How to Apply for a UK Spouse Visa from Australia

To reunite with your partner in the UK as an Australian national/resident, you must first complete a UK Spouse Visa application, which is easier said than done when weighing in all the paperwork and trials involved.

To boost your odds of a successful Spouse Visa application, it would be best to contact a competent immigration expert.

 What is a UK Spouse Visa?

The UK Spouse Visa, also known as Partner Visa, is one of the many visa programmes available for family reunification, by which partners of British/Irish citizens or settled persons can enter and live in the UK insofar as they fulfil several other prerequisites.

As an Australian citizen or resident, you’d have to follow the same visa process as other non-UK individuals, providing the required documentation and paying the corresponding UK Spouse Visa fee.

This visa gives you far better chances of obtaining clearance to live permanently in the United Kingdom later on, though you must first pass through a plethora of legal filters.

UK Spouse Visa Requirements

Before submitting your application, make sure you meet all the eligibility conditions. Spouse/partner visas are known for being overly stringent, so you might want to get professional advice to help you analyse all your options. Keep in mind that the fees are expensive and, more importantly, non-refundable!

With that said, to qualify, your partner must be either:

• British or Irish
• A legal resident with indefinite leave to remain or settled status
• A Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa holder
• A refugee or a protected person on humanitarian grounds

On top of that, you also have to provide evidence that you’re immersed in one of the following situations:

• You’re in a marriage or civil partnership recognised under UK law
• You’ve been living with your spouse or partner in a stable relationship for at least 2 years
• You are a fiancé/fiancée visa holder with plans to get married or civilly united within 6 months of your arrival in the UK.

What is the “Genuine Relationship Test”?

The UKVI will carry out a “Genuine Relationship Test.” To pass this test, you need to show that your relationship with your UK sponsor is not only legal but also authentic.

Your relationship will be deemed genuine or authentic if you can prove that you regularly meet or communicate with your spouse or partner and share specific responsibilities with them. To make matters more complicated, the longer the relationship is, the more evidence the immigration officer might ask you to present.

Other Requirements

Apart from the above, you must demonstrate that:

• You’re 18 years old, at least
• You and your partner have a minimum joint income of at least £18,600 per year (or more if you have children who are not British or settled in the UK)
• You have access to adequate living space for you and your family.

How to Apply for a UK Spouse Visa from Australia with VFS Global

VFS Global is an official UKVI outsourced partner tasked with processing UK visa applications worldwide. When you file an application on the UKVI website, you’ll be prompted to register with VFS Global to book an appointment in order to have your biometrics taken.

You’ll have to schedule your appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) of the seven available in all of Australia. At the moment, you may find VACs operative in Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, and Adelaide.

To apply through a Visa Application Centre, you have three options:

• You can upload your scanned documents to the VFS online portal (recommended)
• You can bring your paper copies to your appointment so that the VAC staff can scan them
• Your sponsor can attend a UK centre and provide the supporting documents (after you go to your appointment at the overseas centre)
• You can send your documents by post to a specified UK address (which can cost you a minimum of £75 plus VAT)

While the application is under review, the centre will retain your passport.

UK Spouse Visa Fee

If you’re in Australia, your application will cost £1,538, plus additional expenses depending on how the petition is lodged.

In addition, you’d also have to make the healthcare surcharge payment corresponding to the validity period of your visa. The surcharge amount, in this case, would be £1,872. For each child you add to your request, you must shell out an extra £1,410.

Processing Times

If you apply from Australia, you may expect to wait around 24 weeks (5 months, give or take) before getting a decision. The time it takes will ultimately depend on current demand, and you could potentially witness considerable delays. For this reason, it’s crucial that you file your petition as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my UK Spouse Visa application gets rejected?

Receiving a refusal letter is a very distressing scenario for any visa applicant. Nevertheless, you may still challenge the decision, but only if it violates article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. You should lodge your appeal in the next 14 days from the day you were notified of the rejection or 28 days if you apply from Australia.

Remember that a visa refusal does not mean you can no longer apply for a visa. However, your fee will not get reimbursed, and you would have to pay all the fees and surcharges again, as well as endure the long processing times.

What is the validity period of a UK Spouse Visa?

Initially, you may stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months as a Spouse Visa holder. The visa can be extended, and you’ll be eligible to obtain indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and, eventually, British citizenship.

With this visa, you can qualify for British citizenship without the need to go through a waiting period after attaining ILR status, as is the case with most other visa routes.

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