We can secure your Unmarried Partner visa

The UK unmarried partner visa is for those couples who are not married or in a civil partnership, but who are in a serious relationship, similar to marriage or civil partnership, and have been for at least 2-years prior to the application date.

It is not required for the couple to be married or in a civil-partnership, and nor is it required for the couple to intend to marry. Recent rules changes set out in December 2023, dropped references to 'cohabitation' in the wording of the Immigration Rules. However in most cases, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will still expect to see 2-years of cohabitation evidence, unless there are compelling reasons why this cannot be provided. So, the change in the rules is a relatively minor and nuanced change.

The remainder of the requirements for the unmarried partner visa are the same as for a spouse visa, including the financial requirements.

You can find a more detailed explanation of the differences and considerations when choosing between the spouse, fiancé, unmarried partner, and marriage-visit visas, here:   UK Family visas - What's the difference between them? (owlandsnake.co.uk) 

• The couple must be in a serious relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for the 2-years prior to the application date.

• The sponsor must be a British or Irish citizen, or have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or be an EU national with pre-settled status from living in the UK before 1 January 2021, or any nationality with settled status under the EU settlement scheme (EUSS).

• The sponsor must also be present and settled in the UK, or returning to the UK at the same time as the foreign spouse;

• The couple must both be over 18 years old at the date of application;

• The couple must not be closely related to each other prior to marriage;

• The couple must have met each other in person;

• The couple must be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with each other;

• If either the sponsor or the foreign partner were in a relationship previously, then that relationship must have ended;

• The couple must intend to live together permanently in the UK;

• The couple must have adequate accommodation available to them in the UK;

• The foreign partner must demonstrate English language to the required level. For the initial unmarried partner visa, the level is CEFR A1. For the visa extension after 2.5 years, the level is CEFR level A2. This would normally be evidenced with an appropriate test certificate.

• However, a UK degree or masters will satisfy the English language requirement. Or, a non-UK degree or masters, if taught in English, and recognised by the relevant UK body as being equivalent to a UK degree or masters. Or, if the foreign spouse is from a designated majority English speaking country, then they will satisfy the English language requirement. Majority English speaking countries are considered to be: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; or the United States of America.

• If the foreign partner is resident in a designated TB country, then they require a TB test certificate. You can see the list of designated TB countries here (links to Home Office site): Designated TB countries

• Suitability requirements for the foreign partner relate to their immigration history and their criminal history. If the foreign spouse has no adverse immigration or criminal history, then they will satisfy these requirements. If the foreign spouse has an adverse history, then it will depend on the nature of that history, as to whether it will cause a problem for the application. You can see the rules on this area, here (links to Home Office site): Ground for refusal

The financial requirement is the most complex part of the application, and also the most important. It can be met in various different ways, so it's difficult to summarise in a just a few bullet points. But by way of an overview:

• If the couple are applying from abroad, then the income requirement must be met solely by the UK sponsor, who must currently earn a minimum of £18,600 per year (this figure increases to £22,400 if including 1 non-British child, or £24,800 if two non-British children);

• However, from 11 April 2024, the minimum income requirement will increase to £29,000 per year. This figure will remain at £29,000 irrespective of how many children may also be applying.

• If applying using savings, the required amount is currently £62,500 (this figure increases to £72,000 if including 1 non-British child, or £78,000 if two non-British children). These funds must be held in an account for 6-months prior to the application, and can be in the name of either the UK sponsor, the foreign spouse, or in both names jointly. More detail about this route here:  How to use cash savings in UK spouse, partner, fiancé visa routes (owlandsnake.co.uk) 

• However, from 11 April 2024, the minimum savings requirement will increase to £88,500.

• If the foreign spouse is applying from inside the UK and he/she has permission to work (if switching from a T5 Youth Mobility visa, for example), then the minimum income requirement can be met by the joint income of both the UK sponsor and the foreign spouse;

• We would strongly recommend that you read the Home Office guidance on meeting the financial requirements. The above is intended as a summary only. You can find that guidance here (links to Home Office site): Home Office financial guidance for partners

If you need help with an application, please contact us and we would be happy to help.