The Unmarried Partner visa is intended for individuals in long-term relationships with British citizens, persons with indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or those with limited leave to remain under Appendix EU or Appendix ECAA, who desire to join or remain with their partner in the UK. If your partner is outside the UK but plans to return with you, you may still apply.
Requirements 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, holds indefinite leave to remain, limited leave to remain under Appendix EU or limited leave to remain under Appendix ECAA;
- 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 Unmarried Partner visa application states that you will need to demonstrate that your partner (or both of you jointly if you are in the UK with valid leave to remain) has a gross annual income of at least:
- £18,600; plus
- £3,800 for a first child (who is not British, settled or an EEA national); plus
- £2,400 for each additional child (who is not British, settled or an EEA national).
English Language Requirement
Unless exempt, as part of your Visa application you will need to satisfy the Home Office that you satisfy an English language requirement.
When applying for entry clearance or to switch into the Spouse Visa route you will need to demonstrate competence in the English language to at least CEFR level A1. When you apply for further leave to remain as a spouse you will need to demonstrate competence in the English language to at least CEFR level A2.
You can meet the Spouse Visa English language requirement by:
- Holding the nationality of a majority English speaking country;
- Passing an approved English language test at or above the required CEFR level, with an approved provider as set out on Approved Secure English Language Tests and Test Centres; or
- Having an academic qualification which is either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD if awarded in the UK; or, if awarded outside the UK, is deemed by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to meet or exceed the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, and Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) has confirmed that the degree was taught or researched in English at or above the required CEFR level.
In order to be exempt from the English language requirement you will normally have to prove that either:
- You are over the age of 65 at the date of application;
- You have a physical or mental disability which prevents you from meeting the English language requirement;
- There are exceptional circumstances which mean that you cannot satisfy the English language requirement before entering the UK.
If you are not able to demonstrate that you meet the English language requirement (or are exempt), then your Spouse Visa application will be refused.
- Family & Partner Visa English Language Requirement
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.
Applications for extension of stay as a unmarried partner
- Before your initial grant of leave as a unmarried partner expires, you will need to apply to UK Visas and Immigration to extend your stay.
- The requirements for further leave to remain in the UK as a Spouse are broadly the same as those that apply to initial applications in the Spouse category. However, you will need to make sure that your application satisfies the relationship, financial, accommodation and immigration status requirements again. A higher level English language requirement will also apply.
Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Unmarried Partner
If your Spouse Visa application is successful, you will initially be granted permission to enter the UK for a period of two and a half years (plus an additional three months if applying for entry clearance). You will need to make an extension application before the expiry of your leave. If your spouse extension application is successful then you will be granted further leave for a period of two and a half years.
After spending 5 years (60 months) in the UK on the Spouse Visa route, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain as a spouse you will need to demonstrate, in addition to the above requirements, that:
- Since you have been in the spouse category you have lived together with your spouse in the UK or there is good reason, consistent with a continuing intention to live together permanently in the UK, for any period when you have not done so;
- You meet the higher CEFR Level B2 English Language requirement that applies to settlement applications;
- You have passed the Life in the UK test (unless exempt)..
If you make an application for indefinite leave to remain as a spouse but do not satisfy the above requirements, UK Visas and Immigration will go on to consider if you meet the requirements for a further extension of stay as a spouse.