Spouse/Partner Extension — keep your family life in the UK
We confirm your route (5-year or 10-year), check relationship evidence, financial requirement and English, and file a clean, decision-ready extension before your current permission expires.
Spouse/Partner Extension — keep your family life in the UK
We confirm your route (5-year or 10-year), check relationship evidence, financial requirement and English, and file a clean, decision-ready extension before your current permission expires.
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What is a Spouse Route ?
The UK Spouse Route is a specific immigration pathway under the United Kingdom’s Family Visa category, which allows a non-British individual to live in the UK with their British or settled partner.
It is commonly referred to as the Spouse Visa, but “Spouse Route” is the official immigration route name used by the UK Home Office.
This route enables genuine couples — who are married or in a civil partnership — to build a family life together in the UK and, in time, to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship.
At-a-glance
Extend your permission as a Spouse/Civil Partner/Unmarried Partner under Appendix FM. Submit a valid application before your current leave expires to be protected by Section 3C while a decision is made.
Route & eligibility
Relationship genuine and subsisting; intend to live together permanently.
5-year route if all requirements are met (including financial and English).
10-year route where exceptions apply (e.g., hardship/insurmountable obstacles) or requirements not fully met.
Financial requirement met via permitted income/savings categories (Appendix FM-SE).
English language: CEFR A2 for an in-country extension (unless exempt). (B1 required later for settlement.)
Evidence & process
Relationship proof (co-habitation or ongoing contact/plans), accommodation, and identity/travel history.
Financial documents in the exact FM-SE format (payslips/bank statements, employer/self-employment evidence, or savings).
Apply online, pay fees/IHS, then upload documents and complete biometrics (UKVCAS or app where eligible).
Decision times: typically weeks; priority may be available in some centres.
Children can apply as dependants on the same route if eligible.
We prepare a clean, indexed bundle and keep your timelines aligned to avoid gaps in status.
Financial requirement — what it means
For most Spouse/Partner extensions, you must meet the current minimum income requirement. You can rely on employment, self-employment, other income, savings, or a combination — provided the evidence follows Appendix FM-SE. If your partner receives certain specified benefits, an adequate maintenance test may apply instead.
Accepted income categories (FM-SE)
- Category A — Salaried employment (6 months+): same employer, continuous period, payslips + matching bank statements + employer letter.
- Category B — Salaried/unsalaried (less than 6 months / variable): combines current pay with past 12 months’ income.
- Category C — Non-employment income: pensions, rental income, dividends, etc., with statements/contracts.
- Category D — Cash savings: held for 6+ months in your/the sponsor’s name(s) — can be used alone or to top up income.
- Category E — Pension: state, occupational or private pension with award letters and credits.
- Category F/G — Self-employment / Director of limited company: tax returns (SA302/TYOs), accounts, business bank statements for the relevant financial year(s).
Evidence format we prepare
- Payslips and matching bank statements for the required period.
- Employer letter confirming job title, status, gross pay, start date and authenticity.
- Self-employment: HMRC documents, accounts signed by a qualified accountant, business/personal statements.
- Other income: tenancy agreements, dividend vouchers, pension letters with bank credits.
- Savings: statements covering the full 6-month period and source of funds where required.
Documents you’ll need
We’ll tailor your checklist to your category (5-year or 10-year). Most applicants prepare the following:
Relationship & cohabitation
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate (or durable relationship evidence).
- Cohabitation proof across the last period of leave (e.g., council tax, utility bills, tenancy, joint bank letters).
- For non-cohabiting periods: evidence of ongoing relationship (travel, correspondence, joint plans).
- Name-change or previous relationship documents (if applicable).
Financial requirement (Appendix FM-SE)
- Employment (Cat A/B): payslips, matching bank statements, employer letter.
- Self-employment (Cat F/G): SA302/TYOs, accounts, business bank statements.
- Other income (Cat C/E): pensions, rental/dividends with statements/contracts.
- Cash savings (Cat D): statements for 6+ months; source of funds where required.
- Adequate maintenance: if sponsor gets specified benefits, provide award letters & statements.
English, identity & accommodation
- English: CEFR A2 certificate (if required) or exemption/degree evidence.
- Passports for both partners; BRP/digital status record.
- Accommodation proof (tenancy/title/host letter + proof of address).
- TB/criminal record certificates if requested based on history/route.
- Certified translations for any non-English/Welsh documents.
We’ll help you avoid gaps: exact FM-SE formatting (dates, amounts, matching statements), correct document order, and a cover note explaining any anomalies (e.g., job changes, gaps, name variations).
Frequently Asked Questions
The 5-year route is for applicants who meet all requirements (relationship, financial, English). The 10-year route can apply where exceptions are relevant or some requirements aren’t currently met. Time on each route is counted separately for settlement.
Make your Spouse/Partner extension decision-ready
We’ll confirm your route, calculate the financial requirement, and file a clean, compliant application before expiry.