To get a UK spouse or partner visa, you must show a genuine relationship with a British citizen or settled person, meet the £29,000 financial requirement (or an exemption), prove your English language ability, and have adequate accommodation. The first visa lasts up to 2 years and 9 months if you apply from outside the UK, and you can usually apply to settle after five years.
Immigration law is UK-wide, so the same rules apply whether you live in Glasgow or London. The rules change frequently, so always check the current position before applying.
The relationship requirement
You must be:
- married to, or in a civil partnership with, your partner, or
- in an unmarried relationship and have lived together for at least two years, or
- a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, on a separate six-month visa.
Your partner must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status or indefinite leave to remain, or have certain other qualifying status. You must have met in person, both be 18 or over, and intend to live together permanently in the UK. The Home Office will look for evidence that the relationship is genuine and subsisting, such as photographs, communication history and evidence of living together.
The financial requirement
For most new applications, you and your partner need a combined income of at least £29,000 a year. This has applied since 11 April 2024. The previously announced increase to £38,700 has not been implemented.
- Income: usually from employment or self-employment, with specified evidence such as payslips and bank statements.
- Savings: cash savings above £16,000 can be used instead of, or to make up a shortfall in, income, but they must be held for at least six months and in a set multiple of the shortfall.
- Exemptions: if your partner receives certain disability or carer benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment or Carer's Allowance, you do not need to meet the £29,000 figure, but you must show you can maintain yourselves without additional public funds.
- Transitional rules: if you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner, the old £18,600 threshold, plus extra for children, still applies.
Important: the financial evidence rules are strict and detailed. Many refusals are caused by missing or incorrectly dated documents rather than by income that is too low. Check the evidence list carefully, or take advice.
The English language requirement
You must show English language ability at a set level, usually by passing an approved test or holding a degree taught in English, unless you are exempt, for example as a national of a majority English-speaking country. The level required rises at each stage: entry, extension and settlement. The Home Office has announced that the level for settlement applications will rise to B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027.
Accommodation
You must have adequate accommodation for your family, without overcrowding and without relying on additional public funds. Evidence might include a tenancy agreement or title deeds and, in some cases, a property inspection report.
Costs and timescales
You must pay the Home Office application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is £1,035 per year of the visa for most adults. Fees change regularly, so check the current figures on GOV.UK before applying. According to GOV.UK, decisions usually take around 12 weeks for applications from outside the UK and around 8 weeks for applications from inside the UK that meet the financial and English requirements.
How long the visa lasts and settlement
- From outside the UK, the first visa lasts up to 2 years and 9 months.
- You then extend for a further 2 years and 6 months.
- After five years on the partner route, you can usually apply for indefinite leave to remain, which also requires the Life in the UK test.
The UK Government published its response on "earned settlement" in November 2026. Partners of British citizens are expected to keep a five-year route to settlement, but detailed rules have not yet been made, so check the position when you apply.
Should you use a solicitor?
Many people apply successfully on their own, but a specialist can be invaluable where income is complicated (for example self-employment or several jobs), where there is a previous refusal or immigration history, or where you are relying on an exemption. Compare the leading immigration solicitors in Glasgow in our independent ranking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income requirement for a UK spouse visa?
Usually a combined income of £29,000 a year for new applications, which has applied since 11 April 2024. Savings and some benefits-based exemptions can help.
Can I use savings for a spouse visa?
Yes. Cash savings above £16,000, held for at least six months, can be used instead of income or to make up a shortfall, under set calculation rules.
How long does a UK spouse visa take?
Around 12 weeks for applications from outside the UK and around 8 weeks for most applications from inside the UK, according to GOV.UK.
How long is a spouse visa valid for?
Up to 2 years and 9 months from outside the UK, then a further 2 years and 6 months on extension.
When can I apply for indefinite leave to remain as a spouse?
Usually after five years on the partner route, provided you meet the requirements at that time, including English and the Life in the UK test.
Do unmarried partners qualify for a spouse visa?
Unmarried partners can apply on the partner route if they have lived together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years.
Conclusion
So, what are the requirements for a UK spouse visa? A genuine relationship, the £29,000 financial requirement or an exemption, English language ability and adequate accommodation, all backed by strict evidence. The rules are changing, so check them carefully before applying.
For help with an application, compare the leading immigration solicitors in Glasgow.