Many people find the UK Spouse Visa process hard in 2026. The rules keep changing. The money needed is now higher. Everything is now online and digital. If you prepare well, you can avoid a refusal. A refusal can break hearts and waste time and money. This guide explains everything in simple steps. It helps you if you want to join your partner in the UK. Or if you switch from a fiancé visa. Follow this to make your application strong and ready for a quick decision.
The 2026 Financial Threshold: Meeting the Minimum Income for UK Spouse Visa 2026
The biggest problem for most people is the money rule. This is called the Minimum Income Requirement, or MIR. In 2026, the sponsor (the person in the UK who is British or has settled status) must earn at least £38,700 each year. This rule helps make sure the family does not need help from public funds like benefits.
The sponsor can be the British citizen, someone with indefinite leave to remain, or an EU settled person. The money must come from legal work or other allowed sources.
The Home Office looks at your income in different ways. They use rules from Appendix FM.
How to Apply for a UK Marriage Visa 2026 Using Appendix FM Partner Visa Rules
Appendix FM has clear ways to show your money.
- Category A: This is for people who have worked with the same employer for 6 months or more. You show payslips and bank statements from the last 6 months. The salary must be £38,700 or more each year.
- Category B: This is if you changed jobs or your income is not steady. You must show that over the last 12 months, your total income was at least £38,700 per year on average.
You can also use other types of income. For example, pensions, rental income, or self-employed earnings. But you must follow the exact rules for each type.
How much savings do I need for UK Spouse Visa 2026 if I don’t meet the income?
Sometimes the salary is not enough. Then you can use savings.
If you use only savings, you need a lot. You must have £112,750 in cash savings. These savings must stay in your account for at least 6 months before you apply. The Home Office checks bank statements to see this.
You can also mix salary and savings. For example, if your salary is lower, savings can cover the gap. But the rules are strict. Talk to an expert if you plan to use this way.
Proving a “Genuine and Subsisting” Relationship in 2026
The Home Office wants to know your relationship is real. They do not want fake marriages. In 2026, they use smart computer tools (like NLP) to check for problems.
You must show that your relationship is true and ongoing.
- For Spouses or Civil Partners You need a valid marriage certificate or civil partnership document. This is the first thing. But it is not enough alone. You must also show other proof. Things like photos together, messages, travel tickets, and letters help a lot.
- For Unmarried Partners If you are not married, you must prove you lived together for at least 2 years. Show joint bank accounts, shared bills for electricity or water, or a joint rent agreement. These papers prove you shared a home.
- Semantic Evidence In 2026, “soft evidence” is very important. This means things like: Chat messages on WhatsApp or other apps. Photos from holidays or family events. Flight tickets when you visited each other. Emails or cards for birthdays
Collect as many as you can. Show a long history together. This helps prove your love is real.
The Digital Shift: UKVI eVisa 2026 and ID Verification
Big changes happened by 2026. There are no more plastic cards called Biometric Residence Permits (BRP). Everything is now digital.
- UK Immigration ID Check App Most people check their identity with a phone app. You take photos of your passport and your face. This is easy and fast. You do not need to go to a visa center for this step.
- Digital Status Share Code When your visa is approved, you get a digital record. There is no sticker in your passport. You get a share code. You give this code to your boss or landlord when they check your right to work or rent.
- eVisa 2026 Your visa lives in the UKVI online system. It links to your passport number. This makes things simpler and safer.
UK Spouse Visa Process 2026 step-by-step: From Submission to Decision
Here is the full process in simple steps.
- Check Eligibility Make sure you meet the income rule (£38,700) and English test. Also check other rules like age (both must be 18 or over) and no criminal record.
- English Language Test For the first application, you need CEFR Level A1. This is a basic test. For the extension after 2.5 years, it goes up to B1 level. You can take approved tests like IELTS for UKVI.
- TB Test If you come from certain countries, you must take a TB test. Go to an approved clinic. Get a certificate that says you do not have TB.
- Online Application & Fees Fill the form online on the GOV.UK website. Pay the visa fee. Also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). In 2026, it is about £1,035 per year. For a 2.5-year visa, this adds up.
- Upload Documents Use the online portal to send your papers. Include financial proof, relationship evidence, passport copies, and more.
- Biometrics If the app did not check your ID, go to a Visa Application Centre (VAC). Give fingerprints and a photo.
After this, wait for the decision.
FAQ: UK Spouse Visa Processing Time 2026 Priority Service
Standard applications from outside the UK take 8 to 12 weeks. This is normal time. If you need it faster, pay extra for priority. Priority Service can give a decision in 30 working days. Super Priority can be as fast as 5 working days in some places.
What happens if my UK Spouse Visa is refused in 2026?
A refusal is bad. But you can fight it sometimes. You may ask for an Administrative Review if there is a mistake. Or you can appeal on human rights grounds if family life is involved.
Most refusals happen because of money papers or relationship proof. Check everything twice. Use the right format for payslips, self-employed accounts, or pension letters.
Stay Protected with “Section 3C Leave”
If you are already in the UK on another visa, apply for your spouse extension (FLR-M) before your visa ends. This gives you Section 3C Leave. It means you can stay and work legally while they decide. This rule protects you. You do not become illegal if the decision takes time.
This guide has all the main points for 2026. The rules can change, so always check the official GOV.UK website. Get advice from a good immigration lawyer if your case is hard.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. Always check the latest details on GOV.UK before you apply.