Spouse Visa Solicitors

With years of experience in all aspects of UK immigration and the Spouse Visa application process, we understand the importance of offering customised care that can reflect on the individual nuances of each applicant. As such, our team of Spouse Visa lawyers is happy to offer you several different service packages, to make sure that we fully meet your needs and preferences.

At a glance, these packages include:

• Advice
• Application Support
• Fast Track Application
• Appeals, Refusals, and Judicial Reviews
• Application Checking

Page Contents

• UK Spouse Visa Solicitors Services – What We Provide
• Why Choose Total Law as Your UK Spouse Visa Solicitors
• Obtain Expert Legal Support from a Spouse Visa Solicitor
• What Is a UK Spouse Visa?
• Eligibility Requirements for a UK Spouse Visa
• How Long is a UK Spouse Visa Issued For?
• How Do I Apply for a UK Spouse Visa
• Required Documents
• What Kind of Evidence Can Pass the Genuine Relationship Test?
• What Costs Should You Expect
• Get in Touch with Total Law Spouse Visa Solicitors Today
• Frequently Asked Questions

Advice Package

If you choose our Spouse Visa advice package, you will receive support from one of our UK Spouse Visa immigration specialists. As part of this, we will offer you a personalised advice session where you can explain your circumstances and discuss anything that might be relevant to your application.

Our specialist will explain your eligibility and options to make sure that you fully understand what you will need to consider when applying for this visa permission. We will be happy to explain the type of documents that you might want to submit to back up your application and help you familiarise yourself with technical aspects of the application process such as how to apply, expected fees, and how long you might wait before receiving a decision.

Application Support Package

If you would like dedicated support while navigating the UK Spouse Visa application process itself, we can offer you our application package. We will help you prepare your application form and gather your documents to make sure that your application is as strong as it can be and that your eligibility is thoroughly backed up by evidence.

As part of the application package, we will also be happy to provide you with a dedicated Letter of Representation that you can submit along with your application, to lend your case additional merit and show that you are applying with the support of our accredited immigration lawyers.

We will also continue to support you after you have applied and monitor the progress once your application has been submitted.

Fast Track Application Package

If you are applying for a UK Spouse Visa with an especially tight schedule, we may be able to fast-track your application with this package. Usually, this means that we will prioritise your application and submit it as quickly as possible. The availability for fast-tracking your application may vary on your individual circumstances but by pairing this with the priority processing service from the Home Office, you may be able to receive a decision on your UK Spouse Visa application in as little as five days after it has been submitted.

We will be happy to advise you on the expedited options that might be available to you during your initial advice session.

Appeals, Refusals, Judicial Reviews Package

If you have previously received a UK Spouse Visa refusal and were unsuccessful, we may be able to help you with your next steps as part of our package for visa appeals, refusals, and judicial reviews. How we can help you will depend on your specific situation and the reason why your initial application was not successful, but we will generally be able to advise you on the best next steps to take and file the necessary appeals for you.

As missing or incorrect documents are often a reason why a visa application is rejected, this package will include a thorough check of your documents and we will help you build a strong evidence portfolio to give your appeal the best chance at success. Additionally, we will also be able to represent you during the hearing before your immigration tribunal, if necessary.

Appeals are a complex process and it is impossible to guarantee success, but with the support of our best immigration solicitors, you can be sure that you will have the best chance for a positive outcome.

Application Checking Package

If you prefer to navigate the application process on your own but would like the extra security of having your documents and application form checked by an expert before submitting, you can ask us to do just this with the application checking package. One of our experts will thoroughly look through your completed application documents to make sure that you are not missing anything important.

Applying for UK Spouse Visas can be a daunting process and this isn’t made easier by the knowledge that the outcome has the potential to determine your future and opportunities in the UK. At Total Law, many of our experts have been through the challenges of UK immigration themselves, so we truly understand how important this step is for you and that a successful visa application will have life-changing potential for you. We are passionate about helping you move to the country that you want to live in and will always strive for the very best results for you and your loved ones.

As leading immigration lawyers in the UK and beyond, our UK Spouse Visa specialists all have IAA accreditations and decades of experience with all aspects of the visa application process, meaning that we will be able to help you anticipate how your individual circumstances may affect your eligibility and how to overcome any challenges.

With over 9,000 successful applications, we have helped hundreds of applicants like you obtain their desired visa permission. Our immigration lawyers are always keeping track of all changes to global immigration rules and regulations, meaning that you can be sure that you are well prepared when applying for a visa with our help.

No matter where you are or what language you speak, our international immigration consultants will be able to support you during your visa application journey, thanks to our global outlook on immigration and creating a life that you want, where you want it.

If you or your loved one are hoping to apply for a UK Spouse visa or if you have other questions about eligibility, our services, or general immigration options for the UK, you can speak to one of our specialists and discuss whatever it is that you need help with.

Our team of immigration Lawyers at Total Law will be happy to help you and we will make sure that we offer you exactly what you need. You can call us today at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to get started.

The UK offers a visa pathway for the spouse of a British or Irish citizen, as well as partners of individuals who are settled and hold permanent residency in the UK. Also called the partner visa, it may be offered to eligible partners on the basis of showing evidence of a real and ongoing relationship.

It offers a path towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for foreigners coming to the UK as the spouse of a UK national or permanent resident, which can then eventually lead towards British citizenship.

Individuals who have been granted a Spouse Visa in the UK will be permitted to seek employment or pursue further education at UK universities, but they will not usually be eligible to receive benefits which might include housing, other public funds, or tax credits.

You may be eligible for a UK Spouse Visa if you can prove that you have been in an eligible and ongoing relationship with someone who holds UK citizenship or indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

While specific conditions may depend on your circumstances, you will usually need to consider the following eligibility criteria:

• You and your partner must be over 18 years of age
• You must be married to a UK citizen or someone who holds settled status
• Your marriage or civil partnership must be valid in the UK
• You must have evidence that you have lived together and been in a relationship for at least two years prior to your application

You may also qualify if you are currently engaged and have been granted a Fiance Visa, provided that your marriage will not be later than six months after you have arrived in the UK.

Additional Requirements

The UK Spouse Visa includes some additional conditions that you must be able to meet. You will need to show that you are a suitable candidate for living in the UK, meaning that you will need to have an adequate grasp of the English language.

Additionally, you will need to show evidence that your household can meet minimum income requirements and that you have suitable accommodation in the UK.

Finally, you will need to pass a test to determine whether your relationship is real and eligible for this visa. This test is called the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’.

The UK Spouse Visa is usually issued with an initial validity of 33 months after which it may be extended once for another 30 months. This time is intended to help you meet the requirements to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which has a residential requirement.

If you are applying for a UK Spouse Visa from outside of the UK, you can begin the process by filling out the appropriate application forms which will include the Appendix FM and can be found on the Home Office website.

If you are filing the application yourself, you will need to make sure to closely follow instructions as there are multiple forms and you will need to provide the correct information and evidence. This can be a very confusing process so it is essential to go into this step prepared. You will usually still need to book an appointment with your local UK visa centre to provide your biometric details.

If you are in the UK, this process is slightly different. First, you must make sure that your current visa is eligible to be switched to a UK Spouse Visa. You will need to provide proof of this. You will still need to fill out the appropriate application forms and submit all the required evidence, but you may also be asked to attend an interview where the immigration officer handling your case will assess whether or not you and your current visa are eligible to receive the UK Spouse Visa instead.

If you want help with your UK Spouse Visa application you can contact our team of immigration experts at Total Law today by calling us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375.

When applying for your UK Spouse Visa, you will need to submit the application form along with any accompanying documents. Which documents you may need may vary, but you will generally be required to submit the following:

• Your valid passport
• Your visa application form
• Your English language certificate
• Your original partnership certificates (this may be for marriage or civil partnership)
• Evidence of cohabitation for at least 2 years (as an alternative to a marriage or partnership certificate)
• Proof that your partner is a UK citizen or settled individual
• Accommodation details
• Financial details showing that you meet the income requirements of at least £29,000 per annum
• Evidence of a genuine and ongoing relationship with your UK partner

What is the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’?

As the UK Spouse Visa is based on you being in a real and qualifying relationship with a UK national, you will need to confirm this by passing the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’.

As part of this, your relationship will be assessed on the following factors:

• Your relationship must be real and recognised, which might mean that you must show evidence of your marriage or civil partnership
• Your relationship should have evidence of shared living arrangements which might be residential or through evidence of shared expenses.
• If you cannot live together you must include details as to why, such as cultural reasons, studies, or similar. Instead, you will need to provide significant evidence of a relationship by showing the communications that you have had, possible financial support or joint childcare, and evidence of time that you have spent visiting.

You will need to provide adequate evidence that your relationship passes the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’, which should usually include evidence issued by an official body such as the government or a medical professional, as well as banks, landlords, or utility providers.

Any evidence submitted must be less than four years old.

Evidence to show that you are in a genuine relationship may be highly subjective, but here are some examples that might help you decide what options could apply to you:

• A marriage certificate
• A civil partnership certificate
• A joint mortgage, tenancy agreement, or other proof of cohabitation (this may be in the UK or somewhere else)
• Documents showing plans to live together, if applicable
• Other evidence of cohabitation and joint expenses such as utility bills or council tax bills
• Details of any children
• Details of shared bank accounts or savings
• Travel documents that detail visits (You should have evidence that you have met at least one time before you got married)
• Photos, text messages, or other evidence of your relationship

Other evidence that you live at the same address might include voting registrations, official student finance paperwork, or one-off bills that can link you and your partner to the same home address.

The UK Spouse Visa can be expensive to apply to, but the fee will depend on where you are applying from. You may need to factor in an application cost of between £1,321 and £1,938, but there are often additional costs that our experts will be able to help you understand.

When it comes to our support packages, we do not operate with a fixed cost as we believe that you should only pay for the help that you are receiving. As such, we will offer you a quote once we have discussed your case and the type of support that you would like to receive from our immigration lawyers.