Spouse Visa to ILR: The 5-Year Route

Updated 27 March 202613 min read

What you need to know

The Spouse visa to ILR route takes 5 years: an initial 2.5-year visa, a 2.5-year extension, and then the ILR application. At each stage, you must meet the financial requirement (£29,000 in 2026), prove your relationship is genuine and subsisting, meet the English language requirement (which increases at each stage), and maintain continuous residence. After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months.

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The 5-Year Timeline

The Spouse visa route to settlement follows a fixed timeline, as outlined on the GOV.UK family visa page, with three main application points. Understanding this timeline helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises.

  • Year 0 — Initial Application: You apply for the initial Spouse visa, which grants 2 years and 9 months of leave (known as "2.5 years" informally, though the actual grant is slightly longer to allow processing time for the extension).
  • Year 2.5 — Extension (Further Leave to Remain): Before your initial visa expires, you apply for a 2.5-year extension. You must meet all the requirements again, including the financial threshold and English language.
  • Year 5 — ILR Application: After completing 5 years on the Spouse route, you apply for ILR. This is the final stage, and the requirements are the most stringent.

After receiving ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months.

Financial Requirement at Each Stage

The minimum income requirement must be met at every stage of the Spouse visa route. In 2026, the threshold is £29,000 per year.

Initial Application

The sponsor (the British citizen or settled person in the UK) must meet the income threshold. Income can come from employment (Category A or Category B), self-employment (self-employment route), cash savings (savings route), or a combination.

Extension

At the extension stage, both the sponsor and the applicant's income can be counted. If the applicant has been working in the UK, their income can contribute to meeting the threshold. The evidence requirements are the same as for the initial application.

ILR Application

The financial requirement must be met again at the ILR stage. Again, both partners' income can count. The evidence period and formatting requirements are the same. See our financial documents guide for exactly what to provide.

English Language at Each Stage

The English language requirement increases at each stage of the Spouse visa route:

  • Initial application: CEFR A1 (beginner). This is a basic level requiring only simple phrases and expressions.
  • Extension: CEFR A2 (elementary). Slightly higher than A1, requiring the ability to communicate in routine tasks.
  • ILR: CEFR B1 (intermediate). This requires the ability to deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling and to produce simple connected text on familiar topics.

All tests must be from a Home Office approved SELT provider (see the approved test list on GOV.UK). If you pass at a higher level than required, you can use the same result at the next stage (provided it has not expired). For example, passing B1 at the initial stage covers you for the extension and ILR.

Continuous Residence Requirements

Throughout the 5-year period, you must maintain continuous residence in the UK. The key rule is that you must not be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period.

Important points about absences:

  • Every day outside the UK counts, including travel days
  • The 180-day limit applies to any 12-month period, not just calendar years
  • Multiple short trips can add up quickly
  • If you exceed 180 days, your continuous residence is broken and the qualifying period may reset

Keep a detailed record of every trip outside the UK from day one. Include exact departure and return dates. You will need this information for your ILR application.

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The Extension Application (Year 2.5)

The extension application is essentially a repeat of the initial application, with a few differences:

  • Both incomes count: If the applicant has been working in the UK, their income can now contribute to the financial requirement alongside the sponsor's income.
  • Relationship evidence continues: You still need to provide evidence that your relationship is genuine and subsisting. The evidence should cover the period since your last application.
  • English at A2: You need to provide a new test result at A2 level (unless your previous test was at A2 or above and is still valid).
  • Application fee and IHS: You must pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge again. Check our visa fees guide for current costs.

Apply before your current visa expires. The Home Office recommends applying at least 8 weeks before expiry to allow processing time.

The ILR Application (Year 5)

The ILR application is the final stage. It has the highest requirements:

  • Financial requirement: Must be met at £29,000 with full documentary evidence.
  • English at B1: You need a SELT at CEFR B1 level or above.
  • Life in the UK test: You must have passed the Life in the UK test (book on GOV.UK).
  • Continuous residence: No more than 180 days absent in any 12-month rolling period throughout the entire 5-year qualifying period.
  • Relationship still subsisting: Evidence that you are still in a genuine relationship with your partner.
  • No IHS required: Unlike the visa stages, there is no Immigration Health Surcharge for ILR.

For the full list of documents, see our ILR documents checklist.

Common Challenges on the 5-Year Route

Relationship Breakdown

If your relationship breaks down, you lose the basis for the Spouse visa. However:

  • Domestic violence: If you are a victim of domestic violence or abuse, you can apply for ILR immediately under the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC), regardless of how long you have been on the Spouse visa.
  • Children in the UK: If you have dependent children in the UK, you may be able to apply to remain on a different route (Parent route).
  • Bereavement: If your partner dies during the 5-year route, you can apply for ILR immediately.

Job Loss or Income Drop

If the sponsor loses their job or their income drops below the threshold before the next application, you need to plan. Options include: finding new employment that meets the threshold, combining with savings, or timing the application for when income is sufficient.

Extended Absence

If you need to be outside the UK for an extended period (family emergency, work posting), plan carefully. If you exceed 180 days in any 12-month period, your continuous residence is broken. You may need to spend additional time in the UK before you can qualify for ILR.

After ILR: The Path to Citizenship

Once you have ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after holding ILR for at least 12 months. As the spouse of a British citizen, you qualify for the shorter 3-year citizenship route rather than the standard 5-year route. See our ILR to citizenship timeline for the full picture.

If you are considering whether to apply for citizenship or remain with ILR, see our ILR vs citizenship comparison.

Total Costs Over the 5-Year Route

The Spouse visa route is expensive. Budget for the following cumulative costs (approximate 2026 figures):

  • Initial visa application fee: £1,846
  • IHS (initial, 2.5 years): £2,587.50
  • Extension application fee: £1,048
  • IHS (extension, 2.5 years): £2,587.50
  • ILR application fee: £2,885
  • English language tests (up to 3): £450-£600
  • Life in the UK test: £50

The total for one applicant is approximately £11,500 to £12,000 over 5 years. If you have dependent children applying with you, add the application fee and IHS for each child. See our visa fees guide for exact current figures.

This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.

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