How long does the spouse visa route to ILR take?

The spouse visa route to ILR takes 5 years. You are granted an initial 33-month visa, then extend for another 30 months, and then apply for ILR. The total time from first visa to ILR is approximately 5 years plus processing time.

What is the financial requirement for spouse visa ILR?

You must meet the minimum income threshold at the time of your ILR application. The threshold has changed over recent years. Check GOV.UK for the current requirement, and see our income threshold timeline guide for how it has evolved.

Do I need to show relationship evidence for ILR?

Yes. You must demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and subsisting at the time of your ILR application. This includes evidence of living together, shared finances, communication, and ongoing commitment to the relationship.

What happens if we separate before ILR?

If you separate from your partner before the 5-year qualifying period is complete, your path to ILR on the spouse route may be affected. You may be able to switch to a different route, or if you are a victim of domestic violence, special provisions apply.

ILR on the Spouse Visa Route: Complete Guide

The spouse visa route to ILR requires 5 years of continuous residence with your British or settled partner, meeting the financial requirement, demonstrating a genuine relationship, passing the Life in the UK test, and meeting the English language requirement. The financial threshold has increased in recent years, but transitional arrangements may apply.

The 5-Year Journey

The spouse visa route to ILR follows a structured timeline:

Initial visa (33 months): You enter the UK on a spouse visa valid for approximately 33 months.
Extension (30 months): Before your initial visa expires, you apply for an extension, which grants another 30 months.
ILR application: After completing the 5-year qualifying period, you apply for ILR.

For information on when your qualifying period starts, see our qualifying period guide.

Financial Requirement

You must meet the minimum income threshold at the time of your ILR application. The financial requirement can be met through:

Employment income: Salary from your or your partner's employment. See our Category A and Category B guides.
Self-employment: Income from self-employment, properly documented with HMRC records. See our self-employment evidence guide.
Cash savings: Savings above a certain threshold can be used. See cash savings guide.
Combined sources: You can combine different income sources. See joint financial evidence.

For how the threshold has changed, see our income threshold timeline guide. The current requirement is published on GOV.UK.

Relationship Evidence

At the ILR stage, you need to demonstrate that your relationship is still genuine and subsisting. Evidence includes:

Proof of living together at the same address (council tax bills, tenancy agreements, utility bills in joint names)
Joint financial commitments (joint bank account, mortgage, insurance)
Communication evidence (if applicable)
Photographs together from the qualifying period
Evidence of shared life (holidays, social events, family occasions)

For more on relationship evidence, see our relationship evidence guide.

English Language and Life in the UK

For ILR on the spouse route, you need:

English at CEFR B1 level (speaking and listening). This is a higher level than the A1 required for the initial spouse visa. See English language for ILR.
A pass in the Life in the UK test.

Absence Rules

On the spouse route, you must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying period. See our travel and absence rules guide for how to calculate this.

Separation and Domestic Violence

If your relationship breaks down before you complete the qualifying period:

Domestic violence: If you are a victim of domestic violence or abuse, you can apply for ILR immediately under the domestic violence provisions, without completing the 5-year route.
Bereavement: If your partner dies during the qualifying period, special provisions apply. See our bereavement guide.
Separation: If you separate without domestic violence, you may need to explore other routes such as parent route (if you have children) or private life route.

Costs and Processing

For the ILR application fee and other costs, see our ILR cost breakdown. Processing times are covered in our 2026 processing times guide.

After ILR, see our ILR rights and benefits guide and ILR to citizenship journey for your next steps.