As a partner or spouse of a British citizen or a person who is settled in the UK applying for a Spouse visa, it is important to be aware of the costs of making your application, including the Spouse Visa fees. This will ensure that you have the necessary funds ready for when you submit your application for a UK Spouse visa to the Home Office. Unfortunately, many applicants and partners are unaware of the Spouse visa cost under the family migration route and the options available if they cannot afford to pay the fees under the fee waiver scheme. In this article, we will explain all that you need to know about Spouse Visa application costs in the UK, including the spouse visa UK fees, the immigration healthcare surcharge, legal fees, and the fee waivers available.
What fees will I have to pay as a UK Spouse Visa applicant?
As a Spouse visa applicant, you will need to pay the following fees:
- Spouse Visa Application fee (payable to the Home Office) – the amount you will need to pay depends on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK and whether you are also applying for any dependant children.
- Healthcare Surcharge – This is a mandatory fee that allows you access to the UK’s National Health Service if you ever require medical care or treatment while here.
- Legal fees – these are optional fees if you instruct an immigration Solicitor, and
- Priority or Super priority application service fee – these are also optional fees if you want a faster decision on your Spouse visa application.
In some cases, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver if you cannot afford to pay the required fees.
How much is the Spouse Visa application fee?
As of November 2024, the cost of applying for a Spouse visa for the UK is £1,846 if you apply from outside the UK or £1,258 if you apply from inside the UK. You will need to pay this fee at the same time as when you apply online for your Spouse visa application and also for any dependant children you will be bringing to the UK with you.
What if I can’t afford the Spouse Visa application fee?
If you cannot afford to cover the Spouse Visa application cost, you can apply to have the fee waived by completing a waiver application form. The fee waiver form you need to complete will depend on whether you are inside or outside the UK. Your fees may be waived if you do not have a place to live and cannot afford one, cannot cover your essential living, including food or heating, or if you are on a low income and paying the Spouse visa fee would harm the wellbeing of your child.
How much is the Spouse visa healthcare surcharge?
The healthcare surcharge is a mandatory fee that covers the cost of any healthcare you require in the UK, whether you use the NHS or not during your time here. The fee is payable for you as the main applicant and also for any children, and must be paid upfront when you apply for your Spouse visa for the whole duration of your visa.
The healthcare surcharge fees are as follows:
- £2,587.50 if your initial Spouse visa is for 2 years and 6 months
- £3,105 if your initial Spouse visa is for 2 years and 9 months
- £5,175 for 5 years
The fee is less for children, as follows:
- £1,940 for 2 years and 6 months
- £2,328 for 2 years and 9 months
- £3,880 for 5 years
How much is the Spouse Visa Super Priority Service?
The Spouse Visa Priority Service fee is £500, and the Spouse Visa Super Priority Service fee is £1,000 as of November 2024. This is an optional fee payable if you are given the option when you apply to receive a faster decision on your Spouse visa.
If you use the Spouse Visa Priority Service, you can expect a decision within 30 working days if you apply outside the UK. Currently, the Priority Service is not available for applications made inside the UK. This timescale starts whsen you provide your biometrics (ID / photo and fingerprints) to UK Visas and Immigration.
If you use the Spouse Visa Super Priority Service (currently only available for applications made inside the UK), you can expect a decision at the end of the next working day after you have provided your biometrics.
How much are Spouse Visa immigration Solicitor fees?
There is no mandatory requirement to use an immigration Solicitor to handle your Spouse visa, but it makes the whole process much easier, less stressful and normally faster. It may also significantly increase your chance of receiving a positive decision.
The cost of an immigration Solicitor will depend on the number of applications, the complexity of your case and whether you require an interpreter service. In the case of AY&J, please speak to a member of our team to discuss cost associated for your visa application or click here. You can be assured that we strive at all times to ensure that our UK visa fees are transparent and simple to understand from the outset of your matter.
Final words
We hope that this guide gives you a better understanding of the UK Spouse visa application fees. Please do not hesitate to speak to a member of our friendly expert family immigration team if you need any help with understanding the fees payable or any other aspects of your Spouse visa application. We wish you all the best with your Spouse visa application.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or contact us today. We’re here to help!
