A UK Marriage/Spouse Visa will enable you to come to the UK to join your partner.

You may apply for a UK Marriage/Spouse Visa on the basis that you are married to a person who is present and settled in the UK.

If you are not married to your partner but still wish to join them in the UK you may apply for a UK Fiancé Visa.

UK Spouse/Marriage Visa Applications are not only complicated, they can be expensive too. Just One mistake, whether it's a spelling mistake or an omission on the form will result in your UK Marriage/Spouse Visa application being rejected by the Home Office, therefore increasing your costs in re-applying.

UK Marriage/Spouse Visa Criteria

• Both parties in the marriage must be at least 21 before a UK Marriage/Spouse Visa can be issued

• Parties must have met each other, be legally married to each other and plan to live together

• If you intend on applying for a UK Marriage/Spouse Visa you must be able to support yourself entirely without any recourse to public funds

• You will need to have adequate accommodation in the UK where dependents can live without recourse to public funds.

Key questions

1. Are you and your spouse are aged 21 or over

2. Does the British citizen support their self financially without recourse to public funds?

3. Your spouse has accommodation for you in the UK

4. You are NOT claiming benefits

5. Note: If yes, the application may not be successful.

6. Does the applicant have any savings?

7. You and your spouse were free to marry. Meaning your previous marriage was dissolved.

8. You have passed or are due to take the required English language test

9. If you answered yes to the above key questions, it is likely you are eligible to apply for a UK Marriage/Spouse Visa.

Switching into a spouse while in the UK (in-country applications)

You may switch in-country to become a spouse of a British citizen or someone settled in the UK. It is important that you provide the Home Office with all the relevant documents that show your relationship is existing and that you intend to live together permanently in the UK.

Top tips for UK Marriage/Spouse Visa applications

Why take the risk with your United Kingdom Visa application form when it's so important?

1. Provide appropriate evidence for everything; don’t assume that the Entry Clearance Officer will take your word for it.

2. Visa application forms are very complicated, pay close attention to each question and answer truthfully; if you answer something incorrectly it could be seen as an attempt to use deception.

3. Give at least three months for your visa to be processed, especially over Christmas and summer.

4. Present your application clearly, label evidence appropriately. The Entry Clearance officer has just a few moments to come to a decision so make it easy for them.

5. Do not get impatient; only purchase flights / book accommodation once you have your visa.

If you would like your UK Marriage/Spouse Visa application completed by professionals that only specialise in UK immigration law it is best to seek advice from immigration lawyers or consultants that are accredited by the OISC.

They will advise and guide you through the whole UK Visa application process and take away the stress of applying. They will tell you what documents are needed to support your UK Spouse/Marriage Visa application as well as applying up to date UK immigration law for your legal representation, which will strengthen your case.