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6 Hidden Costs of the UK Spouse Visa You Should be Aware of
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Below is a breakdown of the fees and additional costs you need to take into account when planning to make a UK Partner Visa application. Note that not all of these may be applicable to your case, and some of them are even optional.
However, it is better to be fully aware of just how much you may need to budget for, if and when you start making a UK Partner Visa application.
| Fee / Cost | Applications from Outside UK | Applications from Inside UK |
|---|---|---|
| Home Office Fee | £1,846 | £1,258 |
| IHS Fee | £3,105 | £2,587.50 |
| Priority Visa Service | £500.00 | £1000 |
| English Language Test / UK NARIC Certificate | £150 | £150 |
| TB Test | £80 (Approx) | N/A |
| Translation of Documents | £60 per document (Approx) | £60 per document (Approx) |
| Submitting Supporting Documents | Free - £125 | Free - £50 |
| Biometric Appointment | Free - £50 | Free - £200 |
* Applications from Outside the UK refer to Leave to Enter/Entry Clearance Partner applications. Applications from Inside the UK refer to extensions or switching to the partner route when the applicants are already in the UK.
Let’s now take a closer look at each of these costs for a UK Spouse/Partner Visa.
The Home Office Fee
The current fee for a Spouse Visa is £1,846 for applications made outside the UK. This comes under the Family Visa Category which effectively allows you to live with a direct family member (in this case, your spouse/partner) in the UK for a minimum period of 2.5 years.
If you are applying inside the UK to extend your current partner visa or switch from a different visa category to the partner route, the application is FLR M and costs £1,258.
The Immigration Health Surcharge
As part of your application you must also pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which gives you access to UK healthcare. The cost for which is currently £3,105 for applications made outside the UK (The fee is £2,587.50 for applications made inside the UK).
Priority Visa Service for Faster Processing Time
To get a quicker decision on your application, you can opt to pay extra for the priority service. The cost for this is £500 (for applications made outside of the UK). - - Note that this service is not suitable for people who have any of the following:
- been refused a visa for the UK, and/or;
- been refused leave to enter the UK, and/or
- been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, and/or;
- overstayed a period of leave in the UK, and/or;
- had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office, and/or;
- been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, and/or;
- been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Schengen countries, and/or;
- you have been interviewed, detained, or prosecuted by the police for any offence in the UK or elsewhere, and/or;
- you have an unspent criminal conviction in any country, and/or;
- you have committed a criminal offence in any country.
* If you are applying inside of the UK, there is the super priority service where you can get a decision within 1-2 working days, and this currently costs £1000.
The English Language Requirement
With very few exceptions, Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries (e.g. USA) must prove that they have a sufficient knowledge of the English language. This can be evidenced by either:
- a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English
- by passing an approved English language test with at least a CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening
For those with a degree/academic qualification, if it was not obtained in an institute from an English majority speaking country, it needs to be recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher. The charge to obtain a certificate from UK Naric which proves your degree meets the required level is £150.
If you need to pass an English language test, it is important to note that it must be taken in a test centre that is currently approved by the UKVI (Current list can be found here). The current cost for the IELTS Life Skills test is £150.
Tuberculosis Test
If you are a resident of a country where Tuberculosis screening is required by the UK, you will need to have a TB test at an approved clinic by the Home Office. The cost for this will vary for each country, and if you do not have an approved clinic in your home country, you would need to get tested in a neighbouring country that has one, in which case you will need to factor in travelling costs also.
Translation of Documents
Any supporting documents that are not in English or Welsh must be translated. This will typically apply to items such as Marriage and Birth Certificates that originate from non-English speaking countries. The Home Office's official rule on this is the following: Each original document must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the Home Office. Each translated document must contain:
- confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- the date of the translation
- the translator's full name and signature
- the translator's contact details
The cost of this will vary between different companies that offer this service, but you can expect to pay approximately £50 per document to be translated.
Submitting Supporting Documents
When it comes to submitting supporting document, there are a few options you have to do so. For applications made outside, these will be either:
- Upload your documents electronically, which is free.
- Have them scanned during your biometric appointment at the visa centre, for a fee.
- Bring them to a UK office location to be scanned, for a fee.
- Send them via post to be scanned at a UK Scanning Hub, for a fee.
The options and fees charged will depend on the third-party company that handles the visa processing on behalf of the UKVI in your country. The same company owns and operates the visa centre where you attend your biometric appointment.
For applications made within the UK, you can upload them electronically for free, or have them scanned at the visa centre during your biometric appointment for a fee.
Your Biometric Appointment at the Visa Centre
As previously stated, all visa processing is handled by a third-party company. Depending on the visa centre, the day and/or the time you book your biometric appointment, you may be required to pay a fee to the company and this can cost anything up to £200.
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While every effort has been made to ensure that the information and law contained in this article is accurate and current as of the date of publication, we accept no responsibility for its accuracy or for any loss or damages arising from accessing, or the reliance, of this guidance.
Please also note that the information does not represent a complete statement of the Law and does not constitute legal advice.
If you would like specific professional advice about your UK immigration matter, please consider booking a consultation or one of my other legal services.
Making a UK Visa or Settlement application can be a stressful experience, and whilst there is a lot of ‘free’ information online, finding clear expert guidance that is up to date, and in line with your specific requirements can be a daunting task.
If you have any concerns about your case, it is recommended to reach out for advice from a trusted legal professional.
