Spouse / civil partner visa — Appendix FM (Partner route)

Appendix FM (Family Members) is the primary UK family route. The Partner route allows spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners of British citizens, settled persons, or refugees to enter / remain in UK.

For [CLIENT_NAME] (spouse of [SPONSOR_NAME], a [SPONSOR_STATUS]):

§1 — APPENDIX FM PARTNER ELIGIBILITY (150-180 words)

Validity requirements (Appendix FM E-LTRP.1 / E-ECP.1):
  ▪ Applicant outside UK applying for entry, OR in UK applying for leave to remain
  ▪ Valid sponsor (British citizen, settled person, refugee, or person with humanitarian protection)
  ▪ Genuine + subsisting relationship
  ▪ Both partners aged 18+ (Appendix FM E-ECP.1.3 / E-LTRP.1.3)
  ▪ Intend to live together permanently in UK

Eligibility (Appendix FM):
  ▪ Relationship — genuine + subsisting + intend to live together
  ▪ Financial — minimum income GBP 29,000 (from 11 April 2024) [VERIFY]
  ▪ Accommodation — adequate without recourse to public funds
  ▪ English — A1 CEFR (for initial entry / extension); B1 CEFR (for ILR)
  ▪ Suitability — no adverse criminal / immigration history

Visa duration:
  ▪ Initial spouse visa: 30 months (2.5 years)
  ▪ Extension to total 5 years on Partner route
  ▪ After 5 years: ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
  ▪ After 12 more months on ILR (and 3 years total UK residence): British Citizenship

§2 — RELATIONSHIP EVIDENCE FOR INDIAN MARRIAGES (180-200 words)

For Indian marriages, UKVI requires registered marriage:

(a) Hindu marriage:
  ▪ Hindu Marriage Act 1955 ceremony
  ▪ MUST be registered with Marriage Registrar at municipal corporation
  ▪ Marriage certificate issued by Registrar (not just temple)
  ▪ Photos: wedding ceremony, mandap, saath phera, sindoor
  ▪ Religious validity NOT sufficient alone — civil registration required

(b) Muslim marriage:
  ▪ Nikah-nama (Nikah agreement)
  ▪ Registration with Qazi + State authority
  ▪ Marriage certificate from state authority
  ▪ Photos: Nikah ceremony, Walima

(c) Christian marriage:
  ▪ Church wedding + registration with State
  ▪ Marriage certificate from State authority

(d) Sikh marriage (Anand Karaj):
  ▪ Anand Karaj ceremony at Gurudwara
  ▪ Registration under Anand Marriage Act
  ▪ Marriage certificate

(e) Inter-religious / Special Marriage Act:
  ▪ Special Marriage Act 1954 (civil marriage)
  ▪ Registration with District Magistrate
  ▪ Marriage certificate from State

Common Indian pitfall:
  ▪ Religious ceremony WITHOUT civil registration
  ▪ Solution: register under Special Marriage Act 1954 or applicable religious marriage act

For [MARRIAGE_DETAILS]: confirm registration with municipal authority + obtain English-translated certificate.

§3 — RELATIONSHIP HISTORY EVIDENCE (150-180 words)

Genuine + subsisting relationship evidence:

How the relationship developed:
  ▪ Online introduction / family introduction / personal meeting
  ▪ Communication history (WhatsApp / email logs)
  ▪ Photos at various stages

Engagement / pre-marriage:
  ▪ Engagement ceremony photos
  ▪ Pre-wedding rituals (Indian context: mehndi, sangeet, haldi)

Wedding:
  ▪ Wedding photos (10-20 spanning events)
  ▪ Wedding videos / album
  ▪ Wedding invitations + reception evidence
  ▪ Witnesses present

Post-wedding cohabitation:
  ▪ Joint photos
  ▪ Joint travel
  ▪ Joint accommodation
  ▪ Joint financial documents (if any)
  ▪ Communication during periods of separation

Future plans:
  ▪ UK accommodation arrangement
  ▪ Joint financial planning
  ▪ Career plans
  ▪ Family plans

For [RELATIONSHIP_HISTORY] [SPONSOR_NAME]:
  ▪ Timeline of relationship from start to application
  ▪ Specific milestones documented
  ▪ Photos: 20-50 spanning the relationship

§4 — FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT — GBP 29,000 (150-180 words)

Appendix FM E-LTRP.3.1 / E-ECP.3.1:
  ▪ Minimum gross annual income: GBP 29,000 (from 11 April 2024) [VERIFY]
  ▪ For partner + 1 child: GBP 32,800 [VERIFY]
  ▪ For partner + 2 children: GBP 36,600 [VERIFY]

Acceptable income sources (Appendix FM-SE 2):
  ▪ Employment income (gross, from UK employer)
  ▪ Self-employment income (Tax Year Schedule + accounts)
  ▪ Pension income (state, occupational, private)
  ▪ Property income (rental from UK property)
  ▪ Cash savings (if substantial: GBP 16,000+ for income shortfall conversion)

Cash savings conversion (Category D under Appendix FM-SE 11):
  ▪ Cash savings above GBP 16,000 can be converted to income
  ▪ Formula: (Cash savings - 16,000) / 2.5 = annual income equivalent
  ▪ Example: GBP 80,000 savings → (80,000 - 16,000) / 2.5 = GBP 25,600 income equivalent
  ▪ Combine with employment income for total

For [FINANCIAL_PROFILE]: calculate income vs requirement; identify gap if any; document cash savings.

§5 — ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENT (80-100 words)

Appendix FM E-LTRP.3.4 / E-ECP.3.4 — adequate accommodation:
  ▪ Accommodation owned or rented in UK
  ▪ Sufficient for applicant + sponsor + any other family members
  ▪ Without recourse to public funds (no housing benefit / council housing)
  ▪ Not overcrowded per Housing Act 1985 (3 persons per bedroom typical)

[ACCOMMODATION_PROFILE]:
  ▪ Address
  ▪ Type (owned, mortgaged, rented private, owned with parents)
  ▪ Number of rooms / bedrooms
  ▪ Existing occupants
  ▪ Lease / mortgage documents

§6 — ENGLISH LANGUAGE A1 CEFR (60-80 words)

Initial spouse visa requires English at A1 CEFR:
  ▪ A1 = Beginner / Breakthrough level
  ▪ Can introduce self + family + simple needs
  ▪ Acceptable: SELT A1 (IELTS UKVI Life Skills A1) OR degree-in-English OR nationality

For Indian applicants:
  ▪ India NOT on majority English-speaking list
  ▪ Most Indian Bachelor's degrees satisfy (degree-in-English route)
  ▪ Otherwise: book IELTS UKVI Life Skills A1 (GBP 150-200; 22-minute oral exam)

§7 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (100-120 words)

Comprehensive document bundle:
  □ Passport bio page + visa pages
  □ Marriage certificate (registered + translated)
  □ Relationship photos (20-50)
  □ Joint financial documents (if any)
  □ Sponsor's birth certificate + naturalisation certificate (if applicable)
  □ Sponsor's passport bio page (showing British/settled status)
  □ Sponsor's employment letter + 6 months payslips + 6 months bank statements
  □ Sponsor's HMRC employment record
  □ Property documents (deeds / mortgage / tenancy)
  □ English language certificate (A1 SELT or equivalent)
  □ TB test certificate (IOM India)
  □ Police certificates (last 10 years residences)
  □ Application fee + IHS payment receipt

§8 — APPLICATION FEES + PROCESSING (60-80 words)

  ▪ Application fee: GBP 1,846 (outside UK) / GBP 1,048 (inside UK extension) [VERIFY]
  ▪ IHS: GBP 1,035/year × 30 months (2.5 years initial) = GBP 2,587.50
  ▪ Standard processing: 12-24 weeks (currently 6 months) outside UK
  ▪ Priority: 5 working days (+GBP 500); Super Priority: next working day (+GBP 1,000)

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Indian marriages MUST have civil registration certificate, not only religious ceremony. Cash savings can supplement income shortfall (Appendix FM-SE 11). Photo evidence is critical — 20-50 photos spanning the relationship establishes genuineness. Sponsor's continuous employment + UK ties matter."