UK Family visa (Spouse / Partner)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Family
What it is
For people joining a spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner who is a British citizen, settled in the UK, or holds qualifying immigration status, for stays longer than 6 months.
Key facts
- Category
- Family
- Duration
- 2 years 9 months initial entry; extensions to 5 years then settlement
- Processing time
- 8–12 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 33 months
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- Age
- 18 or over
- English requirement
- A1 (SELT); A2 to extend after 2.5 years; B1 for settlement
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (joining partner - apply outside the UK)
- GBP 2,064
- Health surcharge
- GBP 1,035 per year
- Proof of funds
- GBP 29,000 per year
- Application fee (joining partner - apply in the UK)
- GBP 1,407
- Application fee (each dependant added - outside)
- GBP 2,064
- Application fee (each dependant added - inside)
- GBP 1,407
Key requirements
- Married, in a civil partnership, or unmarried partner of at least 2 years with a qualifying UK sponsor
- Partner is British, Irish, settled, or holds eligible status
- Meet the minimum income requirement (£29,000 per year)
- Adequate accommodation
- Meet English language requirement
- Genuine and subsisting relationship
Working on this visa
What you can do in the UK You can: work study
Bringing family
Children can be added as dependants (£2,064 outside / £1,407 inside the UK per dependant).
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.