You extend a UK spouse visa from inside the UK before your current visa runs out, usually after 2 years and 9 months. The extension gives you a further 2 years and 6 months. You need to still be in a genuine relationship, meet the £29,000 financial requirement (or £18,600 if you first applied before 11 April 2024), and pass an A2 English test unless you already have a higher level. It costs £1,407 plus £2,587.50 health surcharge.
Checked against GOV.UK: November 2026 (extend your partner visa, knowledge of English, financial requirements).
Spouse visa extension at a glance
| When to apply | Any time before your current visa expires |
| New visa length | Up to 2 years 6 months |
| Application fee (in the UK) | £1,407 per person |
| Health surcharge | £2,587.50 per adult for 2 years 6 months |
| English | A2 speaking and listening (or reuse A2 or higher) |
| Money | £29,000 a year, or £18,600 if your first application was before 11 April 2024 (same partner) |
| Processing time | Usually 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements |
| Faster decision | Super priority: extra £1,000 |
When should you apply to extend?
GOV.UK says you can apply at any time before your current permission expires. You must not let it run out. If you overstay, you can lose your right to stay and your time on the route.
Good news on timing: if you extend to stay with the same partner, GOV.UK says up to 28 days of your remaining permission is added to your new visa. So you lose nothing by applying a little early.
Most people apply in the last month or two of their visa, once they have:
- their A2 English result (or a reusable higher pass)
- 6 months of payslips and bank statements if they rely on employment income
- their documents in order
The requirements for a spouse visa extension
1. A genuine relationship
You must still be married, in a civil partnership or in a relationship akin to marriage with the same partner, and intend to live together permanently in the UK. Be ready to show evidence that you live together, such as joint bills, a tenancy or letters to the same address over the period.
2. English at A2
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| You passed A1 for your first visa | Pass A2 speaking and listening |
| You passed A2 or higher before | Reuse that result (if the certificate has not been withdrawn) |
| You were exempt last time | Pass A1 (unless still exempt) |
The approved A2 tests are IELTS Life Skills A2, PTE Home A2, LanguageCert ESOL SELT A2 and Trinity GESE Grade 3. See the A2 English test guide.
3. The financial requirement
- £29,000 a year combined income for you and your partner, or
- £18,600 a year if you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner. Under the £18,600 rule, add £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each further child (capped at £29,000). Children who are British, Irish, settled or have pre-settled status don't count.
- No minimum income if your partner receives certain disability or carer's benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment or Carer's Allowance. You must still show you can support yourselves without public funds.
- Savings can be used instead of, or as well as, income. See the financial requirement guide.
4. Accommodation
You must have adequate accommodation for your family without relying on public funds.
5. Suitability
The usual suitability checks apply, such as criminal record and immigration history.
How much does a spouse visa extension cost?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee (in the UK) | £1,407 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (2 years 6 months) | £2,587.50 |
| A2 English test (if needed) | about £160 to £209 |
| Super priority (optional) | £1,000 |
| Typical total | about £4,150 to £4,200 without super priority |
Each dependant you include pays the same £1,407 fee plus their own surcharge (£776 a year for under-18s). See the full spouse visa cost breakdown.
Documents you will usually need
- your current passport and BRP or eVisa details
- your partner's proof of status (British passport, ILR or eVisa)
- your marriage or civil partnership certificate
- evidence you live together, spread across the period of your visa
- your A2 English test result or reference number
- financial evidence, which for employment usually means 6 months of payslips and matching bank statements plus an employer letter
- evidence of your accommodation
Check the full evidence list on GOV.UK for your situation, because the specified evidence rules are strict and missing documents are a common reason for refusal.
How many times do you extend?
On the standard 5-year route you normally extend once: 2 years 9 months plus 2 years 6 months gives you over 5 years. Then you apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). GOV.UK says you can extend more than once if you need to, for example if you are on the longer 10-year route.
What comes after the extension: ILR
At 5 years you can apply for settlement. You will need B1 English (B2 if you apply on or after 26 March 2027) and to pass the Life in the UK test. Start preparing during your extension. Both take time. See ILR on a spouse visa and our free Life in the UK practice tests.
Practise for the A2 test
Get ready for your extension with our free A2 English test practice and mock tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply to extend my spouse visa?
You can apply at any time before your current visa expires. If you extend with the same partner, up to 28 days of your remaining permission is added to your new visa, so applying a few weeks early does not lose you time.
How much does it cost to extend a spouse visa in 2026?
The application fee in the UK is £1,407 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £2,587.50 per adult for 2 years 6 months. Add about £160 to £209 for an A2 English test if you need one.
What English level do I need to extend my spouse visa?
A2 in speaking and listening, if you passed A1 for your first visa. If you already passed A2 or higher, you can reuse that result. If you were exempt the first time, you need to pass A1.
Do I still need £29,000 to extend my spouse visa?
Yes, unless you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner, in which case the old £18,600 threshold (plus amounts for non-British children) applies. There is no minimum income if your partner receives certain disability or carer's benefits.
How long does a spouse visa extension take?
GOV.UK says decisions are usually made within 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements. If you do not meet them and apply on another basis, it can take about 12 months.
Can I travel while my spouse visa extension is pending?
If you leave the UK before a decision, your application is normally treated as withdrawn. Check GOV.UK before making travel plans while you wait.