UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist (2026)

To apply for a UK Spouse Visa, you must provide supporting documents that prove your identity, relationship, financial stability, and accommodation arrangements. The Home Office carefully reviews this evidence to verify that all eligibility requirements are met under UK Immigration Rules Appendix FM. This checklist reflects updates as of October 2025.

Core Documents Required

Every applicant must include the following essential documents:

• Valid passport or travel document (for both applicant and sponsor).
• Completed visa application form (online).
• Proof of payment for visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
• Biometric enrolment confirmation letter.

Relationship Evidence

The Home Office must be satisfied that your marriage or partnership is genuine and ongoing. You’ll need to provide:

For full details, visit Proof of Relationship Requirements (2026).

• Original marriage or civil partnership certificate.
• Photos together showing a genuine relationship over time.
• Chat logs, call records, and travel evidence (where appropriate).
• Proof of shared financial responsibility (joint accounts, bills, tenancy).

Financial Requirement Documents

Applicants must meet the minimum income threshold of £29,000 per year or demonstrate qualifying savings. Required financial documents include:

See Financial Requirement Guide (2026) for full breakdowns.

• 6 months of payslips (12 months for self-employed).
• 6 months of bank statements showing income deposits.
• Employment contract and letter from employer confirming position and salary.
• Tax return (SA302) or company accounts for self-employed sponsors.
• Proof of savings (if applicable).

Accommodation Evidence

Read our Accommodation Requirement (2026) guide for further details.

• Tenancy agreement or property ownership documents.
• Letter of consent from landlord or homeowner (if living with family).
• Recent council tax or utility bills.
• Property inspection report (if required).

English Language Proof

Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an approved SELT test or qualifying degree.

See English Language Requirement (2026) for accepted test providers.

• Approved English test certificate showing CEFR level (A1, A2, or B1).
• ECCTIS confirmation letter for degrees taught in English.

Additional Documents (If Applicable)

Check Tuberculosis Test Rules (2026) for full country list and clinic information.

• Divorce decree absolute or death certificate (if previously married).
• Birth certificates for dependent children.
• Evidence of previous UK immigration history (visas, BRP cards).
• TB test certificate (for applicants from listed countries).

Document Submission Format

All documents must be scanned and uploaded digitally through the VFS Global or TLScontact portal. You may also use the assisted scanning service at your biometric appointment.

Document Upload Requirements

Document Upload Requirements

Document Type

Examples

Upload Format

Identity

Passport, BRP, birth certificate

PDF or high-resolution image

Financial

Payslips, bank statements, tax returns

PDF only

Relationship

Marriage certificate, photos, travel records

PDF or JPEG

Accommodation

Tenancy agreement, mortgage, bills

PDF

Common Document Mistakes

To avoid refusal, review UK Visa Refusal before submission.

• Submitting blurred or incomplete scans.
• Using outdated financial documents.
• Missing signatures on letters or statements.
• Failing to translate foreign documents into English by a certified translator.

People Also Asked

Do I need to send original documents for a UK Spouse Visa?

No, all documents are submitted digitally via your visa application centre’s upload portal.

Can I submit photos as proof of relationship?

Yes, but photos alone are not sufficient — include joint bills, tenancy agreements, and financial proof of partnership.

Do I need translations for non-English documents?

Yes. Any non-English or non-Welsh documents must be translated by a certified translator.

How recent must my bank statements be?

Bank statements should cover the most recent six months prior to submission.

About This Page

Author: UK Visa Applications Editorial Team

Reviewed by: Michael Gibbons, UK Solicitor and Regulated Immigration Advisor