The application for a UK spouse visa extension can be as demanding as applying for an original visa. You will again have to prove that you satisfy the visa eligibility requirements about your finances and relationship.

Prospects of being granted 30 more months in the United Kingdom from the date of the application's success mean that at the end of it, one would have accrued five years of qualifying residency in the UK, and thus be eligible to apply to remain indefinitely in the country. However, with the new immigration rules, applicants will be exposed to more stringent eligibility requirements. 

How the New Immigration Rules Will Affect the UK Spouse Visa Extensions

The new minimum income threshold will apply at the time when the application is submitted for the first application under the first-time partner route from 11 April 2024 onwards.

Presently, the minimum income threshold amount for a first-time application for a partner visa is £29,000.

It was stated that the new £29,000 figure will rise to £34,500 at some point later and then to £38,700 “in early 2025”.

The Secretary of State of the Home Department on 30 July 2024 declared that to ensure that they are getting the proper balance and have solid evidence before considering any change, they shall commission the MAC to review financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules. The Minimum Income Requirement is set at 29,000 pounds currently, and there won't be any further changes until the MAC review is complete. So, those dates for the financial requirement to be changed to £34,500 and £38,700 have not yet been finalized. The minimum income threshold of 29,000 pounds will not change with or without accompanying dependent children. 

This is also accompanied by the fact that if the sponsor receives any of the following benefits, then the maintenance test will apply rather than the minimum income threshold:

• Disability Living Allowance

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

• Severe Disablement Allowance

• Personal Independence Payment

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer's Allowance

• Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under War Pensions Scheme.

• Constant Attendance Allowance

• Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
  
  

How the New Immigration Rules Will Affect the UK Family Visa

It emphasizes a self-sufficient self-reliance and economic support angle in applying for admission to the UK's family members. So, immigration lawyers advise applicants to make haste with their applications, or else they may risk being invalidated by the new requirements.

How Income Increase Affects Family Visa Applications

The effect of the change is quite deep, particularly for those earning below the threshold set by this new policy. Currently, the requirement for the sponsor is to earn £29,000 to be able to support his/her partner, an amount of £3,800 for the first child and an additional £2,400 for the subsequent children.

With this upcoming hike, the financial ability to sponsor two children and a spouse may rise to almost £45,000 a year, which will make it very difficult to reunite families.

The 2025 new financial requirements for Spouse Visa applications are part of a major policy change as there are now very significantly increased immigration health surcharges applied upfront for all Family Visa applicants to £1,035.

How To Apply for a UK Spouse Visa Extension?

You are supposed to apply for a spouse visa extension through the official immigration website of the UK government before the expiration of the current UK spouse visa. Gather all the required supporting documents and have all the required information at hand.

You will be required to give information concerning your spouse or partner as part of the application process, including how your relationship is with each other.

For instance, if you were unable to provide the Home Office with all the evidence it requires, you might receive an invitation to come to an interview.

You will pay an application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge before the application will be accepted.

Fees for UK Spouse Visa Extension

The application fee that you will be required to pay when applying for a UK spouse visa extension while residing within the UK is £1048.

You will also incur extra costs such as the fees to enroll your biometric information, the cost of taking the English language test (if applicable), and the costs of translating any documents into English if required.

You may need to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge Concession, a compulsory fee that provides you access to the National Health Service during your period of leave in the UK as a UK spouse visa holder.

You may also be required to pay an additional charge for a fast-tracked processing of your UK spouse visa application. You will be informed at application submission time if this is available to you.

Refusal of UK Spouse Visa Extension 

You will be receiving from the Home Office a letter about the decision taken, and within, it states the grounds for refusal. In most cases, it would be due to trivial errors which can be amended and resubmitted.

There is no general right of appeal against the refusal of a spouse visa extension. However, in cases where you think the Home Office has made a mistake, you might be able to challenge that decision for reconsideration through Administrative Review or, in serious cases, Judicial Review.

Conclusion 

The rules for UK spouse visas are expected to get more stringent in 2025 and applicants may face rejections due to minor mistakes as well. Hiring an immigration solicitor London may help as they will guide you on the latest immigration rules. This will ensure you meet all eligibility requirements and improve your chances of application approval. Stay updated on all the current rules and comply with them.