Spouse Visa UK: 2026 Requirements Guide for Ghanaians

The UK spouse visa, also called the partner visa, is an immigration choice for married couples, civil partners and unmarried partners of British citizens and eligible individuals settled in the UK.

Initially, the spouse visa applicant is given leave of 33 months if applied from outside the UK, or 30 months if applied from within the UK. To apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), the Spouse Visa must be extended at least once for 30 months.

After obtaining ILR, a spouse of a British citizen can seek naturalisation. Unmarried partners of British citizens and partners of individuals with permanent residency must wait 12 months after getting ILR to qualify for citizenship and a British passport.

Page Contents

• Overview of the UK Spouse Visa
• UK Spouse Visa for Ghanaians: Eligibility Requirements
• UK Spouse Visa for Ghanaians: Application Process
• Required Documents for Spouse Visa UK
• Spouse Visa UK Application Fees
• Spouse Visa for Ghanaians: Application Processing Time
• Extending / Renewing UK Spouse Visa
• What Are the 5-Year and the 10-Year Partner Routes?
• What Happens if Your Relationship Ends?
• UK Spouse Visa Holders Rights and Benefits
• What If a Ghanaian UK Spouse Visa Application Is Refused?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Home Office has specific criteria for both the visa applicant and their partner in the UK. To apply for a UK spouse visa, your partner in the UK must be either a British or Irish citizen, or a foreign national permanently settled or having protection status in the UK.

Moreover, both you and your partner both must be 18 or over. You must be married or in a civil partnership recognised in the UK, or in a live-in relationship, for at least two years prior to your application. For couples in a relationship for at least two years but who have not been able to live together for valid reasons (e.g. working or studying in different places), may also be eligible to apply.

UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement

Since 11 April 2024, the minimum income for most new applications is £29,000 per year. If you applied before that date and are extending under the same route, the previous £18,600 threshold may still apply.

The acceptable sources of income for consideration are salary, pension, income from self-employment, maternity allowances or bereavement benefits received by the partner in the UK, and any other income and/or cash savings.

Accommodation Requirement for a UK Spouse Visa

You or your partner must have a suitable housing arrangement in the UK, rented or owned, for accommodating your family. It must have sufficient living space, the recommended size for which will vary depending on the headcount in your household. It must also meet public health and safety standards as applicable.

English Language Requirement for a UK Spouse Visa

If you are a first-time applicant, you will have to pass at least level A1 on the CEFR scale. The minimum requirement will be level A2 for extending your spouse visa, and level B1 to apply for ILR.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how Ghanaians can apply for a spouse visa UK:

• Create an account with your email ID on the Home Office website
• Have all your supporting documents and other relevant information ready with you so as to answer the questions on the online form completely and accurately
• Start filling in the online application form
• Once you have completed the online form, submit the same along with scanned copies of required supporting documents
• Pay the required visa processing fees either by a credit or a debit card, unless exempt

You must prove your identity as part of your UK spouse visa application process. If you are eligible to prove your identity through the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, you can use the same to scan your required documents to prove your identity. Otherwise, to prove your identity, you will have to:

• Book an appointment with your nearest visa application centre (VAC) in Ghana or your current country of residence to submit your biometric details, or
• Book an appointment with your nearest UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point if you are applying from within the UK

VFS Global is the official third-party UK visa services provider in Ghana. They have a visa application centre in Accra as well as two premium application centre in Kumasi and Tamale for your passport/document submission and providing biometrics information. They will keep your original passport for visa processing, to be returned to you once a decision is made.

Successful applicants who apply for a Spouse Visa from Ghana will be granted 33 months to live in the UK. But if you apply from inside the UK, you’ll be given 30 months.

Total Law can guide you through the UK spouse visa application process, from gathering necessary documents to presenting a well-structured application. Our expert legal advisers understand the specific requirements of the UK immigration system and apply their expertise to ensure your application is processed efficiently and effectively.

The most important documentary evidence for a UK spouse visa application is the proof of your relationship and cohabitation. You may submit the following documents along with your visa application:

• A marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Tenancy agreement, rent receipts, utility bills or tax bills having both your names and your shared address
• Bank statements from a joint account, having both your names and your shared address
• Any other document confirming that you both live in the same address

For couples not living together, you must be able to prove that you have an ongoing commitment by providing evidence such as letters/emails, financial support to each other, shared childcare, photos from holidays or events where you were together, etc.

Plus, you must submit:

• Passport or any other travel ID
• Copies of passport biometric page and any previous visa or entry stamps
• Copy of your BRP and National Insurance number, if applicable
• Your tuberculosis test results (since Ghana is a listed country for this purpose; not required if you are switching to a spouse visa from within the UK)
• Proof of finances (e.g., bank statements, payslips, letter from the employer, self-assessment tax returns, etc.)
• Documents proving your knowledge of English language
• Documents showing the residency status of your family member in the UK
• Documents proving that you have a suitable accommodation for your family unit in the UK

If your documents are not in either English or Welsh, you will have to submit certified translated copies. The Home Office may also ask you for additional supporting documents depending on your immigration situation.

The cost for a UK Spouse Visa is £1,407 if you apply inside the UK or £2,064 if you apply outside the UK.

You must also pay £1035 yearly for the Immigration Health Surcharge.

If you want a decision by the next working day, you may be able to pay £1000 for the super priority service or £500 for the priority service with a decision within five working days

The time it takes to process your Spouse Visa application depends on individual circumstances and where you apply from. It can take up to 24 weeks. Applying inside the UK and meeting the minimum income threshold and English requirements means waiting 8 to 12 weeks for a decision. Your visa application might take longer if the details you provided aren’t correct or the Home Office needs more information.

Certain conditions must be met to renew your Spouse Visa in the UK as a Ghanaian. You must still be in the same genuine relationship as before. Your combined income with your British or settled partner should be at least £29,000 if you’re already on the five-year partner route.

You must not have broken immigration rules or have any criminal convictions.

The application fee for renewals is £1,407 per person, with a Health Surcharge of £1035 per year for adults and  per year for children under 18.

Renewal takes up to 8 weeks, but for faster decisions, you can pay an extra £1000 for a decision the next working day using the super-priority service or £500 for decision within 5 working days using the priority service.

The 5-year and the 10-year routes are how long it takes to qualify for ILR. If you meet all the requirements, like funds, approved English language test, and immigration status, you’ll get a UK Spouse Visa for five years.

Then, you can apply for ILR after five years. If you don’t meet all the requirements, but refusing your application would be unfair, you might get leave to remain for ten years. The 10-year partner route allows you to apply for ILR after ten years.

If you started on the 5-year route but switched to the 10-year route, the time counts toward the ten years. But if you started on the 10-year route and switched to the 5-year route, that time doesn’t count toward the five years. When you meet the requirements, you can switch from the 10-year route to the 5-year route. After five years on the 5-year route or ten years, you can apply for ILR.

If your relationship ends while your Ghanaian partner is on a UK Spouse Visa and they only have limited permission to stay in the UK, inform the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), a department of the Home Office in writing. Provide your partner’s full name, date of birth, and entry clearance or UKVI reference number if available.

The UKVI will review whether to cancel your former partner’s permission to stay. However, this won’t happen automatically if their circumstances have changed. They might be eligible to stay in the UK on different grounds, or there may be humanitarian protection reasons not to cancel their stay.

Our immigration lawyers can keep you updated on immigration laws and policies. Total Law knowledgeable lawyers can inform you about changes that could impact Spouse Visa status and advise you accordingly.

Holding a UK Spouse Visa comes with important benefits. Firstly, you can live and work in the UK with your spouse. You can also access public services like healthcare and education like any other settled resident. Additionally, you have the right to travel in and out of the UK freely during the validity of your visa.

However, there are also restrictions to keep in mind. While on a Spouse Visa UK for Ghanaians, you can’t access certain public funds or benefits, and you’re expected to support yourself financially.

Moreover, you must adhere to the conditions of your visa, such as not working in certain professions or engaging in any activities that could jeopardise your visa status.

If you face a UK Spouse Visa refusal you can submit another application if you address the issues that lead to the rejection.

Alternatively, you can pursue a judicial review. This involves challenging the decision in court, and having a lawyer can make the process smoother. Total Law immigration adviser can provide expert guidance and support throughout.

Whether you need advice on reapplying or pursuing a judicial review, Total Law’s expert advisers can help you navigate the next steps and work towards securing your Spouse Visa UK for Ghanaians successfully.