UK Spouse Visa checklist for UK Sponsor and South African national applicant written by UK Immigration Lawyer Mr Saleh Begh

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1. Your nationality and residence : British (United Kingdom)

2. Your partner nationality and residence : South African (South Africa)

The information and document checklist below is for you, if you are a British citizen (or holding UK permanent residence) and your partner is a South African national.

You currently reside in United Kingdom whereas your partner resides in South Africa .

Full UK Spouse Visa Guide - South Africa .

UK Spouse Visa South Africa Checklist Contents

UK Spouse Visa Key Considerations for Family Visa from South Africa
UK Partner Visa from Cape Town, South Africa
Checklist for UK Family Visa (British and South African)
UK Home Office Approved TB Medical Centres in South Africa
UK Home Office Approved English Tests Centres in South Africa

UK Spouse Visa Key requirements

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The Immigration Rules state that :

you both must be over the age of 18;

you must have met each other in person and be legally married, unless you are applying as an unmarried partner [alternatively] apply for a UK Marriage Visa or a UK Fiancée visa both have different requirements. ☎ | ✉ );

you both must intend to live together permanently in the UK (not South Africa) ;

you must have enough income to support yourselves and any dependants without claiming public funds (unless of course, you receive PIP / DLA / CA .. [Read more]);

the sponsor must hold and evidence British / ILR / EUSS / Refugee status documents.

they must have suitable accommodation for you and any dependent children;

and you must satisfy the English language requirements and have a medical certificate for TB (where required).

UK family Visa

Now let's look into the various aspects of the requirements listed above when you are British and your partner is South African and you reside in United Kingdom and your partner resides in South Africa. Since your partner is a South African national, they would need UK immigration status documents to live and work in the UK. If you are not yet British but have Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), Permanent Residency (EEA PR) or Refugee status, then your partner can join you on the Partner route and enter or remain in the UK legally.

We note that your partner is a visa national (South African) for UK travel purposes. This means they would normally need to obtain a visa from the British Embassy or UK Visa office / Commercial partner office (VFS Global), prior to their travel to the UK.

UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist - Cape Town - South Africa

	Wafi Solicitors 16 Upper Woburn Pl London WC1H 0AF, UK 00442071935178 saleh@wafi.co.uk Please call or email for FREE initial consultation. ✉ | ☎ |
UK Spouse Visa Checklist April 2026 Cape Town - South Africa
Key Forms / Documents Online application form ; Online application checklist ; VFS Global Appointment document and QR code ; Statutory Declaration by sponsor ; Identity South African Passport (All Pages); Copy of UK Sponsor Passport (Data page) ; Copy of Sponsor (ILR / Refugee status document (if not British) ;		English test centres Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Cape Town - South Africa Approved English Test Centres in South Africa Tuberculosis Testing Centres Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in South Africa Approved TB Test Centres in South Africa UK Visa Application Centres in South Africa VFS Global Office South Africa has application centres in Cape Town , Durban , Johannesburg , Port Elizabeth , Pretoria and Bloemfontein .
UK Spouse Visa Application Checklist (Sample April 2026 - Naledi and Thabo) 1. Visa applicant, Naledi’s South African passport (SO59308690) Submitted at VFS Global office in Cape Town, South Africa; 2. Copy of Naledi’s online Application form (UAN 1212-0001-3086-9600); 3. Copy of UK sponsor, Thabo’s British Passport (Number: 145009600) or Thabo’s South African passport plus his UK status documents (eVisa); 4. Duly Completed Naledi's online Application Checklist (GWF008690600); Financial (Sponsor, Thabo who is British and Employed) 5. Thabo’s Statutory Declaration and Sponsorship undertaking form SU07 ; 6. Letter from Thabo’s employer dated in April 2026; 7. Offer letter and Employment Contract document for Thabo ; 8. Thabo’s Payslips (Monthly – Sept 2025* to April 2026); 9. Thabo’s Bank Statements (1 Sept 2025* to 1 April 2026). * Thabo may need 12 months (From April 2025) instead of 6 where Thabo's monthly gross pay varies and is less than the required monthly amount, currently £2,416.67 (£29,000 / 12) for each and every month during the previous 6 months prior to application date. Financial (Sponsor, Thabo has Savings or receives exempted State Benefits) If Thabo is not employed but has the required savings or Thabo receives PIP, CA or Disability benefits he would provide (instead of items 6 to 8 above) evidence of benefit award and needs to meet the maintaince route requirements. In the case of savings, Thabo would need to provide evidence of source of savings and minimum balance held during the previous 6 months. Naledi’s savings can also be used. Her funds would need to be converted from South African Rands to British pounds. Accommodation (Adequate for the British South African couple plus any children) 10. Thabo’s Tenancy Agreement or Ownership evidence (if owning) ; 11. Landlord / Estate Agents consent letter or housing report (owning) for Thabo's flat ; 12. Thabo’s Council tax statement and other UK residence evidence. English & TB Certificates (Both tests are required for South African nationals.) 13. Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Cape Town - South Africa Approved English Test Centres in South Africa 14. Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in South Africa Approved TB Test Centres in South Africa Relationship (Genuine subsisting and durable between Thabo and Naledi) 15. Thabo and Naledi's original Marriage Certificate with translation (if married) and joint residence evidence (where unmarried but living together for 2 years plus) ; 16. Copy of South Africa / UK visit stamps, entry & exit plus flights bookings for Thabo and Naledi; 17. Telephone and Whatsapp chat log records between Thabo and Naledi; 18. Screenshots of conversations by Whatsapp between Thabo and Naledi; 19. Various Funds Remittance Receipts sent to Naledi in South Africa by Thabo ; 20. Selection of South African wedding and other personal photographs of Thabo and Naledi. 21. if Thabo and Naledi are not married but only engaged - evidence of Thabo's venue booking and other commitments for marriage in the UK awaiting Naledi's arrival ; 22. if Thabo previously married - Thabo's Divorce certificate or Widower - Death certificate (issued in the UK or South Africa ). Same for Naledi if applicable. Children and other ties (British or South African and where applicable) 23. Child, Liam's birth certificate, copy of Liam's passport and other evidence of family ties and Naledi and Thabo's parental responsibility for the child. Non-English documents (from South Africa) 24. English translation of Thabo and Naledi's Marriage / divorce certificate. Criminal record and immigration history (In South Africa and the UK - Applicant only) 25. Documents relating to Naledi's good character and immigration history and mitigation (if Naledi's previous visa was refused or was an UK over-stayer). 26. Naledi's financial standing and settlement of NHS and other debts. Complicated situation or unsure about what to include? Wafi Solicitors can guide you through the process with ease and get the positive outcome you seek first time. ✉ | ☎ |
Wafi Solicitors – All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced without prior written permission. No liability accepted for accuracy, completeness, or reliability of data provided. Thabo, Naledi, Liam, Ayanda and other names used above do not relate to any actual persons. They are used for illustration purposes only.

Tuberculosis tests for UK spouse visa applicants

Your partner is at a location (South Africa ) where Tuberculosis (TB) medical testing is required for UK Visas (longer than 6 months, such as Spouse Visa). If they are the applicant they will need to consider taking the test. Please note that TB test certificate is only valid for up to 6 months. Approved TB Test Centres in South Africa .This is test is required for UK Family visas when you are resident in South Africa.

UK Home Office Approved TB Test centres in South Africa

Click here for UK Government TB testing in South Africa Website (opens in a new window)
Approved TB Test Centres in South Africa

A1 level English test required

Your partner is a South African national and thus not exempt from the English language requirements for a Spouse / Partner visa, they would need to take the A1 / A2 (extension) or provide other English language evidence.

If you are already in the UK (on a different visa or for visa extension application) You can take a SELT with the providers mentioned above or with Trinity College London. Click here for UK Spouse Visa English test centres in the UK

Did you know Pretoria, South Africa is 9,600 KM (5,966 miles) from London, England. Flight time to London is 12 Hours. South Africa has a population of 59,308,690 (2021) and they use South African rand. One British pound is equal to 23.4016 South African Rands.

You may consider applying from neighbouring countries if that is more appropriate such as ( | Zimbabwean UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Botswanan UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Mozambican UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Namibian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | ) . You would normally need to hold 6 months or more lawful residence there in order to apply for a UK spouse visa from that location.



Please remember that all UK Family Visa applications are now done online and your UK Visa Application Centre for South Africa, VFS Global Office could be in a different city. You may need to plan ahead and travel for your tests and visa appointments. These are the large cities in South Africa Johannesburg , Cape Town , Durban , Pretoria , Port Elizabeth , Bloemfontein , East London , Polokwane , Nelspruit , Kimberley. Only a few cities will have a VFS Global Office UK Spouse Visa Application Centre (South Africa)

UK Spouse Visa Fees April 2026

UK spouse Visa Application fees is £1,938
You will pay 46,713 South African Rands or a little more for your application.
View live fees UK Spouse Visa fees for South-Africa now !

Please get in touch ( UK 00442071935178 or email saleh@wafi.co.uk ) for more specific information, free 5 minute consultation is offered or leave a question or comment below and we will get in touch (dont forget to include your contact number ).

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About the author

Saleh Begh is a Solicitor (English Attorney) with 15 years experience in UK Immigration and Family law. He routinely deals with complicated Immigration and family law matters. Read more about Saleh Begh For guidance, options and tips contact us ✉ | ☎ |

You may also consider our guide on how to apply from a neighbouring country ( | Zimbabwean UK Spouse Visa | Botswanan UK Spouse Visa | Mozambican UK Spouse Visa | Namibian UK Spouse Visa | ) . Please note that you would normally need to hold 6 months or more lawful residence there in order to apply for a UK spouse visa from that location.

Heading to the UK, which is your nearest South African Airport?

Is it O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, Bram Fischer International Airport, Upington International Airport, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport. Which city do you live in, is it? Johannesburg , Cape Town , Durban , Pretoria , Port Elizabeth , Bloemfontein , East London , Polokwane , Nelspruit , Kimberley or somewhere else. We can help you with your UK Spouse Visa from South Africa

Did you know that the following cities in South Africa had large populations - Johannesburg ( 6065354 ) , Cape Town ( 4800954 ) , Ekurhuleni ( 4044660 ) , Durban ( 3199329 ) , Pretoria ( 2739768 ) , Port Elizabeth ( 1280550 ) , West Rand ( 921524 ) , Soshanguve ( 878960 ) , Vereeniging ( 786127 ) , Buffalo City ( 726091 ) , Bloemfontein ( 588013 ) , Rustenburg ( 554517 ) , Pietermaritzburg ( 539069 )