UK Spouse Visa checklist for UK Sponsor and Malian 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 : Malian (Mali)

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 Malian national.

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

Full UK Spouse Visa Guide - Mali .

UK Spouse Visa Mali Checklist Contents

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

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 Mali) ;

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 Malian and you reside in United Kingdom and your partner resides in Mali. Since your partner is a Malian 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.

Your partner is not on the list of countries that need visa before arriving at the UK Border, however they may apply and secure their family visa first. Please note that only a visitor from certain countries can start their journey without prior visa approval and may need to provide evidence of funds and genuine visit at the port of entry such as at the airport or point of entry. Applicants are not normally allowed to switch from visitor to family visa category from within the UK.

UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist - Bamako - Mali

	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 Bamako - Mali
Key Forms / Documents Online application form ; Online application checklist ; VFS Global Appointment document and QR code ; Statutory Declaration by sponsor ; Identity Malian 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 Bamako - Mali We have just checked and it appears that Mali does not currently have any approved centres. You need to try neighboring countries (Algerian Libyan Senegalese Centres!) UK Approved English language test centres (All Countries) (PDF). Tuberculosis Testing Centres Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Mali We have just checked and it appears that Mali does not currently have any approved TB medical centres. You need to try neighboring countries! UK Visa Application Centres in Mali VFS Global Office Mali has application centres in Bamako.
UK Spouse Visa Application Checklist (Sample April 2026 - Fatoumata and Moussa) 1. Visa applicant, Fatoumata’s Malian passport (MA20250833) Submitted at VFS Global office in Bamako, Mali; 2. Copy of Fatoumata’s online Application form (UAN 1212-0001-2508-5100); 3. Copy of UK sponsor, Moussa’s British Passport (Number: 145005100) or Moussa’s Malian passport plus his UK status documents (eVisa); 4. Duly Completed Fatoumata's online Application Checklist (GWF050833100); Financial (Sponsor, Moussa who is British and Employed) 5. Moussa’s Statutory Declaration and Sponsorship undertaking form SU07 ; 6. Letter from Moussa’s employer dated in April 2026; 7. Offer letter and Employment Contract document for Moussa ; 8. Moussa’s Payslips (Monthly – Sept 2025* to April 2026); 9. Moussa’s Bank Statements (1 Sept 2025* to 1 April 2026). * Moussa may need 12 months (From April 2025) instead of 6 where Moussa'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, Moussa has Savings or receives exempted State Benefits) If Moussa is not employed but has the required savings or Moussa 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, Moussa would need to provide evidence of source of savings and minimum balance held during the previous 6 months. Fatoumata’s savings can also be used. Her funds would need to be converted from West African CFA francs to British pounds. Accommodation (Adequate for the British Malian couple plus any children) 10. Moussa’s Tenancy Agreement or Ownership evidence (if owning) ; 11. Landlord / Estate Agents consent letter or housing report (owning) for Moussa's flat ; 12. Moussa’s Council tax statement and other UK residence evidence. English & TB Certificates (Both tests are required for Malian nationals.) 13. Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Bamako - Mali We have just checked and it appears that Mali does not currently have any approved centres. You need to try neighboring countries (Algerian Libyan Senegalese Centres!) UK Approved English language test centres (All Countries) (PDF). 14. Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Mali We have just checked and it appears that Mali does not currently have any approved TB medical centres. You need to try neighboring countries! Relationship (Genuine subsisting and durable between Moussa and Fatoumata) 15. Moussa and Fatoumata's original Marriage Certificate with translation (if married) and joint residence evidence (where unmarried but living together for 2 years plus) ; 16. Copy of Mali / UK visit stamps, entry & exit plus flights bookings for Moussa and Fatoumata; 17. Telephone and Whatsapp chat log records between Moussa and Fatoumata; 18. Screenshots of conversations by Whatsapp between Moussa and Fatoumata; 19. Various Funds Remittance Receipts sent to Fatoumata in Mali by Moussa ; 20. Selection of Malian wedding and other personal photographs of Moussa and Fatoumata. 21. if Moussa and Fatoumata are not married but only engaged - evidence of Moussa's venue booking and other commitments for marriage in the UK awaiting Fatoumata's arrival ; 22. if Moussa previously married - Moussa's Divorce certificate or Widower - Death certificate (issued in the UK or Mali ). Same for Fatoumata if applicable. Children and other ties (British or Malian and where applicable) 23. Child, Abdoulaye's birth certificate, copy of Abdoulaye's passport and other evidence of family ties and Fatoumata and Moussa's parental responsibility for the child. Non-English documents (from Mali) 24. English translation of Moussa and Fatoumata's Marriage / divorce certificate. Criminal record and immigration history (In Mali and the UK - Applicant only) 25. Documents relating to Fatoumata's good character and immigration history and mitigation (if Fatoumata's previous visa was refused or was an UK over-stayer). 26. Fatoumata'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. Moussa, Fatoumata, Abdoulaye, Aminata 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 (Mali ) 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. We have just checked and it appears that Mali does not currently have any approved TB medical centres. You need to try neighboring countries! .This is test is required for UK Family visas when you are resident in Mali.

UK Home Office Approved TB Test centres in Mali

Click here for UK Government TB testing in Mali Website (opens in a new window)
We have just checked and it appears that Mali does not currently have any approved TB medical centres. You need to try neighboring countries!

A1 level English test required

Your partner is a Malian 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 Bamako, Mali is 5,100 KM (3,170 miles) from London, England. Flight time to London is 7 Hours. Mali has a population of 20,250,833 (2021) and they use West African CFA franc. One British pound is equal to 769.51 West African CFA francs.

You may consider applying from neighbouring countries if that is more appropriate such as ( | Algerian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Libyan UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Senegalese 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 Mali, 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 Mali Bamako , Sikasso , Mopti , Segou , Koutiala , Kayes , Bougouni , Timbuktu , Gao , Kidal. Only a few cities will have a VFS Global Office UK Spouse Visa Application Centre (Mali)

UK Spouse Visa Fees April 2026

UK spouse Visa Application fees is £1,938
You will pay 1,536,050 West African CFA francs or a little more for your application.
View live fees UK Spouse Visa fees for Mali 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 ( | Algerian UK Spouse Visa | Libyan UK Spouse Visa | Senegalese 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 Malian Airport?

Is it Bamako, (Senou Airport) , Mopti, (Barbe Airport) , Nioro, (Nioro Airport) , Tombouctou, (Tombouctou Airport) . Which city do you live in, is it? Bamako , Sikasso , Mopti , Segou , Koutiala , Kayes , Bougouni , Timbuktu , Gao , Kidal or somewhere else. We can help you with your UK Spouse Visa from Mali

Did you know that the following cities in Mali had large populations - Bamako ( 2816943 )