Key Points
- Employment and self-employment are both allowed.
- You do not need a sponsoring employer.
- Study is allowed.
- Most public funds are not available until settlement.
Work
There is no restriction on the type of work or the hours. You can change jobs freely and run a business. Employers check your right to work online using a share code from your eVisa.
Study
You can study. Fee status at universities depends on separate residence rules, so you may be charged international fees for a period.
Can you claim benefits?
A spouse visa normally carries the condition that you have no recourse to public funds. That rules out most benefits in your own name, such as Universal Credit and Housing Benefit. Your partner can continue to claim what they are entitled to, but the claim may be affected by your presence. Contributory benefits and the NHS are treated differently.
Your earnings and the next application
Once you are working in the UK, your income can count towards the financial requirement at extension and settlement, alongside your partner's.
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.