti]

To confirm, my partner is already in the UK on a spouse visa since 2022 and we are set to extend in May 2025. So our financial requirement is £18600?

[@slowmarchingband1]

Same situation for us. No increase in the requirements for those already on the 5 year route, thankfully. I took a screenshot from gov dot UK but can't post it here.

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @TehCacti, That is correct. The "Net migration measures - further detail" webpage posted on the Gov.uk website on 21 December 2023 states: "Those who already have a family visa within the five-year partner route, or who apply before the minimum income threshold is raised, will continue to have their applications assessed against the current income requirement and will not be required to meet the increased threshold. This will also be the case for children seeking to join or accompany parents." Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@thedjnute]

Does Universal Credit count as a benefit?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @thedjnute, Whilst Universal Credit is a benefit, it is not one of the "permitted benefits" we referenced in this video when discussing whether the minimum income threshold or adequate maintenance test will apply. The "permitted benefits" which result in the adequate maintenance test applying are as follows: -Carer’s Allowance; -Disability Living Allowance; -Severe Disablement Allowance; -Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit; -Attendance Allowance; -Personal Independence Payment; -Armed Forces Independence Payment; -Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme; -Constant Attendance Allowance; -Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme; -a Police Injury Pension. If the adequate maintenance test applies, however, universal credit can normally be included towards the financial requirement. I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@LikeNoman]

so what i understood is that (A1) is fine for Spouse Visa?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @LikeNoman, A1 is the minimum level for the first partner visa. A2 is the minimum level for the first partner visa extension after at least 30 months in the UK. I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@Zainn93]

I recently moved back to the UK after 10 years abroad. Can I apply for a spouse visa for my wife within 6 months of residing and working in the UK, considering I meet financial and employment requirements?

[@jochardmanaloto1910]

I have a question Pls. I have my residence permit leave to remain can i apply for husband in Uk? Thank you

[@slowmarchingband1]

Hi, thanks for another excellent video. I hope you might see this and answer if you can. I'm self employed. My wife (the applicant for spouse visa extension) is employed by me. All through proper channels, going rate, PAYE etc) I know I cannot combine my income with our savings to meet the financial requirements, but can my wife's income be added? We are intending to use savings only, but may need a 'safety net' if we fall short of £62500.

[@ifeanyiojeah1028]

My salary is about 56k per year but i do not have saving . Is it okay

[@stacyliddell5038]

Did I miss the section on fees?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @stacyliddell5038, This video discusses the UK spouse visa requirements. We do, however, have an article which discusses the UK spouse visa fees in 2024 here: www.migrate.org.uk/spouse-visa-uk-fees-2019/ I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@mudassarmushtaq4579]

Hi, how are you , your youtube video helped us a lot in filling a family visa application , pls help us Consent form for the Home Office to verify application Part 1 - signed by the applicant Part 2 - signed by the partner who is sponsor because both have joint bill Part 3 - can I leave blank, this is when a third party is financially supporting an application, but third party support is not allowed for a family visa so this part is not relevant Is all this correct Thanks Kind regards

[@abdsyria7137]

I have met with my partner in Turkey, we couldn’t make any marriage certificate , as we are Syrian and we couldn’t meet their conditions What can we do instead the marriage certificate Many thanks

[@iandykes5411]

I will have £25,500 salary plus commsion upto ote of £30,000 salary from the 22nd April and £20,000 savings but soon the savings could go up to £80,000 due to sale of a house, can you offer any adivce, my wife can visit the UK without a visa but only for six months can we apply within the UK and can I combine both savings and salary,

[@doctor_phsyco1165]

Hi, I am employed full time. I need to apply for a spouse visa extension for my partner. She doesnt work, i work fill time, however i have a srt up a limited company which hasnt made any money. Can i just show my main job income?

[@MigrateOrgUk]

Hi @doctor_phsyco1165, Where one source of income satisfies the financial requirement alone (e.g., your employment income from your full-time job), you do not need to evidence or rely on other sources of income. Therefore, if the income from your full time job satisfies the financial requirement, the limited company you set up is irrelevant to the application. The fact that your partner does not work is not necessarily problematic. I hope the above helps. Kind regards, The Migrate.org.uk team.

[@oanaloredana1]

with the approval of the home office, I will be able to marry in the UK with my fiance, he having setteld. I would like to know how to apply for my status and if I have to apply from my country or considering that we are getting married here, can I apply from the UK?

[@oanaloredana1]

@@slowmarchingband1 I am not here wirh visa. I just came for 7 month an I waited for the home office interviu.our mariage will take place în UK net week. I am asking if I will take my husband status if I apply

[@slowmarchingband1]

Sorry, I mis-read your post. I didn't know it was possible to marry here without a visa.

[@oanaloredana1]

@@slowmarchingband1 we was under investigation from home office, gave them all the documents they asked , then we went the interview .after that , they allowed us to marry here.

[@ckotsaridis]

I AM FROM GREECE AND MY WIFE IS BRITISH CITIZEN. IN THE LAST 1 YEAR SHE RECIEVED THE UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND I WORK IN GREECE AS SEASON JOB. I HAVE SAVINGS IN MY BANK ACCOUNT 17152,51£. I CAN APPLY AS SPOUSE VISA WITH ONLY SAVINGS MONEY ? THANK YOU SO MUCH I WAIT EVERY HELP. I AM SO STRUGGLING KING REGARDS

[@AhmedRaza-lf5nt]

@MigrateOrgUK Could you please help us out if we still require to submit Appendix 2 form if making an out of country application or is it not needed anymore? Thanks thanks so much