Unmarried Partner Visa UK Overview
The Unmarried Partner Visa UK is also known as the UK de facto visa or domestic partner visa and allows unmarried couples to enter and settle in the UK. All non-EEA citizens are entitled to apply for this route, provided that they can satisfy the eligibility conditions.
This visa offers an initial stay of 33 months, with the possibility of extension and a route to permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after five years.
What is Eligibility Criteria for Unmarried Partner Visa UK?
This visa is open to unmarried partners of:
- British citizens.
- Individuals settled in the UK.
- Individuals with pre-settled status.
- Holders of Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visas.
- Individuals with refugee status or humanitarian protection.
Key requirements include:
- Genuine Relationship: A proven, committed relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership, lasting at least two years.
- Financial Stability: As of April 11, 2024, a minimum annual income of £29,000 is required.
- Additional Requirements: Sufficient English language proficiency and provide evidence of adequate accommodation.
For guidance on all the requirements and exemptions, contact Axis Solicitors for a free initial assessment today.
How to Apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa?
The application process of an Unmarried Partner Visa UK can be demanding in terms of preparing the appropriate documentation. Our expert solicitors can provide both guidance and support throughout your Unmarried Partner Visa application. We will help you understand and meet all the requirements, gather the necessary documentation, and compile a portfolio of evidence to ensure your application is as strong as possible.
Axis Solicitors specialises in immigration and has results-driven solicitors who can guide you through every step of the Unmarried Partner Visa UK application. Our solicitors have years of experience in gathering the right persuasive evidence that the Home Office is looking for when they make their decision. Our services include:
- Assess your eligibility and advise on the best course of action.
- Help you gather and prepare all necessary documentation.
- Ensure your application is complete and compelling.
- Provide ongoing support and representation throughout the process.
Contact us to arrange for a free initial assessment and take the first step towards building a future together in the UK.
Unmarried Partner Visa Requirements
To ensure a successful application, you must meet all the requirements set by the Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The most important thing that you need to satisfy and prove is that the relationship is genuine.
Your Partner’s Eligibility
- British or Irish Citizen: Your partner must hold UK or Irish citizenship.
- Settled in the UK: Your partner must have indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or proof of permanent residence.
- Pre-Settled Status: Your partner must have pre-settled status, having started living in the UK before 1 January 2021.
- Turkish Businessperson or Worker: Your partner must hold a valid Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa.
- Refugee or Humanitarian Protection: Your partner must have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
Your Relationship
- Age: Both you and your partner must be 18 or older at the time of application.
- Met in Person: You must have met face-to-face.
- Two-Year Relationship: You must have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. This includes living together for at least two years or being together for at least two years but unable to live together due to study or cultural reasons.
- Genuine and Ongoing: Your relationship must be real, ongoing, and exclusive.
- Intention to Cohabit: You must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
- Past Relationships Ended: Any previous relationships must have permanently ended.
Additional Requirements
- Financial Stability: You must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourselves and any dependents without recourse to public funds. As of 11 April 2024, the minimum income threshold is £29,000 per year.
- Adequate Accommodation: You must have suitable accommodation in the UK for yourselves and any dependents.
- English Proficiency: You must meet the required level of English language proficiency.
Relationship Requirements
Meeting in Person
To qualify for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa, you and your partner must have met in person. A genuine face-to-face encounter is required; brief meetings or solely relying on calls and messages are insufficient.
Two-Year Relationship Rule in 2026
Your relationship, similar to a marriage or civil partnership, must have lasted at least two years before applying. While cohabitation is not always mandatory, proving a genuine and enduring relationship is essential. This updates previous rules that required two years of living together.
Documenting Your Relationship
The Home Office requires substantial evidence to confirm your relationship’s existence and commitment. This can include:
- Proof of shared finances.
- Travel records together.
- Communication records.
- Photos of time spent together.
If your relationship is less than two years old, you may still qualify under exceptional circumstances.
Genuine Relationship Requirement
You must prove to the Home Office that your relationship is genuine, ongoing, and exclusive. The assessment considers various factors:
- Duration: Is your relationship current and long-term?
- Cohabitation: Have you lived together or do you share a residence?
- Children: Do you share responsibility for children?
- Financial Ties: Do you share financial obligations?
- Mutual Visits: Have you visited each other’s home countries?
- Future Plans: Have you made plans to live together in the UK?
Additional Scrutiny
If there are doubts about your relationship, the Home Office may:
- Conduct further checks.
- Interview you and your partner.
- Arrange a home visit.
Successful Applications
Strengthen your application with ample evidence, such as:
- Photos together.
- Communication records (messages, emails).
- Travel itineraries.
- Joint financial documents.
- Proof of cohabitation.
Be prepared to answer questions about your relationship during an interview. Demonstrate a strong commitment to living together in the UK and a clear plan for your future.
Key Evidence
While living together for two years is no longer mandatory, proving cohabitation can strengthen your case. Documents should ideally be jointly addressed, but individual documents showing the same address are also acceptable. These should be recent, cover a span of a few years, and come from various sources. Official documents are preferred.
Examples of Supporting Documents:
- Joint tenancy agreements or mortgage statements.
- Utility bills are in both names.
- Bank statements showing shared financial responsibilities.
- Travel itineraries and tickets.
- Photos of time spent together.
- Communication records (emails, messages).
- Evidence of visits to each other’s home countries.
Additional Considerations
If you have not lived together for long, you can still provide unofficial evidence of your relationship. The Home Office evaluates each application individually and may conduct further checks if there are doubts about your relationship’s authenticity. A lack of convincing evidence may result in the refusal of your Unmarried Partner Visa application.
Accommodation Requirements for Unmarried Partner Visa
When applying for an Unmarried Partner Visa, whether for initial entry into the UK or extending your stay, you must demonstrate that you have suitable accommodation for both yourself and your partner.
Your accommodation must satisfy the following conditions:
- Adequate Space: The property must be spacious enough for both of you to live comfortably, without needing to rely on public funds.
- Exclusive Occupation or Ownership: You must either own the property or have the legal right to occupy it exclusively.
- No Overcrowding: The accommodation must meet UK overcrowding standards, ensuring there is sufficient space for all residents.
- Public Health Compliance: The property must be safe, and healthy, and comply with all relevant public health regulations.
To support your application, you will need to provide evidence of your accommodation, such as proof of ownership or a tenancy agreement. This documentation should confirm your legal right to live there exclusively and demonstrate that the property meets all the necessary requirements.
English Language Requirements
The UK Home Office requires Unmarried Partner Visa applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency as part of their visa application under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. This requirement applies at multiple stages of the visa journey and is crucial for ensuring applicants can effectively integrate into life in the UK
1. Required English Proficiency Levels
Applicants must meet different Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels depending on their stage in the immigration process:
Initial Application – Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain (First Visa)
- CEFR Level: A1
- Skills Required: Speaking and listening only
- Purpose: Demonstrates basic communication ability in everyday contexts
- Test Type: Secure English Language Test (SELT)
- Required For: First-time applicants for an Unmarried Partner Visa
Extension Application – FLR(M) (After 2.5 Years)
- CEFR Level: A2
- Skills Required: Speaking and listening
- Purpose: Shows progress in language ability to handle simple, routine interactions
- Required For: Those renewing or extending their stay under the same visa route
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- CEFR Level: B1
- Skills Required: Speaking and listening
- Additional Requirement: Must also pass the Life in the UK Test
- Purpose: Confirms intermediate language ability for long-term settlement
2. Accepted English Language Tests (SELT)
The test must be taken from one of the Home Office-approved SELT providers at an authorised UKVI centre. These tests assess English proficiency based on CEFR standards:
- IELTS for UKVI (General Training)
Widely accepted; suitable for A1, A2, and B1 level requirements - LanguageCert SELT
Flexible scheduling and quick results; available at A1, A2, B1 levels - Trinity College London (GESE)
Especially popular for family route applicants; offers short, focused tests- Grade 2 (A1)
- Grade 3 (A2)
- Grade 5 (B1)
- Grade 2 (A1)
PSI – Skills for English (UKVI)
Covers A1 to B2 levels; available in both paper and digital formats
3. Test Validity and Conditions
- Test Validity: Most SELT results are valid for 2 years.
- Test Location: Must be taken at an official UKVI-approved test centre.
- Test Type: Only UKVI-specific SELTs are accepted; standard academic IELTS tests or non-SELT versions are not valid.
4. Exemptions from the English Requirement
In limited cases, you may be exempt if you:
- Are aged 65 or over
- Have a permanent physical or mental condition (with certified medical evidence)
- Are a national of a majority English-speaking country (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
- Fall under certain humanitarian routes (case-by-case basis)
5. How Axis Solicitors Can Help
Axis Solicitors offers tailored support for your Unmarried Partner Visa application, including:
- Advising on the correct CEFR level and test provider
- Booking a suitable SELT test and ensuring documentation is in order
- Handling complex cases, exemptions, and reapplications
- Assisting with long-term plans for ILR and British citizenship
With years of experience and a strong track record, Axis ensures your application meets all requirements and avoids unnecessary delays or refusals.
Financial Requirement for Unmarried Partner Visa
To ensure that you can be adequately maintained in the UK without resorting to public funds, you must fulfil the financial requirements for the Unmarried Partner Visa.
For a successful UK Unmarried Partner Visa application, unless exempt, you and/or your unmarried partner (if you are already in the UK with valid leave to remain) must demonstrate a combined gross annual income of at least £29,000.
Note, that the financial requirements for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa no longer include an additional income stipulation for children.
Exceptions and State Benefits
If your unmarried partner is in receipt of certain state benefits or entitlements, different criteria apply. In such cases, the financial requirement necessitates proving that the sponsor can ‘adequately maintain and accommodate’ the family member being sponsored to enter or remain in the UK.
Application Stages
You must satisfy the financial requirements at several stages:
- Initial Application: When you first apply to enter the UK as an unmarried partner.
- Extension of Stay: When you apply to extend your stay as an unmarried partner.
- Indefinite Leave to Remain: When you apply for indefinite leave to remain as an unmarried partner.
Documentation
The Immigration Rules regarding the Unmarried Partner Visa financial requirement necessitate that the applicant provide proof of the financial requirements being met. A common reason for visa refusal is the failure to submit the necessary financial documentation.
Professional Guidance
Axis Solicitors specialises in immigration cases such as the UK Unmarried Partner Visa application and the associated financial documentation required. Our solicitors have years of experience in gathering the right evidence to persuade the Home Office when they make their decision.
Meeting the Financial Requirements
The financial requirement for this visa mandates a minimum gross annual income of £29,000 unless exempted by specific circumstances.
To achieve this, several income sources and combinations may be considered.
Eligible Sources
- Employment Income: Salaried or non-salaried employment income of either the applicant or their UK-based partner.
- Non-Employment Income: Property rental income, dividends, or other regular non-employment income.
- Cash Savings: Savings exceeding £16,000 held for a minimum of six months by either or both parties.
- Pension Income: State, occupational, or private pension income from either party.
- Self-Employment/Company Income: Income derived from self-employment or as a director/employee of a UK limited company.
Cash Savings Calculation
If relying solely on cash savings, a minimum of £88,500 is required. If savings fall below this threshold but exceed £16,000, they can still contribute to the financial requirement. The remaining amount must be met through other permitted income sources.
The Home Office assesses the contribution of savings using this formula:
- Subtract £16,000 from the total savings.
- Divide the remainder by 2.5 (representing the 2.5-years visa duration).
- The result indicates the annual contribution from savings towards the £29,000 annual income requirement.
Example Calculation
If you have £50,000 in savings:
- £50,000 – £16,000 = £34,000 (usable savings)
- £34,000 ÷ 2.5 = £13,600 per year (annual contribution)
- £29,000 – £13,600 = £15,400 (adjusted annual income requirement)
Additional Considerations
Savings can be held individually or jointly in readily accessible accounts (personal bank, savings, or investment accounts).
Investment accounts have specific restrictions; our immigration solicitors can advise on their use.
Specific cash savings requirements may vary depending on whether you are applying for entry clearance, visa extension, or indefinite leave to remain.
Costs and Processing Times for UK Unmarried Partner Visa
Understanding the fees and processing timelines for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa helps you plan your application effectively.
- Application fee (outside the UK): £1,846.
- Application fee (inside the UK): £1,048.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year (£5,175 for five years).
- Processing time (outside the UK): Up to 24 weeks.
- Processing time (inside the UK): Up to 8 weeks for standard cases.
- Priority service: May be available for an additional fee to speed up processing
Fees and processing times are subject to change, and actual decision times may vary depending on the complexity of your application.
Can You Be Exempt from the Financial Requirements for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa?
1. Understanding Financial Requirement Exemptions
- Some sponsors are not required to meet the £29,000 income threshold.
- Exemptions mainly apply where the sponsor receives specific state benefits.
- Adequate maintenance and accommodation must still be demonstrated
2. State Benefits That Qualify for Exemption
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA).
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP).
- War Pension benefits, including Mobility Supplement and War Disablement Pension.
3. Additional Eligible Benefit Categories
- Police Injury Pension or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).
- Attendance Allowance for long-term health needs.
- Carer’s Allowance for individuals providing essential care.
4. What Exemption from the Income Threshold Means
- The sponsor does not need to evidence a £29,000 annual income.
- The couple must still show they can financially support themselves.
- Suitable accommodation without reliance on public funds is still required.
5. Exceptional Circumstances Under Human Rights Law
- Applications may be considered under Article 8 of the ECHR.
- Refusal must risk unjustified interference with family or private life.
- Alternative credible financial resources may be taken into account.
6. Situations That May Qualify as Exceptional
- Serious medical conditions requiring treatment in the UK.
- Humanitarian risks or safety concerns in the applicant’s home country.
- Compassionate circumstances involving exceptional hardship or children.
How Long Can You Stay in the UK with an Unmarried Partner Visa?
The length of stay under an Unmarried Partner Visa depends on where you apply from and progresses in stages toward permanent settlement.
- Initial visa duration: 33 months (for applications made outside the UK)
- For applications made within the UK, initial visa duration is 30 months.
- An extension is required before the initial visa expires.
- Further leave to remain is 30 months.
- Eligibility for indefinite leave to remain after five years of continuous residence.
For a successful application and long-term residency, ensure you meet all requirements and apply on time.
Which Documents You Need for UK Unmarried Partner Visa?
1. Identification and Personal Information
- Current passport or travel document.
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), if applicable.
- Details of criminal convictions, parents’ birth/nationality, and National Insurance number.
2. Accommodation and Financial Evidence
- Proof of UK accommodation (tenancy or property documents).
- Bank statements, six months of payslips, and employer letter with essential details.
- Evidence of additional income sources like pensions or rental income, including P60s.
3. Sponsor Details
- Sponsor’s British passport or Indefinite Leave to Remain documents.
- Right to reside evidence and details of any children included.
- Financial responsibility confirmation and relationship involvement proof.
4. Relationship Evidence
- Partner’s personal details and right to reside in the UK.
- Proof of a genuine, subsisting relationship.
- Evidence of cohabitation and joint responsibilities (shared bills, mortgage, or other expenses).
5. Travel History and Additional Requirements
- Records of countries lived in or visited outside the UK.
- Previous immigration applications and any criminal convictions.
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results, if required.
