Spouse Visa Cost: Full Breakdown

Overview of Spouse Visa Costs

The UK Spouse Visa is one of the most expensive family visa routes in the world. The total cost includes several separate fees, and many applicants are surprised by how quickly they add up.

This guide covers every cost for the initial application, the extension, and the journey to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). For costs across all UK visa routes, see our complete visa fees guide.

Initial Application Costs

When you first apply for a Spouse Visa, you will pay the following:

Application Fee: £2,064

This is the main fee paid to the Home Office. If you apply from outside the UK, the fee is £2,064. If you are switching from another visa inside the UK, the fee is £1,407.

Immigration Health Surcharge: £3,105

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) gives you access to the NHS for the duration of your visa. It costs £1,035 per year, charged in half-year steps and rounded up to cover the whole visa. A 33-month initial Spouse Visa is charged as 3 years, so the surcharge is £3,105.

Biometric Enrolment

You must provide your fingerprints and a photograph. If applying from outside the UK, the biometric fee is included in the application fee at most visa application centres. If applying inside the UK, you attend a UKVCAS appointment. The standard UKVCAS appointment is free, but enhanced services cost extra.

English Language Test: No Published Price

You must prove your English at A1 level (speaking and listening) for the initial application. GOV.UK publishes no price for a Secure English Language Test; each approved provider sets its own fee. Some applicants are exempt if they are from a majority English-speaking country or hold a UK degree. See our English language tests guide for details.

Optional Costs

Immigration Solicitor: £1,500-£5,000

A solicitor is not required, but many people use one to ensure their application is prepared correctly. Fees vary widely depending on the solicitor and the complexity of your case. For a detailed breakdown, see our immigration solicitor costs guide.

Priority Processing

If you are applying from inside the UK, priority processing may be available for an additional fee. This can reduce the processing time significantly. Priority services typically cost £500 to £1,000 depending on the service level.

Document Translation

Any document not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation. Professional translation services typically charge £20-£50 per page. If you have many documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and bank statements from abroad), this can add up.

TB Test Certificate

If you are applying from a country where tuberculosis screening is required, you must get a TB test from an approved clinic. This typically costs £50-£150 depending on the country.

Extension Costs (After 33 Months)

After your initial 33-month Spouse Visa, you must apply to extend for a further 30 months. The extension costs are:

• Application fee: £1,407 (applying from inside the UK).
• IHS: £2,587.50 (for 30 months, rounded up).
• English language test: You must prove A2 level English for the extension. Test fees are similar (£150-£200).
• Biometrics: Free at a standard UKVCAS appointment.

The extension total is approximately £4,170 without a solicitor.

ILR Application Costs

After 5 years on a Spouse Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The costs at that stage include:

• ILR application fee: £3,226.
• Life in the UK test: £50 (you must pass this before applying). See our Life in the UK test guide.
• English language test: B1 level required. Test fees £150-£200.
• No IHS: ILR holders do not pay the IHS.

Total Cost: Spouse Visa to ILR

Here is a summary of the minimum costs for the full Spouse Visa journey from initial application to ILR, without a solicitor:

• Initial application: £2,064 + £3,105 (IHS) + ~£175 (English test) = ~£5,344
• Extension: £1,407 + £2,587.50 (IHS) + ~£175 (English test) = ~£4,170
• ILR: £3,226 + £50 (Life in UK test) + ~£175 (English test) = ~£3,451
• Total minimum: Approximately £12,965

If you then apply for British citizenship, add another £1,839 (£1,709 to apply, plus a £130 citizenship ceremony fee). The full journey from Spouse Visa to British citizenship can cost over £14,800 per person in government fees and tests.

For a broader view of costs that are easy to overlook, see our hidden costs of immigration guide.

Ways to Reduce Costs

While you cannot avoid the application fee or IHS, there are ways to keep costs down:

• Prepare your own application: If your case is straightforward, you may not need a solicitor. Use the government's guidance and our documents checklist to prepare your application yourself.
• Choose exempt English tests: If you are from a majority English-speaking country, you do not need to pay for a test.
• Use the UKVCAS app: For extensions, the UKVCAS app lets you submit biometrics from your phone, saving a trip to a service centre.
• Avoid priority processing: Standard processing takes longer but saves £500-£1,000.

IHS Refunds

If your Spouse Visa application is refused, you will not get the application fee back. However, you can claim a refund of the IHS. You can also claim an IHS refund if you leave the UK before your visa expires or if your visa is curtailed.

IHS refunds are processed through the Home Office and typically take 6-8 weeks. Check GOV.UK for the latest refund process.

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