UK Spouse Visa Lawyer in Bedford, With Fixed-Fee Packages

The UK spouse visa at a glance

Written and reviewed by Basharat Hussain, IAA regulated Immigration Lawyer (Ref F201800051). Rules checked October 2026 against GOV.UK. We confirm the current position at your consultation.

Who can apply for a UK spouse or partner visa?

You and your partner must both be 18 or over, have met in person, and plan to live together permanently in the UK. Your partner must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status (such as ILR or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme), or have refugee status or humanitarian protection.

The route you use depends on your relationship:

• Spouse or civil partner visa: you are legally married or in a civil partnership.
• Unmarried partner visa: you have lived together in a relationship like a marriage for at least 2 years.
• Fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa: you plan to marry in the UK. This visa lasts 6 months, and once you marry you switch to the spouse visa from inside the UK.

Not sure which one fits? We tell you at your first consultation.

The £29,000 spouse visa financial requirement

Most couples need to show a combined income of at least £29,000 a year before tax. If the applicant is outside the UK, only the UK partner's income counts. If the applicant is already in the UK with permission to work, their UK income can be added. Source: GOV.UK – proof of income for a partner visa.

Ways to meet the requirement

• Salaried job, 6 months or more: you have earned at least £29,000 a year with the same employer for the last 6 months.
• New job or changing salary: your current salary is at least £29,000, and you earned at least £29,000 in the last 12 months.
• Self-employed: based on your income in the last full financial year, or an average of the last two.
• Company director: salary and dividends from your own limited company in the last full financial year.
• Other income: pensions, rental income and dividends can count.
• Savings: savings above £16,000 can make up a shortfall. The formula is (£29,000 minus your income) × 2.5, plus £16,000. For example, with an income of £20,000 you would need £38,500 in savings. Savings must be held for at least 6 months.

Adequate maintenance: when the £29,000 rule does not apply

If your UK-based partner receives certain disability or carer benefits, your spouse visa is assessed under the adequate maintenance rules instead of the usual £29,000 minimum income requirement.

1. Which benefits qualify?

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Armed Forces Independence Payment, or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
• Police Injury Pension
• In Scotland: Carer Support Payment, Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance

Eligibility depends on the specific benefit and the Immigration Rules in force when you apply. Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix FM (E-ECP.3.3).

2. How is adequate maintenance assessed?

1. Net income: We take the household’s income after tax and National Insurance.
2. Housing costs: Rent, mortgage payments and other relevant housing costs are deducted.
3. Income Support comparison: What is left must be at least the Income Support level for a family of the same size.
4. Dependants: The calculation covers you, the spouse applying and any dependent children in the household.
5. Evidence: Benefit award letters, bank statements, income evidence and proof of housing costs.

You must show that the household can be maintained adequately without relying on additional public funds. We work through the figures with you before you apply.

Relationship evidence for a spouse visa

The Home Office needs to see that your relationship is genuine and that you plan to live together. Useful evidence includes:

• Your marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Proof of living together, such as a joint tenancy, bills or bank statements at the same address
• If you have lived apart, evidence of visits, travel and regular contact
• Divorce or dissolution documents for any previous marriages

Dates and details must be consistent across your form, documents and cover letter. Small contradictions are a common reason for extra questions or refusal.

Accommodation requirement

You must have suitable accommodation in the UK that you will live in as a couple, without public funds. It must not be overcrowded, and you need at least one room for your exclusive use.

Evidence usually includes a tenancy agreement or property ownership documents. If you will live with family, a letter from the homeowner and proof of their ownership or tenancy. A property inspection report can help where space is tight.

Spouse visa English test

The test must be an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. You may be exempt if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, have a degree taught in English, are aged 65 or over, or have a disability that prevents you from taking the test. See the GOV.UK English requirement and the approved test providers.

Common Reasons for UK Spouse Visa Refusals

A UK spouse visa application may be refused if the applicant or their partner does not meet the Home Office requirements, or does not provide enough supporting evidence. Common reasons include:

• Failure to meet financial requirements: The couple does not meet the minimum income threshold, or does not provide the required evidence of income, savings or employment.
• Insufficient proof of a genuine relationship: The application does not show clearly enough that the relationship is genuine and ongoing.
• Inadequate relationship or marriage evidence: A missing marriage certificate, limited evidence of contact or too little proof of time spent together can raise concerns.
• Incorrect or incomplete documents: Missing documents, inconsistent information, incorrect translations or errors in the application form can lead to refusal.
• Failure to meet the English language requirement: The applicant does not meet the required English standard, or does not provide acceptable evidence of an exemption or qualification.
• Accommodation requirements not met: The proposed accommodation is considered inadequate or overcrowded under the Immigration Rules.
• Previous immigration breaches: Overstaying, entering the UK unlawfully or breaching previous visa conditions can affect the application.
• False information or misleading documents: False statements, inaccurate details or fraudulent documents can lead to refusal and more serious immigration consequences.
• Failure to meet suitability requirements: Certain criminal convictions, an adverse immigration history or other relevant conduct can affect eligibility.
• Sponsor does not meet eligibility requirements: The UK-based partner may not have the required immigration status, or may not meet other sponsor requirements.
• Problems with previous marriages: A previous marriage or civil partnership may not have been legally dissolved, or the evidence of it may be insufficient.
• Insufficient evidence of intention to live together: The application does not clearly show that the couple intend to live together permanently in the UK.

Most of these can be fixed before you apply, which is why we check every document first. Already refused? Talk to us.