Spouse Visa UK for Ghanaians

The UK Spouse Visa, also called the Partner Visa, is an immigration choice for married partners, proposed civil partners, and unmarried partners of British citizens and eligible individuals who mostly hold permanent residency in the UK.

Initially, the spouse visa applicant is given 33 months (if applied from outside the UK) or 30 months if applying 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
• 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 Rejected?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for a UK Spouse Visa, you and your spouse or if you are in a civil partnership need to meet the following requirements:

• Have a valid Ghanaian passport
• Must be 18 or older (you and your partner) and must have been in a relationship for a minimum of 2 years
• Show evidence of your relationship, like shared bills and photos
• Prove you can speak English with a certificate
• Provide two passport-sized photos
• Show you meet the Spouse Visa financial requirements with bank statements or wage slips. Your partner must earn £29,000 a year or have savings to support you
• Details of any past immigration applications and criminal records
• Show proof of adequate accommodation in the UK
• Biometric information like fingerprints and a photo

Successful applicants who apply for a Spouse Visa or Fiance 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. To apply for a UK Spouse Visa as a Ghanaian, follow these steps:

• Gather all the necessary documents to prove your eligibility. This could include your partnership or marriage certificate, proof of accommodation, bank statements, income documents, etc.
• Complete the online application form
• Pay the application fee
• A letter from your partner or a friend confirming your relationship and stating your intention to stay in the UK together
• Book an appointment for your biometric appointment
• Attend an interview if required. Make sure to be on time and have all the required documents ready

Total Law can guide you through the 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 cost for a UK Spouse Visa is £1,321 if you apply inside the UK or £1,938 if you apply outside the UK. You must also pay £1035 yearly for the Immigration Health Surcharge, plus a biometric fee of £19.20. If you want a decision by the next working day, you can 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 £1,321 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.