UK Spouse Visa Refusal: 5 Key Reasons
Learn the common reasons for refusal and take action now to increase your chances of success.
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Why Was My UK Spouse Visa Refused? Top Reasons for Rejection
Appendix FM-SE of the UK Immigration Rules sets out the requirements you need to meet when applying for a Spouse Visa. If you fail to comply with any of these conditions, you will receive a Spouse Visa refusal letter.
There are several reasons why your Spouse Visa application can be rejected. The Home’ Office’s guidelines for Marriage Visa eligibility are very strict, and it is essential to provide all the required evidence to highlight the merits of your case. Here are the top reasons for rejection of your Spouse Visa application:
- Lack of Genuine and Subsisting Relationship Evidence. Any discrepancies in your situation may lead the UKVI to believe that you are committing fraud on your application.
- Applied for the Wrong Visa
- Your spouse’s immigration status. They must either be a British Citizen, A UK settled person or be in the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection.
- You do not meet the English Language Requirements
- Failure to Meet Financial Requirements
In many cases, after receiving a refusal, you can try to submit a new application, or even appeal the Home Office’ decision. However, this will delay your case, making you wait a long time before you can join your partner in the UK. Below you will find the further details of the 5 top reasons Spouse Visas are rejected.
Page Contents
- Why was my UK Spouse Visa application refused?
- Spouse Visa refused because you applied for the wrong permit
- Insufficient genuine and subsisting relationship evidence
- Spouse Visa refusal due to inadequate “immigration status of the sponsor”
- Failure to meet the Spouse Visa financial requirements
- Spouse Visa refused due to English language requirements
- Further Spouse Visa refusal reasons
- Spouse Visa extension refused: what to do?
- Spouse Visa Refused: can I appeal?
UK Spouse Visa Refused: Applied for the Wrong Visa? Here's What to Do
Section EC-P of Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules defines as a partner anyone who is:
“[…] the applicant’s spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e) or proposed partner, or a person who has been living together with the applicant in a relationship akin to a marriage or civil partnership for at least two years prior to the date of application”
In other words, you can apply for a Spouse Visa only if you and your companion are married. If you are engaged and you plan to celebrate your marriage in the UK, you need to apply for a Fiancé Visa. Differently, if you are in a civil partnership, you can submit your application for a Civil Partner Visa.
If you have received a Spouse Visa refusal on such grounds, you need to apply for a different permit based on your current situation.
Spouse Visa Refusal Due to Lack of Genuine and Subsisting Relationship Evidence
The majority of Spouse Visa applications if refused because couples fail to provide proof of their genuine and substantial relationship.
Although the Immigration Rules mention the marriage certificate as the mandatory document to prove the nature of your relationship, you will need further evidence to support your case.
As a general rule, you should submit to the Home Office any documents that show that you and your spouse have been living together, or spend time together as a couple before the marriage. However, for cultural or religious reasons, or even for long-distance relationships, sometimes this may be problematic.
If you do not hold any evidence of cohabitation prior to making your application, the followings are accepted as suitable proof of genuine and subsisting relationship:
- Texts, emails, letters and any form of communication to prove that the couple has kept in touch whilst apart;
- Records of holidays taken together;
- Written statements from friends or family;
- Evidence of joint financial commitments;
- Certificates of birth or adoption of dependants;
- Photographs of the couple while spending time together.
It must be noted that in no circumstances a Spouse Visa can be approved if you and your partner have never met in person at least once before your marriage.
If your Spouse Application has been refused because you failed to prove the authenticity of your relationship, it is advisable to submit a new request. This time, you must ensure that you attach all the necessary evidence to demonstrate that you and your partner are genuinely in love.
UK Spouse Visa Refused Due to Sponsor’s Immigration Status: How to Resolve It
To join your spouse in the UK, your partner must act as a sponsor for your application. Consequently, he must meet specific immigration status criteria. In other words, your wife or husband must either be:
- A British Citizen;
- A UK settled person (holding Indefinite Leave to Remain)
- In the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection.
UK Spouse Visa Refusal: Failing to Meet Financial Requirements
Every year, a significant number of Spouse Visa applications is refused because the couple fails to meet the financial conditions.
As of 2025, the threshold required for Spouse Visa eligibility is a gross annual income of at least £29,000.
There are several ways to meet the financial requirements for a Spouse Visa, such as:
- Income from salaried or non-salaried employment or self-employment of you and your spouse;
- Other types of incomes, such as investments, stocks, and shares;
- Occupational or private pension.
If you meet these financial conditions, but you have received a Spouse Visa application refusal, you may have failed to provide adequate evidence of your eligibility. It is essential to attach to your application a strong portfolio of documents to prove the level of income and/or savings upon which and your partner are relying.
UK Spouse Visa Refused Due to English Language Requirements: Next Steps
To join your partner in the UK, you need to show your commitment to settle in the country. This means that you must meet specific English language requirements. If you fail to prove your knowledge of the written and spoken language, your Spouse Visa application will be refused.
To be eligible, you must furnish an approved English Language Test, with a minimum score of CEFR A1. In order to be classed as an approved test, it must be taken through a Home Office approved Secure English Language Testing provider. At the moment, these tests are only available through IELTS Consortium (UK and overseas) and the Trinity College London (UK only).
Nevertheless, some applicants may be exempt from the English language requirements for Spouse Visa. This applies to those who:
- Are national of a majority English speaking country;
- Hold a degree awarded by an educational establishment in the UK or that was taught or researched in English;
- Are unable to meet this requirement due to long-term disabilities;
- Are aged 65 or over.
If you have received a Spouse Visa refusal letter on such grounds, you must first sit an English language exam before you can submit a new application.
Other Common Reasons for UK Spouse Visa Refusals
- Your supporting documents were not organised in chronological order;
- Your personal information was not displayed clearly;
- You and your partner are believed to be in an arranged marriage;
- You failed to prove that you legally ended any previous relationship;
- The Home Office does not think that you and your partner are going to live together permanently in the UK.
The majority of these mistakes can be solved by sending a new application. Since this inevitably means that you are going to wait a long time for getting your Spouse Visa, you surely wish to make sure that your new application is filed correctly. By doing this, you may avoid further delays in your application process.
UK Spouse Visa Extension Refused: What to Do Next
Your Spouse Visa is initially valid for 33 months if you applied from abroad, or 30 months if you submit your application form within the UK. Before your Marriage Visa expires, you need to apply for a Spouse Visa extension to remain in the country.
However, to be eligible, you must prove that your relationship is ongoing. If you fail to meet any criteria, you are going to receive a Spouse Visa extension refused letter.
It is important to note that if your Spouse extension is refused, you may be required to leave the UK. If you overstay your current Spouse Visa, you will face legal consequences, and you will ruin any chance you have of any future application.
Can I Appeal a UK Spouse Visa Refusal? Steps to Take
Your Spouse Visa refusal letter will state the reasons for the rejection. You may also receive further information about your right to appeal.
However, in the majority of cases, your case may not be strong enough to win an appeal. It is instead advisable to understand the reasons for your Spouse Visa refusal and submit a new application trying to avoid any mistake.
As a general rule, it is always advisable to seek legal advice to submit your Spouse Visa application. It may not be easy to dive into UK immigration law if you are not a professional in this field. With the help of an expert, you can save time and avoid delays in your application process.
Appeal vs Judicial Review
Your letter of refusal will state whether you have the right to appeal. If you do not have grounds for appeal against your visa refusal, you may pursue a judicial review if you consider the decision to be flawed or unlawful. A judicial review focusses on the legality and fairness of the law, how it is applied and interpreted.
Appeal Process as an option after refusal
The appeal process against the refusal of a Spouse Visa can be complicated. An appeal is based on legal grounds to challenge the decision, and therefore must follow protocol. You must directly address the point of refusal in your appeal based on facts and the law to support your appeal, showing why it was wrong.
When reviewing your appeal, the authorities will examine if there was an error in judgement or misinterpretation of the law by immigration officials.
You must file an appeal within 30 days of your visa refusal. You will need to include the following documentation:
Documents Required for visa appeal
- Original decision documents
- Grounds for appeal (why you believe the decision was wrong)
- Supporting evidence (documents, records, testimony)
- Notice of appeal
- Example reason for appeal
You must have evidence to prove why you believe your application was unlawfully refused. One argument against the refusal of a Spouse Visa might be under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to family life). Human rights violations are one of the major reasons for refusal.
Reasons to Appeal
- Error in Law: The original decision-maker misinterpreted or misapplied the law relevant to the case.
- Error in Fact: The decision was based on incorrect facts or evidence, or relevant facts were overlooked.
- Unjust Outcome: The decision is considered unfair or disproportionate based on the facts and circumstances of the case.
- New Evidence: New, significant evidence has emerged that was not available during the original decision-making process.
Judicial Review as an option after refusal
A judicial review argues against how a decision was reached, rather than challenge the substance of the decision. It typically checks for procedural fairness, jurisdictional errors, or misuse of power to come to the decision.
Documents Required for Judicial Review
- The decision under review
- Application for judicial review
- Documents proving procedural unfairness or overreach
- Legal arguments regarding the decision-making process
Reasons to Seek Judicial Review
- No grounds for appeal
- Procedural Unfairness: The decision-making process was flawed due to lack of fairness (e.g., no right to be heard or improper notice).
- Decision-Maker Exceeded Their Authority: The body or individual who made the decision acted beyond the legal powers granted to them.
- Irrational or Unreasonable Decision: The decision was so unreasonable that no reasonable authority would have made it under the circumstances.
- Failure to Consider Relevant Factors: The decision-maker ignored key legal or factual considerations or relied on irrelevant ones.
Reapplication as an option for visa refusal
Reapplication is another option when you have a visa refused, and is normally the best course of action in cases where you were rejected to inaccuracies or errors in your application. It is also a consideration when external factors like policy have changed since your original application.
There are advantages to reapplying, including processing time which is typically much faster than with formal review and appeal processes.
When is reapplying for a visa the best option?
- Change in Circumstances: New personal or external factors (e.g., policy changes, medical conditions) have arisen that may lead to a different outcome.
- Application Errors: Errors or omissions in the original application that can be corrected in a new application.
- Time-Lapsed Since Initial Decision:Sufficient time has passed, allowing for a new application under changed conditions or after waiting periods.
- Improved Evidence: The applicant has gathered stronger supporting documentation or evidence that could increase the chances of approval.
You should address all of the reasons for your initial refusal. If you can carefully review the information provided, as well as supporting documents to ensure your new application covers the criteria, in full and without errors, your reapplication will have a greater chance of success. You must check all information is uptodate in your reapplication, for example, do not submit the same bank statements as you previously submitted as they will be outdated.
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