UK Spouse Visa
To obtain UK residency through a Spouse Visa, applicants must be over 18, prove a genuine relationship with a UK citizen or permanent resident, and meet the financial requirement of at least £18,600 in annual income.
The UK Spouse Visa is initially granted for 2 years and 9 months and can be extended. Alternatively, a Fiancé Visa allows entry for 6 months to marry in the UK.
After 5 years of living with your spouse in England, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in the UK. For further information regarding immigration to the UK through marriage, contact Malekpour Immigration Institute to benefit from the institute’s free consultation. In the comments section, you can also ask your questions and receive answers shortly.
Types of UK Spouse Visa
The types of UK Spouse Visa are listed below:
| Type of Marriage | Description (English) |
|---|---|
| Official Marriage | Takes place at the registry office and is legally recognized. |
| Religious Marriage | Conducted in religious venues; must be officially registered to be legally recognized. |
| Cohabitation | Living together without legal registration; may be recognized after a period of time. |
Types of UK Spouse Visa
One of the types of UK visas is the UK Spouse Visa. The types of Visas are outlined below:
- Marriage Visitor Visa: This visa is for people who plan to travel to the UK to get married, but do not want to stay for a long time. This visa is usually issued for a period of 6 months.
- Fiancé(e) Visa: This visa is for people who plan to get engaged to a UK citizen or resident in the UK and then marry. After marriage, the person can apply for a spouse visa.
- Spouse Visa (Marriage Visa): This visa is for people who plan to immigrate to the UK and live with their spouse who is a UK citizen or resident. This visa is usually issued for 33 months of the year, after which it is possible to extend or apply for permanent residence.
Methods of Immigration to the UK through Marriage
UK Spouse Visa can be carried out in several ways. Here we will examine these methods:
Fiancé visa
The fiancé visa is for individuals who intend to marry within 6 months of entering England. During this time, the individual must prove that they have a genuine and ongoing relationship with the other party and that they intend to marry. After marriage, it is possible to convert the fiancé visa to a spousal visa.
Spousal visas
Spousal visas in England are for individuals where one party has permanent residency or citizenship. To obtain this visa, the individual must provide documents such as proof of a genuine marriage and sufficient financial support.
The spousal visa is usually issued for a duration of 2 years and 9 months and can then be renewed. The response time for the spousal visa in England is usually 2 to 3 months after submitting the documents. This time may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the completeness of the documents.
Sham marriage
Sham marriage refers to marriages in which the parties have no real intent or purpose of creating a marital relationship, and are done solely for legal purposes, such as obtaining a visa or residency in a country.
Cohabitation is different from sham marriage. In Cohabitation, no formal or registered marriage takes place, but the individuals live together. While sham marriages are those without genuine intent and for specific purposes (such as obtaining residency or a visa).
Necessary Conditions for UK Spouse Visa
The conditions for the UK Spouse Visa are as follows:
- Both parties must be at least 18 years old.
- One of the spouses must be a British citizen and the marriage ceremony must be held in person.
- The couple’s relationship must be real and not formal.
- Provide evidence of the reality of the relationship, including photos, messages, etc., for the marriage to be approved by the British government.
- The evidence provided must show the relationship between the parties for the last two years.
- The spouse or British citizen must have the necessary financial means to support their partner without the need for government assistance.
- Individuals who obtain a British fiancé visa must get married within six months of entering the UK.
Required Documents for UK Spouse Visa
Individuals planning to immigrate to the UK through marriage should ensure they prepare the necessary documents for this important matter to see favorable outcomes from their legal actions. The required documents for UK Spouse Visa are as follows.
- Provide identification documents such as a passport
- Payment of necessary fees
- Several passport-sized photographs
- Proof of financial means to cover living expenses in the UK
- No criminal record
- Health certificate
- Documents proving the relationship between the couple
- Language certificate at IELTS A1 level
- Filling in the marriage application form
- Detailed information about your place of residence in the UK
- Divorce certificate (in case of previous marriage)
- Death certificate (if the spouse is deceased)
Financial Capability Required for UK Spouse Visa
One of the most important conditions for bringing a spouse to England is the level of income in England for the main resident of the country, and the income of their spouse (after entering England) should reach a total of £18,600 per year.
Duration of Obtaining a UK Spouse Visa
The duration for obtaining a UK Spouse Visa usually ranges from 8 to 12 weeks. However, this time may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case and the workload of the immigration office.
If you need to expedite the process, there are options like expedited services that can reduce processing time, but this will also incur additional costs. Additionally, it is best to check the latest information on the official UK immigration website before proceeding.
Reasons for UK Spouse Visa Rejection
Reasons for visa rejection in England for marriage can vary and depend on the specific details of each case. Here are some common reasons for rejection:
- Failure to prove a genuine relationship
- Failure to meet financial requirements
- Criminal record issues
- Failure to meet legal requirements
- Identity document issues
- Failure to meet residency requirements
Marriage and Divorce Law in England
In England, marriages must take place at one of the official registration institutions and then be documented officially. The divorce law in this country allows a petition for divorce to be filed after 1 year of marriage if the relationship has broken down. Divorce may involve financial arrangements and child custody.
| Requirement | Description (English) |
|---|---|
| English Language Test | To apply for a UK Spouse Visa, the applicant must provide proof of English proficiency. The minimum required level is usually IELTS A1. |
| Legal Age for Marriage | The legal age for marriage in the UK is 18. However, individuals aged 16 to 18 can marry with parental consent. |
Residency in England through Marriage
If you marry a British citizen, you can obtain citizenship in England. Your residency cannot be based on a fiancé visa and must be based on a completed marriage. If you marry someone who is not a British citizen but has obtained permanent residency, you can apply for permanent residency after living in England with your spouse for 5 years.
If you meet the necessary conditions for permanent residency in the UK, you can then apply for British citizenship. If one of the following conditions is not met, your permanent residency will not be converted to citizenship.
- You must not have been outside the UK for more than 270 days in the three years before applying for UK citizenship.
- You must not have been outside the UK for more than 90 days in the previous year.
- Do not break UK law.
In this case, you can obtain citizenship and UK passport.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding UK Spouse Visa
- How long does the UK Spouse Visa take?
The processing time for the UK Spouse Visa typically takes between 2 to 3 months. However, this may vary depending on the documents submitted, the complexity of the case, or the location of the application.
- What level of English proficiency is required for UK Spouse Visa?
At the level of IELTS A1.
- How can we prove our relationship for UK Spouse Visa?
To prove your relationship for immigration to England through marriage, you can use the following:
- Marriage certificate: Provide an official marriage certificate.
- Joint photos: A collection of photos from joint occasions and trips.
- Financial documents: Joint bank accounts, pay slips, or tax documents.
- Correspondence: Letters and messages between you and your spouse.
- Residency documents: Documents that show your joint life (like a lease agreement).
- Testimonies from friends and family: Letters from close ones that confirm your relationship.
- Joint trips: Plane tickets or travel documents taken with your spouse.
- Future plans: Documentation about shared future plans, such as buying a house or having kids.
These documents can help prove the genuineness of your relationship.
Conclusion:
UK Spouse Visa is one of the ways to enter and obtain residency and citizenship in any country. However, for those who intend to immigrate to England, it is better to initially evaluate their immigration options such as work, study, and investment before considering immigration to the UK through marriage. Therefore, Malekpour Immigration Institute is here to assist you. You can contact the Malekpour Institute to analyze your immigration situation and methods of immigration to England through marriage and take advantage of our free consultations.
