Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years

• Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years: an overview
• Spouse visa extension requirements 2024
• Partner visa extension documents checklist
• Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years fees
• Processing time for marriage visa extension
• Partner visa extension refusal
• Next steps if your spouse visa renewal is refused

Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years: an overview

• British partner visa extension process
• New financial requirements for partner visa extensions
• Duration of spouse visa extension after 2.5 years

Spouse visa extension process

If you have lived in the UK on a spouse visa for a certain period of time (usually 2.5 years) and your visa is about to expire, you can apply to have your partner visa extended for another 2.5 years. It is important to know that applicants must apply for a spouse visa extension before their current visa expires. The earliest british partner visa extension application can be submitted is 28 days before the expiry date of the current visa. It is also important not to wait until the spouse visa expires as this may result in being classed as an overstayer.

Apply as a partner visa or spouse visa

New financial requirements for partner visa extensions

The income requirement for the spouse visa increased to £29,000 on 11 April 2024. However, if you were already on the five-year partner route or applied for a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner before this change, you will continue to be assessed against the previous £18,600 threshold. This means if you are already on a partner visa before the new rule’s implementation, you won’t need to meet the higher income criterion for a partner visa extension.

Duration of spouse visa extension after 2.5 years

A UK spouse visa extension enables those eligible to remain in the UK for a further 30 months (2.5 years). After this period, they will have spent 5 years in the UK on a spouse visa and will be eligible to apply for ILR. In this article, we explain the eligibility criteria for a marriage visa extension, the application process, and other useful information to ensure you have the best chance of making a successful application.

Marriage visa extension requirements 2024

• Relationship requirements for marriage visa extension
• Financial requirements for spouse visa extension
• English language requirement
• Good character requirement

Relationship requirements for marriage visa extension

Applicants must meet the spouse visa relationship requirements to be granted an extension, as follows:

• You must still be in the same eligible and genuine relationship (i.e., with the same person) you were in when you were granted your initial spouse visa.
• Your partner or spouse must be either a British national, a person who has settled in the UK (i.e., EU Pre-Settled or Settled Status, or Indefinite Leave to Remain), or a person who has received refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
• You must still be married or in a civil partnership with your partner or have been together in a relationship for at least 2 years.

Partner visa extension documents checklist

With your spouse visa extension application, you will be expected to submit a number of documents to support your application, including (please note this list of documents is not exhaustive as they will be based on individual circumstances):

• Proof of your identity, such as your valid passport.
• Proof of your subsisting relationship – e.g., marriage certificate, evidence of living with your partner/spouse in the last 2.5 years such as joint bills, rental agreements etc.
• Proof of your spouse’s UK status, e.g., proof of indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship.
• Provide evidence of meeting the financial requirement, such as payslips to show your savings, income or bank statements.
• Proof of your knowledge of the English Language, if applicable, e.g., a degree certificate or an English language test certificate at CEFR level A2.

Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years fees

The application fee to renew a spouse visa UK is £1,048 for each person applying. Other costs include Health Surcharge: £1,035 per person per year (£776 per year for those under 18).

Processing time for marriage visa extension

To renew a british partner visa takes up to 8 weeks to process. If you need a faster decision when extending a partner visa, you may be able to pay an extra £800 to use the super-priority service for a decision by the end of the next working day or £500 to use the priority service for a decision within 5 working days.

Partner visa extension refusal

Your spouse visa renewal can be refused for a number of reasons, including if you:

• Do not meet the English language test requirement.
• Do not meet the minimum income threshold.
• Cannot prove you are still in a genuine subsisting relationship.
• The Home Office has concerns about your character or past criminal convictions.
• Have not provided the correct information in your application.
• Have not provided all of the information required to support your application.

Next steps if your spouse visa renewal is refused

Your options in the event of refusal may include:

• Leaving the country by the deadline provided.
• Requesting an Administrative Review if you believe a mistake was made when the decision was made.
• Submitting a Spouse Visa appeal if your application was made on Human Rights grounds.
• Submitting a fresh application.
• Applying for a different type of visa.
• Requesting a Judicial Review to challenge the legal basis for the decision.

FAQ spouse visa extension after 2.5 years

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