Bridge Partners

Spouse Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is the Spouse Visa?

This visa route is ideal for non-UK residents to come and reside in the UK with their partner. The UK Spouse Visa can lead to indefinite leave to remain or eventually settlement, after a period of 5 years. Additionally, the UK Spouse Visa is ideal for married partners of British or Irish citizens, people who are settled in the UK, those who may have pre-settled status, or currently have a Turkish Businessperson/ Turkish Worker Visa. You can also apply for this route, if your spouse is outside the UK, but is intending to return to the UK with you.  

Who can apply for a Spouse Visa?

The UK Spouse Visa is open to foreign nationals who are married to, or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or a person who owns an indefinite leave to remain status in the UK. Additionally, you can be the partner of an individual in the UK with a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker Visa or refugee status or humanitarian protection. To qualify, the applicant will need to be granted entry clearance prior to their arrival.  

What are the requirements?

To meet the requirements of this visa route, there are a certain list of requirements that must be met – in most cases, there are also several additional requirements that must be adhered to as the UKVI is continuously trying to crack down on sham marriages. 

 

  • You and your partner are both over the age of 18. 
  • You and your partner are not within a prohibited degree of relationship.  
  • You and your partner have met in person. 
  • You and your partner have legally married in a marriage that is recognised in the UK. 
  • Your relationship is genuine and subsisting. 
  • You can prove that you and your partner can satisfy the financial requirement. 
  • There is adequate accommodation for you and your dependants.  
  • You speak and understand English to a required level.  
  • Any previous relationship has broken down permanently.  

What is the Spouse Visa processing time?

Regarding the processing times, a Spouse Visa application can take between one to six months, depending on the quality of your application and any complexities involved, as well as the UKVI caseload 

How to apply for a Spouse Visa?

To successfully apply for a Spouse Visa, you will be required to submit an online application with UKVI and pay the relevant fees. Please note that if you are applying to extend or switch in the UK, you will also be expected to pay a fee to have your biometric information enrolled.  

As part of the process, you will be required to arrange an appointment to submit your biometric information – this will be at a visa application centre or a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point when applying to switch or extend. You may also be liable to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of your application to enable you to access healthcare services in the UK. 

To best support your application, you will need to ensure that the necessary documentation is provided. For instance, you will need to provide evidence such as: 

  • Sincerity of your relationship – exchange of texts or emails, photographs of you as a couple and travel documents to prove any visits to one another).  
  • Breakdown of past relationships – if you or your UK partner has been in a previous marriage or partnership, you will need to provide evidence of the permanent breakdown, such as divorce papers or a dissolution order. 
  • Financial stability – evidence of at least 6 months’ worth of pay slips for both you and/or your partner as well as a letter from your respective employers outlining your role and job security.  
  • English language requirement – provide a certificate of your academic qualification or having passed the relevant English language test. 

How long does a Spouse Visa last?

If you’re applying from outside the UK and your application for a Spouse Visa is successful, your visa will initially be granted for a period of 33 months. However, if you’re applying from in the UK and are looking for leave to remain as a spouse, then you will be granted leave as a spouse for 30 months. 

After spending 5 years in the UK as a spouse, you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.  

How much does it cost to get a Spouse Visa?

The Home Office application fees vary depending on your circumstances. If you decide to apply for a spouse visa from inside the UK, this will cost £1,033. On the other hand, to apply from overseas, the application fee is £1,523.  

Can my dependants be included as part of my Spouse Visa?

Yes, dependents can be included as part of your Spouse Visa – children under the age of 18 are considered as dependents. It will be required to make a visa application for each child that will be joining you in the UK.  

How can I apply to include my dependants as part of my Spouse Visa?

To include any dependents as part of the Spouse Visa, it will be necessary to pay an additional application fee and provide evidence that you meet the additional financial income requirements for your children.  

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our team of legal experts can assist foreign national spouses to relocate to, and settle in, the UK with their partners. We have established a solid reputation by helping hundreds of foreign national spouses prepare and submit their UK Spouse Visa applications. 

We understand the stresses involved with moving across the world, so we take great pride in offering support and guidance to make the transition easier for you and your partner. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for further information.  

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.