Spouse visa by country · sources rechecked weekly, last on 7 November 2026
UK spouse visa from Chile: TB test, English and last year’s decisions
Quick answer
No TB test just for living in Chile; English at A1 from an approved test, or a degree taught in English. The £29,000 income rule and £2,064 fee are the same for every nationality.
| TB test | Not from living there |
|---|---|
| English test | A1 for the first visa |
| Income rule | £29,000 a year, as for everyone |
| Fee from outside the UK | £2,064, plus £3,105 health surcharge |
| Granted from outside the UK, last year | Not listed separately |
The TB test
Chile isn’t on GOV.UK’s list of countries where you need a TB test, so living there doesn’t by itself bring in the test (six months or more in a listed country does).
The TB test
Anyone applying from outside the UK who has lived for six months or more in one of the 102 countries on GOV.UK’s list needs a TB test at an approved clinic. The certificate is valid for six months from the date of the chest X-ray, so it must still be valid when the application is made.
“You must be tested at a clinic that has been approved by the Home Office.”
From GOV.UK, rechecked 7 November 2026.
The English test
Nationals of Chile aren’t on the list of countries whose nationals meet the English requirement by nationality, so the applying partner shows English at A1 with an approved test, or a degree taught in English.
The English requirement
The applying partner needs English at A1 (speaking and listening) for the first visa, A2 for the extension and B1 for settlement, from a test taken with an approved provider within the last two years. From 26 March 2027 the settlement level rises to B2. A degree taught in English also meets it: a UK degree certificate, or a degree from abroad with confirmation from Ecctis.
“You must pass at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale for your first visa application.”
From GOV.UK, rechecked 7 November 2026.
Who doesn’t need an English test
Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Overseas Territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA meet the requirement by nationality. People aged 65 or over, and those with a physical or mental condition that prevents them meeting it, can be exempt.
“You also will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:”
From GOV.UK, rechecked 7 November 2026.
Translations
Any document not in English or Welsh needs a full translation that can be independently checked, with the translator’s confirmation that it’s accurate, the date, their full name and signature, and their contact details.
“a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh”
From GOV.UK, rechecked 7 November 2026.
Last year’s decisions for nationals of Chile
The Home Office’s table for applications from outside the UK doesn’t list Chile separately for the year July 2025 to June 2026.
In the UK (extending or switching), 120 partner applications from nationals of Chile were granted and 1 refused in the same year (99.2% granted, main applicants).
From the Home Office’s immigration system statistics (Immigration system statistics, year ending June 2026). These count decisions already made, and the Home Office publishes no reasons with them, so they say nothing about any one application. Every nationality, and how the shares are worked out.
Your own list
Answer seven questions, including the applying partner’s nationality and where they’ve lived, and the tracker lists every document for your situation, the TB certificate and English test among them where they apply, with the dates each must fall between.
Information, not immigration advice. Rules as checked on 7 November 2026. Whether your documents meet a rule is a judgement only a regulated adviser can make: have your bundle checked.