LEVITECH / ONLINE SEMINAR

UK Spouse VisaThe Complete Application Process

A structured walkthrough of the legal requirements, evidential standards and decision-making practice, for those preparing their own application. Hosted by Levitech, an IAA-registered firm.

Date: 10 October 2026
Time: 10:00 (London) / 17:00 (Beijing)
Format: Live online · with Q&A
Fee: £159

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Agenda

Four modules covering the key stages of an application

This session focuses on the fundamentals and common issues; it does not go through every exceptional circumstance or item of case law. The rules as in force on the day of the seminar apply.

Choosing the right partner route

The conditions and differences between the spouse/civil partner, unmarried partner and fiancé(e) routes; cohabitation is not a strict requirement for unmarried partners.

The eligibility criteria and differences between the spouse/civil partner, unmarried partner and fiancé(e) routes
The fiancé(e) visa is valid for six months; you must marry within that period and then switch in-country
The difference between a marriage visitor visa and a fiancé(e) visa, and common misuse
How the sponsor's status (British citizen, Irish citizen, settled person, etc.) affects the application
Applying from overseas versus switching in the UK: which statuses may switch, and the limits on visitors and other short-term statuses
The difference between the five-year and ten-year settlement routes, and when the ten-year route applies
What 'two years in a relationship akin to marriage' means for unmarried partners, and how to evidence it
Shared relationship requirements: both aged 18 or over, having met in person, a genuine and subsisting relationship, and any previous marriages or partnerships having ended

Understanding the financial requirement

The income threshold, transitional arrangements, savings and the basic calculation logic for different income sources, plus the specified evidence rules.

The £29,000 income threshold, and the transitional arrangements for applicants who entered the route before 11 April 2024
Two ways of calculating salaried employment income: six months or more with the current employer, and less than six months
The basic calculation logic for non-employment income, pensions, self-employment and company director income
Meeting the requirement through savings: the calculation method and the holding-period requirement
Which income sources may be combined, and when the applicant's own income can count
The exemption arrangements where the sponsor receives certain benefits
Specified evidence: how payslips, employer letters, bank statements and tax documents must correspond
Why third-party support generally does not count, and an overview of the exceptions

Preparing your evidence

Common evidence for relationship genuineness, accommodation and the English language requirement, and frequent problems such as inconsistencies across documents.

Relationship genuineness: how to organise marriage documents, records of living together, and communication history
Types of evidence unmarried partners can provide for periods spent living apart
Accommodation: tenancy agreements, title documents, landlord consent letters, and how overcrowding is assessed
English language: A1 on entry, A2 at extension, B1 for settlement; approved tests and exemptions
Translation requirements for documents in Chinese
Declaring matters honestly: criminal records, previous refusals, overstaying and unpaid NHS charges
Common problems: inconsistencies between the application form and the evidence, mismatched dates or figures, and documents in the wrong format

Submission and your options after a refusal

Submitting the application, biometrics and the decision-making process; an overview of appeals, fresh applications and judicial review after a refusal.

The online application, uploading documents, biometrics and the eVisa account
The tuberculosis test requirement when applying from China
Standard and priority processing times, and handling changes of circumstances while waiting
The timeline ahead: extending at around 30 months, and applying for settlement after five years
How to read a refusal notice and work out whether you have a right of appeal
An overview of the basic appeal procedure and time limits
When a fresh application is appropriate, and when judicial review is the relevant route

Common situations

Questions the seminar will touch on

The sponsor's annual income is below £29,000 — what lawful combinations are available

The sponsor has just changed jobs, is on probation, on a zero-hours contract or holds several part-time roles

The sponsor is self-employed or the company has not yet completed a full financial year

The sponsor currently works overseas and plans to return to the UK with their partner

The applicant is in the UK on a student or work visa — when to switch to a partner visa

Two years together but never lived together — can you apply as unmarried partners

Savings gifted by parents, or held for less than six months

Living with parents or others — does the accommodation meet the standard

A previous refusal, overstaying or other immigration history

The sponsor loses their job or their income falls after the application is submitted

Not covered in this session

Conclusions or advice on any individual's circumstances
Case-by-case analysis of case law
In-depth argument on exceptional circumstances under Article 8 (human rights)
Special sponsor situations such as refugees or those with EU Settlement Scheme status
Appeal representation and hearing preparation

These topics may be addressed in future seminars.

How to join

Register in three steps

Submit your details

Tell us how to reach you, your immigration background and the questions you would like answered at the seminar.

Confirm your place and pay (£159)

Once our team has confirmed your place, we will email or message you on WeChat with the company account details and your registration number. Please pay the £159 fee by bank transfer.

Levitech only ever receives payment into its company account. Never pay into any personal account.

Join the group and attend

Our team will add you on WeChat and invite you to the seminar group; the livestream link is sent to the group before the session.

Registration

Reserve your
place

Fee · per place

£159

Payable by bank transfer, once your place is confirmed.

01Submit your details
02Confirm your place and pay (£159)
03Join the group and attend

We select questions of general interest and explain the general rules; we never disclose personal details or draw conclusions on individual cases during the seminar.