United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Family visa (partner/spouse) processing time
GOV.UK publishes 12 weeks outside the UK and up to 6 months during peak periods for spouse/partner visas.
Typical window
3 months – 6 months
Government fees
Application fee plus IHS £1,035/year per applicant. See GOV.UK.
Last checked
20 April 2026
Priority / premium notes
Priority service available for an additional fee in most countries, reducing to 30 working days.
What drives the timeline
Family visa (partner/spouse) sits in the family category. Typical duration: Initial 2.5 years then extension to 5 years total; leads to settlement.. Indicative government fees: Application fee plus IHS £1,035/year per applicant. See GOV.UK..
- Does not require a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: Partners and spouses of British citizens or settled persons, Partners of qualifying work/study route holders, Parents of British or settled children.
Primary source
GOV.UK — Family visas
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Family visa (partner/spouse) take to process?
GOV.UK publishes 12 weeks outside the UK and up to 6 months during peak periods for spouse/partner visas. These figures come from GOV.UK — Family visas and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Priority service available for an additional fee in most countries, reducing to 30 working days.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.