Planning to Propose This Valentine’s? Will The Home Office Say Yes?
Are you planning to propose to your overseas love this Valentine’s Day? Been inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce? Got the ring picked out? The intimate restaurant booked? Have you also considered their immigration status and if they need a UK Spouse Visa? Will the Home Office say yes to your visa application?
Call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 today or contact us online to discuss making a Partner Visa application with one of our specialist immigration lawyers.
Discuss the Practical Side of Getting Wed
It is estimated around six million people worldwide will become engaged on February 14th and, for many, the first considerations will be the dress, the venue and the honeymoon. But if your partner is not a UK citizen then you should both discuss the requirements for applying for a Marriage Visa.
At Total Law, we are the first to admit immigration is not the most romantic topic but if you are planning a life together then it really needs to be a priority otherwise you could be forced to have a long-distance marriage!
However, we do know that once the initial excitement of the engagement announcement has died down, we see a surge in search traffic from March to June for all things spouse, fiancée and partner visa related, so there are some practical romantics out there!
Impact of Policies Changes on Partner Visas
There are several requirements for being granted a Spouse Visa and you should not underestimate how difficult it can be to meet the criteria.
Recent years have seen the government introduce a number of policies that have made securing a Partner Visa more difficult. In particular, the raising of the income threshold to £29,000 in April 2024 has had a significant impact.
Since then the number of Partner Visas has fallen, with a third less granted in 2025 compared to the previous year. The drop is largely from those countries that traditionally have led the demand for UK family visas such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
What are the Spouse Visa Requirements in the UK in 2026?
If you and your loved one are planning to start a life together in the UK then you should ensure you meet the following Spouse Visa requirements:
- Meet the minimum income threshold and the financial requirement for spouse sponsors
- Your marriage must be legally recognised in the UK
- Prove you are married, in a civil partnership, or have lived together for at least 2 years
- Meet the Genuine Relationship Test and provide evidence you are in a loving and long-term relationship.
- Demonstrate you have met your partner in person and are not closely related to each other.
- Show you plan to live together in the UK and have arranged suitable accommodation.
- Have a good knowledge of the English language or have passed the English Language Test
- Depending on your partner’s country of residence they may need to provide medical evidence to show they do not have Tuberculosis (TB).
How Can Total Law Help?
So, if you are planning to pop the big question this Valentine’s Day then fingers crossed for a yes – to both the proposal and the granting of a Partner Visa.
Reach out to our team at Total Law to find out how we can support you and your Valentine in 2026.
We have the required knowledge, experience, and empathy to assist you, regardless of your immigration circumstances. Call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 today to discuss making an application for a UK visa.
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