When it comes to building a life together in the UK with your spouse or partner, love may be free, but the UK Partner Visa certainly isn’t. For most couples, the biggest shock isn’t the paperwork or even the Home Office bureaucracy. It’s the cost. From government processing fees and the ever-increasing Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to legal advice, translation services, and biometric appointments, the final bill can easily run into the thousands. For those unprepared, it can delay the process or even derail an application completely. That’s why, at First Migration, we don’t just help our clients apply for Partner Visas — we help them plan, prepare, and protect their investment in the process. With over 45,000 successful visas approved since 2007, we know exactly where your money goes and how to make every penny count. So, whether you’re applying from overseas or within the UK, let’s break down the full financial picture of a UK Partner Visa in 2025 — clearly, accurately, and with no surprises.
The UK Partner Visa — often called the Spouse Visa — allows non-UK nationals to live in the UK with their British or settled partner. It’s valid for 2.5 years initially and can be extended for a further 2.5 years before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years.
Although the application might seem straightforward on the surface, the UK’s immigration system is intentionally complex. The Home Office requires extensive evidence of your relationship, finances, accommodation, and compliance with immigration rules.
That’s where the costs start stacking up — because submitting a weak or incomplete application doesn’t just risk a refusal, it wastes all the fees you’ve paid upfront.
Let’s begin with the most obvious fee — the one you can’t avoid, negotiate, or pay in instalments.
As of 2025, the standard application fees are:
These are flat fees paid directly to the Home Office when you submit your online visa application. They’re non-refundable, even if your application is refused.
If you’re in a hurry or simply want peace of mind with a fast decision, you can upgrade to the Super Priority Service when applying in the UK for an additional £1,000. This means your application will be processed — and a decision made — within 24 hours of your biometric appointment.
If you are applying outside the UK, the Settlement Priority Service fee is currently £500 and reduces the standard processing time from 12 weeks to 6 weeks. There is no faster way to secure an overseas approval than 6 weeks.
Many of our clients at First Migration choose this route, especially those with upcoming travel plans, job offers, or housing deadlines. But before paying for speed, it’s critical to ensure the application is flawless, which is exactly where our expertise becomes invaluable.
The IHS is often the most overlooked — and misunderstood — part of the process.
All applicants must pay this fee to access NHS services while in the UK. It’s not optional, and it’s payable upfront at the point of application, just like the visa fee. Should you apply directly and not be successful for any reason, the HIS fees will be refunded to you within 28 days of refusal.
In 2025, the IHS rate is £1,035 per year. Since the initial UK Partner Visa is valid for 2.5 years, you’ll need to pay:
This covers GP visits, hospital treatment, A&E services, and more, just like any UK resident. It’s important to note that the IHS is not refunded, even if you barely use NHS services. Nor can it be paid monthly or yearly — the full amount must be paid during the application process.
At First Migration, we ensure every client knows the exact amount due, and we help troubleshoot any IHS payment errors, which are unfortunately common.
Once your application is submitted, you’ll be invited to book a biometric appointment. This involves submitting your fingerprints, photo, and signature — and it’s a required step for all applicants.
Here’s where hidden costs sneak in.
Appointments at standard locations during weekday hours are usually free. However, if you want an early morning, evening, weekend, or same-day slot — or if you select a premium location (like London), you’ll often face additional charges ranging from £69 to £250.
Applicants applying from overseas will attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC), which may also charge for walk-in appointments, priority bookings, or document scanning services.
Our clients at First Migration benefit from our guidance in selecting the best location and time to suit their schedule — and their wallet. We’ll tell you what’s worth paying for and what’s simply upselling.
The Home Office requires that all documents be submitted in English or Welsh. If any evidence — such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or bank statements — is in a foreign language, it must be professionally translated.
And not just any translation will do.
It must include:
Professional translation services usually charge £30–£60 per page, depending on the language, urgency, and formatting requirements. For a standard Partner Visa application, translation costs may range from £150 to £400.
At First Migration, we work with certified translators who meet all UKVI requirements, ensuring you don’t spend a fortune or risk a refusal over a missing line in a marriage certificate.
This is where your investment can really pay off — or cost you dearly if ignored.
While it’s technically possible to apply for a UK Partner Visa without legal help, many applicants quickly discover that what looks like a straightforward process is anything but. The Home Office refuses thousands of applications each year for small mistakes — from incorrect financial evidence to weak relationship documentation.
A strong application is not just about including the right documents — it’s about presenting them correctly and making sure the legal requirements are properly addressed.
At First Migration, our professional fees are:
Our full-service clients benefit from unlimited advice, guidance on all evidence, financial calculations, document templates, and representation on your behalf with UKVI. In short, we make sure your application is done properly, the first time.
Unlike law firms, where cases are handed off to junior staff, we assign a dedicated, IAA-regulated Director of our business to each case. That personal service — backed by one of the UK’s highest success rates — is why clients keep coming back to First Migration for every visa stage: from entry clearance to ILR and British citizenship.
Depending on your personal situation and where you’re applying from, you might face a few additional costs:
TB Testing:
Applicants from certain countries are required to take a TB test from an approved clinic before applying. The test usually costs £65 to £110, and the certificate is valid for 6 months.
Document Couriers:
Sending original documents overseas or between partners can cost £30 to £100, depending on the courier service and destination.
Bank & Employer Letters:
While free in theory, some institutions charge admin fees to issue visa-specific letters, though this is rare.
Travel to Appointments:
If you don’t live near a visa centre, budget for transport or hotel costs for your biometric appointment.
We advise all First Migration clients upfront on potential extras based on their unique circumstances, ensuring nothing is missed or misunderstood.
To make the costs clearer, here’s a full example of a real-case estimate.
Scenario 1: Applying from outside the UK (Entry Clearance)
Scenario 2: Switching in the UK with Super Priority
While these totals might seem daunting, they reflect the true cost of building a future together under one roof in the UK and securing your immigration status with confidence.
Cutting corners with your Partner Visa application can be more expensive in the long run. A single mistake could mean:
Working with a professional — especially a specialist like First Migration — doesn’t just improve your chances of success. It saves you time, protects your investment, and gives you peace of mind during one of the most important steps in your life together.
Absolutely — if it’s done right.
The UK Partner Visa isn’t cheap, but it’s the legal bridge to a life with the person you love. And while the costs can feel overwhelming at first, careful planning and expert guidance can make all the difference.
At First Migration, we combine legal precision with a personal touch. We don’t just prepare your application — we build it to win. With transparent pricing, 20 years of experience, and a reputation built on results, we’re ready to help you turn paperwork into permanence.
So, if you’re ready to begin your Partner Visa journey — or just want to make sure you don’t miss a single step — reach out to First Migration today. Your future in the UK starts with a plan. Let’s make it a successful one.
