Family immigration

UK spouse and partner visas

A relationship application is both personal and technical. The evidence must establish the qualifying relationship while meeting route, finance, accommodation, English-language and suitability requirements in the correct form.

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Resolve the points that determine the outcome.

UK spouse and partner visa advice on relationships, financial requirements, specified evidence, accommodation, English language and settlement planning.

The correct strategy depends on the current rules and the complete facts. Early advice is designed to identify the decisive legal, evidential and timing issues before avoidable commitments are made.

01Spouse and civil-partner applications

02Unmarried and durable partners

03Fiancé and proposed civil-partner routes

04Financial requirement and permitted sources

05Specified evidence under Appendix FM-SE

06Accommodation and English language

07Extensions and settlement

08Previous refusals and complex histories

Three questions to settle early.

01

Identify the correct family route and stage.

Entry clearance, in-country switching, fiancé permission, partner extensions and settlement apply different requirements. The application must be designed around the sponsor’s status and the applicant’s present immigration position.

02

Prove finance through the permitted evidential route.

Income, savings and other permitted sources are governed by detailed rules and specified evidence. The figures, period relied upon and documents must correspond; an apparently sufficient income can still be poorly evidenced.

03

Present the relationship accurately and proportionately.

The evidence should explain how the relationship developed, how the couple live or communicate and their intention to live together permanently in the UK. Volume does not cure inconsistency.

Before the process begins.

01What is the current minimum income requirement?+

For many new partner applications the published threshold is £29,000, but transitional arrangements and exceptions can apply. The rules in force for the particular applicant must be checked before relying on a figure.

02Can savings be used?+

Potentially. Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE govern when cash savings can meet or supplement the financial requirement and how the funds must be held and evidenced.

03Can a visitor switch to a partner visa in the UK?+

Usually not. There are limited exceptions and route-specific circumstances, so the applicant’s present permission and facts require review before any in-country application.

04When does the partner route lead to settlement?+

Many applicants qualify on a five-year route, while others may be placed on a ten-year route. Continuity, extensions and the requirements at settlement must be planned across the whole period.

Current rules and official guidance.

Reviewed 20 July 2026. Immigration law and guidance change frequently; the current text and complete facts must be checked before action is taken.

Immigration Rules Appendix FM Appendix FM-SE: specified evidence Partner and spouse visa guidance

Understand it. Test it. Then decide.

01 · Understand

UK relocation for international families

Understand the legal and evidential questions that shape this instruction.

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02 · Assess

Find the right starting point

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03 · Discuss

Obtain a fact-specific view.

Set out the objective, present position and timing for an initial assessment through Quastels.

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