Applying for a spouse visa to the UK might be a complicated process. In fact, the UK Government rejects a sizable number of applications annually due to what look to be minor errors; in these cases, the filing cost and any expedited processing fees are forfeited. Naturally, the time and work invested into preparing the application is also lost, which will cause your schedule for moving to the UK to be delayed. It is best to work with an expert UK immigration lawyer right away to steer clear of these common issues and to get your spousal visa UK-approved on the first try.
When requesting a UK spouse visa, avoid the following four mistakes:
- Insufficient Proof of the Need for Money
The applicant must show that their sponsor, a British or settled spouse, makes a minimum of £18,600 annually; however, this threshold rises for each non-British child that applies. Applicants from outside must rely solely on the income of their British or established spouse; those who currently possess a UK visa may mention their income. For more information on Australian partner visas be sure to head over to Australian Migration Lawyers.
The revenue can come from work, self-employment, rental income, etc., but having a salaried job is by far the simplest way to prove income. The British or created spouse must have a work offer starting in the UK within three months of their return, paying at least £18,600 gross annually if they are coming to the country at the same time as the applicant. If you’d like to find out more about migration agents head over to Australian Migration Agents.
Although cash savings and employment income can complicate the computation, it is also feasible to rely on cash savings to fulfil the required amount. For ease of understanding, the level for applicants who are entirely dependent on their financial reserves is £62,500, and they must typically maintain this level for a minimum of six months before applying (this amount also increases for each non-British child applying). The applicant, their partner, or both may hold the cash savings in their names. These are two major mistakes to avoid.
- Insufficient Evidence of Marriage or Relationship
Those applying for a UK spouse visa must demonstrate that they are in a genuine relationship with their British or established partner. To do this, a valid marriage certificate must be presented together with additional relationship documentation, such as birth certificates for any children shared, letters of support from friends and family, proof of joint asset ownership, or bank account statements. Quality is more important than quantity. A common mistake is to overwhelm the caseworker with relationship evidence (hundreds of emails, messages, etc.); this will not help and may lead to the application being delayed.
In the event that a couple is not married, they may still apply if they have been living together for at least two years in a “relationship akin to marriage.” To support this claim, official documentation from the entire two-year period must be provided, such as utility bills, bank accounts, and leases. Importantly, this doesn’t involve spending a lot of time together in your countries of origin—this is another common mistake.
- Ignoring Completing Certain Medical Examinations
Depending on the country in which the applicant is submitting their application, obtaining a Tuberculosis (TB) test at an authorised clinic within the last six months may be necessary in order to apply for a UK spouse visa. Your UK immigration lawyer should inform you of this requirement as soon as possible so you have time to schedule the required appointment.
It is essential to get everything correct because presenting expired tests or not finishing the medical exams can lead to an immediate rejection.
- Choosing the Incorrect English Language Test
A test of English language proficiency may be required prior to applying for a spouse visa UK. This condition is not often met, such as when an applicant comes from one of the nations listed by the Home Office as having a primarily English-speaking population (such as the US or Canada). If an English language proficiency exam is necessary, it must be an authorised exam administered at an authorised testing facility (and passed to the required level).
If you’re unsure if you need to take an English language test, a UK spouse visa solicitor can assist you in scheduling the appropriate exam.
Conclusion:
Getting the assistance of a reliable UK immigration law firm can greatly reduce the strain and challenge of securing a spouse visa UK. Our team of skilled UK immigration lawyers at My Legal Services has years of experience securing UK spouse visas, even for people with convoluted backgrounds. We are ready to assist you by simplifying the procedure and ensuring that the visa portion of your move to the UK is stress-free.