Shabana Bukhari 
Welcome to our comprehensive guide tailored to individuals seeking expert assistance with spouse visa applications in Birmingham. Throughout this blog, we provide invaluable insights and guidance on securing proficient support from trusted spouse visa solicitors in Birmingham.
What is a spouse visa?
A spouse visa, also known as a partner visa, is an opportunity for foreign nationals (“applicant”) to live with their British partner (“sponsor”) and even work in the UK. It comes under the UK family visa category, and you will be eligible for it if you are one of the following:
- Wife, husband, civil partner, unmarried but living together in a relationship for a minimum of 2 years, fiancé or planning to marry or enter a UK civil partnership within the 6 months of arriving there.
- Your partner must be either British, or have UK settled or refugee status.
This visa will allow those who are planning to marry or enter a UK civil partnership a 6-month visa to enter the UK for this purpose. Otherwise, the Home Office will grant you 33 months entry clearance in the UK. You also can extend your visa.
What are the eligibility requirements and documentation for a spouse visa?
- Genuine and eligible relationship.
There must be proof that your relationship is genuine and subsisting. Therefore, documentation to prove such can be in the form of an original marriage or civil partnership certificate. If you are unmarried, then you must provide proof that you and your partner living together for at least the past 2 years.
- You must have a minimum gross annual income of £18,600 to show that you can financially support yourself.
- You have suitable accommodation in the UK.
- You meet the English language requirement.
This is at least level A1 for your first visa application. Evidence of such must be in the form a valid certificate.
- Tuberculosis test results if from a country where you must take the test and a valid passport.
Failure to provide all items in the correct format (and properly translated where necessary) may lead to refusal or delay of your visa.
How much does a spouse visa application cost?
The UK spouse visa application fee in 2024 is £1,048 if your application is made inside the UK and £1,846 if your application is made outside the UK. Other costs include an Immigration Healthcare Surcharge which depends on the length of time you stay in the UK and a biometric fee. The super priority service which is usually only available in-country costs £1,000.
How do you gain expert support for spouse visa applications in Birmingham?
We at Henleaze have an expert team of immigration advisers who are based in Birmingham and able to support you through your spouse visa application.
Note that some of the requirements under the spouse visa are extremely restrictive, such as having to meet certain financial requirements. However, our team provides expert legal advice and representation to those who want to know how to apply spouse visa, and we have a strong track record of successful applications.
FAQs about Spouse visa solicitors in Birmingham
What is a spouse visa?
A spouse visa, also known as a partner visa, is an opportunity for foreign nationals (“applicant”) to live with their British partner (“sponsor”) and even work in the UK.
What are the eligibility requirements for a spouse visa?
The eligibility requirements for a spouse visa include a genuine and eligible relationship, having a minimum gross income of £18,600, suitable accommodation in the UK, meeting the English language requirement, and potentially taking a tuberculosis test.
How much does a spouse visa application cost?
The UK spouse visa application in 2024 costs £1,048 if your application is made inside the UK and £1,846 if your application is made outside the UK. Other costs include an Immigration Healthcare Surcharge which depends on the length of time you stay in the UK and a biometric fee. The super priority service which is usually only available in-country costs £1,000.
How long does the initial spouse application allow you to remain in the UK for?
The initial spouse visa application will allow you to remain in the UK for 30 months. Then you must apply for an extension which allows for an additional 30 months. After the expiration of this extension, you would have lived in the UK for 5 years and now you can apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).
How much absence from the UK is allowed for applicants under a spouse visa?
Applicants under the spouse visa should not have more than 180 days absence from the UK.
Will my spouse visa be successful with expert support?
This is highly dependable as the UKVI makes the final decision on your spouse visa application which an immigration adviser has no control over. But by ensuring those you are entrusting is experienced by doing your research online and reading reviews. Their legal advice and expertise have various benefits, such as minimising the risk of rejection and therefore increasing your chances of success compared to acting independently.
Does marriage to a British citizen automatically grant a non-UK spouse citizenship?
Marriage to a British citizen does not automatically grant a non-UK spouse citizenship. Instead, applicants must meet the Home Office’s eligibility requirements for British citizenship by naturalisation.
Once I have my decision latter on my spouse visa application how long will it take until I get my biometric residence permit?
Once you have got your decision letter you will receive your biometric residence permit up to a maximum of 10 working days.
How do you gain expert support for spouse visa applications in Birmingham?
We at Henleaze have an expert team of immigration advisers who are based in Birmingham and able to provide expert legal advice and representation to those who want to know how to apply for a spouse visa in UK, and we have a strong track record of successful applications.
Summary
In this blog readers have learnt how to gain expert support for spouse visa applications in Birmingham.
Please contact our expert team of Birmingham based immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for legal assistance on Spouse Visas enquiries.
