The sponsor must usually earn at least £18,600 per year (gross income before tax) if there are no dependent children. This increases by £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child. So for a couple with two children, the requirement is £24,800 annually. Alternatively, you can rely on savings of at least £62,500 (or a combination of income and savings using a formula: savings above £16,000 can substitute for income at a rate of £2.50 per £1 of income). The income can come from: employment (6 months' evidence required), self-employment (last full tax year), pension, rental income from property, or non-employment income. Income of the applicant from overseas employment can be counted if they will continue that employment after arriving in the UK. Both sponsors' and applicants' income can potentially count depending on circumstances.

Entry clearance applications from overseas typically take around 12 weeks (approximately 60 working days) as standard, but can vary by country and time of year. Priority services are available for an additional fee: priority service usually provides a decision within 5-7 working days, and super-priority within 24 hours (fees around £500-£800 additional). Extensions made within the UK are usually decided within 8 weeks, with same-day super-priority service available (approximately £800 extra). Processing times can be affected by complexity, requests for additional information, or whether the case is selected for review. We recommend applying well before any current visa expires.

Yes, spouse and partner visas (both entry clearance and extensions) grant full permission to work in the UK without restriction. You can work in any job, be employed or self-employed, and change jobs freely—unlike work visas which are tied to specific sponsors. You can also study at any level and access the NHS (though you'll pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the application). However, you cannot access most public funds (benefits) until you obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship. Your children on dependent visas can also study and access schools.

After completing 5 years continuous residence on the family route (typically 2.5 years initial visa plus 2.5 years extension), you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement). Requirements for ILR include: meeting the English language requirement at B1 level (speaking and listening), passing the Life in the UK test, not exceeding absence limits (no more than 180 days absent in any 12-month period during the 5 years), meeting the 'suitability' requirements (no serious criminal convictions, no deception), and still being in the relationship or meeting the domestic violence exception. Once you have ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after holding ILR for 12 months (if married to a British citizen) or 5 years (if married to a settled person).

If your relationship ends before you obtain ILR, you may still be able to remain in the UK depending on your circumstances: (1) Domestic Violence Exception: if you're a victim of domestic violence or abuse by your British/settled partner, you can apply for ILR early with evidence from police, court, social services, or a refuge. (2) Children Route: if you have children with your ex-partner who are British citizens or settled in the UK, you may qualify to remain as their parent under Article 8 human rights or the 10-year route. (3) Private Life: after living in the UK for several years, you may have private life rights making removal disproportionate. (4) Discretionary Leave: in exceptional circumstances causing unjustifiably harsh consequences. We can advise urgently on your specific options—it's important to seek advice before your current visa expires.

Yes, unmarried partners can apply for a partner visa (also called 'unmarried partner visa') if you meet the eligibility requirements—most importantly, you must prove you've lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years before applying. This is different from a fiancé(e) visa where you're not yet living together. Evidence needed includes: tenancy agreements or mortgage documents in both names showing cohabitation for 2+ years, utility bills/bank statements addressed to both at the same address, photos together throughout the relationship, statements from family and friends, and evidence of financial interdependence. The 2-year cohabitation period must be continuous—breaks may reset the clock. All other requirements (income, English, accommodation) are the same as for married couples.

A fiancé(e) visa (or 'proposed civil partner visa') allows you to come to the UK for up to 6 months to marry or enter a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person. Key differences from spouse visa: you don't need to prove 2 years cohabitation, it's only valid for 6 months and doesn't allow work, and you must marry within the 6 months then switch to a spouse visa (which requires another application and fee). The fiancé(e) visa route is typically used when couples haven't lived together for 2 years or are in countries where unmarried cohabitation isn't culturally accepted. After marrying, you apply to switch to a spouse visa (FLR(M)) without leaving the UK—this then starts the 5-year route to settlement. Financial and accommodation requirements apply both to the initial fiancé visa and the subsequent switch application.

If your family visa application is refused, your options depend on where you applied: (1) Entry Clearance Refusal (overseas): you generally have no right of appeal unless it's a human rights claim—instead, you can submit a new application addressing the refusal reasons, or request an administrative review within 28 days if you believe there was a caseworker error. (2) In-Country Refusal: you usually have a right of appeal within 14 days if you applied before your visa expired—this is heard by the First-tier Tribunal. (3) Understanding the Refusal: refusal letters explain the reasons—common issues include insufficient financial evidence, relationship genuineness concerns, or English language problems. We review refusal decisions and advise whether to appeal, reapply, or request administrative review depending on the specific circumstances and prospects of success.