What Indian Couples Must Know About the 2025 UK Spouse Visa

By Ellie Dipple

The UK Spouse Visa remains an attractive immigration option for foreign nationals, including Indian citizens, who wish to reunite with their British or settled partners. However, the UK government's decision to reform the immigration route in 2024 and now in 2025 has significantly tightened the eligibility criteria, impacting numerous Indian applicants. These changes led to increased minimum financial and English language requirements, which could be difficult for some applicants to meet. This article explains the UK Spouse Visa, including the updated UK Spouse Visa requirements, the step-by-step application process, and how you can meet the stricter Spouse Visa requirements.

Overview of UK Spouse Visa

The UK Spouse Visa allows married partners or civil partners of British citizens or settled persons (those with indefinite leave to remain or refugee status) to live in the UK for up to 33 months. If you're switching to this visa in the UK, it is also valid for 30 months. You can apply to extend the visa for 30 months. You must meet several eligibility requirements to qualify for the UK Spouse Visa, including a genuine relationship, financial, suitable accommodation, and English language proficiency requirements.

After living in the UK for 5 years on this visa, you may qualify to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and later British citizenship. To ensure a successful UK Spouse Visa application, meticulous documentation is crucial, including your financial evidence, marriage certificates, proof of relationship authenticity, and other relevant documents. The processing times for the Spouse Visa vary depending on whether you're applying within or outside the UK. However, you can expedite the application process with priority services.

What Has Changed in the UK Spouse Visa Process for Indian Applicants after the 2024 Income Threshold Increase?

On 11 April 2024, the UK government increased the minimum income threshold for sponsoring a spouse to £29,000, up from £18,600 previously. This change is a part of the broader UK immigration changes introduced to reduce net migration and ensure financial stability for migrant families. The UK visa income threshold 2024 hike has significantly affected Spouse Visa eligibility, especially for couples where a UK-based partner (sponsor) is self-employed or earns below the new threshold.

Additionally, the UK immigration changes 2025 also proposed an increase in the minimum income threshold for the UK Spouse Visa from £29,000 to £38,700. However, the proposed increase in the minimum salary threshold for 2025 has not yet taken effect, as deliberations on the proposal are still ongoing. Previously, foreign nationals, including Indian citizens, were required to demonstrate additional income for each dependent child they intended to bring to the UK. This is no longer needed, starting from the 2024 UK visa income threshold to the current UK Spouse Visa 2025 income threshold.

Updated UK Spouse Visa Requirements for Indian Couples in 2025

The UK Spouse Visa requirements 2025 encompass more than the proposed income threshold increment. It also covers several eligibility criteria that have come into force, including:

English Language Requirement

As an Indian national looking to join your UK-based partner and live in the UK, you must henceforth meet stricter English language requirements. As a part of the UK Spouse Visa requirements 2025, you must demonstrate English language proficiency (for listening and speaking) at the Common European Framework of References (CEFR) level A1 (beginner) or higher. 

While applicants already in the UK who intend to switch to the Spouse Visa must also meet the same CEFR level, those applying to extend their Spouse Visa must meet the CEFR level A2 (elementary) or higher. When it's time to seek Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, you must also meet a higher English language proficiency requirement by getting to the CEFR level B1 (intermediate) or higher.

As an Indian citizen applying for the UK Spouse Visa, to meet the English language requirement for your UK Spouse Visa application, you must take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a Home Office-approved provider. Choosing the correct test is crucial to avoid delays and unnecessary expenses that can emanate from having to rewrite the test. You can consult an immigration solicitor for guidance on the approved tests, process, and other updates regarding the UK Spouse Visa requirements 2025.

Other UK Spouse Visa Requirements 2025 for Indian Nationals

Besides the income and English language requirements for a UK Spouse Visa, the requirements you and your UK-based sponsor must meet include:

• Be 18 years or over.

• Have met in person.

• Have ended previous relationships.

• Be legally married.

• Have a valid Indian passport (for Indian applicants).

• Provide evidence of suitable accommodation.

• Demonstrate that you meet the minimum income requirement (£29,000).

• Provide your Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate.

Step‑by‑step Guide to Applying for a UK Spouse Visa as an Indian Spouse in 2025

To join your UK-based spouse from India, you must adhere to the following step-by-step application process:

• Determine your eligibility.

• Complete the UK Spouse Visa application form on the UK government's website.

• Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and the application fee for a UK Spouse Visa.

• Provide the relevant documents for your Spouse Visa application.

• Schedule and attend a biometric appointment at your nearest UK visa application centre in India.

• Submit your visa application.

• Await a decision on your Spouse Visa application, which can take up to 12 weeks.

What Indian Applicants Should Prepare Now for Spouses’ Immigration Post-threshold Increase

As an Indian applicant, to meet the stricter UK Spouse Visa requirements 2025, you and your spouse should prepare early and do the following:

• Document your relationship: Keep photos, joint accounts, calls, and legal certificates to prove the genuine and subsisting relationship with your UK-based spouse.

• Sufficient finance: For spousal immigration UK, ensure your UK-based spouse meets the £29,000 income threshold. Alternatively, you and your spouse can combine cash savings of at least £88,500 to fulfil the financial criterion.

• Secure accommodation: Ensure the accommodation meets the UK living standards. It must have sufficient space for you as a couple and any existing residents. You must provide a tenancy agreement or property ownership document for the accommodation.

• Get legal support: For a higher chance of success in your UK Spouse Visa application amidst the stricter requirements, it's ideal to seek legal guidance to ensure you meet all the criteria.

Final Thoughts

UK immigration changes 2025 require a more demanding process when applying for visas, including the Spouse Visa. With the UK visa income threshold changes for 2024 still being implemented and further increases being deliberated, obtaining up-to-date information regarding UK immigration is essential. The spouse visa remains a reliable pathway to join your spouse in the UK, but it's currently only for couples who can meet the rigorous UK family visa process criteria. You must be proactive and meticulous in applying for a UK Spouse Visa in 2025. This is why it's ideal to speak with an immigration lawyer experienced in the UK immigration system to increase your application's chances of success. [NG-FA]

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