What Documents Do You Need to Apply for a UK Spouse Visa?

The UK Spouse visa allows married partners of British citizens or individuals with settled status in the UK to live together in the UK. As with any visa application, it’s crucial to provide the correct documentation to ensure a smooth process. The following is a list of documents for a UK Spouse visa required to prove different aspects of your relationship, finances, accommodation, and other vital areas for a successful UK Spouse Visa application.
Documents Required to Prove the Relationship is Genuine
One of the most critical aspects of your Spouse visa application is proving that your relationship is genuine and subsisting. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will assess whether your marriage or civil partnership is real and not entered into solely for immigration purposes.
Required documents include:
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate. This official document shows that your relationship is legally recognised. Ensure that it’s a certified copy, especially if it was issued outside the UK.
- Proof of shared financial commitments. This could include joint bank account statements, joint tenancy agreements, or shared utility bills.
- Correspondence addressed to both partners. Letters and official documents addressed to both you and your partner at the same address can demonstrate cohabitation.
- Photographs and travel records. While not mandatory, providing photos of you and your partner together over time and in different locations can further support the authenticity of your relationship. Travel itineraries or flight tickets showing trips taken together also serve as valuable evidence.
- Communication records. If you have spent significant periods apart, include records of your communication, such as chat logs, emails, or call records, to show how you have stayed in touch during these times.
Documents Required to Prove Financial Requirements
To meet the financial requirements for a UK Spouse Visa, the sponsor (the British citizen or settled partner) must demonstrate that they can financially support their spouse without recourse to public funds. The minimum income threshold is £29,000 annually, though this figure increases if there are dependent children involved.
Financial documents needed for UK Spouse visa can include:
- Bank statements. These should cover a minimum period of six months, showing regular income that meets or exceeds the required financial threshold.
- Copies of certificates for real estate (an apartment, a house, a land).
- A copy of the vehicle registration certificate.
- Employment contract. This document helps verify your current employment status and income.
- Letter from the employer confirming your job title, length of employment, and salary (often requested to further verify your financial situation).
- If you or your partner are self-employed, additional documents will be needed, such as business accounts and evidence of ongoing business activities.
Documents to Prove English Language Requirement
The applicant (non-British spouse) must meet the English language requirement unless they are from an English-speaking country or hold a degree taught in English. The goal is to ensure that you have a sufficient grasp of the language to integrate into life in the UK.
Required documents include:
- English language test certificate. If you are required to take an approved English test, you must include the certificate from one of the UKVI-approved test providers. The test must be at least at the A1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Degree taught in English. If you hold a degree that was taught in English, you may be exempt from taking a separate test. Provide evidence from the university and an official assessment from UK NARIC (now known as Ecctis) confirming that your degree meets UKVI standards.
Documents Proving the Requirements for Accommodation
Your spouse will also have to provide documents on the rental or ownership of housing suitable for your family. At the same time, a visa officer makes the decision to evaluate the quality of housing and the number of bedrooms in it: if your spouse rents a room in an apartment, they may not give you a visa, citing the impossibility of normal living in the country.
A valid rental agreement or proof of homeownership showing that you and your partner have somewhere to live is essential. In some cases, a property inspection report from a qualified surveyor may be needed to confirm that the accommodation meets UK standards in terms of space and safety. Utility bills or council tax bills further prove that the accommodation is actively used and is suitable for living.
Documents to Prove Tuberculosis Requirement
If you are from a country where tuberculosis screening is required for visa applications to the UK, you must include a valid certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic. The certificate should confirm that you are free from TB and must be submitted with your visa application.
UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist
- Any evidence of your relationship with your spouse (correspondence, calls, SMS, photos, joint trips)
- Your valid passport and your partner’s passport or travel document.
- A copy of the marriage certificate, divorce certificate, birth certificate of the inviting person
- A copy of the marriage certificate, divorce certificate, birth certificate of the invited person
- A copy of the children’s birth certificate, if you have them
- Financial evidence: bank statements, payslips, employment contracts, or self-employment records
- English language test certificate or degree certificate: proof of meeting the English language requirement
- Accommodation documents: tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, or property inspection reports
- A negative tuberculosis test certificate (if applicable)
- Applicant’s biometric information: fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application centre
How Can We Help?
Navigating the visa application process can be complex, especially when it comes to UK Spouse visa document requirements. Sterling Law offers comprehensive legal support to guide you through every step of the process. Our immigration experts have extensive experience in helping couples submit successful Spouse visa applications, ensuring that all necessary documents are in order and that your application meets UKVI requirements.
We can assist with:
- Preparation and review of supporting documents for UK Spouse visa
- Financial requirement assessments
- English language and accommodation evidence
- Application submissions and follow-ups
By working with Sterling Law, you can have peace of mind knowing that your UK Spouse visa application is handled professionally and efficiently, giving you the best chance of a successful outcome.