If you are planning to apply for a spouse visa to the UK, you should be aware of all intricacies involved in the application process. Equally important is to gather all the information about the eligibility criteria pertaining to the application of a spouse visa to the UK. Applying for a spouse visa, or any kind of visa for that matter is not an easy process. When you need consultation or some other help during the application process, you can reach out to firms like My Legal Services.
What is a Spouse Visa?
A spouse visa to the UK can also be referred to as a marriage visa that enables the applicant or the married partner to travel to the United Kingdom and join the ‘sponsor’ or their husband or wife there. It is important to note here that the sponsor ought to be a British citizen or somebody who lives or is settled in the country. They should also possess indefinite leave to stay in the United Kingdom. There is also a provision for the applicant to join their spouse who has obtained permission to remain in the United Kingdom for a limited period of time.
UK NHS Charge
Each and every individual who applies for a spouse visa is required to pay the UK NHS Surcharge. This charge or fee is different and not a part of the visa application fee. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) accounts for the fee charged to account for the initial length of the visa term that allows you to stay in the United Kingdom for a period of two and a half years. Initially, the applicant will be given a 3-month long visa to travel to the UK. Your passport will have this stamped and it will serve as your pass to stay in the country for three months.
To confirm the status of your spouse in the UK, you will be required to get your Biometric Residence Card from the local post office in the UK. If another dependent wants to apply, you will have to pay a separate fee for that. In case a child from the family is applying, a separate application form must be filled in for the same.
Duration of the Application Process
The Entry Clearance Officer or ECO could take 6-8 weeks to go through the documents you have submitted and consider your application. Once he is fully satisfied with the material you have submitted, he will grant you a UK spouse visa. The merits of an individual applicant and other factors could play a part in speeding up or slowing down the process of the visa being issued.