Partner Visa Entry Clearance

Entry clearance as a partner: the English language requirement

To apply for entry clearance as a partner, applicants are required to prove their knowledge of the English language, which can be done by:

• Holding the nationality of a majority English speaking country;

• Passing an English language test; or

• Having completed an undergraduate or postgraduate level degree which was taught or researched in English.

What counts as a majority English speaking country?

The list of majority English speaking countries according to the Home Office for the purpose of meeting the English language requirement is as follows:

Approved English language test

For entry clearance as a partner, applicants must pass an approved English language test.

Applicants are required to pass a speaking and listening test to at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. Once passed, this result will be valid for a period of 2 years. 

Academic qualifications

Applicants are also able to meet the English language requirement by holding a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD awarded by an educational establishment in the UK. 

If a degree was taught outside the UK but in one of the following countries, the Home Office will also accept it as evidence of meeting the requirement:

If the academic qualification was awarded in one of these countries, then a certificate from Ecctis will be required to show that the qualification is similar to a UK Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD.

For academic qualification gained outside of the UK and the countries listed previously, applicants will need a visa and nationality statement from Ecctis. This will confirm whether the qualification meets or exceeds the standard of a Bachelor’s, Master’s degree or PhD in the UK and to what level of the Common Framework of Reference for Languages it meets. 

How much does entry clearance as a partner cost?

The cost to apply for entry clearance as a partner currently stands at £1,538. As part of the application process, applicants are required to pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS) which gives them access to UK healthcare. Applicants applying for entry clearance as a partner outside of the UK can currently expect to pay £1,872 for the immigration health surcharge.

How long do applications take to process?

At present, applicants should expect to receive a decision within 24 weeks once they attend their appointment at the visa application centre. Please be aware this decision turnaround time frequently changes and could be significantly different at the time of submission. 

What happens if the application for entry clearance is rejected?

If an entry clearance application is refused then the Home Office decision letter will explain whether there is a right of appeal against this refusal.

Appeals are typically only available where there are human rights grounds under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). As an application for entry clearance as a partner involves family life this gives it the right to appeal.

The process for appealing is explained in the decision letter received from the Home Office. The first step will be to complete an appeal form and lodge this within 28 days (if outside of the UK) of receiving your decision. 

Does entry clearance as a partner lead to settlement in the UK?

If an application for an entry clearance partner visa is successful, the visa will be valid for 33 months initially. Before an initial grant of leave expires, an applicant will need to apply to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to extend their stay.  If the application for further leave to remain as a partner is successful, then they will be granted further leave to remain for a period of 30 months. After spending 5 years in the UK as a partner, an applicant will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

How can Paragon Law help?

At Paragon Law, our personal immigration lawyers have assisted many individuals in obtaining entry clearance to the UK as a partner. If you require advice in relation to applying for entry clearance as a partner then please get in touch.