If you have a UK spouse visa and your leave period is about to end, you must apply for a spouse visa extension to stay in the nation with your spouse. Applying for a spouse visa extension may be as difficult and time-consuming as your first visa application. You will once more need to prove that your relationship and financial situation still match the conditions for visa eligibility.
If your application for a spouse visa extension is approved, you will be given an extra 30 months to stay in the UK. By the time the duration is over, you should have accumulated five years of qualifying residency there and will be qualified to apply for indefinite permission to remain.
What steps should you take to have your extension application ready with so much at stake?
Requirements for UK spouse visa extensions:
Both you and your spouse or partner must be at least 18 years old, present in the UK, and live permanently together to apply for a spouse visa extension.
Relationship requirement:
You must show that your relationship with your spouse is “genuine and subsisting” to be eligible for the spouse visa renewal. Your spouse must either be:
- A citizen of the UK., a citizen of the UK who is already present and living there with either proof of long-term residency or indefinite leave to remain.
- A refugee.
- A person to whom the UK has awarded humanitarian protection.
If you are not married, you must have documentation proving that you have been in a relationship that is at least two years long and is equivalent to a marriage or civil partnership.
Financial maintenance requirement:
You and your spouse or partner must earn a combined yearly income of at least £18,600 to meet the financial requirements when applying for a spouse visa renewal.
If you have a child, the minimum required doubles to £22,400, plus an additional £2,400 for each additional child. Anyone under 18 dependent on you or your spouse is called a “child.” If you have the authorization to work in the UK, you can meet this minimal income need either through your husband’s or your partner’s salary or self-employment or through your income.
Income from various sources, such as pension or maternity benefits, might be combined. Additionally, you may substitute cash savings over £16,000 for income.
English language requirement
Applicants for spouse visa extensions must show they meet the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages standard of A2 in English speaking and listening.
By passing a certified English language test in speaking and listening, you may also show your proficiency in the language. Suppose you are 65 or older, a citizen of an English-speaking nation (such as the USA or New Zealand), or you suffer from a medical or mental condition that prohibits you from completing these requirements. In that case, you will be excluded from the English language requirement.
Good character requirement
Additionally, you must fulfill the condition for excellent character. This is a generic test to see if there are any reasons to deny your application, such as illegal immigration or criminal convictions you may have had while living in the UK.
How can I apply for a UK spouse visa extension?
Before your UK spouse visa expires, you should apply online for a spouse visa extension. Ensure you have gathered all the necessary documentation and are prepared with the information.
As part of the application process, you will be expected to disclose information about your spouse or partner, including the nature of your relationship with them.
Required Documents for UK Spouse Visa Extension
Your current and previous passports or travel documents and any Biometric Residence Permits must be submitted as supporting documentation for your request for a spouse visa extension.
- Identity documentation, such as a passport, is required. Proof of your spouse’s legal status in the UK, such as a document proving perpetual residency.
- Evidence of your connection includes documents like your marriage license, utility bills showing your addresses and correspondence.
- Proof that you have the necessary funds is required, such as pay stubs attesting to your income or bank statements attesting to your savings.
- If necessary, provide evidence of your English proficiency, such as a diploma or a certified English language test result.
Depending on your situation, you may need to provide additional documents, such as a divorce decree, to prove that previous unions were null and void.
Cost of UK Spouse Visa
(As of January 2021) the application price for requesting an extension of a spouse visa from the UK is £1048. The charge to enroll your biometric data (£19.20 in January 2021), the fee to take the English language test (if necessary), and any fees for document translation into English are additional expenses. Additionally, you might be required to pay the immigration health surcharge. As a UK spouse visa holder, you must pay this mandatory charge to access the National Health Service for the duration of your leave.
Conclusion:
If your application is successful, you will be granted a further 2.5 years’ leave to remain in the UK. My Legal Services can help you with your spouse visa extension application. We have a team of experienced spouse visa solicitors who can help you understand the requirements for extending your visa and prepare your application. We can also represent you at any immigration interview.
