UK Spouse Visa For Bangladeshi

Bangladeshi individuals can apply for a UK Spouse Visa to live with and join their partner in the UK if they are a British citizen or a settled person in the UK, such as someone who has ILR (indefinite leave to remain).

Applicants do not automatically obtain the right to live in the UK by marrying a British citizen; instead, they must apply for a Spouse Visa to live in the UK with their partner. Those who are eligible include those in a civil partnership, those who are married, and those who are unmarried.

For an applicant to be able to apply, they must meet a certain set of eligibility criteria as detailed by the UK Home Office. If this visa is granted to the applicant, then they will have this visa for a period of up to 2 years and 9 months.

After this, applicants can extend their stay, later obtaining ILR, which allows them to remain in the UK permanently. Once an applicant has obtained ILR, they can obtain British citizenship through naturalisation.

Page Contents

• UK Spouse Visa: An Introduction
• UK Spouse Visa Requirements & Eligibility Criteria
• Required Documents
• Spouse Visa Application Costs
• UK Spouse Visa Application Process: Step-By-Step
• Application Processing Time
• Extending/ Renewing UK Spouse Visa
• Spouse Visa Holders Rights And Benefits
• How Total Law Can Help
• FAQs

The applicant will need to provide several documents along with their visa application. These documents may include the following:

• A completed application form and associated application fee.
• A valid passport.
• Any previous passports.
• Evidence that the relationship between the applicant and their partner is genuine and subsisting. This can include evidence such as correspondence, shared bills, messages, and photographs.
• Proof of the applicant meeting the necessary English language requirement. This could be shown via a CEFR exam certificate.
• Two colour photos, passport-sized, that are in line with the UK-set requirements.
• Proof that you meet the financial requirements in the UK at the time of application. This can include savings statements, bank statements, and wage slips.
• Details covering any previous immigration applications, if relevant.
• Details covering any criminal convictions, if relevant.
• The applicant’s National Insurance Number if they have one.
• Proof that the applicant has suitable accommodation in the UK.
• Biometric information (this includes having your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned).
• Tuberculosis test results. This is a requirement for those from Bangladesh. Applicants can get a test done in:
  • Chittagong.
  • Dhaka.
  • Sylhet.

It is pivotal that applicants provide all of the documentation and evidence that is required for this application by UKVI to obtain a positive decision.

If the applicant does not provide all evidence in the correct format and is translated where needed, this can lead to a delay in the application or a refusal of the visa.

This is why it is best to speak to a member of our team at Total Law. We can help you complete your application and ensure a positive outcome. Give us a call at +44 (0)333 305 9375 for assistance in your visa application.

The UK Spouse Visa application fee is £1,321 if you are applying in the UK, or £1,938 if you are applying from outside of the UK.

Applicants should be aware that other associated costs come with this visa application. Applicants will have to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge, which has a fee of  £1035 per year in the UK.

Those who wish to obtain a faster decision on their visa applications can also pay the priority service charge which is £500  for a decision within 5 working days, or the super-priority service charge, which is  £1000. This service will give the applicant a decision on their application by the end of the next working day.

The application process for a UK Spouse visa is easy to complete and can be completed online via the UK Government Home Office website. The application steps to apply for a Spouse Visa are as follows:

1. You will need to check your eligibility for this visa before applying. If you are unsure, give us a call at +44 (0)333 305 9375 to speak to a Total Law legal advisor and find out if you fit the eligibility criteria.
2. Prepare all of your documents as needed to prove your eligibility for this visa. Ensure that any documents that are not already in English are officially translated.
3. Next, you will need to go to the Home Office website and complete the relevant application form.
4. Once the application form is completed, the applicant will need to pay the necessary application fee (see price above).
5. With the application completed and the fee paid, the applicant will now need to upload any documents they need to support their application for the Spouse Visa.
6. With all documents submitted, the applicant will be able to arrange a biometric appointment. At this appointment, the applicant will have their photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. Make sure you attend this appointment on time. These appointments will be held at a Visa Application Centre. In Bangladesh, there are two available VACs. These are:
   • Dhaka VAC.
   • Sylhet VAC.
7. If the applicant receives a request to attend an interview, the applicant must be sure to attend. If they do not, this may impact their application and result in a refusal.

The UK Home Office has a standard service for deciding on Spouse Visa UK applications submitted from outside of the UK. The typical amount of time it takes to process a Spouse Visa application submitted from outside the UK will be 3 months.

However, this may now be less, as since a reduction in the vast backlog the Home Office faced for Ukraine Visa Scheme applications, family visa and standard marriage applications are being processed faster. This means that many Spouse Visas have a processing time of 60 days.

Those who are switching to a Spouse Visa from another visa from inside the UK or those who are looking to extend the visa should receive a decision within 8 weeks.

Applicants may be able to use the Super Priority Visa Service for their visa to get a faster decision within one working day. There is also a Priority Service which can result in an application decision within 30 working days.

There are many benefits to the Spouse Visa; these include the following:

• The couple gets to be together in the UK.
• The visa can lead to ILR and eventually citizenship.
• The non-UK spouse can work in the UK.
• The non-UK spouse can study in the UK.

The Bangladeshi spouse will not, however, be able to apply to settle in the UK until after 5 years on the spouse visa. Similarly, the Bangladeshi spouse will also not be able to apply for benefits or any other public funding for themselves or their dependents.