I Want to Bring My Partner to the UK
If your partner or spouse is from outside the UK, you can apply for a Family visa to bring them to live with you. The process involves meeting a financial requirement and providing evidence of your genuine relationship.
Estimated timeline
As the UK-based sponsor, you must meet the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). This is £29,000 gross per year (rising to £38,700 by 2025 in stages). Income can come from employment, self-employment, or a combination. If you do not meet it from income alone, savings above £16,000 can be used to make up the shortfall using a specific formula.
Your partner will need to show they meet the English language requirement. This usually means passing an approved English test (such as IELTS Life Skills) at B1 level. Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries (such as Australia, Canada, or the USA), and for those with a degree taught in English.
Both you and your partner will need to gather documents. Key items include: valid passports, evidence of your relationship (messages, photos, evidence of cohabitation if applicable, previous visits), proof of your income (payslips, bank statements, P60), evidence of adequate UK accommodation, and your partner's English language certificate if required.
Submit the online application and pay fees
Standard processing: 12 weeks; priority processing availableYour partner applies online at the GOV.UK Visa and Immigration website from their country of residence. The visa fee is currently £1,846. The Immigration Health Surcharge must also be paid (£1,035 per year of the visa, so approximately £2,587.50 for a 2.5-year visa). After applying, book a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre.
Your partner will receive a vignette visa to enter the UK. Once here, they will receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). The initial leave is 2.5 years. You will need to apply for an extension before it expires. After 5 years of continuous residence on the family route, your partner can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement).
Frequently asked questions
What if I do not earn enough to meet the MIR?
Can my partner work once in the UK?
Do we have to be married?
Official bodies and resources
Home Office
GovernmentThe lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counter-terrorism, and police.
UK Visas and Immigration
GovernmentResponsible for making millions of decisions every year about who has the right to visit or stay in the UK.
Citizens Advice
CharityProvides free, confidential, and independent advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, housing, debt, and employment.
Related guides
Family Visa: Overview
The UK's family immigration rules allow certain close family members of British citizens and those with settled or pre-settled status in the UK to apply to join them. The most common route is the spouse and partner visa, but other routes exist for children, parents, and other dependent relatives. Family visa rules changed significantly in April 2024, with a substantial increase to the minimum income requirement.
7 min
Immigration Evidence Checklist
Gathering the right evidence is one of the most important — and time-consuming — parts of any UK immigration application. Missing, inadequate, or poorly presented evidence is one of the most common reasons for delays and refusals. This guide summarises the types of evidence typically required across the main visa categories.
6 min
Spouse and Partner Visa Route
The spouse or partner visa is the most common family visa route in the UK. It allows the husband, wife, civil partner, or long-term unmarried partner of a British citizen or person with settled status to live and work in the UK. The rules governing this route are complex and have changed frequently, with significant increases to financial requirements in 2024.
8 min
Settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — also called settlement — gives you the right to live, work, and study in the UK for an indefinite period without immigration restrictions. ILR is a significant step on the pathway to British citizenship and provides much greater security than any time-limited visa. However, ILR can be lost if you spend extended periods outside the UK.
8 min
Disclaimer