There are many types of visas available for U.K. relocation, but to ensure you make the right choice for you, have a read for some essential tips for U.K. relocation visas! Along with some general information on all visa types. this post will take an in-depth look at the road I took following the spousal route. Obtaining the fiancé visa was my first step to my relocation to the U.K. Then came the spousal visa, and my next visa process will be the Indefinite Leave to Remain.
When exploring U.K. visas for relocation purposes you need to choose the option that is right for you!
Keep in mind when exploring U.K. visas for relocation, there are multiple paths to choose from. Have a read for some essential tips for U.K. relocation visas!
Just to name a few, there is the U.K. Innovator Visa, the U.K. Spouse or U.K. Partner/Marriage Visa, and/or the U.K. Expansion Work visa. However, you must explore the visa for U.K. relocation purposes that is best suited to your needs.
When my hubby and I first met, the travel back and forth across the pond was exciting and a great way for us to learn more about each other, while at the same time exploring life on either sides of the pond. Once we knew we wanted to spend our lives together, we needed to figure out which side of the pond to reside in. So first, we made the decision to reside in England. Then we then began to explore the different options of visas for my U.K. relocation to England.
For more detailed explanations of all the visa types, and in order to make an informed decision and approach that is right for you, have a look at the U.K. Visa and Immigration site:
https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
Choose the best way for you to work through the visa application process ~
One of the things hubby and I learned throughout my relocation process was to talk about our concerns and struggles with family and friends. While we had no doubt we wanted to be together, the process of applying for the visa was a bit overwhelming. And of course, we wanted to make sure we did everything correctly and efficiently. The last thing we needed was to submit the application, miss something significant, and have to extend the application process!
Use your network of family and friends to find a process that will work well for you ~
Talk with those who have already had the experience! What better way to learn about visas for U.K. relocation and explore the options? A few of our friends had already been through the process and provided fantastic insights and options.
Two of our friends that had relocated recommended using an immigration lawyer. While the application process can be managed without an immigration lawyer, hubby and I felt more secure in the knowledge that by securing a professional, we would feel more confident. Relocating, even with a supportive partner and supportive friends and family, is very daunting. Besides the logistical issues (moving house, jobs, etc.), you are also leaving family and friends behind, as well as your familiar routines. You are immersing yourself in a new culture and new surroundings. All of these combined can be challenging and stressful. Leaving the immigration process to a professional removes one piece of that anxiety and they will provide additional essential tips for U.K. relocation visas!
Have a read of one of my related posts that can help make your relocation a little easier 🥰:
https://yankeebrit.blog/2025/03/13/smooth-relocation-tips-make-the-transition-easy/
The requirements for spousal visas can also be a bit daunting.
When applying for your visa, documentation is required. There are financial statements that you will need to supply from your bank. Your spouse may need to prove that he/she can support you financially. The financial requirement currently is a combined earning of at least £29,000 annually. Proof may be provided in the form of tax returns, business documentation etc.
Also, there are forms to complete showing how you are adapting to your life in the U.K. Have you joined any volunteer clubs? Have you obtained your U.K. driving license? Forms for names of friends you have made in your new home country as well as names of friends you still visit from your country of origin. For my fiancé visa, I had to supply photos of activities I’d participated in as well as photos of me interacting with my new friends and family! All of this documentation is meant to show your ability to be financially independent. The supporting documentation exhibits how you are immersing yourself in your new home country. While you explore the visas for your U.K. relocation, keep these requirements in mind!
So, let’s explore the costs associated with the spousal visa application.
The Immigration Lawyer costs are actually the least significant in applying for a visa. On average, the typical cost for an immigration lawyer is around £1300-£1500. But then you have the home office application fee of £1846 if applying from outside the U.K. The home office application fee for applying while inside the U.K. is currently £1258. Biometric fee of £20. Biometric appointment fee of £125-£150 (depending on location). And to top it all up, the Health Surcharge Fee is £1035 (NHS). Total these fees, and without the lawyer fee, it’s around £4500.00. Keep in mind, each time you need to apply and/or extend your visa these costs are all applicable. However, once you reach the ILR stage, the NHS fee no longer applies. Whew!!!
Now, to be fair, there are people who have navigated the application process independently and have been successful. Explore all your options, and if you feel confident without the use of an immigration lawyer, it is possible!
The process to reach the Indefinite Leave to Remain visa status:
To date, I have applied and been approved for the fiancé visa, which led to my application for my first spousal visa after we married. Then, after 2 1/2 years, came the spousal extension visa. The fiancé visa was applied to the inside of my passport. The spousal visa comes through as a BRP (British Residence Permit) number which, as of December 2024, is digital and can be accessed online.
Next step–the Indefinite Leave to Remain visa!
Another thing to keep in mind is that while you are in the visa application process, is you should not leave the U.K. Your application can be deemed withdrawn if you leave the country while awaiting approval. The average wait times for a response on your application is generally 8-12 weeks. The ILR visa has a current processing time of 6 months. However, as I’ve not been through that process yet, I cannot confirm that time is true. There are priority processing services available for fees. If you are anxious or need your application review quickly, you can pay for priority service.
I always plan any travel immediately prior to submitting my application. That way I get my fix of my kids and grandkids before I have to buckle down and wait for my next extension! 🥰
I have just recently completed the process again and received my extension for the spousal visa.
Each of these visas have a duration of 2 1/2 years. So, to date, I have been approved for just over 7 years in the U.K.! Once I received my first spousal visa, I was then eligible to work in the U.K. as well as utilize the NHS (National Healthcare System).
A little hint: Now that the BRP number is digital, I keep a screenshot on my phone of the website page showing my status. I have only been asked once to show proof of my status and that was back when the BRP was a physical card.
When can you be eligible and apply for an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)?
Once you have been approved with a qualifying visa for 5 years, you can apply for ILR. However, to qualify for ILR after five years, you must have been living in the UK on a valid visa continuously for this period!
So, my next step?
Once my current spousal visa expires in October 2026, I will apply for the ILR! At that point in time, I can apply for citizenship. One additional factor to keep in mind once you are ready to apply for ILR, is that you will need to take a “Life in the U.K.” test, the same test that is required for naturalization/citizenship. The Citizenship route will allow you to be able to vote in the U.K., as the ILR does not permit voting in the U.K. If English is not your first language, you will also need to pass an English test.
Have a go at a mock Life in the U.K. test below (and for those of my friends and family in the U.K. be honest!! Did you pass?!):
https://lifeintheuktestweb.co.uk
I do hope that this post has helped you explore visas for U.K. relocation, as well as the different options available. With these essential tips for U.K. relocation visas, as well as some helpful first-hand hints, you can make the decision that’s right for you!
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