If you’re a British citizen or settled person in the UK (i.e. holding ILR or refugee status) and want to bring your Pakistani spouse to the United Kingdom, you’ll need to apply for a UK Spouse Visa — officially known as the Family Visa (Partner Route).
This guide provides a step-by-step breakdown of the UK spouse visa process from Pakistan, including the required documents, visa fees, financial requirements, and processing time in 2025.
💑 Who Can Apply?
You can sponsor your partner if:
- You are a British citizen, or
- You have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), refugee status, or pre-settled status (under EU settlement scheme)
The applicant (spouse from Pakistan) must be:
- Legally married or in a civil partnership
- At least 18 years old
- In a genuine and subsisting relationship
📋 Required Documents – Full Checklist (2025)
For the Sponsor (UK Resident):
- Passport or BRP copy
- Proof of settled status (e.g., ILR letter)
- Payslips (last 6 months)
- Bank statements (6 months)
- Employment letter or tax returns (self-employed)
- UK accommodation proof (tenancy or ownership documents)
For the Applicant (Spouse in Pakistan):
- Valid passport
- Marriage certificate (Nikkah Nama + English translation)
- Passport-sized photographs
- TB Test certificate from an approved center
- English language certificate (IELTS A1 – Life Skills)
- Previous UK visas (if any)
- Relationship proof: call logs, chats, photos, money transfers, remittance records
✅ Tip: Submit organized, time-stamped evidence to prove a genuine marriage.
💷 Financial Requirements (2025)
To sponsor a spouse, the UK partner must have:
| Route | Minimum Income |
|---|---|
| Employed (6+ months) | £29,000/year (new threshold from April 2024) |
| Self-employed | Last year’s income of £29,000+ |
| Using savings only | £88,500 in cash savings (held for 6 months) |
❌ Benefits like Universal Credit do not count towards the income requirement.
🎓 English Language Requirement
The applicant (Pakistani spouse) must prove basic English proficiency by:
- Taking IELTS Life Skills A1 (UKVI) from an approved center
- Or proving exemption (e.g., age 65+, medical condition)
🛂 UK Spouse Visa Fees from Pakistan (2025)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (Standard) | £1,846 (from outside UK) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1,035/year × 2.5 years = £2,587.50 |
| Biometric Enrollment | ~£100 (varies) |
| Total (Standard) | ~£4,533.50 |
🕐 Optional priority service (decision in 30 working days): £500 extra
📅 Visa Processing Timeline (2025)
| Application Type | Time |
|---|---|
| Standard Processing | 60–90 working days (approx. 3–4 months) |
| Priority Processing | 30 working days |
| Super Priority (if available) | 24 hours (UK only) |
📍 Applications are processed through UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Islamabad, Lahore, or Karachi.
👨👩👧 After Arrival in the UK
Once granted:
- Your spouse receives a 30-day entry visa to enter the UK
- Must collect BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) within 10 days of arrival
- Initial visa is valid for 2.5 years (30 months)
- You can apply for extension later and then ILR after 5 years
⚠️ Common Reasons for Refusal
- Incomplete or weak documentation
- Not meeting income threshold
- Suspicion of sham marriage
- English language test not UKVI approved
- Insufficient accommodation details
✅ Tip: Be honest, clear, and avoid contradictions in your application.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The UK Spouse Visa from Pakistan is a viable and direct route to family reunification, but the process must be handled with precision. Meeting the financial, language, and relationship proof requirements is key to a successful application.