UK Spouse Visa Solicitors & Application Support
Uniting families in the UK with expert legal guidance on Appendix FM Partner Routes.
At Lexify Solicitors, we specialise in helping couples navigate the complex UK Immigration Rules to live together permanently. Whether you are applying for entry clearance from overseas, switching to a Partner Visa from within the UK, or extending your current stay, our dedicated immigration team provides clear, comprehensive legal support.
We manage the entire process from calculating the financial requirement to compiling “specified evidence”, minimizing the risk of refusal and ensuring your application meets the strict standards of the Home Office.
Eligibility for a UK Spouse Visa
To qualify under the Partner route (Appendix FM), you must satisfy specific Home Office criteria. You can apply if::
Your Sponsor’s Status: Your partner is a British citizen, holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) / settled status, or has refugee/humanitarian protection in the UK.
Age Requirement: Both you and your partner are aged 18 or over.
Relationship Status: You are legally married, in a civil partnership recognized in the UK, or have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years.
Note: Fiance(é) visas are available if you intend to marry within 6 months.
Intent to Reside: You intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Core Requirements: You meet the strict Financial Requirement (minimum income or savings), Accommodation standards, and English Language criteria.
Health: You have passed a tuberculosis (TB) test (if applying from a listed country).
Not sure if you qualify under the Fiancé(e), Partner, or Spouse route?
We’ll help you select the right option and explain each step clearly.
Relationship Requirements: Proving It’s “Genuine and Subsisting”
One of the most critical elements of a successful application under Appendix FM is demonstrating that your relationship is not only legal but also “genuine and subsisting.” A marriage certificate alone is often insufficient.
The Home Office requires a portfolio of specified evidence to prove your commitment. Depending on whether you are living together or apart, this includes:
1. Legal Proof of Union
You must provide a valid marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.
Previous Relationships: If you or your partner have been married before, you must provide a Decree Absolute or death certificate to prove you are free to marry.
2. Evidence of Cohabitation (If living together)
If you are already residing together (e.g., for an extension or switching visas), you should provide official correspondence to prove you share an address. Ideally, this includes items from at least 3 different sources, such as:
- Joint Bank Statements
- Council Tax Bills
- Tenancy Agreements or Mortgage Statements
- Utility Bills (Gas, Electricity, Water)
3. Evidence of Contact (If living apart)
If you are applying for entry clearance from outside the UK and have not lived together recently, you must prove you have maintained contact.
- Communication: Chat logs (WhatsApp/iMessage excerpts over time), email threads, and call logs.
- Visits: Flight tickets, boarding passes, and hotel bookings showing time spent together.
- Photos: A selection of photographs documenting your relationship timeline (e.g., engagement, wedding, holidays).
How We Help: We work closely with our clients to compile a detailed, organized, and persuasive evidence bundle. We ensure there are no gaps in your timeline that could lead to a refusal.
Financial Requirement – What You Need to Earn or Save
As of April 2024, the minimum income threshold is £29,000 per year. This amount is set to rise further in future policy changes.
You can meet the requirement using:
Acceptable Income Types
| Income Source | Notes |
| Employment or self-employment | Payslips, contracts, tax returns, and bank statements required |
| Savings | Savings over £88,500 (held for 6+ months) can meet the requirement alone or top up an income shortfall |
| Rental income | Must show ownership and regular payments, along with tenancy agreements |
| Investment income | Stock dividends or regular investment payouts accepted with proof |
| Pension income | Valid if documented and consistent |
| Statutory pay | Maternity, paternity, adoption, and sick pay count as employment income if properly evidenced |
You can combine income types or use savings to cover any income shortfall. We’ll help calculate your eligibility and gather the necessary documents.
Financial Requirement Exemptions (Adequate Maintenance)
If the UK Sponsor receives specific disability or carer-related benefits, you are exempt from the £29,000 minimum income threshold. Instead, you must meet the “Adequate Maintenance” requirement.
Qualifying Benefits include:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
The Calculation: You must prove that your household’s weekly income, after paying for housing costs (rent/mortgage + council tax), is equal to or higher than the amount a British family of the same size would receive in Income Support.
Accommodation Requirement – Where Will You Live?
The UK Home Office requires proof that you and your partner have adequate housing once in the UK.
This includes:
- No overcrowding, in line with UK housing standards
- A private, secure address (not temporary housing or shelters)
- Availability for your exclusive use
You can provide:
- A tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or letter from a landlord
- Property inspection reports (recommended in some cases)
- Evidence the space is big enough and safe for you and any children
English Language Requirement
You must show you can speak and understand English to a basic standard. This proves that you’ll be able to integrate into life in the UK.
What You Need:
- A1 level test pass for first-time applicants
- A2 level for visa extensions after 2.5 years
The test must be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a provider approved by the UK Home Office. Approved providers include IELTS, LanguageCert, and Pearson PTE.
Exemptions:
You’re exempt if:
- You’re a national of an English-speaking country (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia)
- You hold a UK bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree
- You’ve completed a degree taught in English overseas and hold a Statement of Comparability from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC)
- You are over the age of 65, or have a medical condition that prevents testing
How to Apply – Inside or Outside the UK
Applying from Outside the UK
If you’re not in the UK, we will:
- Complete an online application
- You will need to pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Book an appointment for you to attend a biometric appointment at a visa centre in your country
- Submit evidence to prove your relationship, financial position, and accommodation
Processing time: Up to 12 weeks, with optional priority services in some locations.
Switching to a Spouse Visa Inside the UK
Already in the UK on another visa (like Student or Skilled Worker)? You may be able to switch to a Spouse Visa without leaving the UK.
Requirements:
- Apply before your current visa expires
- Meet all the standard Spouse Visa conditions
- Book a biometric appointment in the UK
Processing time: Usually within 8-12 weeks, or faster if using the super-priority service.
Spouse Visa Extensions and Next Steps
After your initial 2.5-year visa, you can apply to extend your Spouse Visa for another 30 months.
If you’ve spent 5 years in the UK on this route and still meet the requirements, you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the first step toward full British citizenship.
Our team handles extensions and ILR applications as part of your long-term immigration journey.
Refused a Spouse Visa?
Visa refusals are often due to missing paperwork, unclear evidence, or misunderstandings about eligibility.
We can:
- Review your refusal letter in detail
- Prepare and submit an appeal or new application
- Strengthen your case with better documentation and legal arguments
Many clients approach us after a refusal. While success can’t be guaranteed, we provide honest advice, identify any weaknesses in previous applications, and work diligently to strengthen your case for the next step.
Why Choose Lexify Solicitors?
- Friendly, expert advice from qualified immigration solicitors
- Thorough application support from start to finish
- Clear updates and communication every step of the way
- Global support, wherever you are, we work remotely and securely
- Fixed-fee services with no hidden costs
Our experienced immigration solicitors have helped families in over 110 countries reunite and stay in the UK, and we’d be proud to help you too.
Start Your Spouse Visa Application Today
Get in touch with Lexify Solicitors now for expert legal support and a free, no-obligation assessment.
How Lexify Solicitors Can Help You
At Lexify Solicitors, our expert immigration team offers clear, strategic support for all UK Partner and Family Visa applications. Whether you are bringing a loved one to the UK for the first time, switching into the Spouse category, or navigating a complex refusal, we provide tailored legal representation.
We begin by assessing your financial eligibility against the latest Appendix FM thresholds. Our team then manages the entire process: drafting detailed legal representations, auditing your supporting documents, and submitting your application to the Home Office on your behalf. Our goal is to reunite your family with speed and certainty.
Let’s Discuss Your Case
Ready to start your life together in the UK? Contact us for a free initial assessment.