Spouse / Partner Visa

What Is a Spouse / Partner Visa? Requirements, Documents & Application Guide

A spouse or partner visa lets you join a settled partner — a husband, wife or sometimes a recognised unmarried partner — in their country of residence. It is based on the relationship and the sponsor's ability to support you.

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By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-09-15

Find requirements by country

Pick a destination and your passport — we'll open the right guide.

Destination

Passport

Purpose

Joining a settled spouse or recognised partner in their country of residence.

Who it’s for

Husbands, wives and sometimes unmarried partners of a citizen or resident.

How you apply

Sponsored application with marriage/relationship proof and sponsor support evidence.

How Krosz helps

Krosz helps you understand the spouse visa route and prepare documents. We are a private service and not a government authority.

Destinations

Where you can go — 10 countries

Researched from official immigration sources. Each country has its own detailed guide.

United Kingdom

GB

Family visa (partner or spouse)

Money needed
Combined gross income of at least £29,000 a year (current GOV.UK figure; applies to new applications since 11 April 2024). £18,600 still applies only to those extending a partner visa first applied for before 11 April 2024 with the same partner. Savings can be used instead of, or alongside, income. Exempt if sponsor receives certain disability or carer's benefits.
Stay
Up to 2 years 9 months when applying from outside the UK; then extend for 2 years 6 months
See requirements

United States

US

Immigrant visa for spouse of a U.S. citizen (IR1/CR1); F2A for spouse of a green-card holder

Money needed
Sponsor must file Form I-864 Affidavit of Support showing income at the level set by the HHS Poverty Guidelines (generally 125% for the household size); joint sponsor allowed if short. Exact figure depends on household size — see current I-864P.
Stay
Permanent residence on entry (IR1: 10-year green card; CR1: 2-year conditional green card)
See requirements

Canada

CA

Spousal, common-law or conjugal partner sponsorship (Family class permanent residence)

Money needed
No minimum income requirement for a spouse or partner in most cases (only applies if the sponsored person's dependent child has children of their own).
Stay
Permanent residence
See requirements

Australia

AU

Partner visa (subclass 309 provisional and 100 permanent); onshore equivalent 820/801

Money needed
See official source
Stay
309: temporary until the permanent subclass 100 is finalised
See requirements

New Zealand

NZ

Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Indefinite (resident visa)
See requirements

Germany

DE

National visa for family reunion (spouse of a German national)

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Visa issued for up to one year; residence permit then granted in Germany
See requirements

Ireland

IE

Join Family visa – spouse/civil partner of an Irish citizen

Money needed
Irish citizen sponsor must have cumulative gross income (excluding State benefits) of at least €75,000 over the 3 years before application; only the sponsor's income counts (Financial Thresholds page updated 12 June 2026).
Stay
Immigration permission granted on registration, renewable
See requirements

Netherlands

NL

Residence permit for stay with partner (MVV/TEV procedure)

Money needed
Sponsor's gross monthly income at least €2,337.00 excluding holiday allowance (€2,523.96 including), valid 1 July – 31 December 2026.
Stay
5 years if the sponsor is Dutch or holds a permanent permit; otherwise tied to the sponsor's permit
See requirements

Singapore

SG

Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP / LTVP+) for spouse of a Singapore Citizen or PR

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Pass validity set by ICA; renew at least 3 months before expiry
See requirements

United Arab Emirates

AE

Family residence visa (spouse sponsorship)

Money needed
Sponsor must earn at least AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 plus employer-provided accommodation.
Stay
Linked to the sponsor's residence visa validity
See requirements

Figures come from each country's official immigration source, linked on every guide. Always confirm before applying.

Overview

What is a Spouse / Partner Visa?

A spouse or partner visa lets you live with a settled partner in their country. The sponsor is usually a citizen or permanent resident; the applicant is the husband, wife or recognised partner.

It is designed for genuine, subsisting relationships. Applications are assessed for relationship authenticity, sponsor eligibility, and financial support capacity.

It differs from a dependent visa (which follows a principal's work or study visa) and from a fiancé visa (which precedes a marriage). Spouse visas often lead to settlement.

Who needs it

  • Husbands and wives of a citizen or resident.
  • Recognised unmarried partners in countries that accept them.
  • Applicants who can prove a genuine, ongoing relationship.

Who may not

  • Fiancés planning to marry abroad usually use a fiancé visa first.
  • Family members other than a spouse use a dependent or family reunion visa.
  • Those with their own qualifying visa may not need a spouse visa.

Exemptions depend on your nationality, destination and circumstances — always confirm for your exact case.

Activities

What you can do with it

Living with spouse

Residing with the sponsor in the destination.

Working

Most spouse visas allow work, sometimes with conditions.

Travel in & out

Entering and leaving during the stay.

Path to settlement

Many spouse visas lead to permanent residence.

What you normally cannot do

  • Stay if the relationship breaks down without informing authorities.
  • Use a sham relationship to obtain residence.
  • Ignore financial-support requirements.
  • Assume settlement is automatic — it follows a qualifying period.

Documents

Common requirements

Only documents relevant to this category. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.

Passport

Valid with sufficient validity and blank pages.

Photograph

Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.

Application form

Completed spouse/partner visa application.

Marriage certificate

Official marriage certificate (or relationship proof for partners).

Relationship evidence

Photos, communication, joint finances showing a genuine relationship.

Sponsor support

Proof the sponsor meets the financial requirement.

Accommodation

Proof of suitable accommodation.

Process

How to apply

Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.

  1. 1

    Confirm sponsor eligibility

    Check the sponsor meets status and financial requirements.

  2. 2

    Prove the relationship

    Gather marriage certificate and relationship evidence.

  3. 3

    Show financial support

    Prove the sponsor meets the income or savings requirement.

  4. 4

    Apply & pay

    Submit the spouse/partner visa application.

  5. 5

    Processing

    The authority assesses relationship authenticity and finances.

  6. 6

    Decision

    Receive the visa, often with a path to settlement later.

Need help with your Spouse / Partner Visa?

Tell us where you're going — a Krosz visa expert will walk you through it.

Comparison

Spouse Visa vs Dependent Visa

Point of comparisonSpouse VisaDependent Visa
SponsorCitizen or permanent residentPrincipal work/study visa holder
BasisMarriage or recognised partnershipFamily tie to the principal
SettlementOften a clear path to permanent residenceLinked to the principal's visa
Work rightsUsually allowedVaries by route

Be prepared

Why applications get refused

  • Insufficient proof of a genuine relationship.
  • Sponsor below the financial requirement.
  • Marriage or relationship documents inconsistent.
  • Failed background or health checks.
  • Concerns about a sham relationship.
Explore rejection intelligence

Practical

Tips before applying

  • Gather strong relationship evidence spanning time, not just a wedding photo.
  • Make sure the sponsor meets the financial requirement before applying.
  • Keep marriage certificates official and translated if needed.
  • Be ready to explain the relationship history honestly.
  • Understand the path to settlement and its conditions.
  • Tell authorities if the relationship breaks down to avoid future issues.

FAQ

Common questions

About the Spouse / Partner Visa, answered by Krosz visa experts.

What is a spouse or partner visa?

A visa for a husband, wife or recognised partner to join a settled sponsor in their country, based on a genuine relationship and sponsor support.

Can I work on a spouse visa?

Most spouse visas allow work, sometimes with conditions. Check the specific route's work rights.

Does it lead to permanent residence?

Many spouse visas lead to settlement after a qualifying period and continued genuine relationship.

How do I prove the relationship is genuine?

With a marriage certificate plus ongoing evidence: photos, communication, joint finances, shared address and time together.

What is the financial requirement?

The sponsor usually must meet an income or savings threshold to support the applicant. The exact figure varies by country.

Can unmarried partners apply?

Some countries recognise unmarried partners; you must usually prove a durable, long-term relationship.

How is it different from a dependent visa?

A spouse visa is sponsored by a citizen or resident and leads to settlement; a dependent visa follows a principal's work or study visa.

What happens if we divorce?

You must inform authorities. Your right to stay may change and you may need an independent basis to remain.

Not sure which country fits? Ask us.

Share your trip and a Krosz visa expert will explain the spouse / partner visa process for your destination. No documents or payment needed at this stage.

Related

Related visa types

Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.

Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.

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