How Much Does a Spouse Visa Cost?
30.07.2024
The UK Spouse visa allows spouses of UK citizens or permanent residents to live together. However, the process of obtaining such a visa involves not only collecting documents and filling in forms, but also paying certain fees. This article explains some of the UK Spouse visa charges you may encounter so that you have an idea of how much a UK Spouse visa costs.
Basic Fees
The main UK Spouse visa fees for 2024 include:
- Spousal visa application fee. The cost of applying for a Spousal visa is approximately £1,846 if applying from outside the UK. If applying from within the UK, the cost will be £1,048.
- Health surcharge for Spouse visa.This NHS fee for Spouse visa provides access to the UK’s national health care system during your stay. For each adult (18 years and over): £2,587.50 for stays of 2 years and 6 months, £3,105 for stays of 2 years and 9 months, and £5,175 for stays of 5 years.
Note that there is also a fee to pay when extending a Spouse visa.
Additional Fees
Other fees are added to the basic fees:
- Biometric information fees. The fee for collecting biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) is currently at £19.20. However, the cost of the associated biometric document will be at £56.
- English Language Test for Spouse visa. The cost depends on the chosen provider and testing location, but is usually around £150.
- Translation of documents. The cost can vary greatly depending on the length and language of the documents. Documents not in English or Welsh must be translated into English. This includes marriage certificates, possible divorce certificates, birth certificates, university degrees, etc.
- You may get a quicker decision on your application. If you are applying from the UK, you can pay an extra £1,000 for the Super Priority Service to get a faster decision.
It is highly recommended to use the services of an immigration lawyer, as they can provide invaluable guidance and increase the chances of a successful application. These costs should therefore also be included in the total UK Spouse visa price.
Are Spousal Visa Fees Refundable?
The fees included in the British Spouse visa application process are generally non-refundable. This means that applicants bear the financial risk of applying. Let’s take a closer look at the terms and conditions of refundable fees.
Visa fee: This is a basic fee that covers the costs of processing the application and making a decision on the visa application. In case of refusal to issue a visa or withdrawal of the application at the initiative of the applicant, this fee is not refundable. The visa fee can only be refunded in cases where the application could not be processed due to technical reasons.
Immigration Health Fee (IHS): This fee allows immigrants to use the UK’s national health care system for the duration of their visa in the same way as locals. If the visa is not granted or the application is withdrawn before the review process begins, the fee can be refunded. However, if the decision to refuse is made after the application has commenced, the Spouse visa charges are also non-refundable.
However, it is worth noting that there are situations in which the applicant can indeed receive a refund of fees:
- If the application was mistakenly not accepted for processing due to technical problems or administrative errors on the part of the visa application center.
- If the application was withdrawn before it was actively processed.
Thus, each case is different and requires attention to detail when submitting an application. It is recommended to carefully study all conditions before submitting documents and, if necessary, consultation with an immigration attorney to better understand the possible risks.
What Should I Do if I Can’t Pay All the Fees?
If an applicant for a Partner visa finds it difficult to pay all the necessary government fees, he or she may wish to investigate the possibility of requesting an exemption from paying these fees. Obtaining an exemption from fees is an exception to the rules and is only allowed in special cases.
In order to make such a request the applicant needs to demonstrate that their financial situation is so difficult that the payment of fees would put them at a severe disadvantage. This may include providing details of income, expenditure, assets and liabilities.
Documents that may be required to prove financial status include, but are not limited to:
- Bank statements.
- Certificates of income.
- Evidence of regular expenses (e.g., receipts for housing, utilities).
- Evidence of any exceptional expenses, such as medical bills or the cost of caring for elderly relatives or children with special needs.
It is also important to emphasise that the process of requesting a Marriage visa waiver can be lengthy and does not guarantee a positive outcome.
How Can We Help?
Sterling Law provides professional legal assistance on obtaining a Family visa to the UK. Our lawyers can help you prepare all the necessary documents, complete your application correctly and get through the whole process as efficiently as possible. We can also help assess Marriage visa cost reductions and support you at all stages of your application, increasing your chances of successfully obtaining a visa.
