How much do you need to earn for a UK spouse visa?

£29,000 a year before tax, for first applications made on or after 11 April 2024, with no extra amount for children. Couples extending after a first grant before that date stay on £18,600 plus child amounts. Savings, a pension and other income can count too.

How much savings do you need for a UK spouse visa?

Savings alone need to reach £88,500. Savings above £16,000, held for at least six months, count after dividing by 2.5, so smaller savings can top up an income below £29,000.

Can you combine savings and salary for a spouse visa?

Yes. Savings above £16,000 are divided by 2.5 and added to the income to meet the £29,000 rule. The exception is self-employment, which can’t be combined with savings.

What if the UK partner gets disability or carer’s benefits?

If the UK partner receives a listed benefit such as PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance, the £29,000 rule is replaced by “adequate maintenance”: enough to support the family without relying on public funds.

What evidence does a self-employed sponsor need for a spouse visa?

The self assessment tax return and SA302 (or tax calculation) for the last full financial year, twelve months of personal and business bank statements, proof the business is still trading, and accounts, VAT registration or a franchise agreement.

How recent do payslips and bank statements need to be for a spouse visa?

The most recent payslip and bank statement must be dated no earlier than 28 days before the day you apply, and the evidence must run back over the whole period the rules ask for, usually six months.

How many payslips do you need for a spouse visa?

Six months of payslips if the UK partner has been with the same employer for six months or more, with bank statements for the same months showing the pay going in. With a job under six months old, the evidence covers the last twelve months.

What should the employer’s letter say for a spouse visa?

It confirms the job, the gross annual salary, how long the UK partner has worked there, how long they’ve been paid that salary, and whether the contract is permanent or fixed term, full or part time.

What accommodation evidence does a spouse visa need?

Evidence of a home the family own or live in on their own, adequate without public funds and not overcrowded: usually the tenancy agreement or title deeds, and a letter from the owner or landlord if you’ll live in someone else’s home.

Do spouse visa documents need to be translated?

Anything not in English or Welsh needs a full translation that can be checked, with the translator’s confirmation that it’s accurate, the date, their full name, signature and contact details.

Which English test do you need for a UK spouse visa?

A1 speaking and listening for the first visa, A2 for the extension and B1 for settlement (B2 from 26 March 2027), from an approved test taken within the last two years, unless an exemption applies.

Who doesn’t need an English test for a spouse visa?

Nationals of 17 countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica, and the British Overseas Territories; anyone with a degree taught in English (a UK degree, or one from abroad confirmed by Ecctis); and people aged 65 or over.

Do you need a TB test for a UK spouse visa?

Yes, when applying from outside the UK after living for six months or more in one of the 102 countries on GOV.UK’s list. The certificate is valid for six months from the chest X-ray.

How much does a UK spouse visa cost in 2026?

From outside the UK, £2,064 plus a £3,105 health surcharge: £5,169. Extending inside the UK, £1,407 plus £2,587.50. Priority costs £500 more and super priority £1,000 where offered.

Does the fiancé visa pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?

No. The fiancé visa is for six months from outside the UK, and visas of six months or less from outside the UK pay no surcharge. The visa fee is £2,064; the surcharge is paid with the partner visa application after the wedding.

How long does a UK spouse visa take?

About 12 weeks from outside the UK and about 8 weeks from inside, or faster where priority (£500) or super priority (£1,000) is offered. The decision comes as an eVisa.

Can you apply for a spouse visa from inside the UK?

Yes, unless the applying partner is in the UK as a visitor, on permission for six months or less (other than as a fiancé), or on immigration bail. The fee from inside the UK is £1,407.

Can unmarried partners apply for a UK partner visa?

Yes. Partners who aren’t married or in a civil partnership can apply if they have lived together in a relationship like marriage for at least two years before applying, with the same money, English and home rules.

Is settlement changing for spouse visa holders?

Proposed, not yet in the rules: a five-year route for partners of British citizens with B2 English, no specified public funds and a household income of at least £25,142, laid from the December 2026 rules at the earliest. From 26 March 2027 the settlement English level rises to B2.

Checked 7 November 2026

The spouse visa rules, answered

The questions couples ask most, each answered from the Immigration Rules and GOV.UK as they stand, with the page it comes from. Something else? Ask your own question. Information, not immigration advice.

Money

How much do you need to earn for a UK spouse visa?: £29,000 a year before tax, for first applications made on or after 11 April 2024, with no extra amount for children. Couples extending after a first grant before that date stay on £18,600 plus child amounts. Savings, a pension and other income can count too.
How much savings do you need for a UK spouse visa?: Savings alone need to reach £88,500. Savings above £16,000, held for at least six months, count after dividing by 2.5, so smaller savings can top up an income below £29,000.
Can you combine savings and salary for a spouse visa?: Yes. Savings above £16,000 are divided by 2.5 and added to the income to meet the £29,000 rule. The exception is self-employment, which can’t be combined with savings.
What if the UK partner gets disability or carer’s benefits?: If the UK partner receives a listed benefit such as PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance, the £29,000 rule is replaced by “adequate maintenance”: enough to support the family without relying on public funds.
What evidence does a self-employed sponsor need for a spouse visa?: The self assessment tax return and SA302 (or tax calculation) for the last full financial year, twelve months of personal and business bank statements, proof the business is still trading, and accounts, VAT registration or a franchise agreement.

Documents

How recent do payslips and bank statements need to be for a spouse visa?: The most recent payslip and bank statement must be dated no earlier than 28 days before the day you apply, and the evidence must run back over the whole period the rules ask for, usually six months.
How many payslips do you need for a spouse visa?: Six months of payslips if the UK partner has been with the same employer for six months or more, with bank statements for the same months showing the pay going in. With a job under six months old, the evidence covers the last twelve months.
What should the employer’s letter say for a spouse visa?: It confirms the job, the gross annual salary, how long the UK partner has worked there, how long they’ve been paid that salary, and whether the contract is permanent or fixed term, full or part time.
What accommodation evidence does a spouse visa need?: Evidence of a home the family own or live in on their own, adequate without public funds and not overcrowded: usually the tenancy agreement or title deeds, and a letter from the owner or landlord if you’ll live in someone else’s home.
Do spouse visa documents need to be translated?: Anything not in English or Welsh needs a full translation that can be checked, with the translator’s confirmation that it’s accurate, the date, their full name, signature and contact details.

English and the TB test

Which English test do you need for a UK spouse visa?: A1 speaking and listening for the first visa, A2 for the extension and B1 for settlement (B2 from 26 March 2027), from an approved test taken within the last two years, unless an exemption applies.
Who doesn’t need an English test for a spouse visa?: Nationals of 17 countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica, and the British Overseas Territories; anyone with a degree taught in English (a UK degree, or one from abroad confirmed by Ecctis); and people aged 65 or over.
Do you need a TB test for a UK spouse visa?: Yes, when applying from outside the UK after living for six months or more in one of the 102 countries on GOV.UK’s list. The certificate is valid for six months from the chest X-ray.

Costs and timing

How much does a UK spouse visa cost in 2026?: From outside the UK, £2,064 plus a £3,105 health surcharge: £5,169. Extending inside the UK, £1,407 plus £2,587.50. Priority costs £500 more and super priority £1,000 where offered.
Does the fiancé visa pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?: No. The fiancé visa is for six months from outside the UK, and visas of six months or less from outside the UK pay no surcharge. The visa fee is £2,064; the surcharge is paid with the partner visa application after the wedding.
How long does a UK spouse visa take?: About 12 weeks from outside the UK and about 8 weeks from inside, or faster where priority (£500) or super priority (£1,000) is offered. The decision comes as an eVisa.

Who can apply, and from where

Can you apply for a spouse visa from inside the UK?: Yes, unless the applying partner is in the UK as a visitor, on permission for six months or less (other than as a fiancé), or on immigration bail. The fee from inside the UK is £1,407.
Can unmarried partners apply for a UK partner visa?: Yes. Partners who aren’t married or in a civil partnership can apply if they have lived together in a relationship like marriage for at least two years before applying, with the same money, English and home rules.
Is settlement changing for spouse visa holders?: Proposed, not yet in the rules: a five-year route for partners of British citizens with B2 English, no specified public funds and a household income of at least £25,142, laid from the December 2026 rules at the earliest. From 26 March 2027 the settlement English level rises to B2.

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