Bring your partner, spouse or children to the UK. This guide covers the spouse visa, partner visa, child visa and parent visa — updated for 2025 including the new income threshold.
| Who can apply? | Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners (2+ years cohabiting) |
| Sponsor must be | British citizen, or settled/ILR in the UK |
| Minimum income (sponsor) | £29,000/year gross (from April 2024) |
| Application fee (outside UK) | £1,846 per person |
| IHS (per adult) | £1,035/year — £3,105 for 33-month visa |
| First grant duration | 33 months (2¾ years) |
| Extension duration | 30 months (2½ years) |
| Path to ILR | After 5 years total |
| Right to work | Yes — unrestricted |
If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or person settled in the UK, you can apply for a spouse or civil partner visa. The relationship must be genuine and subsisting, and you must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
If you have been living together with your partner for at least 2 years in a relationship akin to marriage, you can apply as an unmarried partner. You will need evidence of cohabitation for the full 2-year period.
The UK sponsor must earn at least £29,000 gross per year. This increased from £18,600 in April 2024 as part of planned increases. The threshold is intended to rise further — check GOV.UK for the current figure. Savings can be used to top up income in some circumstances.
Children under 18 of a person settled in the UK can apply to join them. Both parents usually need to consent, or one parent must have sole responsibility for the child. The application fee is the same as for adults.
If you have a child who is a British citizen or settled in the UK, you may be able to apply as a parent. The route is complex — seek legal advice before applying.
Adult applicants must demonstrate English at A1 level for an initial application and A2 for an extension. This can be done via an approved test, a degree taught in English, or being from a majority English-speaking country.
The accommodation in the UK where you will live must be adequate for the family — not overcrowded and meeting housing health and safety standards.
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