In short
To join a partner who is British or settled in the UK you must both be 18 or over, prove a genuine relationship (marriage or civil partnership, or at least 2 years living together, or another listed route), intend to live together permanently in the UK, and usually show a combined income of at least £29,000 a year. GOV.UK says a partner visa can lead to settlement after 5 years.
Published 10 October 2026. Sources last checked 10 October 2026.
Who your partner must be
GOV.UK lists the statuses your partner can hold, including British or Irish citizenship, settled status, pre-settled EU status (with residence in the UK before 1 January 2021), and protection status. Rules for partners with protection status who claimed asylum after 2 March 2026 are set out separately on GOV.UK.
Proving the relationship
- A marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK.
- Or at least 2 years of living together when you apply.
- Or the fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner route.
- Or at least 2 years in a relationship where you cannot live together for reasons such as work, study or culture.
- In every case you and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK after you apply.
Income, English and cost
| Requirement | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| Minimum income | Usually a combined income of at least £29,000 a year. A lower figure of £18,600 applies only to some people extending a visa first applied for before 11 April 2024. Savings may be used in some cases, and certain disability or carer benefits can change the requirement. |
| If you cannot meet the income requirement | You may still be able to apply or extend in some situations, for example involving a British or Irish child, or on human rights grounds. Otherwise the earliest route to settlement can be 10 years. |
| English language | At least level A1 on the CEFR scale for a first application, proved by a UK degree, a recognised degree-level assessment, or an approved English test. B1 or higher lets you reuse the result for settlement. Some people are exempt. |
| Application fee | £2,064 if applying from outside the UK; £1,407 if applying from inside the UK. Each dependant pays the same. |
| Healthcare surcharge | Per adult: £2,587.50 for 2 years 6 months; £3,105 for 2 years 9 months; £5,175 for 5 years. |
| Length of visa | Initial stay up to 2 years and 9 months, then up to a further 2 years and 6 months, and you can extend more than once. Fiancé(e) visas last 6 months. |
Settlement
GOV.UK says you can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years of continuous residence on a family visa as a partner. Time on another visa, or as a fiancé(e), does not count. Because settlement rules are under review, read our indefinite leave to remain guide before relying on that date.
Where applications go wrong
- Income evidence that does not match the format required for the type of income.
- Gaps in evidence of a relationship, particularly where you have not lived together.
- Earlier refusals or immigration breaches that are not explained.
- Using the wrong version of the rules: figures and dates depend on when you first applied.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Family visa: partner or spouse (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Family visa: proof of income (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Family visa: knowledge of English (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Family visa: how much it costs (opens in a new tab)
General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and processing times change; your circumstances need individual consideration.