The Spouse Visa offers different routes that allow immigrants to settle in the UK, with varying requirements depending on the application that you are pursuing. The Spouse Visa 10-year route offers you a longer path towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.
This application is less popular than the Spouse Visa 5-year path, which will provide you with ILR in a shorter time period, but in certain situations, an applicant must take the 10-year path.
These applications tend to be discretionary, and are offered to those who do not meet the full requirements for a 5-year route toward Indefinite Leave to Remain, but can still be considered applicable under the Exceptional Circumstances paragraph (EX.1).
10-year route for Spouse Visa immigrants
Those who have potentially stayed past the expiry of their visa without an extension, or have failed to meet the requirements for a 5-year ILR through a Spouse Visa may be able to opt for the 10-year route.
Generally, the Spouse Visa will only provide 5 years of stay; 2 years and 9 months initially, with another 2 years and 6 months of stay if you extend or switch from another visa route. This will take you to the minimum required stay for ILR.
If you still do not meet certain criteria, you may not be able to pursue ILR after 5 years; however, if you can justify that there would be significant difficulties in continuing your family life outside of the UK, you could opt for the 10-year route instead.
Requirements for the Spouse Visa 10-Year Route
In order to achieve an Indefinite Leave to Remain, you must meet all of the terms of the Spouse Visa that you are currently residing on. You must have lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years, and unless exempt, you must complete the Life in the UK Test and have met the Knowledge of the English Language requirements.
It is essential that you are also able to prove in your application for a Spouse Visa 10-year route that you fall under EX.1, which would mean you have a genuine relationship with a dependant in the UK, who is a British or Irish Citizen, or has ILR, and is over the age of 18.
You can also justify the 10-year extension from a Spouse Visa if you are staying in the UK under humanitarian protection, or if there are “insurmountable obstacles” (EX.1. (b)) that would make it impossible for you and your partner to live elsewhere.
Working with QC Immigration
The UK Spouse Visa 10-year route requirements can be highly dependent on an individual’s situation and circumstances, so in order to be granted this visa route, a strong application is needed. Our Team has worked with clientele from numerous countries and has an excellent track record in submitting both 5-year and 10-year applications.
We will make sure that you meet all of the requirements, and that a strong justification is put forward, ensuring that it is clearly highlighted that you fall under exceptional circumstances. Start your case with QC Immigration today.
More guidance on Spouse Visa:
- Spouse Visa
- Spouse Visa 5-Year Route
- Spouse Visa Application
- Spouse Visa Appeal
- ILR through Spouse Visa
- Spouse Visa Lawyers’ Fees
- Spouse Visa UK Cost & Fees
- Spouse Visa Consultants
- Spouse Visa Guidance
- Spouse Visa Refusal Letter
- Spouse Visa Proof of Relationship
- Spouse Visa Mistakes in Application
- Spouse Visa: Separation or Divorce
