Spouse & Family Visa Solicitors
Bringing a partner or family member to the UK — the financial requirements alone reject thousands of applications every year.
The UK Spouse Visa and Partner Visa routes have strict financial, English language, and relationship requirements. Meeting them on paper is one thing; presenting them in the way a Home Office caseworker needs to see them is another. A specialist solicitor makes sure your application is complete, credible, and gives your family the best chance of being together.
Key Requirements
What the Home Office checks — and where applications fail.
Family and partner visa applications are refused more often than most visa categories. Understanding what the Home Office is looking for — and presenting it correctly — is essential.
The financial requirement
The UK sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold — currently £29,000 per year (rising to £38,700 by 2025). The threshold can also be met using savings of at least £62,500, or a combination of income and savings. The rules on how income is calculated — particularly for self-employed sponsors, non-standard employment, and benefits — are highly technical. A solicitor will confirm whether you meet the requirement and how to evidence it correctly.
Genuine relationship requirement
The Home Office requires evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship — and will look for evidence of cohabitation, shared finances, communication history, and a credible relationship narrative. Applications where the relationship evidence is thin or inconsistent are refused. A solicitor will advise on what evidence to gather and how to present the relationship in the strongest possible way.
English language requirement
The applicant must show they speak English at the required level — typically through an approved English language test (IELTS, Trinity, or a recognised equivalent) or a degree taught in English. Exemptions apply for nationals of certain majority-English-speaking countries and for those over 65 or with a disability. A solicitor will confirm the correct route and whether any exemption applies.
Family reunion and children's visas
The family route also covers applications to bring children under 18, adult dependent relatives (parents and grandparents in limited circumstances), and fiancé or proposed civil partners. Each sub-route has distinct requirements and, in some cases, different rights of appeal on refusal. A solicitor will confirm which route applies to each family member and manage the applications together.
Accommodation requirement
The application must show there is adequate accommodation for the sponsor and dependants in the UK — without recourse to public funds. Where the sponsor is renting, a tenancy agreement of sufficient size is needed. Where the accommodation is owned, a mortgage statement may be required. A solicitor will ensure this element of the application is properly documented alongside the financial and relationship evidence.
Route to settlement and citizenship
A Spouse or Partner Visa is initially granted for 2.5 years and can be extended. After 5 years on the route, the holder can apply for indefinite leave to remain, and then British citizenship. A solicitor will map out the full timeline, explain what happens at each renewal stage, and ensure there are no gaps or issues that could prevent progression to settlement.