Bring your husband, wife or partner to the UK.
The most common UK family route — a 33-month visa, leading to settlement after five years. Here's how it works and what it actually takes.
Who it's for
The spouse / partner visa is for the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or someone settled in the UK. Both of you must be 18+, the relationship must be genuine and continuing, and you must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
The six requirements
- Relationship — legally married or in a civil partnership, genuine and subsisting.
- Financial — sponsor's gross income of £29,000, met by salary, savings, self-employment, pensions or a combination.
- English — Home Office–approved A1 test, or evidence of an exemption.
- Accommodation — adequate, not overcrowded, lawfully occupied.
- Suitability — immigration and criminal history declared honestly.
- TB test — if applying from a listed country.
The journey
You arrive on a 33-month visa, then extend for a further 30 months (FLR-M), then apply for settlement (ILR) at the five-year mark. Citizenship is an optional fourth step, usually 12 months after ILR.
Why people get refused
The same handful of reasons account for most refusals: the financial evidence not quite matching the rules, thin relationship evidence, the wrong English test, undisclosed history, or small fatal errors. Almost every one is preventable.
Do you meet the £29,000 requirement?
Enter the UK sponsor's gross annual income. We'll show whether you meet the threshold on earnings — and, if not, the savings you'd need.
Estimate based on GOV.UK rates, June 2026 — fees change, confirm on your free call.
Talk to a real person — not a call centre.
Tell us what you're trying to do. We'll be honest about whether you've got a case, whether you need help, and what it'll cost. If you don't have a case, we'll tell you — and we won't take your money.
"If you don't have a case, we'll tell you — and we won't take your money."
Average call-back: same day, usually within a few hours.