UK Spouse Visa checklist for UK Sponsor and Emirati 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 : Emirati (United Arab Emirates) الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة

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

You currently reside in United Kingdom whereas your partner resides in United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة.

Full UK Spouse Visa Guide - United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة .

UK Spouse Visa United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة Checklist Contents

UK Spouse Visa Key Considerations for Family Visa from United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة
تقديم تأشيرة بريطانيا كزوج أو زوجة من الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة
UK Partner Visa from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة
Checklist for UK Family Visa (British and Emirati)
UK Home Office Approved English Tests Centres in United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة

UK Spouse Visa Key requirements

Lets have a chat ✉ | ☎ 00442071935178 | Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm UK time.

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 United Arab Emirates) ;

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).

تقديم تأشيرة بريطانيا كزوج أو زوجة من الإمارات يمكنك كفالة زوجتك وأطفالها إذا كان لديك أحد ما يلي: الجنسية البريطانية أو الجنسية الأيرلندية جنسية أخرى و معك إقامة إلى أجل غير مسمى أو حق الإقامة في المملكة المتحدة أو من الاتحاد الأوروبي و لديك الوضع المستقر أو حق الإقامة و قد أتيت إلى المملكة المتحدة قبل 31 ديسمبر 2020 أو إقامة لجوء و غير قادر على لم شمل ✉ saleh@wafi.co.uk | ☎ 02071935178 | الرجاء الاتصال بنا أو إرسال بريد إلكتروني للحصول على المساعدة

UK family Visa

Now let's look into the various aspects of the requirements listed above when you are British and your partner is Emirati and you reside in United Kingdom and your partner resides in United Arab Emirates. Since your partner is an Emirati 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 (Emirati) 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 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة

	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 Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة
Key Forms / Documents Online application form ; Online application checklist ; VFS Global Appointment document and QR code ; Statutory Declaration by sponsor ; Identity Emirati 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 Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates Approved English Test Centres in United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة Tuberculosis Testing Centres TB medical test certificates are not required when you apply from United Arab Emirates. UK Visa Application Centres in United Arab Emirates VFS Global Office United Arab Emirates has application centres in Abu Dhabi , Dubai , Ajman, Al Ain and Sharjah .
UK Spouse Visa Application Checklist (Sample April 2026 - Hana and Mohamed) 1. Visa applicant, Hana’s Emirati passport (UN9890402) Submitted at VFS Global office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 2. Copy of Hana’s online Application form (UAN 1212-0001-9040-5500); 3. Copy of UK sponsor, Mohamed’s British Passport (Number: 145005500) or Mohamed’s Emirati passport plus his UK status documents (eVisa); 4. Duly Completed Hana's online Application Checklist (GWF00402500); Financial (Sponsor, Mohamed who is British and Employed) 5. Mohamed’s Statutory Declaration and Sponsorship undertaking form SU07 ; 6. Letter from Mohamed’s employer dated in April 2026; 7. Offer letter and Employment Contract document for Mohamed ; 8. Mohamed’s Payslips (Monthly – Sept 2025* to April 2026); 9. Mohamed’s Bank Statements (1 Sept 2025* to 1 April 2026). * Mohamed may need 12 months (From April 2025) instead of 6 where Mohamed'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, Mohamed has Savings or receives exempted State Benefits) If Mohamed is not employed but has the required savings or Mohamed 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, Mohamed would need to provide evidence of source of savings and minimum balance held during the previous 6 months. Hana’s savings can also be used. Her funds would need to be converted from Emirati Dirhams to British pounds. Accommodation (Adequate for the British Emirati couple plus any children) 10. Mohamed’s Tenancy Agreement or Ownership evidence (if owning) ; 11. Landlord / Estate Agents consent letter or housing report (owning) for Mohamed's flat ; 12. Mohamed’s Council tax statement and other UK residence evidence. English & TB Certificates (Only A1 English test is required for Emirati nationals.) 13. Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates Approved English Test Centres in United Arab Emirates الإماراتالعربيةالمتحدة 14. TB medical test certificates are not required when you apply from United Arab Emirates. Relationship (Genuine subsisting and durable between Mohamed and Hana) 15. Mohamed and Hana's original Marriage Certificate with translation (if married) and joint residence evidence (where unmarried but living together for 2 years plus) ; 16. Copy of United Arab Emirates / UK visit stamps, entry & exit plus flights bookings for Mohamed and Hana; 17. Telephone and Whatsapp chat log records between Mohamed and Hana; 18. Screenshots of conversations by Whatsapp between Mohamed and Hana; 19. Various Funds Remittance Receipts sent to Hana in United Arab Emirates by Mohamed ; 20. Selection of Emirati wedding and other personal photographs of Mohamed and Hana. 21. if Mohamed and Hana are not married but only engaged - evidence of Mohamed's venue booking and other commitments for marriage in the UK awaiting Hana's arrival ; 22. if Mohamed previously married - Mohamed's Divorce certificate or Widower - Death certificate (issued in the UK or United Arab Emirates ). Same for Hana if applicable. Children and other ties (British or Emirati and where applicable) 23. Child, Adam's birth certificate, copy of Adam's passport and other evidence of family ties and Hana and Mohamed's parental responsibility for the child. Non-English documents (from United Arab Emirates) 24. English translation of Mohamed and Hana's Marriage / divorce certificate. From Emirati Arabic to English sworn translations may be required. Criminal record and immigration history (In United Arab Emirates and the UK - Applicant only) 25. Documents relating to Hana's good character and immigration history and mitigation (if Hana's previous visa was refused or was an UK over-stayer). 26. Hana'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. Mohamed, Hana, Adam, Lina and other names used above do not relate to any actual persons. They are used for illustration purposes only.

A1 level English test required

Your partner is an Emirati 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 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is 5,500 KM (3,418 miles) from London, England. Flight time to London is 7 Hours. United Arab Emirates has a population of 9,890,402 (2021) and they use United Arab Emirates dirham. One British pound is equal to 4.473 Emirati Dirhams.

You may consider applying from neighbouring countries if that is more appropriate such as ( | Omani UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Saudi 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 United Arab Emirates, 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 United Arab Emirates Dubai , Abu Dhabi , Sharjah , Al Ain , Ajman , Ras Al Khaimah , Fujairah , Umm Al-Quwain , Khor Fakkan , Dibba Al-Fujairah. Only a few cities will have a VFS Global Office UK Spouse Visa Application Centre (United Arab Emirates)

UK Spouse Visa Fees April 2026

UK spouse Visa Application fees is £1,938
You will pay 8,929 Emirati Dirhams or a little more for your application.
View live fees UK Spouse Visa fees for United-Arab-Emirates 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 ( | Omani UK Spouse Visa | Saudi 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 Emirati Airport?

Is it Abu Dhabi, (Abu Dhabi Intl Airport) , Abu Dhabi, (Bateen Airport) , Dubai, (Dubai Airport) , Fujairah, (Fujairah Intl. Airport) , Ras Al Khaimah, (Ras Al Khaimah Airport) , Sharjah, (Sharjah Intl. Airport) . Which city do you live in, is it? Dubai , Abu Dhabi , Sharjah , Al Ain , Ajman , Ras Al Khaimah , Fujairah , Umm Al-Quwain , Khor Fakkan , Dibba Al-Fujairah or somewhere else. We can help you with your UK Spouse Visa from United Arab Emirates

Did you know that the following cities in United Arab Emirates had large populations - Dubai ( 2964382 ) , Sharjah ( 1785684 ) , Abu Dhabi ( 1539830 ) , Al-Ain ( 634112 )