Table of Contents
- What is a UK Marriage Visa Extension?
- Who Can Apply for a UK Marriage Visa Extension?
- What are the requirements for a UK Marriage Visa Extension?
- Financial Requirements for UK Marriage Visa Extension
- Using Savings to Meet the Financial Requirement
- UK Marriage Visa Extension: Required Documents Checklist
- What is the UK Marriage Visa Extension English Language Test?
- What Are the Accommodation Requirements for a UK Marriage Visa Extension?
- How to Apply for a Marriage Visa Extension
- Application Process for UK Marriage Visa Extension
- Marriage Visa Extension Appeal Process
- How Can Salam Immigration Help?
What is a UK Marriage Visa Extension?
A UK Marriage Visa Extension allows the spouse or partner of a British citizen or settled person to extend their stay in the UK beyond the initial 30 months. This extension is necessary for those who wish to continue living with their partner in the UK and work towards permanent settlement.
This visa category falls under the Family Visa classification and offers a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and ultimately British Citizenship. Applicants must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, a UK settled person, or a UK refugee to qualify.
To apply for a UK Marriage Visa Extension, you must continue to meet the eligibility requirements of the original visa, including proving the genuineness of your relationship and meeting financial conditions. Successful applicants will be granted an additional 30 months to remain in the UK with their partner.
Holders of a UK Marriage Visa Extension have the right to work in the UK, just like British citizens. However, they are not eligible for most benefits, including public funds, housing allowance, or tax credits.
Contact our immigration lawyers for expert advice on your visa extension application. We can guide you through the process of extending your stay in the UK and securing leave to remain with your partner if they are a UK citizen.
Please note that this extension is different from the UK Marriage Visitor Visa, which only permits travel to the UK to get married or enter into a civil partnership, irrespective of your partner’s nationality.
Who Can Apply for a UK Marriage Visa Extension?
You can apply for a UK Marriage Visa Extension if you are:
- Legally married or in a civil partnership with a UK citizen or settled person.
- Both partners are at least 18 years old.
- In a genuine and subsisting relationship.
- Able to meet the financial requirements.
- Intending to live together in the UK permanently.
At Salam Immigration, we offer various services, including marriage and family visas, permanent residency and British citizenship applications, work permits and employment immigration services, deportation appeals, bail and detention matters, and refugee and humanitarian protection enquiries.
Get in touch with our expert marriage visa solicitors for guidance.
Requirements for a UK Marriage Visa Extension
Applying for a UK Marriage Visa Extension allows you to continue living in the UK with your spouse or civil partner. To qualify, you must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Home Office. Understanding these requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth application process.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a UK Marriage Visa Extension, you must:
- Be legally married or in a recognised civil partnership.
- Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old.
- Demonstrate a sufficient level of English proficiency.
- Show a genuine intention to continue living together in the UK.
- Provide biometric data as part of your application process.
- Meet the minimum financial requirement of £29,000 per year.
- Have suitable accommodation for you and your spouse in the UK.
- In some cases, provide a Tuberculosis (TB) test result if required by UK immigration rules.
Proving Your Relationship is Genuine
When applying for a UK Marriage Visa Extension, you must prove that your relationship with your British or settled partner is genuine and ongoing. The Home Office requires evidence that:
- You have lived together for at least two years.
- You share financial responsibilities, such as rent, bills, or a joint bank account.
- You have children together or are planning a future as a couple.
Documents to Prove Your Relationship
To strengthen your application, you should provide as much supporting evidence as possible, including:
- Joint tenancy or mortgage agreements.
- Utility bills or official correspondence addressed to both partners.
- Bank statements showing shared financial commitments.
- Travel records proving time spent together.
- Photographs of you as a couple over the years.
- Birth certificates of any children you have together.
- Written statements detailing your relationship journey.
If you cannot provide these documents, additional forms of evidence may include:
- Statements from friends or family confirming your relationship.
- Screenshots of regular communication (e.g., texts, emails, call logs).
- Proof of shared social activities, such as holiday bookings.
What If You and Your Partner Do Not Live Together?
If you and your partner are currently living apart due to work, education, or personal circumstances, you must demonstrate your ongoing commitment to each other. You can do this by:
- Providing evidence of regular communication through calls or messages.
- Showing travel history of visits to each other.
- Outlining future plans to live together permanently in the UK.
- Demonstrating involvement in each other’s lives, such as joint financial responsibilities or shared events.
Steps to Take Before Submitting Your UK Marriage Visa Extension Application
To ensure your UK Marriage Visa Extension application is successful, follow these steps:
- Gather and verify all required documents before submission.
- Confirm that you meet the financial and eligibility requirements.
- Provide strong evidence of a genuine and lasting relationship.
- Seek professional advice to avoid common mistakes or delays.
Get in touch with us today for professional assistance with your UK Marriage Visa Extension.
Financial Requirements for UK Marriage Visa Extension
When applying for a UK Marriage Visa Extension, the British or settled partner (sponsor) must meet specific financial criteria to ensure they can support their spouse or partner without relying on public funds.
Meeting the Financial Requirement
To qualify for a UK Marriage Visa Extension, the sponsor must demonstrate an annual income of at least £29,000 before tax. This financial threshold ensures that both partners can maintain a stable life in the UK without seeking government assistance.
What If You Don’t Meet the Financial Requirement?
If you do not meet the financial threshold, there may still be options available. Certain exceptional circumstances can be considered, and alternative sources of income may be used to satisfy the requirement. Our expert immigration lawyers at Salam Immigration can assess your situation and advise on the best course of action.
Sources of Income That Can Be Used
To meet the financial requirements for a UK Marriage Visa Extension, the following income sources may be considered:
- Cash savings – £16,000 + (income requirement x 2.5 years).
- Income from employment or self-employment.
- Pension payments.
- Rental income from property investments.
- Dividends from verified investments.
If your partner is applying from outside the UK, their savings can contribute but not their earnings. However, if they work in the UK, their earnings can count towards the total amount.
You can also use a combination of savings and earnings to help you meet the minimum income threshold. However, you must prove you have enough financial support for the entire length of the permit.
Using Savings to Meet the Financial Requirement
Savings between £16,000 and £88,500 can contribute to meeting the financial criteria. If your savings are less than £16,000, they will not count toward the threshold. However, savings above this amount can reduce the required income from other sources.
For example:
- Savings of £88,500 or more can fully satisfy the financial requirement, eliminating the need for additional income sources.
- If your spouse is applying from outside the UK, their savings may count toward the total, but their foreign earnings will not. However, if they are already working in the UK, their income may be included.
- A combination of earnings and savings can be used to meet the financial requirement, provided there is enough financial support for the entire visa period.
Can I Use Income from Benefits?
If you or your partner receive specific benefits, you may be exempt from meeting the standard financial requirement. Instead, you must demonstrate adequate maintenance, meaning you have enough funds to support yourselves and any dependents. The minimum requirement is typically £120 per week after housing costs, but this may vary if you have children.
The benefits that may qualify for an exemption include:
- Disability Living Allowance.
- Severe Disablement Allowance.
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
- Attendance Allowance.
- Carer’s Allowance.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
- Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
- Constant Attendance Allowance.
- Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme.
- Police Injury Pension.
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UK Marriage Visa Extension: Required Documents Checklist
Submitting the correct documentation is essential for a successful UK Marriage Visa Extension application. The following documents must be submitted to the Home Office:UK Immigration from Thailand Marriage Visa Required Documents Checklist
Having all the correct documents to support your UK Immigration from Thailand Marriage Visa application will help ensure its success and prevent delays. These are the documents you will need to send to the Home Office to get the right to remain in the UK:
- Proof of accommodation to show you have a suitable living arrangement.
- Evidence of a genuine relationship (such as joint bills or photos together).
- A valid passport for identification and visa processing.
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate to confirm your relationship status.
- Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable).
- Evidence of living together for at least the past two years.
- Previous immigration documents (if applicable).
- Proof of meeting the financial requirement, such as bank statements, payslips, or tax returns.
- Proof that your spouse is a British citizen or has settled status (e.g., a copy of their passport or residence permit).
If any documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by a certified translation. The Home Office has strict guidelines on document submission, so ensuring compliance is crucial to avoid delays or refusals.
UK Marriage Visa Extension: English Language Requirement
Applicants for a UK Marriage Visa Extension must prove their ability to communicate in English. This is typically done by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in speaking and listening. Only tests taken through approved providers, such as Trinity College London or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Consortium, will be accepted.
Who Is Exempt from the English Language Test?
You may be exempt from taking an English language test if:
- You are a national of a majority English-speaking country.
- You are under 18 or over 65 years old.
- You have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement.
- You hold a degree or qualification that was taught or researched in English, confirmed by UK NARIC.
What Are the Accommodation Requirements for a UK Marriage Visa Extension?
As part of your UK Marriage Visa Extension application, you must provide proof that your accommodation meets UK living standards.
Your British or settled partner, acting as your sponsor, must demonstrate that they can provide adequate housing for you and any dependents without the risk of overcrowding. The Home Office requires evidence that your living conditions comply with UK housing standards. Ensuring your documentation is accurate will help prevent delays in your application.
For proof of accommodation, you may need to submit:
- Tenancy agreement or property ownership documents.
- Evidence of current living arrangements.
- Proof of sufficient living space for all residents
Meeting the Accommodation Requirements
To qualify for the accommodation requirement, your home must provide enough rooms to accommodate you, your partner, and any dependents. The Home Office has specific guidelines:
- Each person must have sufficient living space.
- Two children under 10 can share one room.
- Infants under one year old may stay in the same room as the parents.
- The property must meet health and safety standards.
- The accommodation must not be overcrowded.
- If renting, you must provide a letter from the landlord confirming that you can stay in the property.
Contact us today for professional guidance and ensure a smooth extension of your UK Marriage Visa.
How to Apply for a UK Marriage Visa Extension
It’s important to apply for your UK Marriage Visa Extension before your current visa expires. The application process can be started online, but you may need to visit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) center to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
Key steps in the application process:
- Complete the online application form and upload all supporting documents.
- Pay the necessary fees (visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge).
- Schedule an appointment at a visa application center (if required).
- Attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
- Wait for a decision – this can take several weeks unless you use the Super Priority Service for faster processing.
If the Home Office has any doubts about your application, you may be invited for an interview to assess the genuineness of your relationship and your plans in the UK.
The UK Marriage Visa Extension process can be complex, but our experts at Salam Immigration can assist you every step of the way.
Contact us now on 0161 839 7396 or make an enquiry online to speak with one of our immigration specialists.
Application Process for UK Marriage Visa Extension
The UK Marriage Visa Extension process usually takes between 2 to 12 weeks for a decision. Processing times vary based on the documents provided and the complexity of the case.
Accepted UK Marriage Visa Extension Application
When your UK Marriage Visa Extension is approved, you will be granted further leave to remain, allowing you to continue living with your spouse in the UK. Your new Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will be issued, and you must collect it within the given timeframe.
Rejected UK Marriage Visa Extension Application
If your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal the Home Office’s decision. However, this process can be complex and lengthy, often requiring expert legal assistance. Our Salam Immigration experts can guide you through your appeal and help strengthen your case.
If your UK Marriage Visa Extension has been refused, contact us immediately for legal advice and support.
UK Marriage Visa Extension Appeal Process
If you wish to appeal a refusal, follow these steps:
- Submit your appeal to the Immigration Asylum Chamber within 14 days if your application was made inside the UK.
- Ensure your appeal is based on valid legal grounds that increase your chances of success.
- Prepare a strong case with supporting documents to justify your eligibility.
- Attend the Immigration Tribunal hearing (if required).
UK Marriage Visa Extension Appeal Timeframe
The appeal process can be time-consuming, sometimes taking up to 12 months for a final decision.
Reasons for Refusal
Common reasons for UK Marriage Visa Extension refusals include:
- Insufficient financial evidence
- ncomplete or incorrect documentation
- Lack of proof of a genuine relationship
- Failure to meet accommodation requirements
Renewing or Extending a UK Marriage Visa
You can renew or extend your UK Marriage Visa for another 2.5 years, provided that your current visa has not expired.
UK Marriage Visa Extension Requirements
To qualify for a UK Marriage Visa Extension, you must:
- Continue to meet the financial requirement (£29,000 annual income before tax)
- Prove your relationship is genuine and ongoing
- Provide proof of suitable accommodation
- Pass an English language test (if required)
- Submit updated biometric information
How Can Salam Immigration Help?
Applying for a UK Marriage Visa Extension can be a complex process, requiring strict compliance with UK immigration rules. At Salam Immigration, we offer expert legal support to ensure your application is complete and successful.
Our services include:
- Detailed consultations on your visa eligibility
- Document preparation and review to strengthen your case
- Application submission with expert guidance
- Representation at tribunals if your application is refused
- Appeals and reconsideration assistance
We offer in-person immigration advice at our UK offices and remote consultations via phone.
