UK Spouse Visa Documents Required from Pakistan (2026)
A spouse application made in Pakistan uses the standard GOV.UK partner list. Three parts need extra work because of where the papers come from: the marriage papers (Nikah Nama and Union Council certificate), the TB test, and translations from Urdu. Here is the full set, split by who provides each part.
From you, the applicant in Pakistan:
- Current passport, plus copies of the photo page and visa or entry stamps from older passports
- Nikah Nama and the Marriage Registration Certificate (MRC) from the Union Council
- Proof that any earlier marriage ended, if one of you was married before
- TB certificate from a clinic the Home Office approves
- English language evidence
- A translation of each paper not written in English or Welsh
From your partner in the UK:
- Passport details and proof of their right to be in the UK
- Income evidence, for example payslips, bank statements and an employer letter
- Papers for the UK home where you will live
From both of you: evidence of your relationship.
All figures and rules were checked on GOV.UK on 2 October 2026. Confirm them again before you pay.
Marriage papers: Nikah Nama and MRC
The Home Office keeps a country profile of Pakistani civil documents for its staff, the Pakistan Knowledge Base profile (updated 23 March 2026). It describes two steps:
- After the wedding, "an Islamic official will issue the couple with a Nikah Nama."
- The couple then register the marriage with the Union Council, which "will then issue a Marriage Registration Certificate (MRC)."
So a Pakistani marriage normally produces two papers. Keep both. Appendix FM-SE (paragraph 26) says a marriage from outside the UK must be shown by evidence that is "valid under the law in force in the relevant country".
Practical points:
- Check that names and dates of birth on the Nikah Nama and MRC match your passports.
- Scan every page of the Nikah Nama, including pages with signatures and witness details.
- If the Nikah Nama is in Urdu, it needs a translation (see below).
An earlier marriage. GOV.UK asks for "evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate". The Knowledge Base profile says a couple in Pakistan who divorce "must register their divorce with the Union Council for it to be legal and valid."
The TB test in Pakistan
Pakistan is on the GOV.UK list of countries that need a TB test. The test is required when all three are true: you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, you have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and you lived there within the last 6 months. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray.
The GOV.UK list for Pakistan (updated 20 February 2026) names these approved clinics:
| City | Clinic | Fee (age 11+) | Fee (under 11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad | AMC | PKR 15,000 | PKR 11,000 |
| Islamabad | IOM (2 locations: Maroof International Hospital, F-10, and IDC Pakland Square, G-8) | PKR 14,000 | PKR 10,000 |
| Lahore | AMC | PKR 15,000 | PKR 11,000 |
| Lahore | IOM | PKR 14,000 | PKR 10,000 |
| Karachi | IOM (PECHS, Shahra-e-Faisal) | Not listed on GOV.UK, check with the clinic | Not listed on GOV.UK, check with the clinic |
| Mirpur | IOM | PKR 14,000 | PKR 10,000 |
Some clinics ask for ID with your photo, such as your original passport. Some clinics on the list also ask for 3 passport-size photographs with a white background. For children, GOV.UK says a clinician decides if an x-ray is needed, and children under 11 do not normally have one.
Book with the 6-month validity in mind. If your x-ray is too early, the certificate can expire before you submit.
Translating Urdu documents
GOV.UK asks for a certified translation of any document "that is not in English or Welsh". For Pakistani applicants this often means the Nikah Nama, the MRC, a Union Council divorce paper, and sometimes bank or employment papers.
Paragraph 1(j) of Appendix FM-SE sets what goes in. Send the Urdu original and a full translation. The translation must carry a date and show:
- a statement that it accurately translates the document
- the translator's full name and signature, or those of an authorised official of the translation company
- contact details for the translator or company
English language evidence
Pakistan is not on the GOV.UK list of nationalities that do not need to prove English. For a first spouse visa, GOV.UK asks for at least level A1 on the CEFR scale. The routes are:
- a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, or
- a degree taught in English. For a degree from a Pakistani university, you need an assessment from Ecctis.
Some people are exempt for other reasons, for example people aged over 65. The full list is on GOV.UK.
The UK partner's documents
Most of the remaining papers come from your partner in the UK.
Status. Their name, date of birth, nationality, passport details, and proof of their right to live in the UK.
Income. GOV.UK says the combined income must usually be at least £29,000 a year. Savings can sometimes be used instead. For a salary, Appendix FM-SE paragraph 2 lists payslips, matching bank statements and an employer letter. Appendix FM-SE paragraph 1(l) says the newest part of this evidence must be dated no earlier than 28 days before the application date. Under paragraph 1(a)(v)(2), online statements need the bank's stamp on each page or a bank letter confirming they are genuine. Our guide to spouse visa bank statements and payslips explains how to match the months.
Housing. Papers for the address you will share, for example a tenancy agreement.
Relationship. GOV.UK asks how you met, how often you are in contact, and, if you lived together, for how long, with proof such as council tax bills. Couples who live apart, with one in Pakistan and one in the UK, often use call logs, messages and travel records. See proof of relationship documents.
Fee and decision time
The application fee from outside the UK is £2,064 for each person. The health surcharge is paid on top. Our spouse visa fees guide gives the amount. GOV.UK says a decision on an application from outside the UK usually takes up to 12 weeks. The first visa lasts up to 2 years and 9 months.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nikah Nama enough on its own, or do I also need the MRC? The Home Office Pakistan profile describes two papers: the Nikah Nama issued at the marriage, and the Marriage Registration Certificate issued by the Union Council after registration. If either paper is in Urdu, it needs a translation.
Which clinics in Pakistan can do the TB test? GOV.UK lists AMC in Islamabad and Lahore, and IOM in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Mirpur. GOV.UK says: "You must be tested at a clinic that has been approved by the Home Office." The list changes, so check it before you book.
How early can I take the TB test? The certificate is valid for 6 months from the x-ray date. GOV.UK says to include the certificate with your visa application.
Does a translation need to be done in the UK? GOV.UK does not say where the translator must be. It sets what the translation must contain: a date, a statement of accuracy, the translator's full name and signature, and their contact details.
How Stratovisa helps
This application mixes papers from Lahore, Karachi or Islamabad with payslips and tenancy papers from the UK, and some of them come in two versions, Urdu and English. Stratovisa gives you a checklist built from your intake answers, a separate upload slot for each document, and a clear view of what is still missing. At the end it puts everything into one ordered package, with each translation filed behind its original. See how it works for the spouse and partner visa.