A UK spouse visa is granted for a limited period, and before it expires, applicants must apply for an extension to remain lawfully in the UK. The process to extend spouse visa status is not automatic and requires applicants to demonstrate ongoing compliance with UK immigration rules, including financial stability, a genuine and subsisting relationship, and, in many cases, English language proficiency.

Many applicants underestimate the complexity of the spouse visa extension process. The Home Office applies strict legal and evidential standards, and even small errors or omissions can result in refusal, loss of lawful status, or delays to settlement. Understanding the rules, preparing the correct documents, and submitting an accurate application on time are essential to securing a successful outcome.

At Axis Solicitors, we have helped thousands of individuals and families successfully extend spouse visa status and progress towards settlement in the UK. As a top-rated UK law firm specialising in immigration law, we understand how complex this process is without expert guidance. This in-depth guide explains everything you need to know to extend spouse visa lawfully and confidently, including common refusal reasons, required documents, Home Office fees, processing times, and what to do if things go wrong.

How to Extend Spouse Visa in the UK?

A UK spouse visa is initially granted for a limited period, usually 30 months. The spouse visa is a type of family visa, which also includes partner, fiancé, and parent visas under the UK immigration system. The family visa category also covers proposed civil partners, as well as partners and parents. If you wish to continue living in the UK with your British or settled partner, you must extend spouse visa permission before your current visa expires.

This initial grant of 30 months is known as the initial spouse visa, and the application process for a spouse visa extension is largely the same as for the initial visa application. Spouse visa holders must be aware of the specific requirements and timelines for spouse visa UK extensions.

Failing to extend spouse visa status on time can lead to serious immigration consequences, including overstaying, refusal of future applications, and even removal from the UK. It is crucial to apply to extend your spouse visa before your visa in the UK expires, ideally within 28 days before the expiry date.

The main reasons you must extend spouse visa status include:

• To maintain lawful residence in the UK
• To continue working and accessing services legally
• To progress towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• To avoid overstaying and immigration breaches

The spouse visa route is designed as a five-year pathway to settlement, which means applicants must successfully extend spouse visa permission at least once before qualifying for ILR. There are different visa routes available for family members, and this process and requirements may also apply to proposed civil partners in similar family migration categories, as well as those with a British child or other dependants.

According to official UK government guidance, applicants must continue to meet all eligibility criteria at the extension stage, not just at the initial application stage.

Eligibility Criteria for Spouse Visa Extension

In order to extend spouse visa, you must meet several key eligibility requirements set by the Home Office. First and foremost, you need to be legally married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen or someone who holds settled status in the UK. Your relationship must be genuine and subsisting, meaning you and your partner are living together in the UK and intend to continue your life together.

A crucial part of the spouse visa extension process is meeting the financial requirements. You and your partner must demonstrate a combined income that meets the minimum income threshold, which is currently £18,600 per year for a couple. If you have dependent children, this threshold increases for each child included in your application. Income can come from employment, self-employment, or other sources such as cash savings, provided you can supply the necessary supporting documents.

In addition, you must prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test at or above the A2 CEFR level to extend spouse visa, unless you are exempt (for example, if you are a national of a majority English speaking country or have a relevant academic qualification recognised by UK NARIC). Good character requirements also apply, so any criminal convictions or immigration breaches may affect your eligibility.

Meeting these criteria is essential for a successful spouse visa extension and to continue your journey towards settled status in the UK.

Benefits of Extending Spouse Visa UK

Extending your spouse visa in the UK brings a range of important benefits for you and your family. By submitting a successful spouse visa extension application, you secure an additional 2.5 years of leave to remain in the UK, allowing you to continue living with your partner and, if applicable, your dependent children. This extension is a vital step on the 5-year spouse visa route, bringing you closer to qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and, eventually, British citizenship.

With a valid spouse visa extension, you can continue to work, study, or run a business in the UK without interruption. Your time spent in the UK on a spouse visa counts towards the residency requirement for ILR, which is essential for those seeking permanent residency and the security it brings. Once you achieve ILR, you will have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions and can access public funds.

For those who need a faster decision to extend spouse visa, the Super Priority Service and Priority Service are available for an additional cost, offering a decision on your spouse visa extension application within 24 hours of your biometric appointment. This can be especially helpful if you have urgent travel plans or employment commitments.

Overall, when you extend spouse visa, you not only protect your right to remain in the UK but also keep you on track for permanent settlement and the opportunity to apply for British citizenship in the future.

What Are the Reasons a UK Spouse Visa Renewal Gets Rejected?

Many applicants assume that once their first spouse visa is approved, the extension is guaranteed. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The Home Office applies even closer scrutiny when you apply to extend spouse visa status. It is crucial to demonstrate a genuine relationship and maintain clear relationship status throughout the process, as these are key factors in a successful application.

Below are the most common reasons financial requirements that don’t let you extend spouse visa and cause refusals.

• Insufficient evidence of a genuine relationship or failure to show the relationship is subsisting.
• Not meeting the spouse visa financial requirements, including failing to demonstrate combined income or not meeting the higher threshold if a British child is involved.
• Failing to provide additional supporting documents, such as letters from friends and family, which can help strengthen your case.
• Incomplete or incorrect application forms.
• Lack of a variety of evidence, such as joint bills and photographs, to establish a robust case.
• Not providing adequate evidence to demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and subsisting.

Not Satisfying the More Exacting English Language Requirement

When you extend spouse visa, the English language requirement is often higher than at the initial stage. Applicants usually need to demonstrate CEFR level A2 or above unless exempt.

Common issues include:

• Submitting an expired test certificate
• Using a test provider not approved by UKVI
• Incorrect test level

UKVI only accepts English tests from approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) providers, such as Trinity College London or LanguageCert.

No Longer Fulfilling the Required Amount of Money

Financial requirements remain one of the leading refusal reasons when applicants try to extend spouse visa status. Applicants must continue to meet the minimum income threshold, which is currently £18,600 per year (higher if children are involved), unless exempt.

Refusals often occur due to:

• Incorrect salary calculations
• Insufficient payslips or bank statements
• Self-employment evidence errors
• Unclear source of savings

The Home Office applies strict evident rules under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

Insufficient Documentation

One of the most underestimated risks when attempting to extend spouse visa permission is submitting incomplete or inconsistent documents.

Examples include:

• Missing cohabitation evidence, such as joint bank statements, joint bills, utility bills, or a tenancy agreement showing a shared address
• Not providing a marriage certificate to prove the legal relationship between you and your partner
• Failing to include a biometric residence permit if available
• Gaps in correspondence covering the required period
• Unclear relationship evidence

Proof of cohabitation can include joint bills, bank statements, or rental agreements. All supporting documents must be in English or Welsh; if not, certified translations are required. Even genuine relationships can be refused if documentation does not meet Home Office standards. For more information about English language requirements and exams related to UK visas, consult the relevant resources.

Late Submission

If you submit your application to extend spouse visa after your current visa expires, you may be classed as an overstayer.

Late submissions can:

• Remove your right to work
• Invalidate Section 3C leave protection
• Damage future immigration applications

UKVI strongly advises applying before the expiry date.

Poor Quality or Untranslated Documents

Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by certified translations. Poor scans, missing pages, or uncertified translations frequently result in refusal when applicants attempt to extend spouse visa status.

Mistakes You Must Avoid on a Spouse Visa Application

Many refusals occur due to avoidable mistakes. When preparing to extend spouse visa, avoid the following:

• Relying on outdated immigration rules
• Submitting generic relationship evidence
• Failing to explain gaps or changes in circumstances
• Assuming Home Office discretion will apply
• Applying without professional legal review

At Axis Solicitors, we carefully assess each application to ensure compliance with the latest Home Office guidance.

What Happens If My Spouse Visa Expires in the UK?

If your visa expires before you extend spouse visa status, you may become an overstayer. This can have serious consequences, including:

• Loss of legal right to work
• Refusal of future UK visa applications
• Enforcement action by the Home Office

However, if you apply to extend spouse visa before expiry, Section 3C leave automatically protects your legal status while a decision is pending.

In overstaying situations, urgent legal advice is critical.

Which Documents Do You Need for Spouse Visa Extension?

The spouse visa extension process is completed via an online application, and applicants must fill out the online application form accurately through the official government portal. When applying to extend spouse visa, documentation is central to success.

While requirements vary by case, most applications include:

• Valid passport and Biometric Residence Permit (if available)
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Evidence of genuine and subsisting relationship
• Proof of cohabitation, such as joint bank statements, joint bills, utility bills, or tenancy agreement showing a shared address
• Joint correspondence covering at least 2 years
• Financial evidence meeting Appendix FM
• English language test certificate (if required)
• Immigration history documents

It is recommended to include additional supporting documents, such as letters from friends and family attesting to the relationship, to further strengthen your application. Failure to meet document formatting or content rules is a frequent reason applications fail.

How Much Does It Cost to Extend Spouse Visa?

Many applicants ask, how much does it cost to extend spouse visa. The cost includes several components set by the UK government. Current spouse visa extension fees include:

• Home Office application fee: £1,321 (fee paid at the time of application)
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year for adults (fee paid upfront for the duration of the visa)
• Optional priority processing fees: £500 for a decision within 5 working days (priority service), or £800 for a decision by the end of the next working day (super priority service)

Exact figures are published by the UK government and updated regularly, so, remember to double check when setting your budget. Legal fees vary depending on complexity, but professional assistance significantly reduces refusal risk.

Processing Time & Recommended Tips While Awaiting a Decision

Standard processing times for spouse visa extensions in United Kingdom are typically up to 8 weeks, though delays are common.

While waiting after you extend spouse visa:

• You can continue working legally
• You must not travel outside the UK
• You should retain proof of submission

Priority services may shorten decision times where available.

What Comes Next After Your Application Is Approved?

Once you successfully extend spouse visa permission, you will usually receive an additional 30 months of leave. After your application is approved, you will be issued a new biometric residence permit (BRP). This biometric residence permit serves as official proof of your legal status and visa extension in the UK.

Next steps include:

• Maintaining continuous residence
• Keeping updated records
• Preparing for ILR eligibility

Successful extensions, including a visa fee waiver application, are a critical step towards permanent settlement.

What to Do If Your Spouse Visa Extension Application Is Rejected

A refusal can be distressing, particularly when your family life, employment, and long-term future in the UK are at stake. If your application to extend spouse visa status is refused, it is critical to understand that a refusal does not always mean the end of your immigration journey. However, the steps you take immediately after receiving a refusal decision can significantly affect your outcome.

The Home Office refusal letter will explain the reasons for refusal, but these letters are often technical and difficult to interpret without legal knowledge. Professional immigration services can provide valuable support in understanding refusal reasons and preparing a new application or appeal, ensuring you have expert guidance throughout the process. Acting quickly and strategically is essential, as strict deadlines apply and delays may worsen your immigration position.

Below are the main options available following a spouse visa extension refusal.

Carefully Review the Refusal Notice and Reasons Given

The first and most important step after a refusal is to analyse the Home Office decision letter in detail. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) must provide reasons explaining why your application did not meet the Immigration Rules.

Common refusal reasons include:

• Failure to meet the financial requirement under Appendix FM
• Insufficient or inconsistent relationship evidence
• Incorrect or missing documentation
• Failure to meet the English language requirement
• Doubts about genuine and subsisting relationship

It is important to understand whether the refusal is based on:

• A technical or evidential error, or
• A substantive failure to meet the Immigration Rules

This distinction determines the most appropriate next step.

Submitting a Fresh Spouse Visa Extension Application

In many cases, the most effective solution after refusal is to submit a fresh application to correct the issues identified by the Home Office.

A new application may be appropriate where:

• Documents were missing or incorrectly formatted
• Financial evidence was insufficient or unclear
• Additional relationship evidence is now available
• English language requirements were not properly evidenced

When submitting a fresh application to extend spouse visa status, it is crucial that the refusal reasons are addressed comprehensively. Simply resubmitting the same documents without correcting the underlying issues often leads to repeated refusal.

A well-prepared fresh application should:

• Directly respond to each refusal reason
• Include stronger, clearer supporting evidence
• Follow the latest Home Office guidance precisely

This is where professional legal assistance is particularly valuable, as solicitors can identify weaknesses that applicants often overlook.

Correcting Evidential Errors and Weaknesses

Many refusals occur not because applicants are ineligible, but because they failed to prove eligibility to the required legal standard.

Examples of evidential issues include:

• Payslips not matching bank statements
• Incomplete cohabitation evidence covering the required period
• Savings not held for the minimum required time
• Uncertified translations

Correcting these issues requires more than simply adding documents. The evidence must be:

• Clearly organised
• Legally compliant
• Presented in line with Appendix FM and Home Office caseworker guidance

Failure to correct evidential errors properly can lead to further refusals and damage your immigration history. It is one of the most common mistakes we’ve seen made by applicants.

Understanding Appeal Rights and Administrative Review

Not all spouse visa extension refusals carry a right of appeal. Appeal rights usually arise only where the refusal engages human rights grounds, particularly the right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

If an appeal right exists:

• You may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
• Strict deadlines apply, usually 14 days if you are in the UK

However, appeals can be lengthy and complex. In many extension cases, submitting a fresh, well-prepared application is often faster and more effective than pursuing an appeal.

Administrative review may be available where:

• The Home Office made a clear caseworking error
• Evidence was overlooked or misapplied

Legal advice is essential to determine whether an appeal, administrative review, or fresh application is the best course of action.

Let Results-Driven UK Immigration Solicitors Handle Your Spouse Visa Extension

At Axis Solicitors, we understand how stressful it can be to extend spouse visa status while managing family life, work, and uncertainty. With offices in London, Manchester, and Birmingham, we are recognised among the best solicitors in UK for immigration law.

Our experienced immigration solicitors:

• Have helped thousands of clients successfully remain in the UK
• Provide clear, honest, and practical legal advice
• Handle complex cases with precision and care
• Offer a free initial assessment

Choosing Axis Solicitors for your spouse visa means peace of mind, reduced risk, and confidence that your application is handled correctly from start to finish.

If you are planning to extend spouse visa, do not leave your future to chance. Speak to our expert UK immigration solicitors today and take the next step towards securing your life in the UK with confidence.

UK Spouse Visa Extension FAQs

This section addresses some of the most common questions asked by applicants who are planning to extend their spouse visa or are awaiting a decision.

Is a spouse visa the same as a family visa?

No, a spouse visa is a type of family visa. The UK Home Office classifies several visas under the ‘family visa’ category, which includes the spouse visa, partner visa (for unmarried partners or civil partners), and parent visa (for parents of British citizens or settled persons). Each visa type has its own eligibility criteria, permitted duration, and pathway to indefinite leave to remain (ILR). If you are unsure which family visa is right for your situation, our solicitors can advise you on the best route.

Can I Work While Waiting for a Spouse Visa Extension Decision?

Yes. If you submitted a valid application to extend spouse visa status before your current visa expired, you are protected by Section 3C leave. This allows you to continue working under the same conditions as your previous visa until a decision is made.

If your visa expired before you applied, your right to work may be affected, and legal advice should be sought immediately.

Can I Travel Outside the UK While My Application Is Being Processed?

No. Leaving the UK while your spouse visa extension application is under consideration will automatically withdraw your application. This means you will lose your application fee and may face difficulties re-entering the UK.

Applicants should not make travel plans until a decision has been received.

How Long Can I Stay in the UK After My Visa Expires?

If you applied in time, you can remain in the UK lawfully under Section 3C leave while awaiting a decision. If you did not apply before expiry, you may become an overstayer, which can have serious immigration consequences.

Do I Need a Solicitor to Extend a Spouse Visa?

While it is not legally mandatory to use a solicitor, immigration law is highly technical, and refusal rates remain significant. Many applicants who attempt to extend spouse visa status without legal assistance face refusal due to avoidable errors.

Using an experienced immigration solicitor:

• Reduces refusal risk
• Ensures compliance with current rules
• Provides peace of mind

What If My Circumstances Have Changed Since My Last Visa?

Changes such as employment changes, reduced income, periods of separation, or address changes must be disclosed and properly explained. Failure to do so can lead to refusal on credibility grounds and you won’t be able to extend spouse visa UK.

Professional advice is strongly recommended where circumstances have changed.

How Does a Spouse Visa Extension Affect My ILR Application?

A successful extension maintains your continuous residence and keeps you on track for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Refusals, overstaying, or breaks in leave can delay or prevent settlement eligibility.