United Kingdom · Spouse visas
United Kingdom Spouse or partner visa
Income needed: £29k+ a year ≈ $38k
Family visa as a partner or spouse of a British citizen or settled person (Appendix FM)
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Spouse or partner visa is a spouse visas route for United Kingdom. Applicants need income of £29k+ a year ≈ $38k. You can stay 2 yrs 9 mo, renewable. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- £29k+ a year ≈ $38k
- Government fees
- £2,064 ≈ $2,730
- Processing
- At least 84 days
- First stay
- 2 yrs 9 mo
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee £2,064 ≈ $2,730; income to show £29k+/yr ≈ $38k; decision: at least 84 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees£2,064 ≈ $2,730
- GBP 2,064 (≈ $2,730)Application fee when applying from outside the UK; the same fee applies to each dependant added.
Shown, not spent£29k+/yr ≈ $38k
- GBP 29,000 a year (≈ $38,300)Combined income of applicant and partner; savings can be used instead of income. Different rules apply if the partner gets certain disability or carer benefits, or for extensions of visas first granted before 11 April 2024 (GBP18,600 (≈ $24,600)).
RenewalRenewable
Extend by up to 2 years and 6 months each time, as often as needed.
Permanent residenceAfter 5 years of residence
You need 5 continuous years on the family partner route before applying to settle.
CitizenshipAfter 5 years of residence
British citizenship needs 5 years living in the UK and 12 months with settled status (no 12-month wait if married to a British citizen), with no more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 years.
ProcessingAt least 84 days
From outside the UK you usually get a decision within 12 weeks. From inside the UK it is 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
Apply online from outside the UK, or from inside the UK to extend or switch.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Not open to passports from Ireland
What you'll need
Who can apply7
- Applicant and partner are both aged 18 or over.
- The partner is a British or Irish citizen or is settled in the UK.
- Applicant and partner intend to live together permanently in the UK.
- The relationship is a marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK, or a couple living together for at least 2 years.
- A couple that cannot live together because of work, study or cultural reasons must show 2 years in a relationship and ongoing commitment.
- The applicant has a good knowledge of English, shown by a degree taught in English or an approved test at CEFR level A1.
- English proof is not needed for applicants over 65 or nationals of listed countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
What you must show2
- The couple has a combined income of at least GBP29,000 (≈ $38,300) a year, or savings that can replace income.
- No minimum income applies if the partner gets certain disability or carer benefits.
Documents2
- Evidence of the relationship under 4 years old from a government, bank, landlord, utility provider or medical professional.
- A marriage or civil partnership certificate, or tenancy or bills showing the same address.
Steps1
- Apply online from outside the UK; a decision usually takes 12 weeks.
After you arrive2
- After 2 years and 9 months apply to extend for a further 2 years and 6 months, as many times as needed.
- Indefinite leave to remain is available after 5 years on this visa, or 10 years if the income test is not met.
When you become tax resident
How United Kingdom decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
33 months at first, renewable
- Tax residence
Statutory Residence Test.
- Foreign-source income
New-resident relief (4 years)
Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025.
- Special regime
Four-year Foreign Income and Gains regime · Tax relief
All tax rules for United Kingdom Tax records checked
Full official text
For the spouse, civil partner or long-term partner of a British or Irish citizen or a person settled in the UK. It gives permission to live in the UK for up to 2 years and 9 months, with settlement possible after 5 years. 1 2 3
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least GBP 29,000 a year (≈ $38,300) · Combined income of applicant and partner; savings can be used instead of income. Different rules apply if the partner gets certain disability or carer benefits, or for extensions of visas first granted before 11 April 2024 (GBP18,600 (≈ $24,600)). 2
- A fee of GBP 2,064 (≈ $2,730) · Application fee when applying from outside the UK; the same fee applies to each dependant added. 4
Requirements
- Applicant and partner are both aged 18 or over. 1
- The partner is a British or Irish citizen or is settled in the UK. 1
- Applicant and partner intend to live together permanently in the UK. 1
- The relationship is a marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK, or a couple living together for at least 2 years. 1
- A couple that cannot live together because of work, study or cultural reasons must show 2 years in a relationship and ongoing commitment. 1
- The applicant has a good knowledge of English, shown by a degree taught in English or an approved test at CEFR level A1. 3
- English proof is not needed for applicants over 65 or nationals of listed countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. 3
- The couple has a combined income of at least GBP29,000 (≈ $38,300) a year, or savings that can replace income. 2
- No minimum income applies if the partner gets certain disability or carer benefits. 2
- Evidence of the relationship under 4 years old from a government, bank, landlord, utility provider or medical professional. 1
- A marriage or civil partnership certificate, or tenancy or bills showing the same address. 1
- Apply online from outside the UK; a decision usually takes 12 weeks. 1
- After 2 years and 9 months apply to extend for a further 2 years and 6 months, as many times as needed. 1
- Indefinite leave to remain is available after 5 years on this visa, or 10 years if the income test is not met. 1 2
Stay
- Up to 2 years and 9 months on the first grant (visa from outside the UK); extensions up to 2 years and 6 months, repeatable; indefinite leave to remain after 5 years on the partner route.
- Initial permitted stay: 33 months.
- Visa validity: 33 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission. Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland.
Family
Children under 18 who do not live an independent life can be added as dependants.
Official sources
- Family visas: apply as a partner or spouse · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- Family visas: financial requirements if you are applying as a partner or spouse · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- Family visas: knowledge of English · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- UK family visa: how much it costs · UK Government (GOV.UK) · checked 2026-10-11
- Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
Spouse or partner visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse or partner visa | Needs income of £29k+ a year ≈ $38k | 2.8 yr, renewable | – |
| Fiancé visa | Needs income of £29k+ a year ≈ $38k | 6 mo | No |
| Spouse of a citizen Portugal | – | – | – |
| Spouse of a resident Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a resident Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Spouse or partner visa?
Income of at least GBP 29,000 a year (≈ $38,300). Combined income of applicant and partner; savings can be used instead of income. A fee of GBP 2,064 (≈ $2,730). Application fee when applying from outside the UK; the same fee applies to each dependant added.
How long can I stay on the Spouse or partner visa?
Up to 2 years and 9 months on the first grant (visa from outside the UK); extensions up to 2 years and 6 months, repeatable; indefinite leave to remain after 5 years on the partner route.
How long does the Spouse or partner visa take to process?
From outside the UK you usually get a decision within 12 weeks.
Can I bring my family on the Spouse or partner visa?
Children under 18 who do not live an independent life can be added as dependants.
Who can apply for the Spouse or partner visa?
Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission. Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland.
Does the Spouse or partner visa lead to permanent residence in United Kingdom?
Time on the Spouse or partner visa counts toward permanent residence in United Kingdom, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Spouse or partner visa counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for Spouse or partner visa holders in United Kingdom?
Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime: Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime
Tax relief
Details
- Who: UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test
Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025.
Taxed on
Claimed eligible foreign income and gains arising in the first four UK tax-resident years after at least ten years’ non-UK residence. Examples include foreign trade conducted wholly outside the UK, overseas property-business profits, non-UK dividends and foreign interest. Foreign employment earnings and specified employment income are outside FIG.
Who it applies to
- UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test.
- Within the first 4 years of UK tax residence after at least 10 years as non-UK resident.
- Claim made annually; unused years do not roll over; temporary years abroad are skipped.
- If the 4 years began before 6 April 2025, claims are available from 2025 to 2026 to the last year of the period.
Exclusions
- UK-source income stays taxable.
- Foreign earnings and foreign specific employment income are not eligible, though Overseas Workday Relief may apply.
- A claim loses Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax tax-free allowances, Marriage Allowance, Married Couples Allowance and Blind Person's Allowance.
Tax residence
Qualifying resident means UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test and within the first four years of UK residence after at least a 10-year period as non-UK tax resident.
Visas
Immigration permission does not qualify anyone; eligibility is tax residence only.
Other taxes
National Insurance, VAT, payroll, UK-source income, treaties and home-country taxes are outside the claim.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in United Kingdom
Spouse and partner visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Family visas: apply as a partner or spouse · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- Family visas: financial requirements if you are applying as a partner or spouse · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- Family visas: knowledge of English · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- UK family visa: how much it costs · UK Government (GOV.UK) · checked 2026-10-11
- Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.