Why spouse visas get refused — and how to avoid it

A spouse visa refusal is expensive and demoralising — you usually lose the fee and have to start again. The good news is that most refusals come down to the same handful of causes, and almost all of them are avoidable. Here are the big ones.

1. The financial requirement, on a technicality

Number one cause: the money is often there — it's the evidence that fails. A missing payslip, bank statements that don't reconcile, the wrong calculation category, or savings that weren't held long enough.

2. Weak relationship evidence

A marriage certificate alone doesn't prove a 'genuine and subsisting' relationship. Caseworkers look for a believable picture over time — cohabitation, shared finances, communication, visits.

3. Using income that doesn't count

Counting the applicant's overseas salary (which usually can't be used from outside the UK), or relying on a source the rules don't allow.

4. The English language requirement

Wrong test, non-approved centre, or a missed exemption.

5. Suitability and undisclosed history

A previous refusal, overstay, deportation or criminal record that wasn't addressed head-on. Glossing over history almost always backfires.

6. Small but fatal errors

A document not translated, an unsigned form, an expired TB certificate, the wrong supporting letter — collectively the cause of a surprising number of refusals.

What to do if you've already been refused

Read the refusal letter carefully — it sets out the exact reason. Depending on the case you may have a right of appeal, a right to administrative review, or the option to reapply with the problem fixed. Don't fire off an identical application again.