If you're married to, or in a long-term relationship with, a British citizen or someone settled in the UK, the Spouse/Partner visa (a type of family visa) lets you join them. It's one of the more expensive UK visas, and the income rule catches many couples out.

All rand figures use R21.92/£ (Oct 2026).

How much does a UK spouse visa cost?

The first visa lasts 2 years and 9 months. You pay the visa fee and the health surcharge for that whole period upfront.

CostGBPApprox. ZAR
Visa fee£2,064R45,240
Health surcharge, adult (2 years 9 months)£3,105R68,060
Total per adult£5,169R113,300
Child's visa fee£2,064R45,240
Health surcharge, child under 18£2,328R51,030
Total per child£4,392R96,270

Children coming with you pay the same visa fee as adults, but a lower health surcharge.

What other costs should you budget for?

ExtraCostNotes
Priority service£500 (R10,960)Decision in about 30 working days instead of 12 weeks, if available at your centre
TB testPer person, at an approved clinicRequired for South African applicants
English test (A1)Varies by providerUnless you're exempt
Document costsVariesMarriage certificate, translations, certified copies
Travel to a VFS centreVariesJohannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban or Gqeberha (plus a limited service in Bloemfontein)

The first visa isn't the last cost. After 2 years and 9 months you extend for another 2 years and 6 months, with a new fee and another health surcharge (£2,587.50 per adult for that period), before you can apply to settle. Budget for the full 5 years, not just the first visa.

How much income do you need?

Your income usually has to be at least £29,000 a year (about R635,680). It can come from:

  • your UK partner's job or self-employment (most common),
  • your combined income, if you're already working in the UK legally, or
  • savings, alone or topped up with income.

For new applications, the threshold doesn't go up if you have children.

Couples who first applied before 11 April 2024 may still be assessed on the old £18,600 threshold when extending with the same partner. New applicants need £29,000.

Can you use savings instead?

Yes. Cash savings above £16,000 (about R350,720) can count towards the requirement, as long as they've been held for at least 6 months.

To qualify on savings alone, you'd usually need about £88,500 (about R1,939,920). If you have some income, you need less in savings to make up the shortfall.

The UK government has been reviewing the £29,000 threshold, but no change has been announced. Check GOV.UK before you apply.

Who qualifies?

You can apply if you and your partner:

  • are both 18 or older,
  • are married, in a civil partnership, or have lived together for at least 2 years,
  • have met in person,
  • plan to live together in the UK, and
  • meet the income and English (A1 level) requirements.

Your partner must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status, or have certain other UK permission.

What about a fiancé(e) visa?

If you're not married yet and plan to marry in the UK, the fiancé(e) visa gives you 6 months to get married, then you switch to the spouse visa from inside the UK.

VisaFeeHealth surchargeLength
Fiancé(e)£2,064 (R45,240)None (6 months or less from outside the UK)6 months

You still need to meet the income and English rules, and you still need a TB test, even though it's only 6 months. You then pay for the spouse visa as well, so getting married first and applying as a spouse is usually cheaper.

How long does it take?

Decisions usually take up to 12 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority (£500 extra) shortens that to about 30 working days, where it's available. Allow extra time for the TB test, the English test and gathering documents.