If you are in the UK on a spouse visa, after 2.5 years you will need to apply for an extension to continue your stay. This extension is an important step before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about extending your spouse visa after 2.5 years, including the 2024 fees, eligibility criteria, and required documents.

1. Eligibility for a Spouse Visa Extension

To extend your spouse visa extension after 2.5 years, you must continue to meet the key requirements that applied when you first received your visa. These include:

• Genuine Relationship: You and your partner must still be in a genuine, subsisting relationship. You will need to provide evidence of this, such as joint financial responsibilities or proof of cohabitation.

• Financial Requirement: You and your partner must meet the financial threshold of £18,600 per year. If you have children, this amount increases:

  • £22,400 for one child.
  • An additional £2,400 for each child after the first.

• English Language Requirement: You must pass an English language test at CEFR Level A2 or higher unless exempt. This is a higher level than the A1 test required for the initial spouse visa.

• Residency Requirement: You must continue living with your partner in the UK and meet the cohabitation requirement.

2. Spouse Visa Extension Fees for 2024

The costs associated with extending your spouse visa are as follows:

• Application Fee: £1,538. This fee covers the processing of your application by the UK Home Office.

• NHS Surcharge: £624 per year. Since the extension is for 2.5 years (30 months), you will need to pay a total of £1,872 for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This fee gives you access to the NHS during your stay.

• Optional Priority Service: £800. If you want a faster decision (within 24 hours), you can opt for the priority service. This is an additional cost on top of the standard application fee.

• Biometric Appointment: Typically, there is no extra charge for the standard biometric appointment, but if you choose to use a premium service for this appointment, additional costs may apply.

3. Documents Required for a Spouse Visa Extension

To spouse visa extension after 2.5 years fees 2024, you must provide several documents to prove that you still meet the requirements. These include:

• Valid Passports for both you and your partner.

• Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate: Proof that you are still married or in a civil partnership.

• Evidence of Cohabitation: You will need to show that you and your partner have been living together for the last 2.5 years. This can include:

  • Joint utility bills.
  • Joint tenancy agreements or mortgage documents.
  • Correspondence addressed to both partners