United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
UK spouse visa fees: application, IHS and total cost
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Source auto-reconfirmed 25 September 2026 by the daily automated check (figures unchanged since last review).
An adult UK partner application from abroad with a 33-month grant costs £5,169 in application fee and IHS. An in-UK 30-month example totals £3,994.50. Extras and later applications are separate.
These are the fees paid to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland government. You pay these directly as part of your application. Check the application channel, each applicant’s age and the actual grant length. Priority services and document costs are separate.
How much does the Family visa (partner/spouse) cost in United Kingdom?
An adult UK partner application from abroad with a 33-month grant costs £5,169 in application fee and IHS. An in-UK 30-month example totals £3,994.50. Extras and later applications are separate.
Source checked against GOV.UK: family visa fees and immigration health surcharge on 12 September 2026.
Headline total
£5,169
One adult partner applying outside the UK for 33 months, without a fee waiver or priority service
No changes recorded for this figure since 12 September 2026.
Currency
GBP (Pound sterling)
Last checked
12 September 2026
Itemised fees
Worked example
One adult partner applying outside the UK for 33 months, without a fee waiver or priority service — £5,169
- £2,064 application + £3,105 IHS = £5,169
Choose the right family application before budgeting
These examples compare application fee plus IHS, not the cost of the whole move. Amounts are GBP; scenario sources checked 2026-09-12.
| Applicant and channel | Grant assumed | Application | IHS | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult partner, outside UK | 33 months | £2,064 | £3,105 | £5,169 |
| Adult partner, inside UK | 30 months | £1,407 | £2,587.50 | £3,994.50 |
| Child dependant under 18, outside UK | 33 months | £2,064 | £2,328 | £4,392 |
| Child dependant under 18, inside UK | 30 months | £1,407 | £1,940 | £3,347 |
Official application fees and family IHS examples · IHS rates and part-year charging
When this example does not apply
- A fiancé or proposed civil partner normally gets six months, then makes another application after marrying. Do not budget using the 33-month example for that first stage.
- Some partners joining a person with protection status receive a shorter grant tied to the sponsor’s expiry. Use the actual permission length.
- Being a worker’s or student’s dependant is a different route. Check sponsor status before choosing this application.
- Keep document, test, appointment, translation, travel and any adviser costs outside the government subtotal. Later extension and settlement applications need separate budgets.
GOV.UK: partner eligibility, duration and fee-waiver options
Refunds are different for the fee and the IHS
Refusal or withdrawal before a decision normally triggers a full IHS refund. That does not mean the application charge is also refunded. If cancelling, check the stage-specific application-refund rules before withdrawing; withdrawal can affect your permission to stay.
Dependant fees
Each child has a separate application charge. Under-18 IHS uses £776 per year rather than the adult rate.
Confirm the child qualifies for this family route, not a work or Student dependant route.
Why fees change
Check the current Home Office charges and actual permission length before paying. A shorter grant, fee waiver or different application channel changes the total.
Primary source
GOV.UK: family visa fees and immigration health surcharge
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "Family visa (partner/spouse) fee schedule", https://visaatlas.org/fees/uk/family-spouse. Last checked 12 September 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/fees
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Family visa (partner/spouse) cost in government fees?
An adult UK partner application from abroad with a 33-month grant costs £5,169 in application fee and IHS. An in-UK 30-month example totals £3,994.50. Extras and later applications are separate. The worked example assumes one adult partner applying outside the uk for 33 months, without a fee waiver or priority service, totalling £5,169. The application channel, age and grant length change the calculation; document costs and later applications are separate.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
The IHS is normally refunded in full after refusal or withdrawal before a decision. This does not refund the application charge automatically. Cancellation refunds for that charge depend on the application stage; use the linked GOV.UK refund guidance.
How often do these fees change?
Check the current Home Office charges and actual permission length before paying. A shorter grant, fee waiver or different application channel changes the total.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Each child has a separate application charge. Under-18 IHS uses £776 per year rather than the adult rate.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the Family visa (partner/spouse).
Processing time
How long the Family visa (partner/spouse) takes from application to decision.
Compare: Skilled Worker visa fees
Work visa for non-UK workers with a job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation.
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.