Whether your partner is coming over for a short visit or moving in with you for good: we guide the whole process — from the language test to the residence permit in hand.
Independent advisory service — not affiliated with any government or immigration authority.
Your partner comes over for a holiday, a first meeting with the family or a short time together. Usually up to 90 days.
Your partner applies for a partner visa that leads to a residence permit, often including the right to work. In many countries a basic language test is the first step.
The choice comes down to one question: is your partner coming to visit, or coming to stay? The two procedures have completely different requirements, timelines and outcomes.
| Compare | Visiting your partner | Living together |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Short-stay visitor visa | Partner visa leading to a residence permit |
| Length of stay | Usually max. 90 days | Residence permit, often valid for several years |
| Work permitted | No | Yes, in most cases |
| Language test required | No | Yes — in many countries |
| Financial requirement | Sponsorship or proof of own funds | Sufficient, stable income of the sponsoring partner |
| Where it is filed | Embassy or visa application centre | Immigration authority, often filed by the sponsor |
| Processing time | Often around 15 days | Approx. 3 to 5 months in our combined track |
| Our fee | £ 499 excl. VAT | £ 999 excl. VAT, incl. language course |
Not sure which route applies to your situation? During the free intake we look at it with you — with no obligation.
Most providers offer either a language course or help with the paperwork. We do both — and that is exactly where the time is won. We start building your visa file while the course is still running.
You do not switch between a language school, a translator and a visa adviser. One person knows your file, from the first lesson to the residence permit.
Many refusals are not caused by the test, but by incomplete or weak files. We check income evidence, relationship evidence, legalisations and translations before anything is filed.
We build the visa file during the course, so the application can be filed as soon as the test result is in. That shortens the waiting time considerably.
We keep track of decision periods, help you respond to requests for extra information and keep your file moving from start to finish.
Embassy appointment, visa collection, arrival, biometrics and local registration. We only close a file once everything is administratively complete.
Our clients live all over the world. Lessons and calls are scheduled in your partner's time zone, in English.
A partner visa usually consists of two linked parts: permission to enter and permission to stay. We prepare both as one coherent file.
Where a language requirement applies, the test is usually taken at an approved test centre or embassy in your partner's country. It typically covers three parts.
In practice, candidates struggle with speaking, reading, pronunciation and vocabulary — often combined with outdated course material, test stress and a lack of guidance. Targeted preparation raises the pass rate considerably.
With a single-entry visitor visa your partner may enter once. As soon as they leave, the visa ends. The stay is usually limited to 90 days within a set period.
On paper the procedure looks simple. In practice many applications are refused because the file is incomplete or unclear. That is where we come in.
One route, one point of contact. We start building the visa file during the course, so the application can be submitted as soon as the test result is in.
We look at your situation: is a language test likely to be needed, does your income look sufficient, and is the relationship well documented?
Private online lessons in English, entirely aimed at the test. Meanwhile we start assembling the visa file.
We handle the registration and book the test at an approved test centre or embassy.
Usually three parts: reading, speaking and knowledge of society. We guide your partner up to the official result.
Because the file is already complete, the application can be filed straight after the result. We keep track of the decision period and help with follow-up questions.
After approval we help arrange the embassy appointment where your partner collects the visa.
Your partner travels over. We help with the biometrics appointment and the issue of the residence document.
Finally we support the registration with the local authorities and the practical first steps. Only then do we close the file.
Indicative timelines. Test results and decision periods differ per country and can be longer.
All amounts are excluding VAT and excluding government charges such as visa and application fees, translations and legalisations.
For those who already have their visa file in order, or want to prepare for the test first.
The full route: from the first lesson to the residence permit, with one point of contact.
For a visit of up to 90 days: a fully prepared application file, ready to print.
| What is included | Course £ 299 | Combined £ 999 |
|---|---|---|
| Language lessons | ✔ | ✔ |
| Test registration | Optional | ✔ |
| Test scheduling | ✖ | ✔ |
| File review | ✖ | ✔ |
| Visa forms completed and checked | ✖ | ✔ |
| Help with follow-up questions | ✖ | ✔ |
| Aftercare after arrival | ✖ | ✔ |
Many refusals are not caused by the test — but by incomplete or weak files.
All rates exclude VAT. Visa and application fees, translations and legalisations are not included.
You want to build a future together, without months of uncertainty. In practice, the same three questions come up every time.
We provide clarity, structure and a carefully prepared file.
My partner passed the language test on the first attempt and the visa application was already prepared. Three weeks after the result it was filed.
Example review — replace with a genuine client review.
We had no idea where to start. Everything was explained step by step, and we always knew exactly what was expected of us.
Example review — replace with a genuine client review.
Is your question not listed? Get in touch — we are happy to think along with you, with no obligation.
Ask your questionIn our combined track it usually takes around 3 to 5 months. A language test result often follows within a few weeks, and the decision period of the immigration authority can be 12 weeks or longer. If you run the test and the application separately, it often takes 7 months or more.
Not always. Many countries ask partners to show a basic level of the language before or after arrival, but the rules differ per country, nationality and situation, and exemptions exist.
During the intake we look at whether a language requirement is likely to apply to your partner.
Where a language requirement applies, an application without the result is usually not processed. The test and the visa file go hand in hand — which is exactly why we build both in parallel.
Test results are usually only accepted for a limited period, often one or two years. The application generally has to be filed within that period, which is why timing matters.
The test can be retaken. We look at which part needs extra attention, adjust the lessons accordingly and book a new date. Because the visa file is already prepared, no time is lost on the paperwork side.
In many countries a residence permit as a partner includes the right to work, but this depends on the country and the type of permit. We explain what applies to your situation during the intake.
A short visit and a partner visa are separate procedures with their own requirements. A visitor visa does not normally lead to a residence permit, and many countries expect the partner visa to be applied for from abroad. During the intake we map out the right order for your situation.
Processing often takes around 15 days, although this varies by country and season. A short-stay visitor visa usually allows a stay of up to 90 days.
Not always. In some situations the applicant can show that they have sufficient funds of their own. We look at which option is strongest in your case.
All rates are excluding VAT. Government fees such as visa and application fees, plus translations, legalisations and travel insurance, are not included. We always state these costs in advance.
No. Wayfare Immigration Advisers is an independent advisory service. We guide clients through their visa and residence applications, but we are not part of any government, embassy or immigration authority, and we do not give legal representation.
Tell us about your situation. We look at whether a language requirement applies, whether the financial requirements are likely to be met and which route fits — before you commit to anything.
We respond within 2 working days. Lessons and calls are scheduled in your partner's time zone.
Wayfare Immigration Advisers is an independent advisory service. We guide clients through their visa and residence applications, but we are not part of any government, embassy or immigration authority.
Applications are always decided by the competent authorities. The information on this site is general in nature and is not legal advice; every situation is assessed individually during the intake.
