Secure a UK Spouse Visa: How to Increase Your Chances

If you have applied for a visa before, you must know that it’s not for the faint of heart.

The paperwork, timelines, and anxiety of waiting can feel very overwhelming.

My husband had been living in the UK for 10 years, and when we decided to finally live together, the spouse visa application felt like a mountain climb.

But we started early and proceeded step by step.

Of course, it wasn’t the smoothest sail, but we did secure the visa on the first try, so I’d say it was a big success.

Now, I’d love for you to do the same and save yourself from all the issues that most people face during the spouse visa application and approval process.

Step 1: Understand the Basic Requirements

Before filling out anything, I made sure to tick every eligibility box for the Spouse visa application.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Relationship Proof: You must prove your relationship to the person applying for a spouse visa for you. You must be legally married or in a civil partnership, or have lived together for at least two years in a relationship ‘like marriage’.
• Age: Both partners must be over 18 years of age.
• Genuine Relationship: This is a must. You must provide evidence that your relationship is very much real and ongoing.
• Financial Requirements: Your UK partner must earn at least £18,600 per year. It’ll be more if you have kids.
• English Language: You, as the applicant, must pass an approved English language test like IELTS Life Skills A1 (or higher), or another SELT-approved test. Other language tests (only if taken at a UKVI-approved centre) include:
  • Trinity College London – GESE Grade 2 (A1) or Grade 3 (A2)
  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
  • Pearson PTE Home A1 / A2
• Accommodation: You’ll also need to show that you have a suitable place to live in the UK without claiming public funds.

Step 2: Gathering Documents Early

This part is the most important and honestly, the most hectic one.

Documents take months to be prepared, and it was the best decision to start prepping ahead of time.

Here’s what we compiled:

• Passport copies (mine and my husband’s)
• Marriage certificate
• 6 months of payslips + bank statements
• Letter from my partner’s employer (confirming job role, salary, and start date)
• Tenancy agreement and photos of our home in the UK.
• Photos, call logs, messages, and travel history together
• English language test certificate
• TB test certificate (since I applied from a country where it’s required)

You must ensure that everything matches, including dates, names, addresses, etc., or you’ll risk delays.

Step 3: Applying Online (And Paying Fees)

The UK spouse visa application is completely online.

Once we completed the form, we paid the fees.

Here’s what the fee structure for 2025 looks like:

• Visa fee:  £1,938 for applications made from outside the UK and £1,321 for applications made from within the UK
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £3,105 for out-of-country applications and £2,587.50 for in-country applications.

This was the costliest part, and we had to pay a portion of our savings, which was a bit of a sting.

However, the IHS provides you with access to the NHS, so at least it’s not a waste.

Step 4: Biometrics & Document Upload

After applying online, I was directed to book a biometrics appointment at a local visa application centre.

They took my photo and fingerprints for the record.

Once that’s done, you’ll either have to upload your supporting documents online (like I did) or bring them physically to the appointment, depending on your application centre.

Pro tip: Scan and name your files clearly, like ‘passport.pdf’ or ‘marriage_certificate.pdf’.

It makes everything smoother and hassle-free for both you and the visa centre.

Step 5: The WAIT

Here comes the part that felt the longest.

I had applied, and now I had to wait for approval.

Standard processing takes up to 12 weeks, though in some cases it’s quicker if you’re lucky.

I kept checking my email every day, and finally, we received the decision in around 8 weeks, and it was pure relief.

Why Our Application Process Was a Success

If I had to pinpoint what made our process smooth, here are the things that I’d say helped the most:

• Double-checking all documents: We made a checklist early on and double-checked every line twice to not miss anything essential.
• Clear evidence of our relationship: We included a timeline, photos from over the years, shared bills, and even boarding passes.
• Strong Financials: We had been saving up throughout the time that my husband was in the UK and I was in my home country to pay the dues upfront and support our bank statement. We also made sure that my partner’s salary exceeded the threshold and backed it with solid documentation.
• No missing info: Incomplete applications are the biggest red flag leading to delays and refusals. So we made sure that everything was addressed.

Steps After the Approval

Once my spouse visa was approved, I got a 30-day entry vignette on my passport.

Which meant I had to enter the UK within 30 days of the date printed.

After arrival, I collected my Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a local post office.

You’ll need to extend your visa after 2.5 years, and eventually, you can apply for indefinite Leave to Remain and then British citizenship.

Final Thoughts

I know it’s a long list of to-dos, and it can feel intimidating.

But speaking from my personal experience, getting a UK spouse visa is very manageable if you prepare well.

Don’t rush it.

Start preparing early on and understand each step.

If you have a trusted source, ask whatever questions you have and collect evidence that truly tells your story as a couple.

If you’re not sure about anything, you can seek legal advice.

But many people, like me, complete it successfully without a solicitor, and so can you.