Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or partner who is a British citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in the UK
You can live in the UK for the time shown in your digital immigration status or decision letter.
A partner’s first grant from outside the UK is normally up to 2 years 9 months; later grants are normally up to 30 months.
A parent’s grant is also temporary, and its length is shown in the grant.
Study in the UK
You can generally study in the UK, subject to any conditions on your permission and the education provider’s rules.
Work in the UK
You can normally work in the UK, including working for yourself or volunteering, unless your grant says otherwise.
Travel and return
You can leave and return while your permission is valid, subject to the usual passport and border requirements.
Use public healthcare
If you join family for more than six months, you normally pay a healthcare surcharge, unless exempt.
Payment gives you access to NHS healthcare broadly on the same basis as UK nationals, though NHS charging rules differ across the UK.
How to apply
From outside the United KingdomFrom outside the United Kingdom
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your family visa application.
See required documentsFill in the application
Open and complete the online family visa application as a partner or spouse.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete a UK family visa application as a partner or spouse from outside the UK?”
Pay the fee online
Pay the application fee and the immigration health surcharge online when the service asks you to.
Pay your feesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the UK family visa application fee and immigration health surcharge from outside the UK?”
Submit your application
Submit your completed application online.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a UK family visa application as a partner or spouse from outside the UK?”
Book an appointment
Follow the application instructions to choose and book a visa application centre. If your application offers the identity-checking app instead, follow its instructions.
Find a centreProve your identity
At your appointment, bring your passport or travel document and the documents on your checklist, and give your fingerprints and photograph. Provide your documents as instructed; if you are offered the identity-checking app instead, follow its instructions.
See appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I prove my identity and provide documents for a UK family visa application from outside the UK?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision and answer any requests from UK Visas and Immigration for more information.
See decision timesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a UK family visa application as a partner or spouse take from outside the UK?”
Access your eVisa
If approved, create or use your UK Visas and Immigration account to access your eVisa. Follow your decision email's instructions for your travel document and entry to the UK.
Access your eVisaSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I access my UK eVisa after my family visa application is approved?”
Travel to the UK
Follow your decision email's entry instructions to travel to the UK and live with your partner.
See entry instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter the UK after my family visa application as a partner or spouse is approved?”
Once in the United KingdomOnce in the United Kingdom
Marry or form partnership
If you applied as a fiancé or proposed civil partner, marry or form your civil partnership in the UK within six months of arrival.
Plan your ceremonySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I marry or form a civil partnership in the UK on a family visa as a fiancé or proposed civil partner?”
Apply to extend
If you applied as a fiancé or proposed civil partner, apply in the UK to extend your permission as a partner after your marriage or civil partnership. This lets you seek permission to continue living in the UK with your partner.
Extend your visaSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I extend a UK family visa as a partner after marrying or forming a civil partnership?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Proof of your relationship
Provide evidence that your relationship with your partner is genuine and continuing. This can include records of living together, keeping in touch, financial support, caring for children or spending time together; records should normally be less than four years old and come from a government, bank, landlord, utility provider or medical professional. If you plan to marry or form a civil partnership, include evidence of your plans; if you rely on your relationship with a child for an exception, include evidence of that relationship too.
Partner's citizenship evidence
Provide evidence that your partner is a British citizen, such as their British passport or citizenship certificate. Follow your application checklist for how to provide it.
Child's birth certificate *
Provide your child's birth certificate as evidence of your relationship.
* Only if you rely on your relationship with a child for an exception.
May need translationMarriage or partnership certificate *
Provide the certificate for your marriage or civil partnership. It must be recognised in the UK.
* Only if you are married or in a civil partnership.
May need translationChild's residence records *
Provide records showing that your child has lived continuously in the UK for at least seven years. Follow your application checklist for the documents to provide.
* Only if you rely on your child's seven years of continuous residence in the UK for an exception.
May need translationChild's citizenship or status *
Provide evidence of your child's nationality or immigration status. Follow your application checklist for the documents to provide.
* Only if you rely on your relationship with a child for an exception.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Public funds restriction
You normally cannot claim most listed benefits, social housing or homelessness help.
You can ask for the restriction to be lifted if you cannot afford essentials, are at imminent risk of this, a relevant child’s welfare outweighs it, or exceptional financial circumstances apply.
Reporting a separation
You must normally tell the Home Office if your relationship ends through separation or divorce.
You must then apply to stay on another basis or leave, unless a special route or exception applies.
Permission can end
Your permission expires at the end of its grant, so you must apply to extend it or leave before then unless you have another permission or permanent residence.
It can also be taken away, for example after a relationship ends, a breach of conditions, deception, criminality or grounds for deportation.
Other legal grounds for cancellation can also apply.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Uk spouse settlement visa
English Facebook group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Request to joinEu Settlement and Pre Settlement scheme (Immigration)
English Facebook group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Join on FacebookI LOVE MY 'FOREIGN' SPOUSE: defend the rights of cross-border couples
English Facebook group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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