KNOWLEDGE CENTRE
Practical, plain-English guidance to help you stay informed and make the right decisions on your UK immigration journey.
Family Visas
May 2026 · 12 min read
The minimum income threshold for a UK spouse visa is £29,000 gross per year. This guide explains every income category, how savings top-ups work, and the exact documents UKVI requires.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 10 min read
UKVI must be satisfied that your marriage is genuine and subsisting — not just on paper. This guide explains what evidence carries most weight and how to build a convincing application.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 9 min read
Cohabitation evidence proves you and your partner share a home. For unmarried partner visas it is mandatory; for extensions and ILR it is expected. This guide explains what documents carry weight and how to handle non-standard situations.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 8 min read
The Home Office must be satisfied that adequate, non-overcrowded accommodation will be available when the applicant arrives in the UK. This guide covers the overcrowding rules, required documents, and how to handle shared housing situations.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 10 min read
If your spouse visa has been refused, the refusal letter is your starting point. A refusal is not the end of the process — this guide explains your options, from appeal to reapplication.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 10 min read
After a spouse visa refusal you have two routes: appeal to the First-tier Tribunal or submit a fresh application. The appeal deadline is strict — 14 days in the UK, 28 days overseas. This guide covers both options in full.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 9 min read
Most people in the UK on a valid visa can switch to a spouse visa without leaving the country. The application must be submitted before your current leave expires — this guide explains who can switch, how to time it, and what can go wrong.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 11 min read
Nigerian applicants go through the same Appendix FM process as others, with country-specific requirements — most importantly a mandatory TB test. Marriage documentation also requires particular care. This guide covers everything Nigerian applicants need to know.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 8 min read
The priority service targets a decision in 30 working days; super priority aims for next working day. This guide explains what each service offers, where it is available, the full costs, and when it is actually worth the extra expense.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 10 min read
An FLR(M) is the application to extend your UK spouse visa. It must be submitted before your current leave expires. The Home Office reassesses the relationship, finances, and cohabitation at every stage — this guide covers everything you need to prepare.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 11 min read
After five years of continuous residence on the partner route, you can apply for ILR (SET(M)). This guide covers the continuous residence requirement, the 180-day absence rule, what documents are needed, and the path to British citizenship.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 8 min read
Since 31 December 2024, Biometric Residence Permits are no longer issued for spouse visa holders. Your immigration status is now an eVisa. This guide explains how to set up your UKVI account, use share codes, and avoid common problems.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 9 min read
The 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed significant changes to how long-term settlement is earned. For spouse visa holders, the key fact is this: the five-year route to ILR has been confirmed as protected. This guide explains what is and is not changing.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 9 min read
A UK fiancé visa allows a foreign national to enter the UK to marry their British citizen or settled partner. It is granted for six months, cannot be extended, and does not permit work. This guide covers requirements, fees, and how to switch to a spouse visa after marriage.
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Family Visas
May 2026 · 8 min read
The civil partnership visa operates under the same Appendix FM framework as the spouse visa, with identical requirements and the same route to settlement. This guide covers how overseas civil partnerships are recognised and the specific evidence considerations that apply.
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