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
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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
Healthcare surcharge
The healthcare surcharge must be paid as part of your application. This surcharge gives you access to the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay.
- For adults (18 or older):
- Staying for 2 years and 6 months: £2,587.50
- Staying for 2 years and 9 months: £3,105
- Staying for 5 years: £5,175
- For children (under 18):
- Staying for 2 years and 6 months: £1,940
- Staying for 2 years and 9 months: £2,328
- Staying for 5 years: £3,880
Priority services
An additional £1,000 for a faster decision on your application. This service is available if you are applying from within the UK and cannot be used if you are applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative.
Fee waiver
If you cannot pay the application fee, you might be eligible for a fee waiver if you meet certain criteria, such as:
- You do not have a place to live and cannot afford one.
- You have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating.
- You have a very low income, and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing.
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
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Yes, you can stay in the UK with a British partner by applying for a British partner visa, provided you meet all the necessary requirements.
The processing time for a partner visa can take up to 8 weeks if applying from within the UK and up to 24 weeks if applying from outside the UK.
Yes, you can bring your unmarried partner to the UK if you can prove that you have been living together in a relationship for at least two years.
The new rule for the UK spouse visa, effective from 11 April 2024, increases the income requirement to £29,000 for new applicants. However, those already on the five-year partner route before this date will still be assessed against the previous threshold of £18,600.
For more information about citizenship processing queries or to have any questions or concerns answered by a legal professional, reach out to us today on 020 7439 3000 or contact us online.[/vc_column_text]
