UK spouse visa for Filipino nationals
What this visa is
The UK Family Visa (Partner route) allows the spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of a British citizen or person settled in the UK to come and live there long-term. This is a settlement route, not a visitor visa. If approved, the applicant can live and work in the UK for an initial 33 months, with a path to indefinite leave to remain after five years.
This guide covers the process for Filipino nationals applying to join a partner who is a British citizen, settled in the UK, or holds refugee or humanitarian protection status.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are:
- Legally married to your sponsor, or in a civil partnership with them
- In an unmarried partnership and can prove you have lived together for at least two years
- Engaged and intending to marry within six months of arriving in the UK (fiancé visa route)
You must be aged 18 or over, your relationship must be genuine and ongoing, and you must have met your sponsor in person.
Who can sponsor
The sponsor must be one of the following:
- A British citizen
- A person with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- A person with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
The sponsor must be living in the UK, or intending to return when you arrive, and must meet the financial requirement.
Financial requirement
The sponsor must demonstrate a minimum gross annual income of £29,000. This threshold was introduced in April 2024. Verify the current figure on GOV.UK before applying.
Employment income, self-employment income, rental income, and pension can all count. Savings above £16,000 can top up income that falls short. The applicant’s own overseas income does not count at the initial application stage.
English language requirement
The Philippines is not on the UK’s list of majority English-speaking countries, so Filipino nationals are not automatically exempt. You must demonstrate English at A1 level for the initial visa, rising to A2 on extension and B1 for settlement.
Ways to meet it:
- Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at A1 level: providers include Trinity College London and IELTS SELT Consortium, with approved test centres in Manila and other locations in the Philippines
- Holding a degree taught and assessed in English, confirmed by UK ENIC: many Philippine universities teach in English, and this route is worth exploring
- Being aged 65 or over
Tuberculosis test
The Philippines is on the UK’s tuberculosis testing list. You must obtain a TB certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic in the Philippines before submitting your application. The certificate is valid for six months from the test date.
Approved clinics operate in Manila and other locations. Check GOV.UK for the current list of approved providers.
Accommodation requirement
The sponsor must show that adequate accommodation exists for both parties in the UK without relying on public funds. A tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or landlord letter is typical evidence.
Documents needed
Sponsor’s documents:
– Passport or travel document confirming British citizenship or settled status
– Six months of payslips and corresponding bank statements
– Employment letter confirming salary, job title, contract type, and length of service
– Evidence of accommodation
Applicant’s documents:
– Current Philippine passport
– PSA marriage certificate: see note below
– Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) if applicable
– English language test certificate at A1 level, or evidence of an English-taught degree confirmed by UK ENIC
– Tuberculosis test certificate from an approved clinic
– Photographs meeting UK visa requirements
– Evidence of genuine relationship: messages, photographs, evidence of visits, shared commitments
Marriage documentation note: For UK visa purposes, you should provide a marriage certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), previously known as the NSO. This is the official government-issued document. Church or civil ceremony certificates from the local civil registrar should be supported by the PSA-issued copy. If you were previously in a relationship that ended, the Philippines does not have a standard divorce process for Filipino citizens, annulment is the legal route. If your previous marriage was annulled, you will need to provide the court decision and certificate of finality. If you were married to a foreign national who obtained a divorce abroad, that foreign divorce may be recognised in the Philippines following a legal process.
Both parties:
– Evidence of having met in person
– If either party was previously married, evidence that the marriage has legally ended
All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
How to apply
The application is submitted online through the UK government’s visa application service. The applicant then attends a Visa Application Centre (VAC) appointment to provide biometrics. VAC appointments for Filipino applicants are available in Manila.
Costs and processing times
Visa application fee: £2,064
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £3,105 for the initial 33-month visa: paid upfront
Total before additional costs: approximately £5,169. Additional costs include the TB test, English language test, document fees (PSA documents, CENOMAR), translation costs, and legal fees if using a solicitor.
Processing time: Up to 12 weeks from the date of your biometric appointment. A priority service is sometimes available, targeting 30 working days.
After approval: what comes next
Your visa is issued as an eVisa. You receive a 30-day entry vignette and must travel to the UK within that window. In the UK you have 33 months with the right to live and work, then extend for a further 30 months before applying for indefinite leave to remain after five years.
FAQs
I am an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) currently working abroad: can I still apply for a UK spouse visa?
Yes. Your nationality is what determines where you apply from and which rules apply: not where you are currently working. However, you will typically need to apply from the Philippines or from your current country of residence, depending on your circumstances. If you are working abroad on a temporary basis and the Philippines is still your home country, you would generally apply from the Philippines. Seek advice if your situation is complex.
The Philippines does not have divorce for Filipino citizens. What if my previous marriage ended through annulment?
An annulment granted by a Philippine court can be used to demonstrate that your previous marriage has legally ended. You will need to provide the court decision and the certificate of finality. The Home Office will want to see that the annulment is legally complete, not still in proceedings.
Does my Philippine university degree count toward the English language requirement?
It may. Many Philippine universities teach in English, and if your degree meets the threshold and is confirmed by UK ENIC, it can satisfy the English language requirement without the need for a separate language test. Check with UK ENIC before booking a test.
Can I work in the UK on a spouse visa?
Yes; there are no work restrictions on the spouse visa.
Can my children come with me?
Yes. Dependent children under 18 can be included or apply separately. Each child pays the visa fee and healthcare surcharge separately.