Key Points
- You apply online, then attend a visa application centre.
- Decisions on overseas applications: usually within 12 weeks.
- Some applicants need a tuberculosis test certificate.
- The visa normally lasts up to 2 years and 9 months.
The process
- 1
Check eligibility
Confirm that each requirement can be met and evidenced.
- 2
Prepare documents
Include certified translations where needed.
- 3
Complete the online application
Answer every question accurately.
- 4
Pay the applicable fees
The application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- 5
Attend a biometric appointment
At a visa application centre in the country where you live.
- 6
Provide supporting evidence
Upload your documents or have them scanned at the centre.
- 7
Wait for the decision
You may be asked for more information.
- 8
Travel after approval
Enter the UK within the period allowed.
Country-specific points
The rules are the same wherever you apply, but practical details differ. Whether you need a tuberculosis test, how marriage documents are issued, how they must be translated and which priority services are offered all depend on the country.
The sponsor's position
In most overseas applications the financial requirement rests on the sponsor in the UK. If you are both living abroad and returning together, the sponsor can rely on overseas earnings together with a confirmed job offer in the UK, or on other permitted sources such as savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the UK while my spouse visa is being decided?
It is risky. Your passport may be with the visa centre, and a border officer may doubt that you are a genuine visitor while a settlement application is pending.
Can I apply from a country I am only visiting?
You normally need to apply from a country where you live or have permission to stay for more than six months.
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.