UK Spouse Visa checklist for UK Sponsor and Kenyan 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 : Kenyan (Kenya)

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 Kenyan national.

You currently reside in United Kingdom whereas your partner resides in Kenya .

Full UK Spouse Visa Guide - Kenya .

UK Spouse Visa Kenya Checklist Contents

UK Spouse Visa Key Considerations for Family Visa from Kenya
UK Partner Visa from Nairobi, Kenya
Checklist for UK Family Visa (British and Kenyan)
UK Home Office Approved TB Medical Centres in Kenya
UK Home Office Approved English Tests Centres in Kenya

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 Kenya) ;

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 Kenyan and you reside in United Kingdom and your partner resides in Kenya. Since your partner is a Kenyan 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 (Kenyan) 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 - Nairobi - Kenya

	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 Nairobi - Kenya
Key Forms / Documents Online application form ; Online application checklist ; VFS Global Appointment document and QR code ; Statutory Declaration by sponsor ; Identity Kenyan 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 Nairobi - Kenya Approved English Test Centres in Kenya Tuberculosis Testing Centres Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Kenya Approved TB Test Centres in Kenya UK Visa Application Centres in Kenya VFS Global Office Kenya has application centres in Mombasa and Nairobi .
UK Spouse Visa Application Checklist (Sample April 2026 - Mary and Brian) 1. Visa applicant, Mary’s Kenyan passport (KE53771296) Submitted at VFS Global office in Nairobi, Kenya; 2. Copy of Mary’s online Application form (UAN 1212-0001-7712-6800); 3. Copy of UK sponsor, Brian’s British Passport (Number: 145006800) or Brian’s Kenyan passport plus his UK status documents (eVisa); 4. Duly Completed Mary's online Application Checklist (GWF071296800); Financial (Sponsor, Brian who is British and Employed) 5. Brian’s Statutory Declaration and Sponsorship undertaking form SU07 ; 6. Letter from Brian’s employer dated in April 2026; 7. Offer letter and Employment Contract document for Brian ; 8. Brian’s Payslips (Monthly – Sept 2025* to April 2026); 9. Brian’s Bank Statements (1 Sept 2025* to 1 April 2026). * Brian may need 12 months (From April 2025) instead of 6 where Brian'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, Brian has Savings or receives exempted State Benefits) If Brian is not employed but has the required savings or Brian 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, Brian would need to provide evidence of source of savings and minimum balance held during the previous 6 months. Mary’s savings can also be used. Her funds would need to be converted from Kenyan Shilling to British pounds. Accommodation (Adequate for the British Kenyan couple plus any children) 10. Brian’s Tenancy Agreement or Ownership evidence (if owning) ; 11. Landlord / Estate Agents consent letter or housing report (owning) for Brian's flat ; 12. Brian’s Council tax statement and other UK residence evidence. English & TB Certificates (Both tests are required for Kenyan nationals.) 13. Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Nairobi - Kenya Approved English Test Centres in Kenya 14. Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Kenya Approved TB Test Centres in Kenya Relationship (Genuine subsisting and durable between Brian and Mary) 15. Brian and Mary's original Marriage Certificate with translation (if married) and joint residence evidence (where unmarried but living together for 2 years plus) ; 16. Copy of Kenya / UK visit stamps, entry & exit plus flights bookings for Brian and Mary; 17. Telephone and Whatsapp chat log records between Brian and Mary; 18. Screenshots of conversations by Whatsapp between Brian and Mary; 19. Various Funds Remittance Receipts sent to Mary in Kenya by Brian ; 20. Selection of Kenyan wedding and other personal photographs of Brian and Mary. 21. if Brian and Mary are not married but only engaged - evidence of Brian's venue booking and other commitments for marriage in the UK awaiting Mary's arrival ; 22. if Brian previously married - Brian's Divorce certificate or Widower - Death certificate (issued in the UK or Kenya ). Same for Mary if applicable. Children and other ties (British or Kenyan and where applicable) 23. Child, Samuel's birth certificate, copy of Samuel's passport and other evidence of family ties and Mary and Brian's parental responsibility for the child. Non-English documents (from Kenya) 24. English translation of Brian and Mary's Marriage / divorce certificate. Criminal record and immigration history (In Kenya and the UK - Applicant only) 25. Documents relating to Mary's good character and immigration history and mitigation (if Mary's previous visa was refused or was an UK over-stayer). 26. Mary'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. Brian, Mary, Samuel, Grace 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 (Kenya ) 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 Kenya .This is test is required for UK Family visas when you are resident in Kenya.

UK Home Office Approved TB Test centres in Kenya

Click here for UK Government TB testing in Kenya Website (opens in a new window)

IOM Nairobi 78 UN Crescent, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
Landline number: +254 (20) 7221000
Mobile number:0709890000 or 0722879680
E-mail: iomnbomedical@iom.int

Approved TB Test Centres in Kenya

A1 level English test required

Your partner is a Kenyan 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 Nairobi, Kenya is 6,800 KM (4,226 miles) from London, England. Flight time to London is 9 Hours. Kenya has a population of 53,771,296 (2021) and they use Kenyan shilling. One British pound is equal to 169.28 Kenyan Shilling.

You may consider applying from neighbouring countries if that is more appropriate such as ( | Malawian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Rwandan UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Congolese UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Tanzanian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Ugandan 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 Kenya, 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 Kenya Nairobi , Mombasa , Kisumu , Nakuru , Eldoret , Thika , Malindi , Kitale , Garissa , Kakamega. Only a few cities will have a VFS Global Office UK Spouse Visa Application Centre (Kenya)

UK Spouse Visa Fees April 2026

UK spouse Visa Application fees is £1,938
You will pay $2,395 United States Dollars or a little more for your application.
View live fees UK Spouse Visa fees for Kenya 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 ( | Malawian UK Spouse Visa | Rwandan UK Spouse Visa | Congolese UK Spouse Visa | Tanzanian UK Spouse Visa | Ugandan 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 Kenyan Airport?

Is it Kisumu, (Kisumu Airport) , Malindi, (Malindi Airport) , Mombasa, (Moi Airport) , Nairobi, (Jomo Kenyatta Airport) . Which city do you live in, is it? Nairobi , Mombasa , Kisumu , Nakuru , Eldoret , Thika , Malindi , Kitale , Garissa , Kakamega or somewhere else. We can help you with your UK Spouse Visa from Kenya

Did you know that the following cities in Kenya had large populations - Nairobi ( 5118844 ) , Mombasa ( 1388979 )