UK Family Visa (Partner/Spouse)

The UK Family Visa (Partner/Spouse) is for Georgian citizens who wish to join their partner or spouse in the UK who is a British citizen, has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or has pre-settled or settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS). This visa allows the applicant to live, work and study in the UK with their partner, and eventually gain permanent residence (ILR).

This visa category should be applied for by those who wish to join their partner in the UK on a long-term basis. If your purpose is only a short-term visit, for example for a holiday or to visit family, then you should consider a UK Long-Term Visitor Visa . This visa is not intended for those who wish to study in the UK on a UK student visa or other type of work visa, unless their main purpose is to join their family, but rather to work.

To obtain a visa, the applicant and their partner must prove that their relationship is genuine and ongoing, that both parties are over 18 years of age and intend to live together in the UK. They must also meet financial requirements, which include a minimum annual income threshold for the partner (currently £29,000, which will increase gradually). Similar to the Canadian family visa , demonstrating financial stability is crucial, although in the UK, the income threshold is strictly defined and must be met.

The visa is initially issued for a period of 2.5 years (30 months), after which it can be extended for another 2.5 years. After 5 years, in most cases, the applicant becomes eligible to apply for permanent residency (ILR). Unlike Australian family visas , which often require additional guarantees from the sponsor, the UK system focuses more on the authenticity of the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor and their financial self-sufficiency. The application process involves completing an online application, submitting documents and taking biometric data at the VFS Global service center in Tbilisi.

Common reasons for rejection include insufficient financial requirements, lack of proof of the authenticity of the relationship, insufficient English language skills (CEFR B1 level required for the first application), or incomplete documentation. Unlike the US family visa , where the process often begins with a petition from a relative living in the US, in the case of the UK, the applicant initiates the application process themselves, although the support and documentation of the partner is crucial. The GetVisa team will help you prepare the documentation and fill out the application correctly to minimize the risk of rejection.