Documents to include in your UK Spouse/Partner Visa Application

In order to prove that the applicant satisfies all of the requirements to be granted a UK Spouse or Partner Visa, they must submit relevant supporting documents that will be assessed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as part of the application.

The documents that you need to submit for your UK spouse/partner visa application are:

• Valid passport
• Proof that your relationship is genuine
• Evidence of meeting the financial requirement
• Proof of meeting the English language requirement
• Adequate accommodation

If applying to come to the UK as a Spouse/Partner, you may also need to provide:

• Evidence the applicant has the right to live in the country where they are applying from
• TB Test certificate (where applicable).

What are the requirements for a UK Spouse/Partner Visa?

Relationship Requirement

At the time of making an application, both the applicant and sponsor partner must:

• Be over 18
• Have met in person
• Not be related to each other
• Be in a genuine and subsisting relationship
• If either person were previously married/in a civil partnership, the previous marriage/s must have permanently broken down
• Intend to live together permanently in the UK once the visa is granted

If you are married or civil partners, you must be able to prove that you are in a legal marriage/civil partnership that is recognised in the UK.

If making an application as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, you must show evidence that you are intending to get married in the UK.

If not married (and have no current intention of getting married), you must provide evidence that your relationship is akin to a marriage and that you have lived with each other continuously for 2 years or more.

Financial Requirement

For spouse visas being made outside the UK, the Sponsor must be able to show that they are earning or receiving income from their employment or other sources or else have significant savings, and that this income/savings is sufficient for themselves and their partner for the duration of their visa. 

The minimum income requirement they must meet for this is £18,600 (gross) per annum (*this will increase to £29,000 on 11 April 2024).

If there are children also applying with the partner, this increases by £3,800 for the first child, and then a further £2,400 for every additional child.

The English Language Requirement

Another requirement of the Spouse Visa Application is evidence of sufficient knowledge of the English Language. Unless you reside in a country where English is the primary/dominant language e.g. USA or Australia, you will need to take an English Language Test which assesses your speaking and listening ability. This must be at a minimum level of A1.

If you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English and recognised by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC), the English language requirement may also be satisfied.

Other Requirements

TB Test

If you are a resident of a country where Tuberculosis screening is required by the UK, you will need to have a TB test at an approved clinic by the Home Office in order to come to the UK.

Accommodation Requirement

You must also show that you have adequate accommodation for both of you (and any dependant children) to live in when you are in the UK.  Adequate meaning that there will be no overcrowding as a result of you staying in the property.

What type of Documents do I need to prove I meet the requirements for the UK Spouse/Partner Visa?

It is important to note as everyone's case is different with many possible variables of an applicant's/sponsor's personal circumstances.

Therefore, there is no one size fits all list of specific documents applicants must submit. - Your own set of documents must be tailored according to your and/or your partner's situation.

That being said, below are the type of items the UKVI will generally expect applicants to provide for their UK Spouse/Partner Visa application.

Documents to prove Relationship Requirement is met

For married/civil partners, the marriage/civil partnership certificate should be included in the application. If unmarried partners, you must provide evidence of cohabitation for at least 2 years e.g. Joint Tenancy Agreement/s, letters of correspondence. 

If applying as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, you should provide evidence that you have made arrangements for your marriage/civil partnership in the UK,

For applicants applying to come to the UK, to further prove that the relationship is genuine and subsisting, you must also provide documents evidencing contact between yourselves e.g. emails, chat logs, proof of travel to see each other etc.

Documents to prove Financial Requirement is met

The documents you must provide need to prove the source of income being used to meet the minimum income requirement. For example if the sponsor is relying on employment income, they will need to provide payslips, bank statements and employment contracts.



Documents to prove English Language Requirement is met

If the applicants are required to evidence a sufficient level of English Language, they must provide a copy of their English Language Test Certificate or their Degree certificate.

Documents to prove other requirements are met

If the applicant is required to have a TB Test, a copy of the TB Test certificate must be provided.

For the accommodation requirement, the documents to be provided will depend on whether the property is owned, rented etc. So the relevant documents could be a copy of the tenancy agreement, letter from landlord, land registry title etc.

Translation of Documents

Any supporting documents that are not in English or Welsh must be translated. This will typically apply to items such as Marriage and Birth Certificates that originate from non-English speaking countries. The Home Office's official rule on this is the following: Each original document must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the Home Office. Each translated document must contain:

• confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• the date of the translation
• the translator's full name and signature
• the translator's contact details

For a Complete List of Supporting Documents you will need to submit for your own UK partner visa application, head over here.