UK Civil Partnership Visas

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UK Civil Partnership Visas

A Civil Partnership visa allows those in a civil partnership with a British citizen to live, work and study in the UK. The visa is also available if your civil partner is not a British citizen, provided they have indefinite leave to remain and where you are not yet in a civil partnership but are engaged.

The process of applying for a Civil Partnership visa can be complex, with the need to prove a genuine and subsisting relationship as well as a minimum level of income. A wide range of documentation is usually required to accompany a successful application, and it is important to ensure that you provide adequate information, or you may be at risk of having your visa request turned down.

At IBB Law, our expert immigration lawyers have an in-depth understanding of how to secure a Civil Partnership visa. Our experience means that we will make sure your application has the best chance of success.

We will provide support and guidance throughout the application process, ensuring that the selected visa is the right route to the UK for you. We will work proactively to put your application together without unnecessary delay.

We also represent individuals wishing to switch to a UK Civil Partnership visa or renew their visa.

If you would like to check that a Civil Partnership visa is the best option to allow you to come to the UK, we can go through your choices with you. We also deal with all other types of UK visas and will be able to assist you if a different type of visa would be more beneficial.

Meet the team

Complete support for UK Civil Partnership visa applications

We represent clients from around the globe in making successful Civil Partnership visa applications. Our immigration lawyers can assist with:

  • Assessing your circumstances and advising you in respect of your eligibility for a Civil Partnership visa
  • Completing a Civil Partner visa UK application on your behalf
  • Compiling the accompanying documentation to support your visa application
  • Dealing with Civil Partnership visa rejections and refusals
  • Applications to switch to a Civil Partnership visa
  • Renewing a Civil Partnership visa

For more information in respect of our services, see Immigration Services for Individuals.

Why choose IBB Law for help with applying for a Civil Partnership visa?

The UK immigration law and visa application experts at IBB Law offer:

  • In-depth knowledge of UK Immigration laws, policies and procedures.
  • Hands on support from experts who keep up-to-date with developments in the law so that you always receive practical and accurate advice.
  • A cost-effective and timely service with great attention to detail.
  • Independently accredited immigration expertise with our team being ranked by leading client guide the Legal 500 for Immigration Law.

Looking for immediate help with a UK Civil Partnership visa application?

If you need the advice and guidance of an expert in respect of your UK Civil Partnership visa application, our highly experienced immigration team will be happy to deal with your application on your behalf.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

How to apply for a Civil Partnership visa for the UK

Set out in our guide below is information covering the following:

Making a UK Civil Partnership visa application

Applying for a Civil Partnership visa can be complex, requiring evidence of your identity, your relationship and your income. Our team understand the level of proof that UK Visas and Immigration are looking for, and we can ensure that you have the right documents in support of your application.

UK Civil Partnership visa refusals and rejections

If your application for a Civil Partnership visa has been refused or rejected, our team can advise you of your options. It is often the case that errors are made in the application process. For example, you might not have included enough accompanying documents to provide the evidence needed to prove that your relationship is genuine.

We will let you know whether it will be possible to submit a fresh application, and if so, we can put this together on your behalf to ensure that the right evidence is included to ensure your application is as strong as possible.

In some circumstances, it may be possible to raise an appeal or request a review of the decision that has been made. We will let you know whether this is an option in your case and, if it is, make the application on your behalf.

Renewing a UK Civil Partnership visa

A Civil Partnership visa lasts for two years and nine months. If you wish to extend the visa beyond this, you will need to apply before it runs out. You will need to show that you continue to meet the same visa requirements, including the minimum income threshold.

Once you have renewed your Civil Partnership visa, you may ultimately be able to request indefinite leave to remain once you have been in the UK continuously for at least five years as a civil partner. You can only count the time you have spent in the UK as a civil partner and not the time before your civil partner ceremony or time under a different visa.

Alternatives to a UK Civil Partnership visa

If you are not in a civil partnership, you may be able to apply for a visa using different criteria, including:

Spousal visa – if you are married or engaged to be married to a UK citizen or someone who has indefinite leave to remain in the UK, you may be able to apply as a spouse or engaged person

Partner visa – if you are neither married nor in a civil partnership but you have been living with your partner for at least two years, and they are a UK citizen, or they have indefinite leave to remain, you could qualify for a partner visa

Standard Visitor visa– if you will be in the UK for less than six months, a standard visitor visa will allow you to visit the as a tourist, for business or to study

UK Civil Partnership visa fees

If you will be applying for a Civil Partnership visa from outside of the UK, the cost is £1,523. If you will be applying from within the UK, the fee is £1,033. If you will be bringing any dependants with you, the same fee is payable for each of them.

A healthcare surcharge of £1,872 is also payable. If you are already in the UK, the cost of this is £1,560.

If you are already in the UK and you require a faster service, you may be able to pay an extra £800 to have a decision made within two working days.

What rights does a UK Civil Partnership visa give you?

A Civil Partnership visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to two years and nine months. You are permitted to live, work and study under the visa.

UK Civil Partnership visa requirements

Your civil partner or proposed civil partner must comply with one of the following:

  • Be a British or Irish citizen
  • Have settled status in the UK or indefinite leave to remain
  • Be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and hold pre-settled status
  • Have a Turkish Businessperson visa or a Turkish Worker visa
  • Have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

Both you and your civil partner must be at least 18 years old. You will need to provide evidence of one of the following points:

  • You are in a civil partnership that is recognised in UK law
  • You have been living with and in a relationship with your partner for at least two years prior to making your application for a Civil Partner visa
  • You are a proposed civil partner and intend to enter into a civil partnership in the UK in the six months after you arrive

You will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge of the English language, for example, by holding a degree that was taught in English or by passing an approved English language test.

You and your civil partner need to have a minimum joint income of at least £18,600 per year. If you will be bringing dependent children with you, your income will need to be higher. For the first child you must be earning a further £3,800 and for the second and subsequent children £2,400 for each.

Supporting documents for a UK Civil Partnership visa application

To prove the above, UK Visas and Immigration are likely to require an extensive set of documents. We can help you ensure that you provide evidence of each point by putting together the right information to accompany your visa, giving you the best possible chance of success when you apply.

Civil Partnership visas are frequently turned down when the accompanying documentation is not sufficient, so it is important to take the time to ensure that each point is properly dealt with. We can advise you on the best choice of documents to demonstrate that your relationship is genuine, which could include paperwork from the government, your bank, landlord, utility companies or from your doctor or hospital.

Documents provided should be no more than four years old, and if they are not in English or Welsh, certified translations must be included. They should provide evidence of facts such as you and your partner living together and sharing expenses.

Examples of documents needed include:

  • Your civil partnership certificate
  • A tenancy agreement
  • Utility bills or council tax bills addressed to you both at the same address
  • Bank statements from a joint bank account addressed to you both at the same address
  • Correspondence from your doctor or other healthcare professionals showing that you both have the same address
  • If you were in a previous legal relationship, the court order for divorce or dissolution

Other information may be accepted but is likely to be less persuasive. If you do not have the above documents, we can go through what you do have and advise you of the best options.

You will also be required to provide evidence that you and your partner meet the minimum income requirement. This can be income from employment, self-employment, investments or from a business that you or your partner own.

Documents that will be accepted include the following:

  • Bank statements for you and/or your partner showing regular income from employment
  • Six months’ worth of payslips
  • A letter from an employer confirming:
    • That you or your partner are employed by them
    • The salary that you receive before tax and National Insurance deductions
    • Job title and position
    • How long you have been employed by them
    • How long the current salary has been paid
    • The type of contract held, for example, permanent or fixed-term
    • That the payslips you have produced are genuine

You will also have to provide further documentation as required for a UK visa, as follows:

  • Full name and date of birth for each applicant together with a valid passport or other valid travel document
  • Copies of previous passports
  • Biometric identification and biometric residence permit
  • Details of any previous visa applications
  • Details of any criminal convictions
  • National Insurance number, if you have one
  • If you are applying from outside of the UK, your parents’ date of birth and nationality
  • Tuberculosis test results where required

Your passport should have a blank page available for the visa to be added.

How long does it take to get a UK Civil Partnership visa?

If you will be applying from outside of the UK, you should receive a response within twelve weeks of applying and providing your biometric identity information.

If you are applying from within the UK, you should receive a decision within eight weeks.

Get immediate expert advice on applying for a UK Civil Partnership visa

If you need expert advice and support with a UK Civil Partnership visa application, our highly experienced immigration team will be happy to assist.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

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