Applicants who are granted entry clearance as a spouse of a British citizen will be granted a 2 and a half year visa. In order to remain in the UK, Applicants are required to submit a spouse visa extension application for a further 2 and half a year visa, 28 days prior to the expiry of the visa. The Spouse Visa Extension application must be submitted persuant to Appendix FM and Appendix FM SE of the Immigration Rules.
How to apply for Spouse Visa Extension?
Similar to the initial entry clearance application, Applicants are required to meet the rules under Appendix FM and Appendix FM SE of the Immigration Rules. There are also various Home Office guidance documents which explain each of the requirements. All these instruments should be read together for a successful application. To apply for a spouse visa extension you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a good character and you must not have engaged in any criminal activities;
- You must provide documentary evidence that your marital relationship is still genuine and subsisting. There are a number of documents you can provide in evidence of this;
- You can also provide evidence of your ties and connections to the UK and provide reasons to why you cannot continue your marital relationship overseas;
- You must have suitable accommodation in the UK and proof of correspondence for the last 2 and a half year period addressed jointly to the Applicant and Sponsor;
- You must meet the financial requirement of £18,600 (i.e. have enough money to support yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds). There are a number of different methods of meeting the financial requirement; and
- You must satisfy the English language requirement (see below).
Once Applicants have spent 5 years on a spouse visa they can apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK and then also consider applying for UK Citizenship by applying for a Certificate of Naturalisation.
The 3 main requirements in a Spouse Visa Extension
There are three main requirements (see below) for a spouse visa extension application under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. It is also important to consider the relevant Home Office policy guidance as these explain the requirements in finer detail. It is important for Applicants to demonstrate that they meet all of the Home Office requirements listed under the Immigration Rules and the relevant appendixes. Applicants must ensure their application is prepared as strongly and diligently as possible as this will give them the greatest chance of success. Our specialist Immigration team have an in-depth understanding of the Immigration Rules and take great care and attention in preparing spouse visa extension applications. Our bespoke service gives our clients the confidence to return to us to help prepare Home Office visa applications.
Relationship requirement in a Spouse Visa Extension application
The first requirement is the relationship requirements. It is important for Applicants to show that their relationship with their Sponsor is still genuine and subsisting. This can be demonstrated through documentary evidence.
Financial requirementin a Spouse Visa Extension application
The second requirement is the financial requirement. Applicants are required to demonstrate that they meet the financial threshold of £18,600 individually or jointly with their Sponsor. The financial requirement can be met through salaried employment or self-employment or cash savings. In order to meet the requirement through cash savings Applicants must show that they have held £62,500 for a period of 6 months. It is also possible to combine salaried employment with cash savings.
English Language requirement in a Spouse Visa Extension application
The third requirement is the English language requirement. From 1 May 2017, the Home Office introduced a new English Language requirement at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR) for spouse visa extension applications.
How we can assist submit a successful Spouse Visa Extension application
Our specialist immigration team prepare all UK Visas and Immigration applications meticulously ensuring all the relevant rules are met. In this particular application, we successfully guided the Applicant through the spouse visa extension application process and prepared detailed legal representations which focused on how the Applicant met each of the requirements under Immigration Rules/Appendixes.
Our solicitors had to work closely with the Applicant and Sponsor to ensure they were able to collate all the mandatory documents required for the Applicant’s application. It was essential that a properly executed application was prepared as there were clear weaknesses in the application. In addition to the legal representations, our team of solicitors also provided multiple substantial reviews of his documents to ensure that Applicant submits the correct documentary evidence in the correct format, which meets the Home Office’s requirements. We also prepared and assisted the Applicant with the online visa application form and the financial requirements form.
Using Legal Representation to submit a Spouse Visa Extension application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa lawyers, are qualified to advise you on the law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with a spouse visa application. Our solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject spouse visa applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your Immigration & Visa application succeeds, our solicitors and barristers will ensure all specified documents must be provided.
The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successfully apply for a Spouse Visa Extension application
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your prospects of submitting a spouse visa application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of a spouse visa application and are able to advise you in respect of your prospects and to ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
Our offices are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation to discuss an Entry Clearance Spouse Visa application.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02032860857 or complete our contact form.