UK Spouse Visa Renewal 2026: Living in the UK with your partner on a spouse visa requires timely renewal to continue staying legally without interruption. In 2026, UK spouse visa renewal rules remain strict, especially around financial requirements, relationship proof, and genuine residency checks. Many applicants face delays or refusals due to incomplete documents or income threshold misunderstandings. This guide explains the latest expected renewal process, required documents, income rules, and processing timelines in simple terms for applicants already living in the UK.
Income Requirement Rules 2026
Financial eligibility remains the most important factor in spouse visa renewal. In 2026, the minimum income requirement is expected to stay around £18,600 per year for sponsoring partners without children. If children are included, additional income proof may be required. Income can come from salary, self-employment, savings above £16,000, or combined sources. The Home Office is now checking payslips, tax records, and employer letters more strictly to prevent false claims.
Relationship Proof and Genuine Stay Checks
Applicants must prove that the relationship is genuine and ongoing. Evidence usually includes joint bank statements, shared bills, tenancy agreements, council tax proof, and photos together. In 2026, immigration officers are focusing more on cohabitation proof covering the full visa duration. Gaps in address proof can trigger additional questioning or document requests, which may delay processing or risk refusal.
Document Checklist for Renewal
Important documents include current passport, BRP card, marriage certificate, financial documents, proof of address, relationship evidence, and English language proof (if required). Some applicants may need updated tuberculosis certificates depending on travel history. Document name spellings, address formats, and date consistency must match exactly across all files to avoid rejection risks.
Visa Renewal Fees and Healthcare Cost
The spouse visa renewal fee inside the UK in 2026 is expected around £1,048. Additionally, applicants must pay Immigration Health Surcharge which is around £1,035 per year of visa validity. Priority processing services cost extra but may reduce decision time. Applicants should keep extra funds ready for application payments and unexpected document costs.
Processing Time and Approval Strategy
Standard spouse visa renewal processing usually takes 6 to 12 weeks. Priority service may reduce waiting time to around 5 working days depending on slot availability. Applicants should apply at least 2 to 3 months before visa expiry. Submitting early helps avoid overstaying risks and allows time to respond if additional documents are requested by the Home Office.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and expectation-based guidance only. Final visa rules, income thresholds, document requirements, fees, and processing timelines may change based on official UK government immigration updates and policy revisions. Applicants should verify the latest spouse visa renewal rules and requirements from official UK immigration sources or authorised visa advisors before submitting their application.