Spouse Visa Extension with Expert Immigration Lawyers

As with all visa applications, it is crucial that you are aware of the key dates by which you must submit your application. There are strict penalties for people who overstay their visa or fail to renew in time, so it is essential to apply before your Spouse Visa expires.

If the Spouse visa is granted, you will receive limited leave to remain for 33 months if you applied outside the UK, or 30 months if you applied inside the UK.

Once you have held the visa for a total of 30 months, you can then apply for a spouse visa renewal. This is the earliest that you can apply, but it gives you three months to prepare and submit your application.

Gathering your documents and preparing the application form can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. The guidance from the Home Office can change regularly, and the official guidelines do not always specify the exact forms of evidence that is required.

The application process is expensive and appeals can also be time-consuming and costly. If you want the assurance of working with a qualified immigration lawyer, contact Newcastle Immigration Lawyers today to discuss your case.

Our IAA-accredited immigration advisers have successfully handled over 5,000 applications, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process for our clients.

By providing comprehensive support for Spouse Visa extensions, including document preparation, legal representation, and appeal handling. Contact our experienced immigration advisers today to discuss your case.

Here’s the outline of the reqquired documents that you must provide for your Spouse Visa extension in more detail below.

For any document not in English or Welsh, you are required to submit a certified translation, with the contact details and signature of the translator accompanying the document.

You may be required to submit official bank statements on headed paper. Be aware that accessing these documents is likely to take time and you should start the process in plenty of time.

While you are living in the UK with your partner, it is advisable to keep good records of your time together. This could include letters proving that you have both been living in the household for the duration of your initial Spouse Visa.

The Spouse Visa extension will involve an assessment of the following requirements, among others:

• Financial (maintenance)
• Financial (accommodation)
• English language ability
• Genuine and subsisting relationship

In terms of your individual application, you should consult a legal specialist about the exact documents required for your case.

Our specialist spouse visa advisers provide full support from the initial consultation through to document gathering, ensuring your application meets every requirement.

One of the key requirements of the Spouse Visa extension is proving a minimum level of achievement in English language skills. In most circumstances, level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required as part of the original Spouse Visa application.

However, in order to renew your Spouse Visa, you will be expected to prove that your English level has improved to at least A2 level at a minimum. This means that a person should have evidence of passing an approved exam in English that certifies their language level.

In order to meet this requirement, the applicant must take an approved English language test at an accredited testing centre.

Our expert immigration consultants can advise on preparing for and meeting the English language test requirements, ensuring you have the best chance of success.

The ‘minimum income requirement’ for a spouse visa UK increased to £29,000 from the erstwhile figure of £18,600 from 11 April 2024 onwards. You are not required any more to show proof of additional income for dependent children.

The Home Office, however, has specified two exemptions to the financial requirement: if you first applied for a spouse visa before 11 April 2024 and now are applying to extend the same, or if your spouse or partner is a recipient of certain disability or carer’s benefits in the UK.

If You First Applied Before 11 April 2024 and You Are Extending That Visa

Applicants who first applied for a spouse visa UK (or as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner) before 11 April 2024 and are now applying to extend the same, will need to prove that their combined annual income is at least £18,600.

Moreover, they must also prove that they have an additional £3,800/year for their first child, and an additional £2,400/year per child for any subsequent offspring. You will not be required, however, to prove that you have the extra funds for any child of yours who:

• Is a British or Irish citizen
• Has pre-settled status in the UK
• Is permanently settled in the country
• Is a citizen of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland even if they do not have pre-settled status or are not permanently settled in the UK

In addition, you only need to prove that your and your partner’s combined annual income is £29,000 if the total calculated figure goes beyond that amount based on the number of your children.

The acceptable sources of income for consideration are salary (before tax and National Insurance), pension, income from self-employment, non-work income (e.g., dividends), and cash savings above £16,000 as declared by you or your spouse/partner.

If Your Spouse/Partner Is Receiving Disability or Carer’s Benefits

If your spouse or partner is receiving disability or carer’s benefits in the UK, you do not need to meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 when applying for an extension of your spouse visa. In such a scenario, you just need to prove that as a family, you have sufficient income to cover your expenses including accommodation costs, without claiming additional public funds in the UK.

If You Cannot Meet the Financial Requirements

In case you cannot meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa UK, you may still be able to apply for a visa extension if either of the following is true:

• Your child living in the UK is a British or Irish citizen, or has lived in the UK for at least seven years and it would not be reasonable for them to leave the country
• Your human rights will be breached if you are made to leave the UK once your current visa expires

Despite the amount of proof that is required for the initial Spouse Visa application to show that the applicant is in a ‘genuine and subsisting’ relationship, as part of the extension application, there is a requirement to show that this relationship is continuing and is still genuine.

It is highly recommended to keep proof of your relationship while you are living in the UK for the length of the original visa. This could take the form of photographs, event tickets, proof of holidays together, etc.

Similarly, providing evidence of shared finances or other obligations is considered a valuable source of proof for your visa extension.

There are no guidelines on the exact forms of evidence required to show proof of a genuine relationship. It may be helpful to discuss your situation and the best forms of proof for your individual situation with a professional immigration adviser.

If you wish to extend your Spouse Visa, the Home Office application cost is £1035. If you are required to submit a housing report on the status of your accommodation to prove that your living arrangements are suitable, you may be required to pay a further £120.

Similarly, if you need to provide evidence of property ownership, you may have to pay for a copy of the title deeds of your home. An English language test may cost up to £150 and any translations of official documents could cost up to £300.

If your Spouse Visa extension is refused, you may face even further costs.

Speak to one of our advisers today on 0191 303 8965 or use the contact form concerning applying or for immigration advice sessions.

Successful Spouse Visa extension applications must meet the good character requirement.

That means that the Home Office will check your immigration history in and outside the UK to certify that you didn’t break any immigration rules. That includes checking that you didn’t overstay any visa.

So, ensure that you apply for a spouse visa renewal before your current spouse visa expires.

When making a Spouse Visa renewal application, you must meet the accommodation requirements.

Whether you are in a marriage or civil partnership, you must be able to show that you and your spouse or partner have lived in the UK together during your time on your Spouse visa so far. Also, you must prove that you intend to continue living together.

Your proof can be a shared tenancy agreement or utility bill payments.

A spouse visa UK extension is an online process. You must apply to extend your spouse visa before your current visa expires. We have provided here a step-by-step breakdown of how you apply to extend your current spouse visa for your understanding and reference.

1. Check your eligibility for a spouse visa extension including the financial and accommodation requirements. In addition, you must have not breached your immigration conditions and/or have no criminal convictions that make you ineligible for a UK visa
2. Arrange required supporting documents to support your UK spouse visa extension application, e.g., proof of relationship (e.g. a marriage or civil partnership certificate) or proof of sufficient funds (e.g. bank statements, salary slips, etc.)
3. Apply online on the Home Office website using form FLR (M) for a spouse visa extension Pay the applicable visa extension processing fees online using a credit or a debit card (unless eligible for a fee waiver)
4. Book a biometric appointment to submit your facial image and fingerprints since a spouse visa is not yet included in the scope of the recently launched biometric reuse policy of the Home Office. You may also be required to attend an interview depending on your personal situation

The Home Office may take up to eight weeks, but as long as you have applied for an extension before the expiration date of your current spouse visa, you are eligible to live and work/study in the UK.

Spouse Visa Extension Application Form

You will need to fill up form FLR (M) online to extend your UK spouse visa. Before you start filling up the form, please ensure that you have read and understood the guidelines on eligibility, application process, required supporting documents, and applicable fees. Note that as part of the visa extension application process, you are also applying for an eVisa per the updated UK immigration policies.

If you are unable to pay the visa extension fees and are eligible for a fee waiver, please apply to waive the fees before proceeding with your FLR (M) form. If you are not comfortable using a computer or mobile device, or do not have access to the internet, you can ask for help (known as ‘assisted digital support’) over phone or in person to fill up the form.

It is possible to add other eligible dependent family members to your form FLR (M). However, if you are eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, you will have to use a separate form.

Spouse Visa Extension: How long does it take?

In the majority of spouse visa extensions, they are processed in approximately 6-8 weeks. If you want it quicker, you can take the super priority service at an additional £1000 to get your decision within one working day.

Once the Home Office has made a decision on your UK Spouse Visa extension application, you will be given official notice concerning your spouse visa renewal by letter or email. This will outline the condition of your stay, if your application is accepted, or explain why the application was refused if it is denied.

If you received notice of a rejection letter concerning your visa extension application, there are some options you can go with. Such options will be in your rejection letter.

Before you choose what route to go with, ensure that you have rectified the problem that led to the rejection. If there is no obvious problem or you are unsure why you were rejected, reach out to a spouse visa extension lawyer for advice.

Depending on the refusal, you may be able to submit an appeal against the decision. It is important to note that this appeal should be lodged as soon as possible as time limits may apply.

If you believe your extension application was rejected unfairly, you may be able to contest that decision through an appeal, administrative review, or judicial review.

Our UK immigration advisers can review your application to discuss your chances of success with any of the options as well as provide help with the best course of action.

A Spouse Visa is a common route towards permanent residence and British citizenship, and the path is relatively straightforward.

If you have successfully extended your visa, you are likely to reach five years of residence in the UK. This means that you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

This leave gives you more freedom in terms of your immigration status and restrictions, but it is not the same as British citizenship. If you are granted ILR, you may have the ability to apply to become a British citizen after holding ILR for one year.

One of the eligibility requirements of Indefinite Leave to Remain is that you meet the continuous residency requirement, indicating that you have not spent more than 180 days outside of the UK in the 12 months prior to the qualifying period.

Newcastle Immigration Lawyers can provide expert advice and comprehensive support if you wish to extend your visa. Our IAA accredited firm – including experienced immigration lawyers, consultants, advisers, advocates, and barristers – is dedicated to maximising your success.

We offer:

• A detailed initial consultation and eligibility assessment
• Assistance in gathering and preparing all necessary evidence
• Completion and submission of your application with full support
• Liaising with the Home Office on your behalf
• Ongoing liaison with the Home Office and representation in appeals if needed
• Transparent guidance on lawyer fees and immigration costs

If you already submitted an application but was rejected, we will assess your situation, provide advice on the best way forward on your UK Spouse Visa extension, and assist in implementing that. Furthermore, if you are in the UK on a Spouse visa, we can assist you with Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Call us on 0191 303 8965 or make an enquiry online to speak directly with one of our expert immigration lawyers about your Spouse Visa extension needs.