Unmarried Partner Visa

Unmarried Partner Visa

If you wish to come to the UK as a non-EEA citizen to join a partner who is a British citizen or who is permanently resident in the UK and you are not married or engaged to be married you may still be eligible for an Unmarried Partner Visa.

Let our friendly, OISC regulated experts help you determine if you are eligible for an Unmarried Partner Visa and navigate the application process.

Simply complete the contact form at the end of this page to get in touch and book your free initial assessment.

Alternatively call us today on +44 (0)117 973 6801

Minimum requirements

In order to be eligible for a Unmarried Partner Visa you and your partner must be:

• Over 18 years old;
• Able to show that you have lived together as if married for at least the last 2 years;
• Intending to live together permanently in the UK;
• Able to show that you satisfy certain minimum financial requirements

Additionally, you must be able to show that any previous civil partnerships or marriages that you and your partner have been party to have ended and are legally terminated.

As with a Spouse Visa, you must also satisfy certain minimum English proficiency requirements and it may be necessary to pass an English test by an Approved Test Provider.

The minimum financial requirements are designed to ensure you and your partner have enough money to adequately support yourselves without relying on public funds.

Application Process

You can apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa both from outside the UK and from within the UK under certain other circumstances e.g. switching from another permitted category.

An application form must be completed and submitted with supporting documents.

Applications from outside the UK must be done online and you will usually receive a decision within 12 weeks.

Alternatively, as with a Spouse Visa, you can expedite your application by using the priority service that is available in most overseas countries.

If applying from within the UK, you have the option to apply by post or to use the Home Office’s premium in person service.

You will usually receive a decision within 8 weeks if you apply by post.

If you use the Home Office’s Premium in Person service you can expect to receive a decision on the same day.

Visa features / term

If your application for an Unmarried Partner Visa is successful you will be granted a visa for 33 months if you applied from outside the UK and for 30 months if you applied from within the UK.

Visa holders are entitled to work and study in the UK.

At the end of your visa’s term you can apply for your visa to be extended for by a further 30 months.

You can apply to settle in the UK – i.e. for indefinite leave to remain in the UK - after having lived for 5 years continuously in the UK under an Unmarried Partner Visa.