Which UK Spouse Visa route fits your situation?
Answer six plain-English questions. We’ll tell you which Spouse Visa route looks most relevant, with the rule reference, and whatever you should think about next. No call follows automatically — we only contact you if you specifically ask us to email the result.
Why we built this
Plain-English routing. No sales call. No spam.
Most people landing on a UK visa page already know they need help — they don’t know which route applies to their specific situation. The official UK government tool at gov.uk/check-uk-visa is comprehensive but doesn’t flag the practical considerations that decide most cases (financial gaps, English-language exemptions, in-country switching restrictions, recent refusals).
This wizard is six plain-English questions written by Imran Shah (Immigration & Litigation Solicitor, SRA #509359, admitted 2012) and reviewed against the current Immigration Rules. The output is a route name, the relevant rule reference, and what you should think about next — not a prediction of whether you will succeed.
It is free, anonymous until you ask us to follow up by email, and there is no automatic call.If you want to book a 30-minute free consultation, that’s a separate decision you make at the end.
What this wizard isn’t
- It’s not legal advice. A solicitor reviewing the full evidence will give you a proper assessment.
- It’s not a prediction of approval. Outcomes depend on your evidence, the case officer, and case-specific facts the wizard can’t see.
- It only covers the Spouse / Partner Visa family in v1. Other routes (Skilled Worker, ILR, Citizenship) come next.
Understanding UK visas
Choosing the right UK visa route
The UK immigration system is organised into route families, each with its own eligibility, evidence and cost. The biggest practical step is identifying which family fits your reason for coming — work, family, study, a visit, or a business or talent route — before you worry about the detail. Getting the family right first saves time and avoids applying on the wrong route.
The main visa families
- Work — including the Skilled Worker visa, which needs a job offer from a licensed sponsor.
- Family / partner — spouse, partner, parent and similar routes under Appendix FM.
- Study — the Student route for those with an offer from a licensed education provider.
- Visit — the Standard Visitor route for tourism, family visits and certain business activities.
- Business / talent — including Global Talent and other specialist routes.
How to identify the right route
Start from your purpose and your circumstances: why you are coming, how long for, whether you have a job offer or family connection, and your current status. The official gov.uk/check-uk-visa tool is a good first filter; this wizard adds the practical considerations that often decide a case.
Switching in-country vs applying from overseas
Some routes let you switch while you remain in the UK; others require an application from outside the UK, and visitors generally cannot switch in-country. Whether switching is possible depends on your current status and the route you want, so it should be checked before you apply.
Sponsorship
Most work routes require sponsorship — a job offer from an employer holding a Home Office sponsor licence, with a Certificate of Sponsorship for an eligible role. Family, visit and some talent routes do not need a sponsoring employer.
English-language and financial requirements
Many routes require you to show a certain level of English and to meet a financial requirement — the exact level and the figures depend on the route and change over time. Do not rely on a remembered figure: check the current English-language and financial requirements for your route at gov.uk.
When to take advice
Advice is most valuable where there is complexity — a previous refusal, a financial gap, a switching question, a tight deadline, or a route you are unsure about. A solicitor can confirm the route, the evidence, and the realistic plan before you commit to a fee.
Frequently asked questions
UK visas — common questions
- Which UK visa do I need?
- It depends on why you are coming to the UK and your circumstances. The main families are work routes (such as the Skilled Worker visa), family and partner routes (such as a spouse or partner under Appendix FM), study routes, visit routes, and business or talent routes (such as Global Talent). Each has different eligibility, evidence and cost. The official starting point is the GOV.UK 'check which visa you need' tool, and this wizard helps narrow the family that fits your situation before you take advice.
- Can I switch to a different visa while I am inside the UK?
- Sometimes. Some routes allow you to switch in-country without leaving (for example switching into the Skilled Worker route), while others require you to apply from outside the UK. Whether you can switch depends on your current immigration status and the route you want to move to, and visitors generally cannot switch in-country. Because the consequences of getting this wrong are serious, it is worth checking the current switching rules on GOV.UK or with a solicitor before you apply.
- Do I need a job offer or a sponsor?
- For most work routes, yes. The Skilled Worker visa requires a job offer from an employer who holds a Home Office sponsor licence, with a Certificate of Sponsorship for an eligible role. Family, visit and some talent routes do not require a sponsoring employer. Identifying whether your route needs sponsorship is one of the first things to settle.
- How long does a UK visa decision take?
- Processing times vary by route, by where you apply, and by whether you use any optional priority service. They also change over time. We do not quote fixed timescales as fact — check the current expected processing times for your route at gov.uk before you plan travel or make commitments.
- How much does a UK visa cost?
- The Home Office application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge and any optional priority service are all set by the Home Office and change periodically, so check the current amounts at gov.uk. There may also be costs such as English tests, document translation and, depending on the route, evidence that you meet a financial requirement. Our own fixed fee for preparing an application is agreed in writing before any work begins.
- What can I do if my visa application is refused?
- It depends on the route and the reason for refusal. Some refusals carry a right of appeal or administrative review; others can only realistically be addressed by a fresh, better-evidenced application. The refusal letter sets out the reasons and any review or appeal rights. A solicitor can read the letter against your original application and advise on the most realistic next step — outcomes are decided by the Home Office on the facts of each case.
This page is general information about UK visa routes, reviewed by Imran Shah (SRA #509359). It is not a substitute for tailored legal advice, and outcomes depend on the full evidence of your case.
Your Solicitor
Three SRA-regulated solicitors. Direct access.
Imran Shah
Immigration & Litigation Solicitor
Imran handles immigration and litigation cases that need methodical preparation and clear strategy.
SRA #509359
Humaira Anjum
Immigration & Litigation Solicitor
Humaira walks families through every stage of immigration and litigation matters with calm, careful guidance.
SRA #663190
Sannah Khatoon
Litigation & Housing Disrepair Solicitor
Sannah recovers damages and forces repairs in housing disrepair claims — usually on no win, no fee.
SRA #654258
This page is general guidance, not legal advice. UKVI fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge change periodically — confirm current rates at gov.uk before applying. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Abrahams Solicitors · SRA-regulated firm #809071. Last reviewed: May 2026 by Imran Shah (SRA #509359). Reviewed quarterly against Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules.
Wizard logic last reviewed: May 2026. Page URL: https://www.abrahamssolicitors.co.uk/visa-wizard/.