Partner Visa Documents Checklist (Spouse/Partner) — What to Prepare & How to Package It

This checklist covers the core documents typically submitted with a UK Spouse or Partner visa application under Appendix FM. Rules and thresholds do change, so always check the latest Home Office guidance (and your solicitor's advice) before submitting.

1) Identity & Application Basics

• Applicant's current passport (plus all previous passports if available).
• Sponsor's passport or evidence of British citizenship / settled status (e.g. BRP, eVisa share code).
• Passport-style photos if requested by the application centre.
• Completed online application + IHS payment confirmation.
• Biometrics appointment confirmation (if applicable).

2) Relationship Evidence (Genuine & Subsisting)

Provide a clear picture of your relationship from first contact to the present. Aim for quality over quantity and organise chronologically.

• Marriage/civil partnership certificate (if married) or evidence you've lived together / been in a durable relationship.
• Photos together over time (captioned with dates/places/people).
• Communication logs (sample message/call histories—summarised, not entire chats).
• Travel history (flight bookings, entry stamps, itineraries for visits together).
• Joint commitments: joint tenancy/mortgage, utility bills, bank accounts, council tax, insurance, HMRC letters.
• Letters of support from friends/family who know you as a couple (keep concise; include contact details).

3) Financial Requirement (Appendix FM-SE)

Evidence depends on the route (employment, self-employment, company director, pensions, or cash savings). Thresholds and categories change—use our Financial Requirement Calculator to check whether the sponsor's income meets the current Minimum Income Requirement, or ask your solicitor to confirm the right category.

A) Salaried Employment (Category A/B)

• Payslips for the required period.
• Corresponding bank statements showing salary credits.
• Employer letter on headed paper confirming job title, type (permanent/fixed-term), salary, start date, and ongoing employment.
• P45/P60 (where relevant).

B) Non-Salaried / Variable Income

• Evidence over the required monthly/annual period, with bank statements to match.
• Employer letter confirming average hours/rates and typical earnings pattern.

C) Self-Employment (Sole Trader/Partner) or Company Director

• Tax documents (e.g. SA302s and Tax Year Overviews) for the relevant financial year(s).
• Business bank statements and accounts (signed by a qualified accountant if required).
• For company directors: CT600, company accounts, dividend vouchers, Companies House filings.

D) Cash Savings

• Bank statements showing funds held for the required period and in acceptable accounts.
• If using combined income and savings, ask your solicitor to apply the correct calculation method.

Tip: Make a simple income summary sheet that maps each requirement to the exact page(s) in your evidence bundle.

4) Adequate Accommodation

• Tenancy agreement, mortgage or ownership evidence.
• Letter from landlord/agent permitting the applicant to live there.
• Council tax/utility bills as ongoing occupancy evidence.
• Property inspection report (optional but useful) confirming no statutory overcrowding.

5) English Language Requirement

• Approved English test certificate at the correct CEFR level for your stage, or
• Academic qualification taught in English with UK NARIC/ECCTIS confirmation (if applicable), or
• Exemption evidence (nationality, age, disability, etc.).

6) Tuberculosis (TB) Test (if applicable)

If applying from a country where TB testing is required, include a valid TB certificate from an approved clinic.

7) Children (if applying as dependants)

• Birth certificates (showing parentage) and passports.
• Parental responsibility/consent evidence if applicable.
• School letters or residence evidence (if relevant).

8) Cover Letter & Index (Highly Recommended)

• Cover letter: a 1–2 page overview explaining how you meet Appendix FM and FM-SE.
• Numbered index listing each document (with dates) and where it appears in the PDF.
• Use clear, searchable PDFs; avoid duplicates; label files meaningfully (e.g. “3.1 Payslips Jan–Jun 2025”).

9) Certified Translations

Any non-English/Welsh document should be translated by a qualified translator, including a signed declaration of accuracy, date, and credentials.

10) Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Mismatched income evidence: payslips that don't match bank credits, or missing pages.
• Insufficient relationship proof: only photos, with no shared financial/official evidence.
• Wrong English test provider/level or expired certificate.
• Accommodation letters lacking permission for the applicant to reside.
• Unclear scans, unlabelled documents, or huge unindexed PDFs.

How to Package Your Bundle (Practical Flow)

1. Section A — Application & IDs: passports, application confirmations, photos.
2. Section B — Relationship: certificate, cohabitation/visits, photos (captioned), communications (samples).
3. Section C — Financial: arrange strictly per FM-SE; add a 1 page income summary.
4. Section D — Accommodation: tenancy/mortgage + permission letter + proof of occupancy.
5. Section E — English & TB: test certificate or exemption; TB (if required).
6. Section F — Children: birth certificates, consent/responsibility docs.
7. Section G — Index & Cover Letter: signpost everything clearly.

After You Submit

• Watch for UKVCAS/VAC biometrics booking instructions.
• Upload all documents to the correct document categories in the portal.
• Keep originals safe—some may be requested.
• Priority services may be available; timelines vary by route and location.