If your current UK Visa is based on your relationship, as is the case for a Spouse Visa, we may need to take action regarding your changes of circumstances to the Home Office if you are separating from or divorcing your partner.
Notifying the Home Office of a separation or divorce
You must get in touch with the Home Office as soon as your separation or divorce is finalised, either to switch to another Visa category or in order to report your change in circumstances.
Before you take any action, it is sensible to seek advice from an Immigration Expert to decide your best course of action. We need to ensure that any step we take from here onwards considers your right to continue living and working in the UK.
If you need to report the change to the Home Office, you may get in touch by email or by post depending on what is available to you. The notification must include the following information for both you and your ex-partner or spouse:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Full address
- Passport number
- Home Office reference number – usually found on all letters and documents received regarding your Spouse Visa
If you have any children in the UK, you must also include their information:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Parents or guardians’ names
- Who they currently live with
- How much time they spend with you or your ex-partner
- How much financial help you and your ex-partner give each other
- Any details of family court cases if applicable
Emails must be sent to this address and include ‘MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN’ in the subject.
You must also include one of two forms: either a public statement if you do not want the Home Office to let your ex-partner know about the contents of your email, or a consent form if you’re happy for those details to be shared.
Spouse Visa curtailment after a divorce or separation
Once you have notified the Home Office, your Spouse Visa will usually be curtailed (shortened) to 60 days.
You will then have 60 days to take action or leave the UK. If you wish to remain in the UK you will then need to apply to another UK Visa that you are eligible for, such as a Skilled Worker Visa or another Family Visa as a Parent, for example.
Please note that if your Spouse Visa has less than 60 days before it expires at the time you notified the Home Office of the separation, the expiry date will remain the same. If you have been a victim of Domestic Violence, we may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain to enable you to live permanently in the UK.
Contact QC Immigration
Separations and divorces can be overwhelming and, in the case of Spouse Visa curtailments, it’s important to act quickly. If you happen to be in these circumstances and require legal support from an expert team, please get in touch and we will be more than happy to help you navigate these tough times.
More guidance on Spouse Visa:
- Spouse Visa
- Spouse Visa 5-Year Route
- Spouse Visa 10-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
