The Spouse Visa is a popular option for those with partners in the UK or returning to the UK, as it offers 5 years of stay with an extension. This will allow those residing in the UK a clear path towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), and eventually British Citizenship if it is desired.

Those pursuing ILR on a Spouse Visa after 5 years should ensure that they are complying with all of the terms of your Spouse Visa, while also meeting the additional requirements that must be met to live in the UK without a time limit.

It is important that you can prove you meet the requirements in a clear and convincing application, with all of the essential accompanying documentation and proof attached. Our team can help you do this, with incredible attention to detail and a tailored approach to each client and their own individual circumstances.

UK Spouse Visa 5-Year Route Requirements

The requirements for the 5-year route are generally achievable for most inside the stay allowed by their Spouse Visas. On top of meeting and continuing to meet all of the requirements for the Spouse Visa, an applicant must also meet the following criteria:

  • Passing the Life in the UK (LUK) Test (unless exempt)
  • Meeting the English language test or qualification requirements (unless exempt)
  • Providing documentation proving you have fulfilled all the requirements for your Spouse Visa, including and not limited to subsisting marriage, financial, accommodation and residence

To learn more about exemptions for LUK test requirements, see our Life In The UK Test page. For exemptions on language requirements, see the Spouse Visa page.

If you do not meet 5-year Spouse Visa requirements

If you will not meet the requirements for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years of stay, you may be eligible to extend your Spouse Visa or switch to the 10-year route.

For the 10 years’ route, you will need to prove that there are exceptional circumstances in place that make it impossible for you to live outside of the UK. While visa-specific consultancy from an immigration lawyer is generally advisable, it is almost essential to successfully apply for this particular path.

Global Support from our London-based law firm

A multilingual, highly-rated, and award-winning consultancy offering stellar support is what you can expect from the team here at QC Immigration. If you want to pursue the 5-year Spouse Visa route we can make sure that your application is convincing and well-presented.

We can make it easier for you to live in the UK without time limitations or immigration control with our excellent services, so click here to get in touch today.

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Testimonials

What do our users say

Thank you very much for your contribution and good job you have done for me and my family. Today, I feel that thanking you is not enough. You will remain in our hearts and we will always have this deepest and sincere regard for you, as you have always shown your kindness and your work have been appreciated by the whole family.

Long Residence Settlement (10 years) client – Mauritian

Qiyin is an extremely diligent and thorough immigration lawyer. She took the time to fully understand my case and application for the highly skilled migrant program. She was very careful to consider both the short and longer term issues related to my application and provided very balanced and frank advice. My highly skilled migrant visa was successfully renewed thanks to her advice and help. I highly recommend her.

Tier 1 (General) visa client – Singaporean

I would like to thank you for all the hard work you’ve done for us in the past few years! I am now finished with the whole process and had my UK Citizenship ceremony. We couldn’t have gotten this far without you!

Entry Clearance Settlement (Spouse) visa client – Canadian

Thank you for all your help. I got the visa this morning and look forward to going on holiday. See you again in 30 months for the next visa.

PEO same-day service (Spouse leave to remain) client – Thai

We are so glad that our friend recommended you to help with our ILR application and we have no doubt it may have been a different story if we were applying without your support! We appreciate your professional approach and knowledge on immigration matters and wish your business well in the future (we are sure you will be very successful). Have no doubt we will be using your services for our application for Citizenship.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (Spouse) client – Russian

The QC Immigration team has proved an absolute star on the immigration front and my son’s fiancée is now happily settled, thank you again.

Partner (Fiancée) Settlement Visa – Brazilian

Many thanks for all your work on our application, especially since I contacted you on short notice! I contacted you on Sept 22nd and we signed up with you on/around Sept 27th! So we pulled this all together a little over 3 weeks.

Premium Service (Fiancée) Partner visa client – American

You have exceeded our expectations by saving us so much time and money when organising this! Thank you for also co-operating with our investment manager and accountant to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Tier 1 Investor (Super Premium Service) client – Chinese

Naturalisation (British Citizenship) client - Dutch

EEA Permanent Residence client – Belgian

My family and I were very emotional receiving the good news today. Thank you for all your help and we will definitely recommend you to our European friends who are planning ahead after Brexit!

Naturalisation (British Citizenship) client – Dutch

My family and I were very emotional receiving the good news today. Thank you for all your help and we will definitely recommend you to our European friends who are planning ahead after Brexit!

Naturalisation (British Citizenship) client – Dutch