UK Marriage Visa Requirements

UK Marriage Visa Requirements

The UK Marriage Visa, also known as the Spouse Visa, allows the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen or someone with settled status in the UK to live together in the UK. To be eligible, both the applicant and sponsor must meet several requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Below is a full breakdown of the key eligibility criteria and required documents.

1. Relationship Requirements

You must be legally married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or someone with indefinite leave to remain (ILR), refugee status, or settled/pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

In addition:

• Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing.
• You must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
• If married abroad, your marriage must be legally recognized in the UK.

2. Age Requirement

Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.

3. Financial Requirement

The UK sponsor must earn a minimum gross annual income of £18,600. If children are included, this amount increases:

• + £3,800 for the first child
• + £2,400 for each additional child

Acceptable sources of income include:

• Salaried or self-employed income
• Pension income
• Rental income
• Cash savings (must be held for at least 6 months)

4. English Language Requirement

The applicant must prove knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test at A1 CEFR level or higher, or by holding a degree taught in English or being a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Exemptions apply for applicants over 65 or those with certain medical conditions.

5. Accommodation Requirement

You must prove there is adequate accommodation available for both partners (and children, if applicable) in the UK. It must not be overcrowded or contravene public health regulations. Documents typically include:

• Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement
• Landlord’s permission if renting
• Property inspection report (optional but helpful)

6. Tuberculosis (TB) Test

If you are applying from a country listed by the UK Home Office as requiring TB testing, you must provide a valid TB test certificate from an approved clinic.

7. Required Documents Checklist

To apply for a UK Marriage Visa, you will typically need to provide:

• Valid passport and previous travel documents
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Proof of your sponsor’s UK citizenship or settled status
• 6 months of payslips and bank statements
• Proof of English language ability
• Evidence of accommodation
• Photos, messages, travel history, and other relationship evidence

Important Notes

• Documents not in English or Welsh must be translated by a certified translator.
• Submit clear, organized, and complete documents to avoid refusal or delays.
• Applications are submitted online through the UKVI portal, followed by a biometric appointment.

Meeting all the requirements and submitting strong supporting documents significantly improves your chances of a successful UK Marriage Visa application. For complex cases, professional immigration advice is strongly recommended.

Key Requirements

• Proof of marriage or civil partnership
• Income threshold: £18,600 (more with dependents)
• English language ability (A1 CEFR or higher)
• Proof of adequate accommodation

Supporting Documents

Include passports, proof of income (payslips, bank statements), housing documents, and relationship evidence (photos, chats, travel). Documents not in English must be officially translated.