How to Apply for a UK Spouse Visa from India

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If you are applying for a UK spouse/partner/fiancé(e) visa from India, you must know the appropriate visa category to proceed with your application.

The spouse visa lets you stay and work in the UK for 2 years and 9 months. If you applied as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, you can stay for up to 6 months. You must also enter into the marriage within these 6 months.

Step#1: Begin your application

The application process for both the UK Fiance(e), Spouse Visa is pretty straightforward but strict in compliance if Home Office needs additional proof. All partner-Visa applications (i.e. as a Fiance(e), Spouse, a Proposed Civil Partner or a Civil Partner), must meet the requirements as laid down in Appendix FM of the UK Immigration Rules.

The process involves the following;

  1. To submit the application form online
  2. book the biometric appointment online(fingerprint and photographs to be taken)
  3. attend the biometric appointment at the applicant’s nearest VFS Global center. An account with VFS Global can be created at the point you are redirected.
  4. Follow the online steps and you will be able to pick an appointment slot at one of the 19 available locations.
  5. pay the visa fees
  6. and submit all the relevant supporting documents as asked.

Key points to remember

  • If the working hours of your chosen location are not suiting you, you can pay an extra INR 4500 to get a ‘prime time’ appointment outside the normal working hours. 
  • A few locations can also charge you an additional ‘user pay’ fee in order to arrange a normal appointment with them.
  • Once you have resided in the UK for a  continuous  5 years with your partner on a spouse visa, you will be eligible to apply for Indefinite leave to remain in the UK and eventually for British citizenship. You must also ensure that all eligibility criteria are fulfilled, such as bearing a good character, passing the Life in the UK test, having a sound mind and the knowledge of the English language.

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Step#2: Documents to be update

The documentation part must be correctly completed ensuring that your documents are legible after getting scanned and correctly placed in the required order.

  1. Self-uploading all the supporting documents to the VFS Global website. This service does not cost you any fee.
  2. Scan all evidence for VFS Global’s online portal update ahead of the appointment. You must follow their guidelines when doing so in order to ensure everything is correctly uploaded without any chance of a mistake.
  3. Document Scanning Assistance Service at the Visa Application Centre can additionally cost you INR 750.
  4. For those without the facilities to scan, you can take a document scanning service and have VFS Global scan for you. All original documents are taken to the appointment and then returned to you, only your passport gets retained
  5.  If you wish to take your passport back, you need to pay an additional INR 5000.
  6. All documents must be sent to either of the VFS Global centers in the UK.
  7. UK settlement scanning service sends documents for you at an additional GBP 100 fee (with GBP 25 extra for secure return)

Step#4: Documents to prove eligibility

You need to evidence the following documents, in order to prove that you are eligible to apply for a spouse visa.

  • Submit all the above-required documents
  • Passing the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’
  • Fulfill the minimum income threshold and the financial income requirement
  • Prove your A1 level English language proficiency
  • Possess a suitable accommodation for you, your partner, and any dependents

Step#5: Waiting for the decision

The standard service time period for a decision on a UK spouse visa application from India is roughly 60 working days. This can be reduced to 30 working days if you choose a  priority service and fulfil them. This can additionally cost you INR 54,971.

Step#6: Take Legal assistance for smooth visa application

It would be beneficial to seek support from immigration experts to help you secure a visa faster without refusals.  A Y & J Solicitors have successfully helped over 4000 clients with their bespoke immigration and visa advice from planning the applications to visa approvals. Stay connected with our legal blog!