The UK Spouse Visa allows foreign nationals to live in the UK with their British citizen or settled partner. After the initial grant, you may be eligible to extend your stay by applying for a Spouse Visa extension. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand the process.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a Spouse Visa extension, you must generally meet the following criteria:

• Genuine and Subsisting Relationship: Maintain a genuine and ongoing relationship with your British citizen or settled partner. This requires demonstrating continued commitment through various means such as:
  • Cohabitation: Continuing to live together.
  • Financial interdependence: Joint bank accounts, shared bills, and mutual financial support.
  • Social integration: Shared social circles, family, and friend relationships.
  • Travel history: Joint travel itineraries and photographs.
  • Correspondence: Letters, emails, and social media interactions.
• Financial Requirements: You and your partner must continue to meet the financial requirements. This typically involves demonstrating sufficient income or savings to support yourselves without relying on public funds.
• Accommodation: You must have suitable accommodation available in the UK.
• English Language Proficiency: You generally need to meet the English language requirements, although there may be exemptions in some cases.
• No Desirable Change of Circumstances: You and your partner must not have entered into the marriage or civil partnership primarily for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits.

Application Process

The Spouse Visa extension application process generally involves the following steps:

1. Gather Required Documents: Collect all necessary documents, including:
   • Passport and visa: Valid passport and current UK Spouse Visa.
   • Relationship evidence: Updated evidence of your ongoing relationship, such as photographs, travel documents, correspondence, and financial records.
   • Financial evidence: Updated bank statements, payslips, and evidence of savings.
   • Accommodation evidence: Tenancy agreement, property deeds, or letters of support from accommodation providers.
   • English language test results: If applicable.
   • Application form: Complete the online application form accurately and honestly.
2. Pay the Application Fee: Pay the required application fee for the Spouse Visa extension.
3. Biometric Appointment: Schedule and attend a biometric appointment at a designated Visa Application Centre. Your fingerprints and photograph will be taken.
4. Submit Application: Submit your completed application form and all supporting documents online or at the Visa Application Centre.
5. Decision: The Home Office will assess your application and make a decision. This process can take several weeks or months.
6. Collect or Receive Documents: If your application is successful, you will receive your new visa. If your application is refused, you will receive a refusal letter explaining the reasons for the refusal.

Important Considerations

• Application Timing: Applications for extend spouse visa uk must generally be submitted within 28 days before the current visa expires.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): After successfully completing two 30-month Spouse Visa extensions (a total of 5 years on a Spouse Visa), you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which grants you the right to live and work in the UK permanently.
• Dependant Children: If you have children, you may be able to include them on your extension application.