If you’re a non-EEA national or a Swiss national, and you’ve found a partner to be a British Citizen or someone with a settling status in the UK, then you can have the journey started from a Spouse Visa towards an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), lastly. Immigration License Residence (ILR) which is also known as permanent residency is a vital step after which you will no longer be bound by migratory rules and can settle down in the UK. This comprehensive guide will take you through all the procedures for getting an ILR from a Spouse Visa, presenting the requirements, the financial aspect, and all the aspects you should be aware of to ensure a smooth process.
The Spouse Visa: Initial Steps
One of the options is to have a British Citizen or an individual who has spent more than three years (but less than five) in the UK for settlement. This could qualify you for a Spouse Visa. This visa lets you both reside and work in the UK implicitly within its permits of two and a half years. Following this introductory stage, you can, in the alternative, facilitate the renewal of the Spouse Visa for another 2 and a half years as long as the Home Office has supporting documentation proving your suitability. Most Spouse Visa applicants aim to secure Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and, eventually, gain permanent residence in the UK.
Requirements for Transitioning from Spouse Visa ILR UK
The requirements for obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after receiving a Spouse Category Visa may vary depending on whether you apply through the Five-year or Ten-year route.
Eligibility for Spouse Visa ILR UK under the five-year route:
Genuine and Subsisting Relationship:
One of the most essential considerations when applying for a domestic partner visa is to be in a true and steady relationship with your spouse. The Home Office will continue to monitor your situation to see whether it is still the right decision for you to stay.
Financial Requirements:
To get ready for Homestay, you need to accomplish the budgetary prerequisites. This usually means that you must show that toyour combined income with your sponsort partner is equal to or is higher than the minimum income threshold as set out by the Home Office.
Accommodation:
You should present evidence that you have secure housing which is required by law according to the Home Office. It would be appropriate for you and your partner to prove that you have a proper family home.
Duration of Leave to Remain:
The duration of upholding the status of a partner under the leave to remain policy must amount to a minimum of two years at least.
English and Life in the UK:
You must demonstrate that you have a standard English language and UK life skills level. To pursue this, English language proficiency at least at level B1 will be assessed, along with successful completion of the Life in the UK test.
Proving a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
Demonstrating that you have a genuine and prolonged relationship as a couple is fundamental for both the first Spouse Visa application and conversion to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status. You can demonstrate this through various means, including:
Co-habitation:
When you live with your partner for longer than the surface level attraction, it becomes a serious relationship and we are moving toward the future together.
Long-term Relationship:
If you have been with the same person for many years – whether it is through marriage or civil partnership – it highlights a depth of sacrificial and life-long commitment that gives you a special place in your partner’s life.
Future Plans:
Demonstrating that you have clear plans and commitments for the future with someone you love can significantly strengthen your case. This shows stability and a long-term connection, which can be an important factor in your application or situation.
Children:
Caring for children is a compelling reason for advocating gender equality, as it highlights shared responsibilities in family life. There are many other reasons as well, but the role of parents in nurturing and raising children is fundamental to promoting equality and fairness in society.
Shared Financial Responsibilities:
One way or another, and even if it’s a joint financial commitment, such as having shared bank accounts or paying bills, it seems obvious that you are really in a relationship altogether.
Financial Requirements for Transitioning
To extend your Spouse Visa to ILR status, you are required to meet the economic conditions that the Home Office set. Currently, the income support threshold is £18,600 across the UK. There is a likelihood of a change to this with the addition of child dependents. In the case of the first child, an extra £3,800 is necessary, and then for each subsequent child, the additional £2,400 is required as well. You can meet the financial requirements through various sources:
Income from Salaried Employment and Self-Employment: You can attain the quota with your income and your spouse’s revenues.
- Cash Savings: If you have stable cash savings exceeding £16,000, you can strengthen your financial situation to meet immigration requirements.
- Non-Employment Income: This comprises passive income like immovable property rental, shares, stock market deals, etc.
- Maternity Allowances and Other Benefits: Certain UK immigrant benefits can count toward meeting financial obligations for your application.
Absence Considerations
The maximum allowable absences in comparison with other UK visas is less in the case of a Spouse Visa where there is no specific limitation placed on the number of absences. Nevertheless, this UK embassy regulation affects the Spouse Visa application process and if you have spent a considerable time outside the country during your visa period, the Home Office may take time to scrutinize your application. Readiness for addressing any proposed medical complications arising from the extended stay is what’s vital.
Accommodation Requirements
Comprehensive accommodation requirements for a second chance to remain in the UK with a Spouse Visa are the same as those for the first application. You two as a couple should display that you have a preferable settled place it is possible for your family. That, in the first place, is making your home fully comply with health regulations and, of course, having enough rooms for all the members above.
English Language and Life in the UK Test
The applicant must take an English Language test to prove language competence of at least the B1 level based on the updated and stricter test rules. Besides that, the Life in the UK test that was put in place to test your knowledge of British life, culture, and traditions is also an aspect you have to pay attention to. Exceptions to the testing requirement come from persons under 18 years old and those aged at least 65 years old. Also, such exceptions are available for individuals with long-term conditions of a physical or mental nature.
The Costs of Applying for ILR
The current cost is £2,404 per Spouse Visa applicant on top of the standard ILR application fee. The Life in the UK test costs £50, and this fee is non-refundable. If your application is rejected or you fail the test, you will not receive a refund.
For those unable to wait for the standard ILR processing time, the super-priority service is available for £1,800 per application, offering faster processing. Besides serving as a time saver, it will be a key tool to smoothen the application process.
The Path to British Citizenship
One of the greatest benefits that comes with obtaining ILR status is that it is a ticket to not only British citizenship but also to other parts of the world. The ability to live and work in the UK as a full rights holder and apply for a British passport are some of the privileges that citizenship in the UK gives. A criterion that makes up British citizenship is different from ILR, however, ILR is a path that people follow to get British citizenship.
Processing Time for ILR
The regional office of the Home Office usually targets 6 months as a standard processing time for an Indefinite Leave to Remain application. On the other hand, the timeframe mentioned here is subject to variation. This is because individual circumstances and case complexity may influence its progress. For accelerating the process, super-priority service might offer a response within the workday which would be, however, an additional expense.
Being prompt about any voluntary additional evidence and documents needed by the UKVI will make it possible for you to maintain control of the ILR process and avoid unnecessary delays.
Required Documents for Spouse Visa ILR UK
Doing all the documents you are required to submit when you apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain on a Spouse Visa is treated as a very critical step. These documents may include:
- A valid passport or travel document issued by the country of your citizenship must be presented.
- You will have to comply with this with proof that you have some time of absence from the UK.
- The college application form requests proof that your English language is at the required level (the certificate passed the test is one of them).
- One of the most exciting milestones for an immigrant embarking on their integration journey in the UK is the successful completion of the A Life in the UK test.
- The Commonwealth will issue a Biometric Residence Permit (if issued).
- Details of your accommodation
- As per the submitted application form for Unlimited Period Remain Truly (Form Set M).
- The vital thing is to establish that a person possesses the original documents which if they are not in English or Welsh, you may need to present a certified translation for Home Office inspection.
Impact of Divorce on ILR
If you divorce while holding a Spouse Visa in the UK, it can significantly impact your stay. Always report any changes in your circumstances to the Home Office. After living in the UK for 5 continuous years, you may still be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Otherwise, other visa options may be unavailable, and your only choice might be to apply as a responsible parent if your child has lived in the UK for at least seven years and holds settled status.
Dealing with Spouse Visa ILR UK Application Rejections
Receiving a refusal for your ILR application can be discouraging, but don’t lose hope. You can submit a new application addressing the reasons for the initial refusal. Frequent causes of refusal include absences above the boundary, not complying with immigration rules, not declaring your debts, criminal record, failure on language test, or other route failures. For some visa applicants, getting a consultation from an immigration attorney may mean a lot if they get denied their application.
Spouse Visa ILR UK with a Criminal Record
Even with a criminal record, you may still qualify for ILR. However, it’s crucial to disclose all spent and unspent convictions on your application. Failure to do so could result in a refusal. An immigration lawyer can guide you through it and help you disclose the conviction correctly to the Home Office.
Moving from Spouse Visa to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK is a big deal. It requires a lot of careful planning and finally complying with several Home Office requirements to prove the authenticity of your relationship, fulfill financial criteria, show that you can speak English at a conversational level, meet the residential criteria, etc. It is a daunting task but, if you have made a UK home with your loved one or want to pursue British citizenship, ILR is the first step.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the UK straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for an Ancestry Visa or a Spouse Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas have a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit the UK. You can call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can help you.