Marrying a UK citizen can be an exciting step towards a new life together in the United Kingdom. However, the process of obtaining a UK spouse visa can be challenging. Meeting the financial and language requirements set by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) office is a key hurdle in the visa acquisition process. 

This guide will help you understand the financial and language requirements to qualify for a UK spouse visa. Let’s start the discussion. 

Financial Requirement

The financial threshold for all types of family visas is £29,000 since April 11, 2024. If the applicant already has a job in the UK, they can add their earning with their spouse’s income to meet the financial requirement.  

UK Visas and Immigration department understands that candidates might lose their income from their current employment if they relocate to the UK. Therefore, earning from a job outside the UK will not be considered in the financial assessment for the UK spouse visa requirement. 

Apart from meeting the financial requirements, candidates must also pay the visa application fee, which is £1,846 for candidates applying outside the UK and £1,258 for candidates applying inside the UK. 

Kindly note that some spouse visa applications can be complex and may require assistance from an immigration lawyer. If you decide to hire a lawyer, factor in the UK spouse visa lawyer fees into your budget. Though it’s not a direct requirement, you must pay the fees upfront.

Exception in Minimum Income Requirement

An applicant doesn’t have to meet the minimum income requirement if their spouse is granted one of the following benefits: 

1. Severe Disablement Allowance
2. Attendance Allowance
3. Disability Living Allowance
4. Carer’s Allowance
5. Personal Independence Payment
6. Child Disability Payment
7. Adult Disability Payment
8. Police Injury Pension
9. Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

If your partner receives a War Disablement Pension, Guaranteed Income Payment, or Armed Forces Independence Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, even then, meeting the financial requirement to be eligible for a UK spouse visa won’t be mandatory for you. Also, note that some UK citizens obtain Constant Attendance Allowance or Mobility Supplement. Their partners are not obligated to meet the minimum income requirement to be eligible for the UK spouse visa.

Language Requirement

Candidates applying for a UK spouse visa must pass an approved English language test at the A1 level or above on the CEFR scale to meet the English language requirement. Visa applicants with an academic qualification (degree) taught or researched in English may be exempt from the English language requirement.

Also, note that nationals of the following countries (or territories) don’t have to prove their English knowledge:

1. USA
2. Canada
3. Australia
4. New Zealand
5. Dominica
6. Barbados
7. St Lucia
8. Jamaica
9. Antigua and Barbuda
10. Malta
11. Grenada
12. The British Overseas Territories
13. St Vincent and the Grenadines
14. Guyana
15. The Bahamas
16. Trinidad and Tobago
17. St Kitts and Nevis
18. Belize

We hope the financial and language requirements for a UK spouse visa are now clear to you. Meanwhile, you must also understand that this visa application process can sometimes become complex depending on individual circumstances and the applicant’s background. In such cases, hiring a married to UK citizen visa solicitor can be beneficial. You can consider hiring a lawyer from Intime Immigration Limited. Contact us now for a detailed UK spouse visa document checklist and expert guidance throughout the visa application process.