Spouse/Civil Partner
Spouses and civil partners of UK citizens or permanent residents (mainly those with Indefinite Leave to Remain) may come to the UK under a marriage visa category and are able to work as soon as a visa is granted. Spouses/civil partners seeking to come to the UK on the basis of marriage/civil partnership to a UK national should apply for entry clearance before entering the UK.
You will be granted a spouse/civil partner visa for a probationary period of 2 years. If still married/in civil partnership and living together at the end of 2 years, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) may be applied for. Prior to applying for ILR you must have passed the Knowledge of Life in the UK test. If you do not pass the Life in the UK test then you must apply for an extension of your leave until you pass the test and then apply for ILR.
If you have been married/in civil partnership and living together for 4 years or more outside the UK, you will be granted ILR without having to live in the UK for 2 years.
The UK citizen or permanent resident must have actually met their non-UK spouse/civil partner and you must intend to live together permanently in order to obtain a spouse/civil partner visa. The overseas spouse/civil partner and UK citizen or permanent resident must both be at least 18 years of age. Sufficient funds to cover the combined living expenses and those of any dependants without claiming public funds must be shown.
