Overview
Bringing your husband, wife, civil partner, or long-term partner to live with you in the UK is one of the most personal legal matters you will face — and one of the most heavily scrutinised by the Home Office. Marsl Sharifi is an SRA-regulated immigration solicitor who personally reviews every spouse and partner visa application from initial consultation through to decision. Whether you are worried about the income threshold, gathering the right evidence, or recovering from a previous refusal, Marsl will give you a plain-English assessment of where you stand before you commit to anything.
Who this service is for
- Spouse visa (married couples)
- Civil partner visa
- Unmarried partner visa (couples who have lived together for at least two years in a relationship akin to marriage)
- Fiancé/fiancée visa (applying before the wedding takes place in the UK)
- Further leave to remain and extensions for partners already in the UK
- Applications where a previous refusal has been issued
What you'll need
- Valid passport (sponsor and applicant)
- Official evidence of relationship (marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or cohabitation evidence spanning at least two years)
- Proof of sponsor's income or savings meeting the minimum financial requirement
- P60(s), payslips, employer letter, business accounts, or bank statements as appropriate to your income source
- Evidence of suitable accommodation in the UK
- Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate where required by country of nationality
- English language test certificate (SELT from an approved provider) or evidence of an exemption
- Photographs meeting UKVI specification
- Online Immigration Health Surcharge payment receipt
Fees
Marsl's professional fees for a spouse or partner visa application are £1,800 + VAT, depending on the complexity of your case (for example, self-employed income, previous refusals, or a particularly large evidence bundle).
In addition, you will pay UKVI's application fee direct to the Home Office, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge.
In line with the SRA Transparency Rules, a full written fee agreement is provided before any work begins.
The process, step by step
- Step 1
Initial consultation
Marsl reviews your circumstances and confirms eligibility. You leave with a clear list of what is needed and a realistic assessment of timescale. Typically 1–2 hours.
- Step 2
Document gathering
Marsl advises on every document, checks for gaps, and flags any issues with financial evidence or cohabitation proof before the application is submitted.
- Step 3
Application preparation
Marsl completes the online application form, prepares a detailed cover letter addressing the Immigration Rules, and bundles your supporting evidence.
- Step 4
Biometrics and submission
The applicant attends a Visa Application Centre in their home country to enrol biometrics and submit the application. Marsl ensures everything is in order beforehand.
- Step 5
Decision
Standard processing time is currently around 24 weeks from the UK Visa Application Centre. Priority and Super Priority services are available at some VACs at additional cost.
- Step 6
Entry clearance and arrival
Once the visa is granted, Marsl advises on travel, the 30-day entry requirement, and next steps toward further leave to remain and eventual settlement.
What has changed (2024–26): the new financial requirement
On 11 April 2024 the minimum income requirement for a spouse or partner visa rose from £18,600 to £29,000 per year. This was a significant increase — roughly 56% — and has led to a notable rise in refusals on financial grounds.
If you are close to the threshold, how you present your income matters greatly. Marsl has worked with clients across a wide range of employment types — PAYE, self-employment, rental income, and permitted savings — and understands how the Rules require each to be calculated and evidenced.
The threshold is due to rise further in stages, though the Government has not yet confirmed the timetable. If you are considering applying, acting sooner rather than later may work in your favour.