UK Spouse and Partner Visa: What You Need to Know in 2026

The UK family visa for a partner or spouse lets you live in the United Kingdom with your husband, wife or partner. ONLYWAY NEWS has gone through the official GOV.UK requirements that apply in 2026, from income to how long the visa lasts.

Who can apply?

You can apply if your partner is a British or Irish citizen, has settled status, or holds one of the other qualifying statuses. Both you and your partner must be 18 or over and must intend to live together permanently in the UK.

You also need to prove one of these about your relationship:

• a marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK;
• living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply;
• being a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner who will marry within 6 months of arriving.

What income do you have to prove?

You usually need to show a combined income of at least £29,000 a year. A lower threshold of £18,600 a year applies only if you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending that visa; in that case a further £3,800 a year is added for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child. In some cases you can use savings instead of income, and evidence must be less than 4 years old.

How long does the visa last?

The first visa is granted for up to 2 years and 9 months. A fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner gets 6 months and must then apply to extend after marrying. An extension or switch gives up to a further 2 years and 6 months, and you can extend more than once.

How much does it cost?

Applying from outside the UK costs £2,064, while applying from inside the UK costs £1,407; the same fee applies for each dependant. You also pay the immigration health surcharge on top — for example £5,175 for 5 years or £3,105 for 2 years and 9 months.

When can you settle?

The earliest you can apply for indefinite leave to remain is after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on a family visa as a partner. Time spent on other visas, or as a fiancé or fiancée, does not count towards this period.

How long does a decision take?

A decision usually takes up to 12 weeks if you apply from outside the UK. From inside the UK it is usually about 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements, or around 12 months if you do not.

Always check the current figures and rules on the official GOV.UK website before you apply. This guide was prepared by the ONLYWAY NEWS editorial team.