UK Unmarried Partner Visas

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UK Unmarried Partner Visas

A UK Unmarried Partner visa will give you the right to live, work and study in the UK as the partner of someone who is already entitled to be in the UK provided that you have lived with them for at least two years. The application can be complicated, requiring a substantial amount of evidence in respect of both you and your partner and your relationship and it is important to ensure that the right documents are included with the visa application.

At IBB Law, our specialist immigration solicitors have extensive experience of this type of application and we have an excellent Unmarried Partner visa UK success rate for our clients. We will discuss your circumstances with you to make sure that an Unmarried Partner visa is the right choice, then guide you through the application process.

We will work closely with you to ensure that your application includes the evidence that is required by UK Visas and Immigration. If you have had an application for an Unmarried Partnership visa UK rejected or refused, we can advise you of your options and the next steps to be taken.

If you are not sure whether an Unmarried Partner visa is the best choice, we can discuss other potential options with you. Our team are able to help with all other types of UK visas and UK work visas.

Meet the team

Complete support for UK Unmarried Partner visa applications

Our team represents clients from countries around the world in obtaining Unmarried Partner visas. Our services include:

  • Ensuring that an Unmarried Partner visa is the best option and assessing your eligibility to apply
  • Checking that you comply with the Unmarried Partner visa UK requirements and preparing an application on your behalf
  • Putting together adequate documentary evidence in support
  • UK Unmarried Partner visa rejections and refusals
  • Renewing a UK Unmarried Partner visa

For information in respect of our other visa and immigration services, see Immigration Services for Individuals.

Why choose IBB Law for help with applying for a UK Unmarried Partner visa?

The UK immigration experts at IBB Law can offer you:

  • 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 Unmarried Partner visa application?

Our immigration team have extensive visa application expertise and can offer guidance and advice throughout the process.

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 UK Unmarried Partner visa for the UK

The guide below provides information in respect of the following key areas:

Making a UK Unmarried Partner visa application

If you want to apply for a UK Unmarried Partner visa, you will need to make sure you can supply the documentary evidence that the authorities require. This can be quite extensive and the process can be complicated.  Documents will be needed to provide proof in respect of your partner’s circumstances, your relationship, your ability to speak English, your identification, and your joint income.

Our team will identify the key documents that will provide adequate evidence of all of these points and put together a strong application on your behalf, giving you the best possible chance of success.

UK Unmarried Partner visa refusals and rejections

If you have had an application for an Unmarried Partner visa rejected, we can advise you of your options. In some circumstances, you may be able to submit a fresh application. It is recommended that you have help from an immigration expert at this point to ensure that the second application includes all of the necessary information.

We can also discuss with your any other possibilities, such as requesting a review of the decision or a different immigration route to the UK.

Renewing a UK Unmarried Partner visa

If you wish to renew your Unmarried Partner visa, this should be done before it expires. You will need to provide evidence that your circumstances remain the same, for example, that you continue to meet the minimum income requirement.

The initial UK Unmarried Partner visa will be valid for two years and nine months. On renewal, it will be valid for a further two years and six months.

Alternatives to a UK Unmarried Partner visa

If an Unmarried Partner visa is not the right option for you, alternatives include:

Spousal visa – if you are married or engaged to be married

Civil Partnership visa – if you are in a civil partnership or intend to enter into one

Standard Visitor visa – if you plan on coming to the UK for less than six months

UK Unmarried Partner visa fees

If you will be applying from outside of the UK, the fee is £1,523 per person. If you are applying from within the UK, it will be £1,033.

In addition, you will need to pay the immigration health surcharge of £1,872. If you are in the UK, this is £1,523.

What rights does a UK Unmarried Partner visa give you?

A UK Unmarried Partner visa allows you to join your partner in the UK and to live, work and study for up to two years and nine months.

UK Unmarried Partner visa requirements

The visa includes requirements in respect of both you and your partner. Your partner must satisfy one of the following criteria:

  • They are either British or Irish citizens
  • They have indefinite leave to remain in the UK or other settled status
  • They are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and hold pre-settled status
  • They hold a Turkish Businessperson visa or a Turkish Worker visa
  • They have refugee status or are in the UK on the basis of humanitarian protection

Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old. You will need to provide evidence that you have lived together for a minimum of two years and that your relationship is genuine and subsisting.

You will need to show that you can speak English to the required standard. There are also minimum income requirements of £18,600 per year. If you will be bringing children, then you will need an additional £3,800 for the first one and £2,400 for each subsequent child.

Supporting documents for a UK Unmarried Partner visa application

You will need to provide documents that prove the above requirements, including that you and your partner have lived together for two years. The documents provided should be from sources such as the government, banks, utility companies, your landlord, and medical professionals.

We can work with you to assess the documents you have available and put together the strongest possible evidence of your relationship, income, and other requirements. Examples of documents that can be included are:

  • A tenancy agreement, bills from utility companies, or council tax bills that show you live together and share bills
  • A joint bank account statement showing you both living at the same address
  • A letter from a medical professional confirming you live at the same address

Other documents can be used but they will not be as persuasive and you are less likely to be given a visa.

You will also need to provide evidence of your employment and the level of income you and your partner receive. This could be from your salary or other income source such as self-employment or from a company you own.

Documents that can be used to prove your income level include:

  • Bank statements showing your income and that of your partner
  • Payslips for the last six months
  • Written confirmation from your employer of the following:
    • Your employed position, to include your job title
    • How long you have been employed by them
    • What type of contract you hold, such as permanent or fixed-term
    • How much you earn before National Insurance and tax deductions
    • How long you have been receiving your current salary
    • That the payslips you have provided are genuine

Other documents that you will need to produce include:

  • A valid passport or other travel document
  • Copies of any previous passports
  • Biometric identification
  • Details of previous immigration applications
  • Details of criminal convictions
  • National Insurance number, if applicable
  • Parents’ dates of birth and nationality
  • Tuberculosis test results where required

How long does it take to get a UK Unmarried Partner visa?

UK Visas and Immigration aim to respond within twelve weeks of receiving all required documentation if you have applied from outside of the UK or within eight weeks if you have applied from inside the UK.

Can you get an Unmarried Partner visa for the UK if you are not living together?

An Unmarried Partner visa UK not living together is not an option. It is a requirement that you have lived together in a relationship akin to a marriage for at least two years if you wish to apply for an Unmarried Partner visa.

If you have not been living with your partner for this length of time, there may be other visa options open to you and we will be happy to discuss your situation with you to assess your eligibility and what route to the UK might be suitable for your circumstances.

Get immediate expert advice on applying for a UK Unmarried Partner visa

If you need expert advice and support with a UK Unmarried Partner 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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