Can Dependents Work on a United Kingdom Spouse Visa?

Quick answer: for a United Kingdom spouse visa from Nepal you will typically prepare a valid passport, a completed application, photos to spec, proof of funds, and proof of onward travel and accommodation. Processing usually runs 12 weeks standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 30 days (additional GBP 573). Super Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 956). The full checklist and process are below.

United Kingdom Spouse visa: key facts for Nepali applicants

Visa class	Family Visa — Spouse / Partner / Parent / Child
Stay	Spouse / partner: 2 years 9 months initially -> extension to total 5 years -> eligibility for ILR. Child: until 18, then transition to own basis.
Validity	Single-entry visa for first arrival; multi-entry on biometric residence (eVisa).
Entries	Single (entry); multiple via eVisa.
Processing time	12 weeks standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 30 days (additional GBP 573). Super Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 956).
Funds required	UK sponsor must demonstrate Minimum Income Requirement (MIR): GBP 29,000/year gross income from sponsor employment / self-employment / pension / savings (raised from GBP 18,600 on 11 April 2024). Higher for Sponsor + dependant children: + GBP 3,800 first child + GBP 2,400 each additional child. Alternative: GBP 88,500+ in cash savings held for 6+ months.
Official portal	https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa — UKVI Visa Checker (start here to confirm eligible category) · https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor — Standard Visitor Visa (most common Nepali category) · https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa — Skilled Worker Visa · https://www.gov.uk/student-visa — Student Visa · https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa — Health and Care Worker Visa · https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk — UKVI Online Application Portal (mandatory for ALL applications) · https://visa.vfsglobal.com/npl/en/gbr — VFS UK Nepal (biometric appointment booking)
Where to apply	VFS UK Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu (Hattisar) — British Embassy, Lainchaur, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 106)

Facts verified against the official source; confirm before you apply — visa rules change. Last checked 2026-07-12.

Documents you will usually need

• UKVI online application form (signed digital)
• Standard supporting docs (passport, photo, biometrics, cover letter)
• UK sponsor status proof: British passport / Settled Status share-code / Skilled Worker eVisa
• Marriage certificate (for spouses) OR civil partnership certificate OR birth certificate (for children) — notarised English translations + MoFA-apostilled
• Cohabitation evidence (for unmarried partners): joint lease, joint utility bills, joint bank statements, photos, communication history — Required when applying as unmarried partner — must demonstrate genuine cohabitation for at least 2 years. (if applicable)
• Sponsor's income proof: 6 months payslips + employer letter + last tax year P60 + bank statements (for employed) OR 2 years company accounts + tax returns (for self-employed) OR pension statement (for pensioners) — Must equal or exceed MIR threshold (GBP 29,000+/year gross).
• UK accommodation proof (sponsor-owned property OR rental contract ≥ 12 months) + meets UK Housing Standards (no overcrowding)
• English language proficiency: IELTS for UKVI A1 (Spouse first application) / B1 (extension after 30 months) / B1 (ILR after 5 years) — Approved test centres: IDP IELTS (Putalisadak / Maitighar) and Trinity College London (limited centres). Some applicants exempt — over 65s, citizens of majority-English countries, prior English-medium degree.
• Proof of onward/return travel (a flight reservation) and accommodation (a hotel booking) where required.

Step-by-step: how to apply from Nepal

1. Confirm the visa type and current requirements on the official portal (https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa — UKVI Visa Checker (start here to confirm eligible category) · https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor — Standard Visitor Visa (most common Nepali category) · https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa — Skilled Worker Visa · https://www.gov.uk/student-visa — Student Visa · https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa — Health and Care Worker Visa · https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk — UKVI Online Application Portal (mandatory for ALL applications) · https://visa.vfsglobal.com/npl/en/gbr — VFS UK Nepal (biometric appointment booking)).
2. Gather and scan your documents; book your appointment at VFS UK Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu (Hattisar) or start the online form.
3. Prepare proof of onward travel and accommodation — many applicants use Yatra's verifiable reservations rather than buying non-refundable bookings before approval.
4. Pay the visa fee, submit (and give biometrics if required), then track your application.

Typical costs & processing time

Processing for a United Kingdom spouse visa typically takes 12 weeks standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 30 days (additional GBP 573). Super Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 956). Budget separately for supporting documents: a Yatra dummy flight ticket is NPR 999, a hotel reservation NPR 499, or the full bundle from NPR 1499.

Common reasons applications get delayed

• Weak or inconsistent proof of funds.
• No credible proof of onward travel or accommodation.
• Photos or forms that don't meet the embassy spec.
• An itinerary that doesn't match the stated purpose or dates.

Frequently asked questions

Can Dependents Work on a United Kingdom Spouse Visa?

The relevant class is Family Visa — Spouse / Partner / Parent / Child allowing a stay of Spouse / partner: 2 years 9 months initially -> extension to total 5 years -> eligibility for ILR. Child: until 18, then transition to own basis. Nepali applicants should confirm the current United Kingdom rule on the official portal, then prepare passport, application, funds, and proof of onward travel and accommodation.

How long does a United Kingdom spouse visa take to process?

Processing typically takes 12 weeks standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 30 days (additional GBP 573). Super Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 956). Apply with at least a 1–2 week buffer beyond this.

How much money should I show for a United Kingdom visa?

For a United Kingdom spouse visa, uK sponsor must demonstrate Minimum Income Requirement (MIR): GBP 29,000/year gross income from sponsor employment / self-employment / pension / savings (raised from GBP 18,600 on 11 April 2024). Higher for Sponsor + dependant children: + GBP 3,800 first child + GBP 2,400 each additional child. Alternative: GBP 88,500+ in cash savings held for 6+ months.

Can Yatra For Fun help with my United Kingdom documents?

Yes — Yatra issues verifiable flight, hotel and itinerary reservations for your visa file, delivered as PDFs in about 30 minutes.

Preparing your United Kingdom application? Yatra For Fun issues visa-ready flight reservations, hotel bookings and itineraries, and our United Kingdom visa guide has the current checklist. Ask us on WhatsApp.