British partner visa: apply, extend or switch

• British partner visa
• Fees and processing times
• British partner visa FAQs

British partner visa

The British partner visa, also known as the spouse visa or marriage visa, allows non-UK citizens to join their British or settled partner in the UK. This visa category requires both partners to be over 18 years old and to intend to live together permanently in the UK. The partner in the UK must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status, pre-settled status, or have specific types of visas such as the Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa.

• Eligibility for the british partner visa
• Financial and relationship requirements
• Spouse visa application process
• Supporting documents for british partner visa

Eligibility for the british partner visa

To qualify for a British partner visa, you must prove that you are either married, in a civil partnership, or have been in a relationship for at least two years. Alternatively, if you are a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, you need to show that you plan to marry or enter into a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK. Additionally, applicants must meet financial requirements and have a good knowledge of English.

Apply as a partner visa or spouse visa

Financial and relationship requirements

For the British partner visa, you need to demonstrate that you and your partner have a combined income of at least £18,600, unless you are exempt due to benefits such as Disability Living Allowance. If you were on the five-year partner route before the new income threshold of £29,000 was introduced on 11 April 2024, you will continue to be assessed against the previous threshold. You must also provide evidence of your ongoing and genuine relationship, such as joint financial responsibilities or cohabitation.

Spouse visa application process

The application for a British partner visa can be submitted online from within or outside the UK. You need to prepare a comprehensive set of documents to support your application, including proof of your relationship, financial status, and English language proficiency. If you are applying as a fiancé or fiancée, you must provide evidence of your planned marriage or civil partnership within six months.

Supporting documents for british partner visa

To ensure a successful application, you must provide various documents such as a valid passport, proof of your relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, joint bills), proof of your partner’s UK status, and evidence of meeting the financial and English language requirements. These documents can be uploaded online or submitted during your biometric appointment at UKVCAS.

Fees and processing times

The application fee for a British partner visa is £1,048 if you apply from within the UK and £1,846 if you apply from outside the UK. Additional costs include the healthcare surcharge. The processing time typically takes up to 8 weeks if you apply from within the UK and up to 24 weeks if you apply from outside the UK. There are options to expedite the decision by paying extra for priority services.

• Fees for the british partner visa
• Healthcare surcharge
• Priority services
• Fee waiver
• Summary of costs

Fees for the british partner visa

When applying for a British partner visa, several fees need to be considered. These include the visa application fee, the healthcare surcharge, and any additional costs for priority services. Below is a detailed breakdown of these fees:

Visa Application Fee

• Applying from outside the UK: £1,846
• Applying from inside the UK: £1,048

Summary of costs

• Application Fee – £1,846 (outside the UK) or £1,048 (inside the UK)
• Healthcare Surcharge – Varies based on the duration of stay
• Super Priority Service – £1,000 (optional)

It’s important to budget for these costs and ensure you have sufficient funds available before starting your application. Additionally, notify your bank about the large payments to prevent any issues with transactions being declined.

British partner visa FAQs