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UK spouse visa from Pakistan: costs and TB test

A partner applying from Pakistan pays £2,064 plus a £3,105 healthcare surcharge for a 2-year-9-month visa, and normally needs a TB certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi or Mirpur. Pakistan is not on the list of countries whose nationals are exempt from the English requirement.

The rules for a partner visa are the same for every nationality. What changes with the country is what surrounds the application: whether a TB test is needed and where it can be taken, what it costs locally, whether English has to be proved, and which documents will need translating. For someone applying from Pakistan, three of those four points matter.

This guide covers the nationality-specific parts of a UK spouse (partner) visa application made from Pakistan, using GOV.UK's family visa pages, the Pakistan TB clinic page, the secure English test pages and Appendix FM and FM-SE of the Immigration Rules. It does not repeat the full explanation of the £29,000 requirement or the settlement route, which have their own guides. Everything was read on 9 October 2026. It explains the rules and does not say whether a particular couple meets them.

What the visa is and what it costs

A spouse visa is entry clearance under Appendix FM as a partner. The applicant and the partner in the UK must both be 18 or over, and the partner must be a British or Irish citizen, settled in the UK, or hold one of the other statuses in E-ECP.2.1. The couple must have met in person (E-ECP.2.5), be in a genuine and subsisting relationship, and intend to live together permanently in the UK.

The costs GOV.UK gives for an application made outside the UK are:

  • Application fee: £2,064 per person.
  • Immigration Health Surcharge: £3,105 for an adult for a stay of 2 years and 9 months (the usual first grant, which is "up to 2 years and 9 months"), or £5,175 for 5 years; £2,328 for a child under 18 for 2 years and 9 months.
  • A fee waiver exists for people who cannot pay because they cannot afford housing or essential living costs, or where paying would harm a child's wellbeing.

For one adult, the fee and surcharge together come to £5,169 for the standard 33-month grant. Around that sit the costs that depend on circumstances: a TB test, an English test, certified translations and optional faster processing. GOV.UK's faster-decision page lists a £500 priority service and says family visa applications made from outside the UK usually take 30 working days under it, if the option is offered, compared with the usual 12 weeks. GOV.UK also advises telling your bank that a large amount will be coming out of the account, otherwise the payment may be cancelled.

The TB test: does it apply, and where

Pakistan is on GOV.UK's list of countries where a tuberculosis test is required. The test applies if all of the following are true: you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, you have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and you were living there, or in another listed country, within the last 6 months. The residence test is about where the applicant has lived, not about passport nationality.

For children, GOV.UK says all children must see a clinician who decides if a chest x-ray is needed, and children under 11 will not normally have one. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the x-ray, so timing it against the application date matters. A person who needs the test must use a clinic approved by the Home Office: "We will not accept a TB test certificate from a clinic we have not approved."

The Pakistan clinic page (updated 20 February 2026) lists these approved clinics:

  • Islamabad: AMC (G-6 Markaz) and the IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre, with two clinics (F-10 and G-8).
  • Lahore: AMC (Chaudhary Ali Anwar Road) and the IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre (Gulberg III).
  • Karachi: the IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre (PECHS, Block 6).
  • Mirpur (AJK): the IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre.

Fees are shown per clinic. The IOM centres list PKR 14,000 for ages 11 and over and PKR 10,000 for under 11. AMC lists PKR 15,000 for ages 11 and over and PKR 11,000 for under 11. The page asks applicants to bring valid photo identification (an original passport, national ID card or Refugee Asylum Seeker Card), a photocopy, three passport-size photographs on a white background and the test fee; AMC also asks for a completed applicant history questionnaire and the confirmation email for the appointment. Fees, addresses and opening hours change, so check the GOV.UK page before booking. An applicant who applies as a fiancé(e) still needs the test even though the visa is for under 6 months.

English: Pakistan is not on the exempt-nationality list

The English requirement for a partner visa (E-ECP.4.1) is met in one of four ways: being a national of a country on the list in GEN.1.6, passing a speaking-and-listening test at CEFR level A1 or above with an approved provider, holding a qualifying degree, or an exemption (age 65 or over, a condition that prevents it, or exceptional circumstances).

The GEN.1.6 list is: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA. Pakistan is not on it, so a Pakistani national relying on nationality alone does not meet E-ECP.4.1(a).

The other routes work like this:

  • Test. GOV.UK says to pass "at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale" with an approved provider. The test is a speaking-and-listening test for the partner route. Outside the UK the approved providers are PSI Services (UK) Ltd, the IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT and Pearson. The test must be on the approved list, taken at an approved test location, and awarded in the two years before the application (FM-SE paragraph 27). Centre lists outside the UK are published as a spreadsheet on GOV.UK; check it for the nearest centre.
  • UK degree. A degree-level qualification awarded by a UK institution, even if studied outside the UK, only needs the degree certificate.
  • Non-UK degree. A degree taught in English that was not awarded by a UK institution needs an assessment from Ecctis, which gives a code confirming equivalence to a UK bachelor's degree and teaching in English. FM-SE paragraph 32 lists countries where a qualification is assumed to be taught in English; Pakistan is not in that list.

A person who proved their English in an earlier successful visa application may not need to prove it again. The step up to A2 comes later, at the extension after 2.5 years (see our guide to the spouse visa English requirement).

Documents: certificates, translations and the identity check

GOV.UK's information page lists what an applicant outside the UK provides: all names and the date of birth, a current passport, copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps from previous passports, details of previous immigration applications and any criminal convictions, a National Insurance number if there is one, "your parents' date of birth and nationality if you're applying from outside the UK", the TB test results where required, and a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh.

Three document points are most likely to matter for a Pakistan-based application.

Marriage evidence. FM-SE paragraph 26 says marriages from outside the UK must be evidenced by "a reasonable equivalent to the evidence detailed in paragraphs 22 to 25, valid under the law in force in the relevant country". Paragraph 22, for a UK marriage, asks for a valid marriage certificate recognised under UK law. Whether a particular document is the right equivalent is the point to check against the Rules and the application service. If either person was previously married, paragraph 23 and following set out the evidence that the earlier marriage ended.

Translations. Paragraph 1(j) of FM-SE requires the original document and a full translation that is dated, confirms accuracy, bears the full name and signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company, and gives their contact details. Documents in Urdu or another language other than English or Welsh fall under this rule.

Biometrics. After applying, the applicant attends an appointment to give fingerprints and a photo. GOV.UK warns that "the visa application centre could be in another country", so travel time should be allowed for.

Money documents follow FM-SE paragraph 1: bank statements from an acceptable institution, covering the specified period, dated within 28 days of the application. E-ECP.3.2 lists the partner's employment or self-employment income, not the applicant's, among the income sources for an entry clearance application. Our guides to the £29,000 requirement and to the documents checklist explain the detail.

Timeline and what happens next

GOV.UK says that if you apply outside the UK "you'll usually get a decision within 12 weeks". If approved, the applicant receives an eVisa, a digital record of identity and immigration status, and the decision email or letter explains how to access it through a UKVI account. It states whether the grant carries a "standard endorsement" (all requirements met) or a "non-standard endorsement" (only some were met, so the person could join family), which can affect when settlement can be applied for.

A partner visa granted on the standard route lasts up to 2 years and 9 months, with no recourse to public funds, and the holder can work and study. The earliest settlement application is after 5 years of continuous partner leave. If the financial requirement is not met and the grant is made on Article 8 grounds, GOV.UK says the earliest settlement is after 10 years.

If an application is refused, the options are limited and time-sensitive; our guide to a refused spouse visa sets out when an appeal is available and the deadlines.

Worked examples (illustrative)

Example 1: totals. A single applicant with no dependants applies from Pakistan for a 33-month grant. The application fee is £2,064 and the surcharge £3,105, so £5,169 is payable to the Home Office. A TB test at an IOM centre (aged 11 or over) is PKR 14,000 at the time of reading. An English test fee, if needed, is set by the test provider and is not on GOV.UK. Add translations and any priority fee.

Example 2: the TB window. An applicant had the x-ray in March and applies in October. GOV.UK says the certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the x-ray, so a March certificate would have lapsed by October and a new test would be needed to include a valid one.

Example 3: residence, not nationality. A Pakistani national has lived and worked in a country that is not on the TB list for the last two years. The condition on GOV.UK turns on having lived in a listed country for 6 months or more and living there within the last 6 months, so it is not met by nationality alone. The application service asks the relevant questions.

Finding a regulated adviser

Some couples ask a regulated adviser to review the evidence, translations and timeline before applying from abroad. GOV.UK explains how to find an immigration adviser. Only IAA-registered advisers, solicitors and barristers may give immigration advice in England and Wales.

The Migratio directory lists IAA-registered advisers (with their level) and SRA-regulated solicitors, each with their regulator and registration number. Migratio is not regulated by the IAA or the SRA and does not give immigration advice. This page explains how the rules work; it does not tell you what to do in your case.

Questions people ask

How much does a UK spouse visa cost from Pakistan?

GOV.UK gives £2,064 for an application made outside the UK, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £3,105 for an adult for 2 years and 9 months, a total of £5,169 for one adult. The TB test, English test and translations are extra.

Do I need a TB test for a UK spouse visa from Pakistan?

Pakistan is on GOV.UK's TB list. You need the test if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more and were living there within the last 6 months. It must be done at a Home Office-approved clinic, and the certificate is valid for 6 months.

Where can I take the UK TB test in Pakistan?

GOV.UK lists approved clinics in Islamabad (AMC and IOM), Lahore (AMC and IOM), Karachi (IOM) and Mirpur (IOM). Fees listed are PKR 14,000 (IOM) or PKR 15,000 (AMC) for ages 11 and over. Check the GOV.UK clinic page for current details before booking.

Do Pakistani nationals need to prove English for a spouse visa?

Pakistan is not on the list of majority English-speaking countries in Appendix FM paragraph GEN.1.6, so English must be shown by an approved speaking-and-listening test at level A1 or above, a qualifying degree, or an exemption such as being 65 or over.

How long does a UK spouse visa from Pakistan take?

GOV.UK says that if you apply outside the UK you will usually get a decision within 12 weeks. A £500 priority service may be offered, under which GOV.UK says family visa applications from outside the UK usually take 30 working days.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-09.

Related guides

  • UK spouse visa cost in 2026: the application fee, the health surcharge and what else you pay — A partner or spouse visa costs £2,064 if you apply from outside the UK and £1,407 if you apply from inside it, plus the immigration health surcharge (£3,105 for the first 2 years 9 months from outside the UK, £2,587.50 for an extension). Settlement (ILR) is a separate £3,226. These are the 8 October 2026 fees and are per person.
  • Spouse visa financial requirement: how the £29,000 minimum income works — For a first partner application, the Immigration Rules require specified gross income of at least £29,000 a year, or cash savings of £16,000 plus 2.5 times any shortfall. A lower £18,600 figure applies only to people who first applied before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner. Loans, benefits such as Universal Credit and property equity do not count.
  • Spouse visa English requirement: A1, A2 and B1 explained — Partner applicants must show English at CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening for the first visa, and A2 at the extension after 30 months if A1 was used before. You can meet it by nationality of a listed country, a degree taught in English, or an approved SELT taken within two years. People aged 65 or over, and some with disabilities, are exempt.
  • Spouse visa documents: what UKVI asks for, and the rules on how to present them — A UK partner application needs your identity documents, your partner's details, proof of relationship, specified financial evidence (for example 6 months of payslips with bank statements and an employer letter), English evidence, a TB certificate if you are from a listed country, and certified translations. Missing or out-of-date documents are the commonest reason for avoidable refusals.
  • Using savings for a spouse visa: the £16,000 rule — Under Appendix FM, cash savings can replace some or all of the £29,000 income requirement, but not pound for pound. The Rules ask for £16,000 plus 2.5 times the gap between your income and £29,000, held in cash for the 6 months before you apply.
  • Fiancé visa UK: cost, rules and switching after — A fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa lasts up to 6 months, costs £2,064 and does not allow work or study. The couple must marry or form a civil partnership in the UK within that time, and the holder then applies to extend as a partner.
  • UK spouse visa from India: costs and TB test — A partner applying from India pays £2,064 plus a £3,105 healthcare surcharge for a 2-year-9-month visa, and normally needs a TB certificate from one of the Home Office-approved clinics listed for India. India is not on the list of countries whose nationals are exempt from the English requirement.
  • UK spouse visa from Nigeria: costs and TB test — A partner applying from Nigeria pays £2,064 plus a £3,105 healthcare surcharge for a 2-year-9-month visa, and normally needs a TB certificate from one of six Home Office-approved clinics in Abuja, Benin City or Lagos. Nigeria is not on the list of nationalities exempt from the English requirement.
  • UK spouse visa from Bangladesh: costs and TB test — A partner applying from Bangladesh pays £2,064 plus a £3,105 healthcare surcharge for a 2-year-9-month visa, and normally needs a TB certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic in Dhaka, Sylhet or Chittagram. Bangladesh is not on the list of nationalities exempt from the English requirement.
  • Spouse visa refused: options and deadlines — A refused UK partner (spouse) application is not on the administrative review list. You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal only if the decision refused a human rights claim, which your decision letter should say; the deadline is 14 days in the UK or 28 days outside it and the fee is £82 or £144. Otherwise the usual step is a new application at £2,064 (outside the UK) or £1,407 (inside), plus the healthcare surcharge.
  • How to check a UK immigration adviser is registered — In the UK only a "qualified person" may give immigration advice: an IAA-registered adviser, a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive, or someone working under their supervision. Ask for the regulator and registration number, then check it yourself on the IAA Adviser Register or the SRA Solicitors Register.