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The Unmarried Partner Visa allows long-term partners of British or Irish citizens, or those settled in the UK, to join or remain with their partners. This visa is also available to partners of individuals with pre-settled status, Turkish Businessperson or Worker visas, and individuals with refugee or humanitarian protection status. Applicants may apply from abroad if their partner plans to return to the UK with them. After five years, this visa can lead to indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK
To qualify for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa, applicants must demonstrate the following:
Requirements may vary based on individual circumstances, so consulting an immigration
Immigration Adviser is recommended.
To discuss an application with an immigration adviser, please contact our Unmarried Partner
Visa Immigration Advisers at 02033556293.
The applicant’s partner must meet one of the following:
British citizens who plan to accompany the applicant to the UK also qualify
Minimum Age Requirement
Both the applicant and partner must be over 18 at the time of submitting the application.
Relationship Requirements
The relationship requirements include:
• Having met in person.
• Being in a marriage-like relationship for at least two years.
• Maintaining a genuine, ongoing relationship.
• Planning to live together in the UK permanently.
• Any prior relationships must have permanently ended.
Face-to-Face Meeting Requirement
The couple must have met in person, meaning a face-to-face meeting that established a mutual connection. Virtual or phone-only contact does not fulfil this requirement.
Two-Year Relationship Requirement
The couple must have been in a marriage-like relationship for at least two years prior to applying. Living together is no longer a requirement, but proof of a committed relationship is necessary. If the relationship has lasted less than two years, a visa may still be possible in exceptional circumstances, and our immigration Immigration Advisers can provide guidance.
Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
To meet this criterion, applicants must present evidence to the Home Office confirming the relationship’s authenticity. Each ap
When assessing whether a relationship is genuine and ongoing, the Home Office may review:
If the Home Office has concerns about the authenticity of the relationship, it may conduct
further checks, interviews, or home visits.
Evidence must show regular contact, affection, companionship, and mutual care. Although living together is no longer required, proof of cohabitation can strengthen an application. Jointly addressed documents are preferred, but documents addressed to each individual at the same address may suffice. It’s best to provide a variety of documents from official sources within the past few years. If cohabitation is brief, unofficial evidence of the relationship can still be submitted.
If doubts arise about the relationship’s authenticity, the Home Office may initiate additional checks, interviews, or home visits. Without sufficient proof, the application may be denied. Our immigration advisers offer tailored advice on the required documents based on individual circumstances, ensuring all evidence reflects a genuine, ongoing relationship founded on affection and shared values.
The Home Office requires both partners to demonstrate their commitment to living together permanently in the UK. At the initial application stage, this includes confirming plans to reside together immediately after visa approval or as soon as possible. For further leave or indefinite leave to remain, the Home Office expects that time spent outside the UK is minimal and justified (e.g., work, study, or holidays). Extensive time spent abroad may raise concerns about the intent to settle in the UK unless reasons for travel and living arrangements align with the intent to live together
The Home Office requires proof that any previous relationship has ended permanently. If either partner was previously married or in a civil partnership, relevant evidence, such as a divorce or dissolution document, must be provided. For those whose prior relationships have not been legally dissolved, it is still possible to apply, but evidence must show that the new relationship is genuine and ongoing and that the prior relationship has effectively ended.
Applicants must show that they can be adequately supported in the UK without relying on public funds. Typically, this requires demonstrating a minimum gross annual income of £29,000 for the sponsoring partner (or jointly if the applicant is already in the UK on valid leave to remain). Different criteria apply if the sponsoring partner receives certain state benefits or entitlements, in which case they must show adequate resources to maintain and accommodate the applicant. This financial requirement must be met during initial applications, extensions, and applications for indefinite leave to remain. Immigration rules on this requirement are complex, with mandatory documentation required to prove financial eligibility.
One frequent reason for Unmarried Partner Visa refusals is the failure to submit required financial documentation.
The financial requirement can be met in several ways, including:
In some cases, it’s possible to combine income sources to meet the financial threshold.
Different rules may apply if the sponsoring partner receives certain state benefits. For applicants using cash savings, be aware that the required amount may vary depending on the visa stage, with higher thresholds for indefinite leave to remain applications. In exceptional cases, if refusal would violate Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, other reliable income sources may be considered. Our advisers offer expert guidance to help applicants meet the financial criteria, navigating complex evidence requirements.
Applicants must provide proof of suitable accommodation for themselves and their partner, without relying on public funds. The accommodation must be exclusively occupied, legally controlled by the applicant or partner, and meet public health and overcrowding standards.
Unless exempt, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency:
• For entry clearance or switching to this route, the requirement is CEFR level A1.
• For further leave, applicants must demonstrate proficiency at CEFR level A2.
Options to meet this requirement include:
• Holding citizenship from a majority English-speaking country.
• Passing an approved English language test at the required CEFR level.
• Having a UK degree or an overseas degree (evaluated by Ecctis) confirming it was taught in English at the required CEFR level.
Exemptions apply if:
• The applicant is over 65.
• A physical or mental disability prevents compliance.
• Exceptional circumstances make meeting the requirement impossible. Failure to meet this requirement (without an exemption) will result in a visa refusal
Another common reason for refusal is insufficient supporting documentation. The Immigration Rules mandate specific documents for visa applications, and requirements vary by case. Applicants should be cautious with standard checklists, as advice from an immigration Immigration Adviser ensures documents are appropriate for individual circumstances. Missing, incorrectly formatted, or incomplete documents may result in refusal. Appeals can be lengthy, costly, and uncertain, while new applications incur further fees and delays. Our advisers provide guidance on required documents and review them for compliance,
increasing the likelihood of a successful application.
For the latest application fees, applicants should consult official resources or an immigration adviser, as fees are subject to periodic updates.
UK Unmarried Partner Visa Fees
• Absence Requirements: Exceptional cases may allow for flexibility if absences exceed 90 days in the last year.
• Inside the UK (switching or extending): The fee is £1,048
• Additional Fees: Priority or Super Priority Service will incur extra charges.
Processing Times for Unmarried Partner Visa
Visa Duration
Unmarried Partner Visa holders have full work rights in the UK.
After 5 years, applicants may qualify for indefinite leave to remain if they meet the following:
If the requirements are unmet, the Home Office may consider a further extension instead.
For assistance with the Unmarried Partner Visa, consult with our immigration advisers at 02033556293.