Spouse Visa
“Leonard solicitors are the best in Southampton. I used their services for many years and they never let me down. Specifically, Lee Ann Harvey always has good news because she is professional and a perfectionist.”
Immigration Solicitors for Spouse Visas
If you’re looking to join your spouse or partner in the UK, our expert immigration lawyers can help you secure your leave to remain status in the UK with a Spouse visa. A spouse visa allows you to enter or remain in the UK as long as your spouse or partner is a UK national or holds Indefinite Leave to Remain status. We often work with couples on these complex applications, whether the applicant is applying within or outside the UK.
Applications for spouse visas require a lot of preparation. Particularly when it comes to proving that your relationship is genuine and that you can live sustainably. Our spouse visa solicitors will go further than preparing your documents and application. We regularly provide bespoke advice to couples looking to be reunited in the UK and ensure that their application has every chance of success. It may be that a spouse visa is not suitable for you based on your objectives and circumstances. We will always advise you on this and suggest a better alternative following your initial consultation.
What is a Spouse Visa?
A spouse visa is an endorsement placed within a passport that allows the holder, and some dependants to move to or remain in the UK for up to 5 years. The holder is also permitted to work in any job. However, you cannot claim most benefits.
You can also bring children with you as dependants if:
- They are under the age of 18 years
- They do not live an independent life
What are the requirements for a Spouse Visa?
To qualify for a spouse visa, your partner will need to:
- Be a British citizen, or have indefinite leave to remain status and live permanently in the UK
- Earn at least £18,600 a year
And the applicant will need to:
- Be over the age of 18
- Speak English
- Prove that the relationship is genuine by either marriage, civil partnership or engaged
- Pass the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’
- Intend on living together permanently in accommodation which your partner owns or occupies exclusively
Additionally, your application mustn’t fall for refusal under the General Grounds of Refusal rules.
It is important to note that if your spouse visa application is accepted, your initial visa will be valid for a short period for the purpose of travelling to the UK. Upon arrival in the UK, you will be issued with a biometric residence permit for a period of 33 months confirming your grant of Leave to Remain. If you want to remain in the UK for longer than 33 months, you will need to make an in-country application for Further Leave to Remain for an additional 33 months. Rest assured, we will be here to help and advise when you need to reapply. You can remain in the UK until the Home Office make their decision, with the same entitlements under the terms of your visa.
Why Leonard Solicitors?
Applications for spouse visas are highly complicated and require an expert to help you understand the requirement. Proceeding without legal advice can cost you in the long run if your application is unsuccessful. There are no two cases that are the same when it comes to applying for a spouse visa, which is why our immigration lawyers will get to know you personally and provide bespoke advice based on your circumstances.
Leonard Solicitors continues to practice immigration law since 1990, forging our excellent reputation with migrants and the Home Office. We have a diverse team of immigration lawyers who provide advice in plain English, but can also speak:
- Polish
- Russian
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Punjabi
- Hindi
- Farsi
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At your service
Why Leonard Solicitors?
Applications for spouse visas are highly complicated and require an expert to help you understand the requirement. Proceeding without legal advice can cost you in the long run if your application is unsuccessful. There are no two cases that are the same when it comes to applying for a spouse visa, which is why our immigration lawyers will get to know you personally and provide bespoke advice based on your circumstances.
Leonard Solicitors continues to practice immigration law since 1990, forging our excellent reputation with migrants and the Home Office. We have a diverse team of immigration lawyers who provide advice in plain English, but can also speak:
- Polish
- Russian
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Punjabi
- Hindi
- Farsi
