UK Spouse Visa Costs
UK spouse visa costs vary by visa type, application method, and processing speed, with spouse visa costs ranging from £1,538-3,000 for standard spouse visa applications to £1,538 plus £2,885 Immigration Health Surcharge for 2.5-year visa with comprehensive healthcare coverage. Understanding UK spouse visa costs, application requirements, and additional fees helps couples plan UK family life while managing visa application expenses. From initial spouse visas to extensions, UK visa system offers various options for family reunification.
💑 UK spouse visa represents essential travel document for partners and spouses of UK citizens or settled persons requiring careful application planning and fee payment. Evaluating whether standard or priority visa provides best value, understanding application requirements and processing times, and knowing when to apply helps optimize visa costs while ensuring successful spouse visa approval.
How Much is a UK Spouse Visa?
Spouse Visa (Standard): £1,538 for standard spouse visa application for partners and spouses of UK citizens or settled persons. Initial spouse visa costs £1,538 for 2.5-year visa, spouse visa extension costs £1,048, and £1,538 for standard spouse visa application. Includes online application and standard processing time.
Spouse Visa (Priority): £1,538 plus £500 for priority spouse visa service providing faster processing within 5 working days. Priority spouse visa costs £2,038 total including standard visa fee and priority service. Includes faster processing for urgent family reunification applications.
Spouse Visa Extension: £1,048 for spouse visa extension allowing continuation of stay in UK after initial 2.5-year period. Extension application costs £1,048 for additional 2.5-year period, while indefinite leave to remain costs £2,885 after 5 years. Includes extension processing and visa continuation.
Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year for Immigration Health Surcharge providing NHS healthcare access. IHS for spouse visa costs £1,035 per year of visa validity, with typical 2.5-year visa costing £2,588 total. Includes comprehensive NHS healthcare coverage for visa duration.
Financial Requirement: Minimum income requirement of £18,600 annually for UK sponsor, with additional £3,800 for first child and £2,400 for each additional child. Financial requirement affects eligibility, with savings alternatives available for those without sufficient income. Financial evidence must be provided with application.
Additional Services: £50-500 for additional services including visa application centre fees, biometric appointments, document translation, and legal assistance. VAC fees vary by location, biometric appointments may cost £19.20, and legal assistance costs £200-500 depending on complexity. Additional services significantly affect total visa application costs.
For example, standard spouse visa at £1,538 with 2.5-year IHS at £2,588 totals £4,126, while priority spouse visa at £2,038 with IHS totals £4,626. Extension application at £1,048 with IHS totals £3,623.
Real-World Examples:
UK Visas and Immigration in London: Spouse visa from £1,538, spouse visa extension from £1,048, priority service from £500, Immigration Health Surcharge from £1,035 per year. Official UK visa processing service with comprehensive spouse visa support and processing options.
VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Manchester: Spouse visa application from £1,538, biometric appointment from £19.20, document translation from £50. Visa application centre with comprehensive spouse visa services and application support.
Visa Application Centre in Birmingham: Initial spouse visa from £1,538, priority service from £500, document preparation from £200. Professional visa application centre with spouse visa processing and comprehensive services.
TLScontact in Edinburgh: Spouse visa from £1,538, Immigration Health Surcharge from £1,035 per year, comprehensive services from £400. Visa application centre with comprehensive spouse visa services and IHS support.
Immigration Solicitors in Glasgow: Legal assistance from £300, document preparation from £250, comprehensive spouse visa services from £600. Professional immigration solicitors with application support and legal advice services.
Factors that Affect UK Spouse Visa Costs
💑 Visa Type and Application Stage
Initial spouse visa costs £1,538, while extension costs £1,048, and indefinite leave to remain costs £2,885. Application stage significantly affects costs, with initial applications costing more than extensions. Application stage directly impacts visa fees and total costs.
⚡ Processing Speed and Priority Services
Standard processing costs £0 additional fee, while priority service costs £500 for 5-day processing, and super priority service costs £1,000 for next-day processing. Processing speed significantly affects costs, with faster processing commanding premium prices. Priority services reduce waiting times but increase total application costs.
🏥 Immigration Health Surcharge
IHS costs £1,035 per year of visa validity, with typical 2.5-year visa costing £2,588 total. IHS provides NHS healthcare access and significantly affects total visa costs. IHS duration directly impacts total healthcare surcharge costs, with IHS being substantial component of spouse visa costs.
📍 Application Location and Method
Online application costs standard visa fee, while application centre fees may add £50-200 depending on location and services. Application method and location affect total costs, with premium locations commanding higher fees. Application location significantly impacts convenience and costs.
📄 Additional Services and Documentation
Biometric appointments cost £19.20, while document translation costs £50-200, and legal assistance costs £200-500. Additional services significantly affect total visa application costs. Documentation requirements and support services can add £100-700 to standard visa fees.
How to Save Money on UK Spouse Visa
⏰ Apply Early for Standard Processing
Standard processing costs £0 additional fee, while priority service costs £500 for faster processing. Applying early allows standard processing without premium fees. Early application can save £500-1,000 on priority service fees.
📄 Prepare Documents Yourself
Self-preparation costs £0 additional fees, while professional legal assistance costs £200-500 for application support. Preparing documents yourself eliminates professional fees. Self-preparation can save £200-500 on visa application costs.
🔍 Compare Application Centres
Application centre fees vary by location—compare multiple options to find best value. Some centres offer lower fees or better services. Comparing centres can save £50-150 on application centre fees.
✅ Ensure Complete Application
Complete applications avoid delays and additional costs, while incomplete applications may require resubmission fees. Ensuring complete and accurate applications prevents additional expenses. Proper preparation can save £100-500 on reapplication or correction fees.
💼 Meet Financial Requirements
Meeting minimum income requirement of £18,600 annually ensures application approval, while insufficient financial evidence may result in refusal. Proper financial documentation prevents application rejection and additional costs. Meeting requirements can save £1,538 on reapplication fees.
FAQs
How much does a UK spouse visa cost?
UK spouse visa costs £1,538 for initial application, plus £1,035 per year for Immigration Health Surcharge. Typical 2.5-year spouse visa costs £4,126 total including visa fee and IHS. Extension costs £1,048 plus IHS. Priority processing may add £500-1,000 to total costs.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge for spouse visas?
Immigration Health Surcharge costs £1,035 per year of visa validity, providing NHS healthcare access for spouse visa holders. Typical 2.5-year spouse visa requires £2,588 IHS payment. IHS is mandatory for spouse visas and provides comprehensive NHS healthcare coverage for visa duration.
How long does UK spouse visa processing take?
Standard UK spouse visa processing takes 12-24 weeks, while priority service provides 5-day processing for £500 additional fee, and super priority service provides next-day processing for £1,000 additional fee. Processing times vary by application complexity and peak periods. Apply early to allow standard processing time.
What are the financial requirements for UK spouse visa?
Minimum income requirement is £18,600 annually for UK sponsor, with additional £3,800 for first child and £2,400 for each additional child. Financial requirement can be met through income, savings, or combination. Savings alternatives available for those without sufficient income. Proper financial documentation is essential for application approval.
How can I reduce UK spouse visa costs?
Apply early for standard processing, prepare documents yourself, compare application centres, ensure complete application, and meet financial requirements. These strategies can save £200-1,000 on UK spouse visa costs. Standard processing and self-preparation provide largest savings opportunities for spouse visa applications.
Conclusion
UK spouse visa costs range from £1,538-4,626 depending on visa type, Immigration Health Surcharge, and processing speed, requiring careful application planning and fee management for successful UK family reunification approval. Strategic visa planning—applying early for standard processing, preparing documents yourself, comparing application centres, ensuring complete applications, and meeting financial requirements—saves £200-1,000 while ensuring successful spouse visa approval. UK spouse visas provide access to UK family life, making them essential for family reunification. Compare spouse visa costs with other visa types like work visas or tourist visas when planning UK travel and family life. With proper planning and application preparation, UK spouse visas can be obtained effectively ensuring successful family reunification without excessive financial burden. 💑
 |
Alan Frost |
| Grew up in and live in Birmingham. Writer, publisher, editor, EFL teacher, composer. |
