Switching From Skilled Worker To Spouse Visa

Switching From Skilled Worker To Spouse Visa is common for those applicants who wish to live with their citizenship-holder partner. With this transition, applicants can stay with their partner without being sponsor by their employer. However, applicants must understand the policies and rules of this process and apply with solid evidence. 

In addition, applicants must meet the specific requirements to switch visas for this process. The visa needs a relationship, language, accommodation, and financial requirements. Plus, the applicants who apply for a spouse visa must know that this visa intends to live together for family unity. A spouse visa offers flexibility and stability to individuals who wish to build strong family bonds. 

What Is a UK Spouse Visa? 

It permits overseas individuals to live in the UK with their British citizen partners. The spouse visa is for civil partners and married couples who want to create strong family ties. Only married couples and applicants in civil relationships can qualify for this visa. 

This visa has a validity period of 2.5 years, and an extension is offered after this initial period. Applicants must have proof of their genuine relationship, suitable residence, financial stability, and proficiency in the English language. Moreover, the visa leads the applicants towards the ILR route.

What Is a UK Switching From Skilled Worker Visa?

A visa that offers a route of employment to skilled overseas individuals who want to come and work. In this visa, a UK employer sends an employment letter to the applicants to sponsor them. Also, there are some policies and rules of this visa that applicants need to meet to get this visa. 

The employment letter mentions the job details and declares that the applicant will be hired from the list of eligible occupations. Moreover, according to the going rate of the current salary, the application gets the same, which is up to £25,600. Further, the visa validity is up to five years, with an extension leading towards ILR. 

Disadvantages Of Switching From Skilled Worker To Spouse Visa

Switching to a spouse visa in the UK has a few drawbacks:

• Both visas lead the applicants towards settlement or ILR, so if a person switches to a spouse visa after spending 2.5 years on a skilled worker visa, this period will not be considered for that applicant. Applicants must spend five years more on a spouse visa to get ILR. 
• If the applicant is in a relationship with a British citizenship holder and their relationship ends, they must bear immigration issues. You may have asked to leave the UK. Moreover, applicants can switch to another visa to maintain their stay in the UK.  

Who Is Eligible For Switching From Skilled Worker?

Applicants who want to switch their visa must:

• Meet the requirements of a UK spouse visa under the immigration rules of Appendix (FM). 
• Never break any law or immigration rules while on a UK skilled worker visa. 
• Be with the person with ILR, EU status, refugee status, and pre-settled status.
• You must live in the UK on a T2 ministry visa, health and care visa, or Switching From Skilled Worker visa. 
• Have accommodation in the UK with sufficient space to live with your partner easily. 
• Have financial stability to carry your expenses without any public aid. 

Requirements Of Spouse Visa

The criteria for a spouse visa in the UK are given below in detail:

Financial Requirements 

The financial requirements of a UK spouse visa are given below in detail:

• Meeting the financial income threshold is one of the crucial requirements for a spouse visa, which is now £29,000. 
• Applicants can show the combined income from all resources, including earnings generated from:

1. Self-employment
2. Salary
3. Pension
4. Rent
5. Maternity leave income. 

• The applicants can show £16,000 as cash savings. 

Accommodation Requirements 

The accommodation requirements for a UK spouse visa are given below in detail:

• Proof that you and your partner have enough accommodation to stay in the UK and will not depend on public shelters. 
• On the addition of a dependent, you must prove that you have much space to afford the stay of your dependent. 

Relationship Requirements 

The relationship requirements of a UK spouse visa are given below in detail:

• Both are intended to live together. 
• Combined pictures, shared bills, communication records, and marriage certificates.

Language Requirements

The language requirements of a UK spouse visa are given below in detail:

• Passing level A1 test on CEFR scale.
• Applicants under 18 and over 65 can enter the UK without this test.
• Plus, English nationals can enter without a language test. 

Process Of Switching From Skilled Worker To Spouse Visa

The process of switching is mention as follows:

• Gather all the essential documents that will help you to support the application. The following documents are require: 

1. Relationship proof such as combined pictures and marriage certificate.
2. Financial documents, including tax returns and pay slips. 
3. Residency proof, like a rental agreement.
4. Proof of language test.

• The application for a switching visa is made online by official immigration websites. 
• Pay the required application and IHS fee; with this fee, applicants can access free health care. 
• Applicants will have to make a biometric appointment to verify pictures and fingerprints.
• Applicants will call for the interview to discuss their relationship and financial stability.
• Once your application is process, you will receive a decision. 

Conclusion

To summarize, applicants who intend to live together and build strong ties commonly switch their visa to a spouse visa. The process is beneficial as it provides stability and permits the applicants to work and study freely. However, the process has some drawbacks, as mentioned above. Individuals who wish to transition successfully must meet the requirements of a spouse visa and provide solid evidence to support the case. Moreover, starting this process before the current skilled worker visa expires is crucial. To make your process easy and get guidance, hire an immigration lawyer. Overall, the pathway gives a chance to build a smooth relationship. 

(FAQs)

Discuss the eligibility criteria for the UK spouse visa.

Applicants who must:

• Meet the requirements of a UK spouse visa under the immigration rules of Appendix (FM). 
• Never break any law or immigration rules while on a UK skilled worker visa. 
• Be in a relationship with a partner with citizenship, ILR, have settled EU status, refugee status, and pre-settled status.

How much time is require to process a spouse visa application from inside the UK?

A spouse visa application in the UK takes 8 – 12 weeks to process. Individuals who want faster results can pay an additional fee for priority or super-priority services. However, the time can vary due to extreme workload, application errors, case complexity, and peak periods. 

What are the benefits of Switching From Skilled Worker To Spouse Visa To Spouse Visa?

The benefits of switching spouse visas are:

• In a skilled worker visa, applicants work at the same job for the same employer. On the other hand, a spouse visa permits the applicants to work at a job related to their interests. 
• A spouse visa is best for developing family bonds.
• On spouse visas, applicants can use public funds, which are impossible to obtain on a skilled worker visa. 

How much does a UK spouse visa cost?

The fee associated with a spouse visa is giving as follows:

Type of fee	Cost
Outside the UK, the application fee	£1846
IHS per year for kids	£776
IHS per year for adults	£1035
Biometric fee	£19.20
Application fee inside the UK	£1048