UK Settlement Visa

A UK Settlement Visa, also known as a UK spouse visa, allows a person to live with their partner in the UK for an extended period. It is designed for individuals who wish to settle in the UK with their partner who is a British citizen or has settled status.

The requirements for a UK Settlement Visa can vary depending on your individual circumstances. However, in general, you will need to demonstrate that you and your partner are in a genuine and subsisting relationship, that you meet the financial requirements, and that you can speak and understand English.

Yes, you are allowed to work in the UK with a Settlement Visa.

The initial visa is usually valid for 33 months. After that, you can apply for an extension for a further 30 months. Once you have been in the UK for a total of five years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which means you can stay in the UK without any time restrictions.

The processing time can vary depending on where you apply from. Typically, it takes around 12 weeks to process a Settlement Visa application.

Yes, you can travel outside the UK with a Settlement Visa, but you must not be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period.

Yes, you can apply for a Settlement Visa from inside the UK if you are on a relevant visa such as a fiancé(e) visa, a spouse visa or an unmarried partner visa.

 If your Settlement Visa application is refused, you may be able to appeal the decision, depending on the grounds for refusal. Alternatively, you may be able to apply for a judicial review.

The current fee for a Settlement Visa is £1,523 for applications made outside the UK. There are also additional fees for biometric enrolment, healthcare surcharge, and priority processing. The fees are subject to change, so it is important to check the current fees before you apply.

Yes, you will need to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a digital photograph) as part of the application process. You will usually need to do this at a Visa Application Centre.

The healthcare surcharge is a fee that non-EEA nationals have to pay when they apply to come to the UK for more than six months. It entitles you to use the National Health Service (NHS) while you are in the UK. The current healthcare surcharge fee is £624 per year.