Studying in an international destination such as the UK can surely be an exhilarating experience. However, as time moves on, you’re bound to miss your loved ones and everything that you have left back home. Studying can be stressful from time to time and seeing your partner or spouse might offer you some much-needed relief.
Fortunately, by applying for a spouse visa UK you can bring your partner to the UK on your Tier 4 student visa. Some students are eligible to bring their partner to the UK on a dependant visa.
The following provides guidance on which students are eligible to bring a visa dependent, who can come as a dependant, and how to apply for the UK dependent visa for spouse.
Spouse Visa UK: Who Can Have A Dependant?
Your partner may be qualified to apply for a spouse visa if you meet the following criteria:
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Your program is full-time, at the doctoral level*, and lasts at least 9 months OR
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You are a student sponsored by the UK govt, enrolled in a 6-month or longer full-time course. This implies that the UK government or an overseas government is financially supporting your studies.
*This excludes Advanced Diploma courses.
If the above spouse visa requirements do not pertain to your situation, your spouse may apply for a spouse dependent visa if you have already been studying in the UK and the following specific requirements are met:
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Your Tier 4/student immigration permission is current or it expired no more than 3 months before the new visa application AND
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Your new course is more than 6 months long AND
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Your partner already has dependant immigration permission (or it expired no more than 3 months before the new visa application) AND
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Your partner applies for a partner visa UK at the same time as you apply for a new student visa.
Spouse Visa UK: Who Is A Dependant?
For visa reasons, a dependant is:
A man, woman, or civil partner. Civil partners are same-sex or opposite-sex couples who have registered their partnership and thus received formal legal recognition of their relationship.
If you have been living together in a relationship comparable to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years, you are considered an unmarried partner.
If you are applying for a partner visa with your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner, your relationship must be real and ongoing at the time of application, and you must plan to live together throughout your stay in the UK.
In all cases, when applying for UK spouse visa from India, you must both be at least 18 years old.
Spouse Visa UK: Documents Required
To support their UK student spouse visa application, the applicant must submit supporting papers. Among them are the following:
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If you are applying for a spouse visa gov UK from any of the countries mentioned on the UK government website and your stay will be longer than 6 months, you will need a Tuberculosis (TB) certificate.
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If you are not applying at the same time, a letter confirming your host’s enrollment in a UK institution.
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If registering within the UK, an updated Police Registration Certificate (PRC) is required.
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A current passport or travel document that demonstrates your travel past, nationality, and identity.
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A current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). (where applicable).
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Maintenance requirements compliance proof. Furthermore, the dependent must provide some specific documents.
If the candidate is applying for a UK dependent visa for spouse, they must demonstrate a genuine and ongoing connection with the primary applicant. As a result, they must provide the following documentation:
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Certificate of marriage or civil union.
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If they are not married, they must provide evidence of their connection with the sponsor for at least two years.
You may provide the following spouse visa requirements papers in this case:
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Utility invoices, tax bills, and bank statements.
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Residential mortgage statements or tenancy arrangements.
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Official correspondence or papers tying the two of you together and demonstrating that you share the same address.
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Evidence that you will reside together (if they are applying from the UK). This includes bank statements with the same location, council tax bills, and utility bills.
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If you have been living apart and applying for the dependant visa independently, you must provide proof of your relationship’s continuity. Emails, Skype/phone logs, and plane tickets from one another’s visit trips can be used by the dependent partner.
Spouse Visa UK: How To Apply
Your partner can apply for a UK study visa with spouse by sending a completed online application form, supporting documents, and payment of the applicable fees on the official website of the UK government.
They must also give their biometrics at a visa application center appointment. Fingerprints and photos are among the data. The spouse visa application is filed for approval after the biometrics are properly presented.
When the partner visa application is approved, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) notifies the candidate via letter. After being granted entry into the nation, they are given a biometric residence permit. They have ten days to obtain the permit.
Your partner can apply as a visa dependent either from within the UK (permission to remain as a dependant) or from outside the UK (entry clearance as a dependant). They should do so when filing for a student visa or after they have obtained one.
Rejection of a spouse visa UK application can be a stressful experience. As a result, you must ensure that you do everything correctly in order to prevent it. Meanwhile, you can stay connected to your beloved partner by using a UK sim card by Remigos. We will help you find the most suited plan for your data & calling needs with super fast 5G or 4G LTE coverage.
Spouse Visa UK: Processing Time
The processing period for a UK dependent visa for spouse is determined by where you apply and the application fee you pay.
If you file from outside the UK, the processing time for a partner visa UK can take up to 12 weeks. The time period begins when you attend the biometric appointment and file the application.
Fortunately, you can pay an additional fee to have your spouse visa gov UK application processed quicker by using the priority service. Typically, you receive a response for the application in 5 working days.
If you register from within the UK, it takes 8 weeks from the appointment date. You can also pay a premium for urgent or super-priority services.
The ‘priority’ service takes 5 days, while the super priority’ service takes only 24 hours.
Spouse Visa UK: Processing Fees
The processing fees for a spouse dependent visa, like the processing period, vary depending on where you apply.
It is also dependent on the processing provider you select. If you submit from outside the UK, the visa fee per dependant is £363. If you attend a ‘user pay Visa Application Centre (VAC),’ you may be charged an additional £55 fee.
If you require priority service or have your papers scanned or delivered, you may be charged an additional fee. It works in your favor if you have easy access to your money at any time, and with Remigos’ UK bank account you have just that. Mobile banking, virtual debit card, zero monthly fees, and no international wire fee are just a few of the benefits offered.
The processing fee is as follows if you file for your visa from within the United Kingdom:
Application Type |
Processing Fees Per Dependent |
Processing Time |
Standard |
£490 |
8 Weeks |
Priority |
£500 |
5 Working days |
Super Priority |
£800 |
Weekdays: By the next day Weekend: After 2 days |
It should be noted that the priority and super priority options are not always accessible.
Spouse Visa UK: Financial Requirements
If you want to bring your spouse to the UK on your UK student spouse visa, they must show that they have adequate financial resources to cover the expense of living in the UK, or their visa will be denied.
Your personal funds cannot be used as proof that they have the necessary funds to travel to the UK. The amount of money they must own varies depending on how long your course is, where you are studying in the UK, and whether you are presently studying or have already finished a degree course.
If you are studying or plan to study in London, your spouse has to show £845 for each month of immigration approval you have been granted. (if you both apply simultaneously). This is up to a maximum of 9 months (so a maximum of £7,605).
If you study anywhere apart from London, your spouse must show in their account, £680 for each month. This as well is up to a maximum period of 9 months (so a maximum amount of £6,120).
A bank statement proving that the money pertains to the individual is sufficient proof of financial resources. Ensure that the funds have been deposited at least 28 days prior to receiving the document.
Important: If you are studying in the UK on a scholarship or similar grant, you may be able to provide financial support for your partner as long as your sponsor allows it. In that case, immigration authorities in the United Kingdom will require you to provide documentation from your scholarship provider confirming the quantity of money they are offering you to cover your dependents. If that quantity is insufficient, you must contribute more money.
For moving your money from India to your international bank A/C in just a few clicks you should use Remigos’ foreign money transfer service. The fully digital, lightning-fast transfer is ideal for hassle-free international transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spouse Visa UK
Is it possible to obtain indefinite leave to remain on a student dependent visa?
A spouse dependent visa can result in Indefinite Leave to Remain. After five years of continuous residence in the UK, the primary applicant may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain. As a result, any of their dependents may also be qualified.
Can a spouse from India on UK dependant visa work in the UK?
Except in the following cases, a person with UK spouse visa from India can work in the UK:
They are not permitted to operate as a professional athlete or coach unless they have a dentist’s or medical degree from a UK institution or have earlier been given a UK visa that did not restrict their work as a medical professional or dentist in training.
Can foreign students with student visas marry in the UK?
Yes. International learners with valid UK student visas can marry in the UK. If they satisfy the spouse visa requirements, they can also apply for a marriage visa UK after marrying or registering a civil partnership.
Conclusion
The spouse visa UK has numerous advantages for both the holder and the primary candidate. The main reason for applying for this marriage visa or partner visa is to be together with your spouse while residing in a new environment. The primary applicant may find it extremely difficult to live alone in a foreign country. Bringing your partner to a new country brings happiness and a more balanced way of living. Furthermore, once your other half move to the UK, they will be able to work themselves. So both of you can work towards a brighter future!