Spouse Visa – Application
guidance – 2020

Finalising your spouse visa application – Spouse visa applications made easy! (Part 2)

Welcome back to our spouse visa applications guide.

Now that you have prepared the perfect spouse visa covering letter, you can move on to the rest of the application process. Spouse visa applications need to be made online. You will need to register a UK Visa account and fill in an online application form. Once the form is complete, you will need to pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge and book an appointment at an available visa application centre. You will then need to take documents to your appointment at your specified appointment time.

We recommend that you keep a record of everything your intend to submit as part of your application process. It may be helpful later to know exactly what you had previously submitted. We have provided a list of the important items/things you need to be aware of below:

• Item 1: Applications. You should always prepare and include a detailed covering letter with your application. Your cover letter should contain your immigration background information and stated how you meet the specific immigration rules
• Item 2: Evidence of identity and nationality. You should always include the documents you are relying on to demonstrate your identity and nationality and that of your spouse, such as your passport and your spouse’s passport or Biometric Residence Permit.
• Item 3: Evidence of relationship. You should always include the documents you are relying on to show your relationship with your spouse, such as your marriage certificate and evidence of regular and recent contact.
• Item 4: Evidence of spouse’s finances. You must show how you and or your spouse meet the financial requirements.  You should therefore include any financial documents you are relying on to show the  financial requirements are met. Refer to Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules financial requirements.
• Item 5: Evidence of spouse’s accommodation. You should include the documents you are relying on to demonstrate where your spouse lives and that they own or rent this property. If you have any concerns regard overcrowding, then you should commission an independent house report.
• Item 6: Evidence of English language. You should include the documents you are relying on to demonstrate how you meet the English language requirements.

Your application decision 

If you application is granted you must enter the UK before you visa expires. Once you enter you are then free to live your life with your spouse in the UK. Don’t forget, your leave to enter will only be valid for 2 and a half years. You should make a note of when your leave to enter expires so you can begin preparing your application to extend your leave in plenty of time. Also you have sufficient time to resolve any issues that may crop up!

If, on the other hand, when you get your decision your application has unfortunately been refused, you will be given a letter outlining the reasons for the refusal. This letter will also advise you if you have the right to appeal against that decision. If you do have the right to appeal, you can book an appointment to speak to one our qualified immigration Solicitors here. They can provide advice and representation where required.

Please remember this blog is a guide only. The immigration rules and procedures change on a regular basis, so if you need specific immigration advice speak to one our qualified advisers. If you want to know more about our services you can read more here.

Good luck!