Spouse visa from outside the UK

Entry clearance is the application you make from your home country to join your husband, wife or civil partner in the UK. The rules are the same as for an in-country spouse application, but the process, timing and some evidence points differ.

The process

1. Check eligibility. Relationship, financial requirement, English at A1, accommodation.
2. Online application on GOV.UK, paying the fee of £2,064 and the health surcharge of £1,035 a year for the length of the visa.

Our fixed fee for preparing and submitting the application is £1,500 for one applicant (a fixed fee for additional applicants can be arranged), and we submit it for you as your UK legal representatives.

1. Biometrics at a visa application centre in your country, and document upload.
2. TB test at an approved clinic if you are applying from a listed country.
3. Decision, usually within 12 weeks. Priority services are available in most countries for an extra fee.
4. Travel within the validity of the entry clearance vignette and collect your eVisa or biometric details.

Evidence points that cause refusals from abroad

• Financial evidence for the sponsor in the UK must cover the required period in the exact form Appendix FM-SE sets out; a missing payslip or a bank statement that does not show the salary credit is a refusal.
• Where the sponsor is returning to the UK with you, the rules on a job offer or overseas income are different and strict.
• Relationship evidence for couples who have lived apart: call logs, visits, money transfers and statements from family.
• Accommodation: a letter from the owner or landlord plus proof of ownership or tenancy, and an inspection report where the property is crowded.

If you are refused

Entry clearance refusals as a partner carry a right of appeal, heard in the UK while you remain abroad. We assess the refusal letter and advise whether to appeal or reapply; see visa refusals and appeals.

What we do

We prepare the whole application from Manchester for clients anywhere in the world, working by video and secure upload, and we deal with the visa application centre requirements in your country.

Ask a question

If you are not sure which route applies, ask a solicitor and we will reply by phone or email. For an open discussion with other applicants, see ukspousevisa.co.uk, our separate site about partner visas.