UK Spouse or Partner Visa

Eligibility criteria

Relationship and status

You must be married to or in a civil partnership or genuine long-term relationship (cohabiting for at least 2 years) with your partner. The marriage or partnership must be legally recognised under UK law. If you’re engaged and planning to marry within 6 months of arrival in the UK, you should apply under the fiancé(e) visa category.

Both applicant and sponsor must be aged 18 or over. The UK-based spouse (sponsor) must be a British citizen, have indefinite leave to remain (ILR), or have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

All previous marriages or civil partnerships must have ended — you’ll need to provide divorce decrees or death certificates where applicable.

Intention to live together

You must show that you and your spouse intend to live together permanently in the UK after the visa is granted. This must be backed up by a relationship history and supporting documentation (see below).

Genuine and subsisting relationship

UKVI will look for evidence that your relationship is not one of convenience. Evidence should include:

• Marriage certificate (original or certified)

• Photos of your wedding and time spent together

• Travel records, boarding passes, hotel bookings made jointly

• Evidence of regular contact (emails, chats, call logs)

• Joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, or bank statements (if applicable)

All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.

English language requirement

The applicant (spouse in Pakistan) must prove their knowledge of English at CEFR level A1 or above in speaking and listening. This can be done by:

• Passing a Home Office–approved English test (e.g. IELTS Life Skills A1)

• Holding an academic degree taught in English (must be recognised by Ecctis, formerly UK NARIC)

• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country (Pakistan is not on that list)

The English test must be taken at an approved centre, and the certificate must be valid at the time of application.

Accommodation requirement

You must demonstrate that you and your partner have access to adequate accommodation in the UK which:

• Is not overcrowded (based on Housing Act 1985)

• Is owned, rented, or formally provided to the sponsor/applicant

• Will not require the family to rely on public funds

Acceptable documents include:

• Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement

• Utility bills or council tax bills in the sponsor’s name

• A letter from a family member (if staying in their property) confirming consent and number of occupants

• A housing report, if available, to confirm the property meets living space regulations

Under UK law, a room can typically accommodate two persons. Children under 1 do not count, and children aged 1–10 count as 0.5.

Financial Requirements

Minimum income threshold (from April 2024)

The UK sponsor must earn at least £29,000 per year (gross) to meet the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR).

This figure is fixed and does not increase based on the number of dependent children included in the application.

Key Change:
Prior to April 2024, the MIR was £18,600 plus additional funds for children (£3,800 for the first, £2,400 for each additional). These top-ups no longer apply. Now, the threshold is flat: £29,000, regardless of dependants.

Acceptable income sources

The sponsor’s income must be from the UK and can come from one or more of the following categories:

Category A – Salaried employment (6+ months)

• You’ve been working with the same UK employer for 6 months or more

• Must earn £29,000 annually before tax

Evidence required:

• 6 months’ payslips

• 6 months’ personal bank statements showing salary credited

• Employer letter confirming employment details, salary, and duration

• P60 (last tax year, if available)

Category B – Salaried employment (<6 months or variable income)

• Less than 6 months with current employer or inconsistent pay

• Income is calculated based on the average of the last 6 months

Evidence required:
Same as Category A, but calculations must prove the average monthly income meets the threshold.

Self-employment

If the sponsor is self-employed, they must show:

• Latest SA302 and HMRC tax year overview

• Annual accounts (if applicable)

• Business bank statements

Must show income of £29,000 in the most recent full financial year.

Other sources

• Pensions (UK or overseas) – must be officially documented

• Rental income – requires tenancy agreement and proof of rental payments

• Dividends/investments – dividend vouchers, shareholding evidence

Cash savings

Savings can supplement or fully meet the financial requirement.

Important formula:
If relying solely on savings, you must have:

£88,500 held for at least 6 months, calculated as:

(£88,500 – £16,000) ÷ 2.5 = £29,000

Savings must be:

• In your or your partner’s name

• Held in cash (not stocks or bonds)

• Available instantly (e.g. in a current or savings account)

Important: Applicant’s income from Pakistan

If the spouse is applying from outside the UK (e.g. from Pakistan), their income is not counted toward the £29,000 threshold — even if they have a high-paying job abroad.

Only the UK sponsor’s income and savings are relevant unless both spouses are already living and working in the UK.

Exemption from MIR

If the sponsor receives one of the following benefits, the £29,000 threshold does not apply:

• Disability Living Allowance

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer’s Allowance

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Instead, the applicant must show that adequate maintenance will be available in the UK.

Document Checklists

1. Documents from the spouse in Pakistan (the applicant)

• Valid passport (plus previous passports if applicable)

• Two passport-sized photos (UK standards)

• TB test certificate (from an approved clinic in Pakistan)

• English language certificate (IELTS Life Skills A1 or equivalent)

• Marriage certificate (translated if not in English)

• Relationship evidence:

  • Photos together (including wedding)

  • Flight tickets, hotel bookings

  • Correspondence history (WhatsApp, emails, letters)

  • Proof of previous visits (visas, stamps)

• Divorce certificate/death certificate of former spouse (if applicable)

• Online application form and payment confirmation

• IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) payment confirmation

• Biometrics appointment confirmation

• Any children’s birth certificates (if applying with dependants)

2. Documents from the UK-based spouse (the sponsor)

• British passport or naturalisation certificate

• Recent utility bill or council tax bill showing UK address

• Proof of financial requirement:

  • Category A/B: Payslips, bank statements, employer letter, P60

  • Self-employment: SA302, tax year overview, annual accounts

  • Pension/investment/rental income statements

  • Cash savings: 6 months of statements, source explanation if lump sum

• Proof of accommodation:

  • Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement

  • Landlord letter if renting or living with family

  • Council tax, utility bills

  • Optional: Housing inspection report

• Cover letter (optional but recommended) explaining relationship history, how the requirements are met, and intent to live together

• Any documents not in English must have certified translations

Processing time

• Standard service: Up to 12 weeks

• Priority service: 5 working days (subject to availability in Pakistan)

• Super Priority: 24 hours (rare and location-dependent)

You must not travel to the UK before a decision is made.