Spouse Visa UK from Germany

Overview

In addition to meeting the income requirement, you must meet other criteria to be eligible for the Spouse Visa. The UK Spouse Visa requirements include:

• Your partner must either:
• Be a British or an Irish citizen,
• Have settled status, such as indefinite leave to remain (ILR),
• Have pre-settled status, or
• Have protection status, such as leave to remain or permission to stay as a refugee or a person with humanitarian protection.
• You and your partner must be 18 or over.
• You and your partner must have a genuine and subsisting relationship.
• You and your partner must intend to live together permanently when you arrive in the UK.
• You must have suitable accommodation in the UK.
• You must meet the English language requirement.

You must also prove at least one of the following:

• You are in a civil partnership or marriage legally recognised in the UK.
• You must have lived with your partner for at least 2 years before applying.
• You’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years, but you cannot live together, for example, because you’re working or studying in different places or it’s not accepted in your culture.
• You are a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and will get married or enter into a civil partnership within 6 months of arriving in the UK.

If you are applying as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, you must also prove that any previous marriages or partnerships you’ve had have ended.

English Language Requirement

As a Spouse Visa applicant from Germany, you must prove that you can understand and speak English sufficiently. You can meet this requirement by passing an English language test or providing proof of an academic qualification taught in English.

If you take an approved English test, you must pass at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) English test. You can take the test from an approved testing centre in Germany.

But if you intend to use an academic qualification, you should submit a certificate from a college or university. If your school is not a UK-based institution, you must first get your qualification certified to be equivalent to a UK-taught degree.

Furthermore, you may be exempt from the English language requirement if any of the following is true:

• You’re over 65
• Your physical or mental condition prevents you from meeting the requirement.

Accommodation Requirement

To qualify for the Spouse Visa, you must prove to the Home Office that you and your partner have adequate accommodation.

This means that you and your family must own or occupy where you intend to live exclusively and legally. You do not have to be the only occupant of the property, but the space you live in must be solely occupied by your family.

It must be large enough to occupy you and your family and have sufficient bedrooms for any children or dependents living with you. Also, it must not be overcrowded.

You’ll need to demonstrate that you have the legal right to reside there using documents such as a mortgage agreement, title deed to the property, tenancy agreement, or a letter from the landlord. You must be able to obtain this accommodation without seeking public funds.

Furthermore, for your accommodation to be adequate, it must not breach public health regulations. You can get a property inspection report to prove that your property is safe and suitable for human habitation.

How to Prove a Genuine Relationship

The Home Office will also require you to prove that your relationship with your partner is genuine, subsisting, and not formed solely for immigration reasons.

A caseworker typically makes these decisions on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the length of the relationship, any shared financial responsibilities, and if the couple has physically met or visited each other, have children together, and any plans concerning their living arrangements in the UK.

To prove your relationship is genuine, you must submit documents such as a marriage certificate, tenancy agreement, utility bills, bank statement from a joint account, or a doctor’s letter. These documents must be less than 4 years old and clearly confirm that you and your partner are legally married, live together, or share expenses.

If you and your partner do not live together, for example, due to work, studies or cultural reasons, you can show proof of an ongoing commitment to each other. These could include evidence of regular communication, financial support, time spent together on holidays or events, and joint parental responsibilities.

Determine Your Eligibility 

Before you make an application, it’s important to determine that you and your partner meet all the requirements for the Spouse Visa. If the Home Office deems you ineligible, for instance, if you don’t meet the income requirement, they may reject your application.

Our immigration lawyers can assess your situation and help you determine if you meet the visa’s requirements. Otherwise, we can advise you on the next steps to take. Call 0333 305 9375 to speak with a lawyer.

Prepare Your Documents

Once you’ve determined that you meet the criteria, it’s important to gather all the supporting documents that you need for your application. Ensure that they are certified as true copies and, where necessary, translated into English or Welsh.

An immigration lawyer can also help you with a detailed checklist of all documents that can support your specific case.

Submit an Application

Once your documents are ready, visit the UK government website to begin your application. You will need to create an account and fill out the online application form. Ensure you complete all fields accurately. Then, you must upload your supporting documents and pay the visa application fee and the immigration health surcharge.

Attend an Appointment

When making your online application, you will be directed to book an appointment at a visa application centre in Germany. There are three UK VACs located in Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Munich, and you can choose from whichever is closest to you.

At your appointment, an immigration official will take your biometrics (fingerprints and passport) and submit your supporting documents. You may also be required to pay a service charge.

Receive a Decision

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will review your application. During this time, they may keep your passport and documents. When the authorities have reached a decision, they will let you know via email.