We all know that moving to the UK for the purpose of living with your spouse or partner can be an exciting and new chapter of your life. If you are a person who is living in Pakistan, married to a UK citizen or someone who has settled in the UK, you must need a spouse visa to join them. This visa will allow you to live and work in the UK for a specific period of time.

Yes, applying for spouse visa might seem difficult to you and you would be worried about it, but its definitely not. With the clear understanding of the visa requirements and steps, the process can become much easier. Let’s get into the details of how can you apply for a spouse visa for UK seamlessly. This guide covers everything you need to know while applying.

For those applying for a Spouse Visa, it’s essential to include your character certificate as part of the application process. Let’s get to know how to get a character certificate from a police department.

What Exactly is UK Spouse Visa?

It is basically a type of visa that allows or permits the spouse or partner of a British citizen to come and live in UK with them. This visa is generally valid for almost 2.5 years and after its expiry it can be further extended according to your requirements. The application requires meeting some specific conditions including proving your relationship is genuine, meeting financial requirements, and showing your adequate English language skills.

Eligibility Criteria for UK Spouse Visa

To apply for a spouse visa for UK, you must need to meet the specific eligibility criteria. If you meet or fulfill these criteria you can apply for spouse visa and start the process of joining your partner in the UK. Some of the major requirements include:

• You must be legally married to or in a civil partnership with a person who is a British citizen.
• British citizen must have the settled status or has refugee status in the UK.
• Both you and your spouse must be at least 18 years old.
• You need to prove that your relationship is genuine and provide evidence like photos together, communication logs, joint financial commitments, or proof of living together.
• Your UK-based spouse or partner must have a minimum income of £18,600 per year. If you have children who are not British citizens this amount will increase and varies according to the changing laws. So, consult about this rule before applying.
• You must pass an approved English language test like IELTS, TOFEL, PTE and show your proficiency in this particular language.
• For ILETS test your must apply at the offical website of Bristish Council.
• You must show that you have suitable accommodation arranged in UK where you and your spouse can like without having a need for public funds.

IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL: Which Language Test is Best for Immigration from Pakistan۔ Choosing the right language test can be a critical decision in your immigration journey. Let’s break down the key differences to help you make an informed choice.

A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a UK Spouse Visa for Pakistani Applicants

Applying for a Spouse visa from Pakistan can feel challenging, but understanding the process step-by-step makes it easier for you. Here is a simple guide to help you through the whole application procedure.

Step 1: Understand the Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, you must have to make sure you meet all the necessary requirements for this visa. We have already discussed in detail that what can be the eligibility requirements. Read the section above and make clear understanding of it. Ensure you have a valid passport. If you don’t possess please apply at your local passport office. Before applying for passport check all passport requiremnt from their offical website.

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

You have to prepare all the necessary documents to support your application. And yes, make sure that all the documents are translated into English if they are in another language and are certified copies. Some of the major documents required include:

Passport	A valid passport of Pakistan.
Marriage Certificate	A certified copy that proves you are legally married.
Proof of Relationship	Like for example Photos, messages, call logs, or joint bank accounts to show your relationship is real and authentic.
Financial Documents	These documents include Pay slips, bank statements, or a letter from your partner’s employer to prove they meet the income requirement for UK visa.
Proof of English Proficiency	A certificate showing you passed an English language test.
Accommodation Details	A letter or contract showing where you will live in the UK.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form

You have to visit the official UK government website to fill out the spouse visa application form. What you have to do is to create an account and provide all the necessary details about yourself and your partner. Details can include personal information, relationship history, or the financial status.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

You will be required to pay the application fee online. If we talk about the current status, the cost of UK Spouse visa is £1,258 if your application is made inside the UK and £1,846 if your application is made outside the UK. You may also need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of around £1035 per year to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

Step 5: Book an Appointment at a Visa Application Centre

After you have completed the form and already paid the fee, you will need to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in Pakistan (either in Islamabad, Karachi, or Lahore). You will then provide your biometric information such as finger prints and a photograph and submit your supporting documents as discussed above.

Step 6: Attend the Visa Appointment

On the day of your appointment, bring all your documents, including the appointment confirmation. Please make sure that you arrive on time and are well-prepared to provide any additional information if asked by relevant authorities.

Step 7: Wait for Approval

The last step is waiting for the decision that visa is approved or sadly rejected. The processing time for a spouse visa can take up to 12 weeks. You can check the status of your application online. If your application is successful, you will receive a visa vignetter which is a sticker in your passport that allows you to travel to the UK. You will also need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days of arriving in the UK.

How to Extend Your UK Spouse Visa?

Here is a simple procedure to follow for the purpose of extending this type of visa.

• Check if you’re still married to a UK spouse and meet financial and living requirements.
• Fill out the online extension application form.
• Book and attend a biometric appointment.
• Receive your new visa, valid for another 2.5 years.
• Gather documents: passport, current visa, proof of relationship, financial details, accommodation info.
• Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Wait for a decision (usually 8 to 12 weeks).
• Plan to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) before the visa expires.

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What to Do if Your UK Spouse Visa is Refused?

Yes, we know that if your application for a UK Spouse Visa has been refused, it can be very disheartening for you. But don’t worry by understanding the reasons for refusal and the steps you can take to solve this issue is very important during this situation. Here is what you need to do:

Reasons for Refusal	Look into the reasons that caused visa rejection. If we talk about the common reasons that many people have faced include meeting the financial requirement, insufficient proof of a genuine relationship. Or failing the English language test.
Check Refusal Notice	You must have to carefully review the refusal notice to get to know about the issues and reasons highlighted in the refusal notice.
Reapply for the Visa	You have to submit a new application with the corrected and additional information.
Appeal for the Visa	If there is an eligibility possible, consider filing an appeal or requesting an administrative review to challenge the decision.
Seek Advice	Still having issues or misunderstandings in what to do? Then you can consult an immigration advisor or a lawyer for expert guidance on how you can proceed this issue further and how to prevent rejections.

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Once you have lived in the UK for a total of five years on a Spouse Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To qualify for this, you must continue to meet the several key requirements. Mostly the people who have not spent above 180 days outside the UK are eligible for ILR status.

“Life in the UK Test” is another necessary component, you have to pass this test with at least 75% marks. This test lasts for 45 minutes and consists of 24 random questions. Some of the major documents required for this ILR procedure include:

• A valid passport and travel documents.
• Birth Certificates
• Photographs
• UK clearance certificate
• Police Registration Certificates
• Immigration history
• Financial information
• English Language Test

FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)