UK Spouse Entry Clearance Visa Guide 2025

What is the UK Spouse Entry Clearance Visa?

The UK Spouse Entry Clearance Visa allows a non-UK partner to apply from abroad to join their British or settled partner in the UK. It is designed for genuine, long-term relationships and is the first visa in the family route towards settlement and eventual Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

This visa is strictly for partners applying from outside the UK. If your spouse is already in the UK on another visa, other switching routes may apply. Once approved, the visa is valid for 2.5 years and must later be extended before applying for settlement.

Who Can Sponsor a UK Spouse Visa?

The UK-based partner must hold one of the following immigration statuses:

• British Citizenship: The most straightforward route, with no additional permission required.

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): This grants permanent residency in the UK, allowing sponsorship of a partner.

• EU Settled Status: Granted under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualifying EU nationals.

• Refugee or Humanitarian Protection: Those granted leave in these categories may sponsor their partner.

• Limited Leave under Appendix EU or ECAA routes: Includes pre-settled status and specific Turkish businessperson/worker visas.

Other immigration statuses may not qualify. It’s important to confirm that the sponsor’s residency status meets the Home Office requirements before applying.

Proving the Relationship is Genuine

This is one of the most scrutinised parts of the application. UKVI must be satisfied that the relationship is real, ongoing, and not entered into for immigration purposes.

You must prove that:

• You are either married, in a civil partnership, or in a relationship similar to marriage and have lived together for at least 2 years.

• Your relationship is genuine and continuing.

• Any previous relationships have permanently broken down.

Types of evidence may include:

• Marriage certificate or civil partnership registration.

• Photos of the couple together across time and locations.

• Chat logs from platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, or email.

• Travel records showing visits to each other.

• Joint financial responsibilities or communication evidence.

Important: The document checklist generated at the end of the online form only reflects your answers, not the full set of documents UKVI expects. It’s critical to go beyond that.

Financial Requirements

To qualify for a UK Spouse Entry Clearance Visa in 2025, the sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold of £29,000 per year. This is to ensure the couple can live in the UK without recourse to public funds. How this requirement is met depends on the source and type of income.

Understanding the UK spouse visa requirements around finances is vital, as this is one of the most common reasons for refusal.

Category A & B – Employment

• Category A applies to sponsors who have been employed with the same employer for 6+ months.
• Category B applies to those who have been employed for less than 6 months or changed employers recently.

In both cases, income must be:

• Regular and provable via payslips.
• Supported by bank statements and an employer’s letter.
• From the UK sponsor only (for entry clearance applications).

Self-Employment & Limited Companies

If the sponsor is self-employed or a company director/shareholder:

• You must submit your most recent HMRC tax return (SA302).
• Provide full annual business accounts and an accountant’s letter.
• Submit invoices, contracts, and personal + business bank statements.

Errors in this category are a leading cause of refusals. The rules are technical and must be followed precisely.

Cash Savings Route

If the sponsor (or couple jointly) has significant savings, these can be used to meet the financial requirement:

• Minimum savings threshold: £16,000
• To fully meet the £29,000 threshold with savings alone: £88,500
• Savings must have been held for at least 6 months and be in a regulated financial institution.

Savings can also be combined with income to make up any shortfall.

Other Income Types

UKVI also allows for income from:

• State or private pensions
• Property rental income
• Dividends and investment income
• Maintenance payments or legal settlements

Each source must be evidenced with formal documentation and bank statements. Ensure these are consistent and traceable.

When Children Are Involved

If dependent children are included in the application, the financial requirement increases:

• £3,800 for the first child
• £2,400 for each additional child

This must be factored into your income calculations before submitting the application.

Accommodation Standards, Application Fees & NHS/IHS Surcharge

Accommodation

You must prove that the couple (and any children) will have suitable housing in the UK. This means:

• No overcrowding, as per the Housing Act 1985 standards

• The property must be safe, habitable, and not in breach of public health laws

Accepted evidence:

• Tenancy agreement or property ownership documents

• Landlord permission letter

• Property inspection reports (if needed)

Visa Application Fee

As of May 2025, the UK spouse visa fee is:

• £1,938 per applicant (this includes adult and child dependants)

Many applicants also search for the UK spouse visa cost, which includes the application fee plus the NHS surcharge, explained below.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

This fee grants access to the UK’s NHS:

• £1,035 per year for adults

• Paid upfront for 2.5 years = £2,587.50 per person

The total spouse visa UK cost can therefore exceed £4,500 per applicant.

Reminder: Don’t rely solely on the online checklist for documents — especially for accommodation evidence. Missing proof can lead to delays or refusals.

5. Conclusion

Changing jobs on a Skilled Worker visa requires careful consideration of your visa status and that of your dependants.While your family members do not need to update their visas immediately upon your job change, it’s crucial to monitor their visa expiry dates and plan extensions accordingly. Staying informed and proactive ensures compliance with UK immigration regulations and the continued stability of your family’s residency status.

Processing Time & What to Expect

Standard Timeline

The Home Office aims to process most Spouse Entry Clearance applications within 24 weeks. However:

• Many are decided within 12 to 16 weeks, especially when all documents are in order.

Priority Services

• Priority or Super Priority services may be available depending on your country.

• These services are optional and come at an additional cost.

• Always check availability during your application process.

After a Decision

• If approved, you’ll receive a 30-day visa vignette in your passport.

• You must enter the UK during this window.

• Once in the UK, collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from the designated post office.

Avoiding Delays

Delays are often caused by:

• Uploading incorrect or unclear documents

• Missing translations

• Not following document formatting rules

To reduce risk, consider using a professional visa checking service before submission.

What Happens After the Decision?

If Approved

Congratulations – your spouse can travel to the UK!

Next steps:

• Travel within the 30-day vignette period

• Collect the BRP in the UK

• Register with a local GP

• Open a bank account

• Start gathering ongoing cohabitation evidence (needed for future extensions)

If Refused

A refusal can be stressful, but it’s not the end.

• Read the refusal letter carefully

• Determine if you have a right of appeal

• In some cases, it may be better to reapply with stronger evidence

Tip: Speak to a legal expert to assess your best next step. X Law offers full support with reapplications and appeals.

10-Year Route & Special Circumstances

In rare and complex scenarios, applicants who do not meet the financial requirement or other rules may still be granted a visa under the 10-year route, based on human rights considerations.

Example Scenario:

• A British wife returns to the UK while pregnant.

• She cannot meet the £29,000 financial requirement.

• Her husband applies from abroad, but separating them would breach their right to family life.

In such cases, the Home Office may allow the spouse to enter the UK under a 10-year partner route.

Other Alternative Routes

• Fiancé(e) visa: Allows entry for marriage within 6 months, then switch to a Spouse Visa.

• Switching routes: Some in-country applicants may switch from other visas.

• Refugee family reunion: If the sponsor is a recognised refugee, different rules may apply.

Each alternative has its own conditions — expert advice is essential.

UK Spouse Visa Document Checklist 2025

We’ve put together a full UK spouse visa document checklist based on real experience and current Home Office expectations.

Unlike the checklist generated at the end of your application, this one includes:

• All mandatory documents

• Supporting evidence for accommodation, relationship, income

• Optional extras that strengthen your application