Unmarried partner visa
The Unmarried Partner visa category is for long term partners of British citizens or persons with indefinite leave to remain in the UK, who wish to join, or stay with their partner in the UK. You can also apply if your partner is outside the UK, but intending to return to the UK with you.
How we work
Find out more about how we workRequirements for a UK Unmarried Partner visa application
In order to qualify for a UK Unmarried Partner visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you meet the following requirements:
- Your partner is British or holds Indefinite Leave to Remain;
- You are both over the age of 18;
- You have met in person and have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years;
- Your relationship is genuine and you intend to live together permanently;
- Any previous relationships have broken down permanently;
- You will be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds;
- There is adequate accommodation for you and any dependents;
- You speak and understand English to the required level.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
Financial requirement for a UK Unmarried Partner visa
In order to demonstrate that you can be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds, you will need to satisfy a financial requirement.
The financial requirement for a UK Spouse visa application states that you will need to demonstrate that your Spouse (or both of you jointly if you are in the UK with valid leave to remain) has a gross annual income of at least:
- £29,000 if you are applying after the 11th April 2024 for your first period of leave to remain or entry clearance.
- If you applied for your visa before the 11th April 2024 and you are applying to extend your leave in the UK you will need to show that;
- you have a combined income of £18,600;
- £3,800 for a first child (who is not British or settled in the UK); plus
- £2,400 for each additional child (who is not British or settled in the UK).
Satisfying the Unmarried Partner visa for UK financial requirement
You can meet the Unmarried Partner visa UK financial requirement through salaried and non-salaried income, self-employed income, salary and/or dividends from a company of which you are a Director, property rental income, dividends and income from investments, stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds, pension income, insurance payments, maintenance payments and cash savings above £16,000 that have been held for at least six months, unless you can demonstrate that they have come from the sale of property or investments within the last 6 months.
In some circumstances it is possible to rely on a combination of the above sources of income to satisfy the financial requirement. Different considerations will apply if your partner is in receipt of certain benefits and you may be exempt from the financial requirement.
What else do you need to know
Unmarried Partner visa UK processing times
UK Visa & Immigration aims to process 95% of UK Unmarried Partner visa applications within 12 weeks.
If you require a faster visa processing timeline, most visa application centres outside the UK offer a Settlement Priority Visa Service. This will ensure that your UK Unmarried Partner visa application is placed at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process. The visa processing time for a UK Unmarried Partner visa submitted via the Settlement Priority Visa Service is normally not more than 30 working days. A well prepared visa application may result in a quicker processing time.
If you apply to switch into or extend your stay as an Unmarried Partner from within the UK, you will be able to choose from two processing timelines. If you apply via the Standard Service, your in-country application will normally be decided within 8 weeks. If you apply via the Super Priority Service, you should normally receive a decision on the next working day after providing your biometric information.
UK Unmarried Partner visa application fee
The Home Office application fee for a UK Spouse visa application submitted outside the UK is currently £1,846. The Home Office application fee to switch into the Spouse category from within the UK or extend stay as a Spouse is currently £1,048. In addition to these fees, you will also be required to pay the NHS surcharge which is currently:
For each adult (18 or older) it costs:
- £2,587.50 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
- £3,105 if you’re staying for 2 years and 9 months
- £5,175 if you’re staying for 5 year
For each child (under 18), it costs:
- £1,940 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
- £2,328 if you’re staying for 2 years and 9 months
- £3,880 if you’re staying for 5 years
Get a faster decision on your application
If you’re applying from the UK, you may be able to pay an extra £1,000 for the super priority service to get a faster decision
UK Unmarried Partner visa validity period
If your application for a UK Unmarried Partner visa is successful, your visa will be valid for 33 months initially. If you apply for leave to remain in the UK as an Unmarried Partner then you will be granted leave valid for 30 months.
Before your initial grant of leave expires, you will need to apply to UK Visas and Immigration to extend your stay. If your application for further leave to remain as an Unmarried Partner in the UK is successful then you will be granted further leave to remain for a period of 30 months.
After spending 5 years in the UK as the Unmarried Partner of a British citizen or settled person, you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
FAQs
Can an Unmarried Partner UK visa holder work in the UK?
Unmarried Partner visa holders have a full right to work and study in the UK.
Unable to satisfy the requirements for a UK Unmarried Partner visa?
If you are not able to satisfy certain of the requirements for a UK Unmarried Partner visa, you may still be able to apply to join or remain with your partner on Human Rights grounds if you can demonstrate that there would be very significant difficulties in your relationship continuing outside the UK.
How can we help you with your UK Unmarried partner visa application?
Our immigration lawyers regularly assist unmarried partners to relocate to, and settle in, the UK. Whether you require expert advice on the requirements of the Immigration Rules, an independent assessment of your prospects of qualifying for a visa or professional assistance with preparing an immigration application, we can help.
The financial requirement rules are particularly complex and include mandatory requirements. We can advise you and ensure that you can meet all of the requirements and have the required supporting documents that must be provided to UK Visas and Immigration in order to demonstrate your ability to meet the rules. Our immigration lawyers specialise in assisting applicants with complicated financial circumstances to secure successful outcomes in their unmarried parter visa applications.
We can help you with as much or as little advice and assistance as you need with tailored packages or individual services giving you flexibility to chose all the assistance you need, when you need it. You’ll also have the benefit of access to our innovative client portal, giving everything you need at your fingertips.
How can we help you with your UK Unmarried partner visa application?
Sarah Rogers
Founder of IAC
Our immigration lawyers regularly assist unmarried partners to relocate to, and settle in, the UK. Whether you require expert advice on the requirements of the Immigration Rules, an independent assessment of your prospects of qualifying for a visa or professional assistance with preparing an immigration application, we can help.
The financial requirement rules are particularly complex and include mandatory requirements. We can advise you and ensure that you can meet all of the requirements and have the required supporting documents that must be provided to UK Visas and Immigration in order to demonstrate your ability to meet the rules. Our immigration lawyers specialise in assisting applicants with complicated financial circumstances to secure successful outcomes in their unmarried parter visa applications.
We can help you with as much or as little advice and assistance as you need with tailored packages or individual services giving you flexibility to chose all the assistance you need, when you need it. You’ll also have the benefit of access to our innovative client portal, giving everything you need at your fingertips.
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