The rules, answered · checked 7 November 2026
How long does a UK spouse visa take?
Quick answer
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.
What the rules say
Decision times and faster decisions
Decisions usually take about 12 weeks from outside the UK and about 8 weeks from inside. Where offered, priority costs £500 more and super priority £1,000 more.
From GOV.UK, checked 7 November 2026.
The decision: an eVisa
A successful application gets an eVisa, an online record of the permission, not a physical card. It is viewed and shared through a UKVI account.
From GOV.UK, checked 7 November 2026.
How long the visa lasts
From outside the UK the partner visa is granted for 2 years 9 months, then extended for 2 years 6 months, and settlement (indefinite leave to remain) can be applied for after five years. The fiancé visa lasts six months, with no right to work; after the wedding the couple apply in the UK for the partner visa.
From GOV.UK, checked 7 November 2026.
On your tracker
Answer seven questions and the tracker lists these, where they apply to you, with the dates each must fall between and every requirement to tick:
- Your visa application centre appointment confirmation
Information, not immigration advice. Whether your documents meet a rule is a judgement only a regulated adviser can make: have your bundle checked.