Unmarried Partner Visa

What is an Unmarried Partner Visa? 

The Unmarried Partner route under the UK Family Visa allows committed, long-term partners of British citizens or individuals with: 

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) 
• EU Settled or Pre-settled Status 
• Humanitarian protection or refugee status 

to live together in the UK. If applying from outside the UK, the visa is granted for 2 years and 9 months (33 months). For applications made within the UK, it lasts 30 months. 

This visa is specifically for couples who are not married or in a civil partnership, but who have been in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years. It offers a valuable opportunity to build a life together in the UK. The relationship must be Genuine, ongoing (subsisting) and is Based on a clear intention to live together permanently. This visa is designed for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. There is no discrimination from the UK government on the basis of sexual orientation or gender, if they meet the cohabitation and all necessary eligibility requirements.  

Who can apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa UK? 

• A British or Irish citizen 
• An individual holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status or Permanent Residence in the UK 
• National of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who holds Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (having moved to the UK before 1 January 2021) 
• A holder of a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa 
• A person who has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK 

Eligibility Criteria

This visa is applicable for couples who are in a committed relationship. However, UKVI has defined the eligibility criteria for an unmarried partner visa: 

• The age of both partners must be 18 or above 
• The relationship must be subsisting and genuine 
• Both partners intend to live together in the UK 
• The partners lived together for at least 2 years in a relationship akin to a marriage 
• The applicant has the required level of English language proficiency  
• Any previous relationship of the applicant or their partner must have broken down permanently 
• Meet the financial requirement of £29000 per annum if applied after 11 April 2024 
• Meet the financial requirement £18600 if applied before 11 April 2024 
• The applicant must show that their partner can support them financially in the UK without accessing public funds. 

What if financial requirements are not met? 

If you cannot meet the financial requirements, there is still a way for you to apply for a visa or extend your stay in the UK. 

You can still qualify if: 

• You have a child in the UK who is British, Irish or has lived here for at least 7 years. It wouldn’t be reasonable to expect them to leave the country. 
• Asking you to leave, or stopping you from coming to the UK, would go against your human rights. 

Financial Requirement Exemption for Disability or Carer Benefits 

You do not need to prove your financial requirement if your partner is getting any carers or disability benefits listed below: 

• Carer Support Payment 
• Attendance Allowance 
• Severe Disablement Allowance 
• Pension Age Disability Payment 
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit 
• Personal Independence Payment 
• Disability Living Allowance 
• Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance 
• Carer’s Allowance 
• Child Disability Payment 
• Adult Disability Payment 
• Police Injury Compensation (Police Injury Pension) 
• War Disablement Pension, Mobility Supplement, or Constant Attendance Allowance under the War Pensions Scheme 
• Guaranteed Income Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 

English Language Requirement 

The applicant must prove the understanding of English language when they apply for this visa. 

• The applicant must pass level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale   
• The applicant needs to prove English language knowledge if the degree/academic qualification was researched or taught in English. 
• The applicant has taken a degree from a UK college or university. 

If the degree is from a college outside the UK: 

• If the degree is from outside the UK, the applicant needs to get it assessed by Ecctis. It is to confirm if it is equal to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English. 
• If already assessed by Ecctis, you can show your previous certificate.  

When do you not need to prove? 

It is not required to prove English Language Requirement if the applicant belongs to the following countries: 

Malta, Belize, the USA, Dominica, New Zealand, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Canada, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Overseas Territories, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, the Bahamas, Australia, St Lucia and Guyana.  

Furthermore, the applicant does not need to prove if any one of the following is true: 

• The applicant has been in the UK on a family visa for 5 years and is now extending it as a partner 
• The applicant is over 65 years 
• The applicant’s mental or physical condition prevents him/her from meeting the requirements. 

Supporting Evidence &  Requirements

Here is the breakdown of important information and supporting evidence required for the unmarried visa. 

Personal Information (Applicant) 

• Full name and date of birth 
• Current valid passport (plus copies of previous visas/stamps) 
• Previous immigration history 
• Criminal convictions (if any) 
• National Insurance number (if available) 
• Parents’ DOB and nationality (if applying from outside the UK) 
• TB test results (if required) 
• Certified translations of non-English/Welsh documents 

Relationship Evidence 

You must show you have lived together in a relationship like marriage for at least 2 years: 

• Joint tenancy agreements or mortgage documents 
• Joint utility or council tax bills 
• Bank statements showing shared expenses or joint accounts 
• Photos, messages, or travel history together  

Financial Evidence 

Must meet the minimum income requirement before 11 April 2024 (£18,600/year) and After 11 April 2024 (£29000/year): 

• 6 months’ payslips 
• 6 months’ bank statements 
• Employer letter with: 
• Job title & employment status 
• Gross salary 
• Duration of employment 
• Confirmation that payslips are genuine 
• If self-employed: tax returns and business accounts 

Immigration & Status 

• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) OR eVisa share code 
• Must have a blank page in passport (if applying from outside the UK) 

English Language Requirement 

• Approved English test certificate
  OR
• Recognized academic qualification taught in English

Accommodation Requirement 

Whether applying Entry Clearnce or extension as an unmarried partner, the sponsor partner needs to prove that they have adequate accommodation for partner. They must have proper accommodation for their partner and other dependents without relying on public funds. The accommodation should not be overcrowded as per the UK Housing Act 1985. 

Visa Application Process 

There are different steps in the visa application process under an unmarried partner visa. To avoid rejections and delays, the applicant needs to follow the right process.  

Online Application 

Applicants applying from outside the UK need to fill in the online application form. The form is available on the UKVI website. First, choose the category of the visa, “Family Visa”, then choose the subcategory “Unmarried partner Visa’.   After that, fill in all the information accurately (name, address, relationship status, future goals, financial situation). Double-check all the information once it is completed.   

Fee Payment 

Next, you need to pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. The fee varies based on whether the application is made within the UK or outside. You can pay the fee online through a credit or debit card within the same application portal.   

• Outside UK: £1,938 
• Inside UK: £1,321 

The applicants applying from inside the UK may be able to pay an extra £1,000 for the super-priority service to get a faster decision. 

Health Surcharge 

• £1035 for 12 months 
• £2,587.50 if you are staying for 2 years and 6 months 
• £3,105 if you are staying for 3 years  
• £5,175 if you are staying for 5 years 

Biometric Appointment 

After paying the fee for visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), the applicant will be asked to book a biometrics appointment. This step is mandatory for all applicants and requires providing your fingerprints and a photograph. 

• Applicants from outside the UK will be asked to contact the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC). VAC is operated by TLS Contact or VFS Global, depending on the applicant’s country of residence. 
• Applicants from within the UK will be asked to book an appointment via UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS). 

At the biometrics appointment, the applicants will be required to: 

• Provide biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photo). 
• Submit supporting documents. 
• Depending on the location and process, applicants may be able to upload documents online through the respective partner portal prior to the appointment. 
• In some countries, original documents may need to be submitted in person at an appointment or scanned at the visa application center.

Decision 

The applications (entry clearance) that are made outside the UK, the processing time for decision is 12 weeks. The applications made from inside the UK including (switching or extension of visa) the normal processing time is 8 weeks from the biometrics submission date.  The applicants can pay for priority and super priority service to get faster decision.  

After the decision is made, the applicant will be notified with an email that the visa application is successful. For the applications that are made from outside the UK, the visa is valid for 90 days. The applicant can enter the UK within 90 days and collect BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) from allocated post office located in the United Kingdom. For the applications made from inside the UK, the BRP will be delivered to the registered UK address. 

Visa Process Time & Duration 

The charges for priority service are £500 from the date the applicant attended the biometric appointment. The time for the priority service is 5 working days. The charges for super priority service are £1,000. The super priority provides a decision within 24 hours. This is for applications made within the UK. No priority services are possible for the applicants applying from outside the UK. Check the local Visa application centers for the offers.  

Unmarried Partner Visa (5 Year Route) 

The Unmarried Partner Visa (5 year route) allows individuals who have lived with their UK partner to apply for residency in the UK. The applicant must be in a relationship for at least two years akin to a marriage. The visa is initially granted for 2.5 years, with an extension for another 2.5 years, leading to eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) upon completing five years of residence.  

Unmarried Partner Visa (10 years Route) 

The Unmarried Partner Visa (10 year route) offers a longer path to settlement for couples allowing them to live together in the UK. The applicant can work towards Indefinite Leave to Remain after ten years. This route is for couples who are unable to meet all the requirements of the standard 5-year route (including Financial or English language requirements).  

Entry Clearance Unmarried Partner Visa

An Unmarried Partner Visa can be applied for from both outside and inside the UK. If applying from outside the UK (entry clearance), the visa is granted for 33 months, allowing the applicant to join their partner and live in the UK. If applying from within the UK, either by switching from a qualifying visa or extending an existing partner visa, the visa is granted for 30 months. In both cases, applicants may become eligible for settlement after completing five years of continuous residence under this route.

Switching To Unmarried Partner Visa 

Switching to an Unmarried Partner Visa allows individuals living in the UK to change their immigration status. It is based on an individual’s long-term relationship with a British citizen or a person settled in the UK. Couples who have lived together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years can switch to an unmarried partner visa.  Applicants can switch to this visa from certain eligible categories, such as work or student visas. However, switching is not permitted from visitor visas, short-term student visas, or any temporary immigration status that does not allow a change of route from within the UK. Depending on their personal circumstances and eligibility requirements, couples can apply under either the 5-year or 10-year route.  

Extension of Unmarried Partner Visa 

An extension of an Unmarried Partner Visa allows couples to continue their stay in the UK when their visa is about to expire. This helps individuals maintain a lawful status in the UK while progressing towards the ILR (permanent settlement). An extension of an unmarried partner visa provides 30 months (2.5 years) of leave to remain. The extension time is similar for both the 5-year and the 10-year visa routes. 

ILR as Unmarried Partner Visa 

To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the applicant must have lived in the UK for 5 years on an Unmarried Partner visa as the partner of a settled person or British citizen. Once the applicants get ILR, they can live, study and work in the UK freely without facing any restrictions. Getting ILR is the final step before moving the application for permanent settlement after 12 months of getting ILR. 

What happens if the visa is refused? 

When the unmarried partner visa application is rejected, the applicant has the right to appeal against the decision. The appeal is made on human rights grounds or if the Home Office has failed to exercise its discretion, considering the exceptional circumstances. 

The applicant cannot go for administrative review in the unmarried partner route. Judicial review is another legal option to challenge procedural unfairness, negligence, or if no other remedy is available. The judicial review process includes sending a Pre-Action protocol letter to the Home Office. Filing for JR in the Upper Tribunal happens when the matter is still unresolved. Judicial Review emphasizes the legality of the decision-making process and the merits of the case. However, it is considered a last resort as there is no remedy left. Sunrise Solicitors can help with unmarried partner visa refusal, making sure that you get the best possible outcome. 

Why Choose Us?

At Sunrise Solicitors, we specialise in all aspects of the Unmarried Partner Visa route, offering end-to-end legal support tailored to your unique circumstances. Whether you are applying for entry clearance from abroad, switching to this visa within the UK, extending your current leave, or preparing for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the 5-year or 10-year route, our expert immigration lawyers are here to guide you through every stage of the process.

We also provide comprehensive assistance with challenging refusals, including appeals on human rights grounds and judicial review proceedings, ensuring that your case is presented with clarity, precision, and strong legal grounding. Our team combines in-depth knowledge of immigration law with a client-focused approach, delivering trusted, honest advice and a track record of successful outcomes.

With Sunrise Solicitors, you gain more than just legal representation. You gain a dedicated partner committed to securing your future in the UK. Contact us today for expert support with your Unmarried Partner Visa application. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a UK Unmarried Partner Visa and who can apply for it? 

An unmarried partner visa is for a partner of a UK sponsor who has been living together with the UK partner for at least 2 years in a relationship akin to marriage. Partners who have a genuine and subsisting relationship for at least 2 years with an intention to live in the UK can apply for this visa.  

Do I have to live with my partner for 2 years to be eligible? 

No, it is not required to live together with your partner for 2 years. However, you must have a committed relationship (for at least 2 years) similar to marriage to be eligible for the visa. 

How much do I need to earn to meet the financial requirement in 2025? 

The minimum income requirement before 11 April 2024 (£18,600/year) and After 11 April 2024 (£29000/year).  

What documents are required for an Unmarried Partner Visa application? 

• Proof of relationship (joint bills, correspondence, photos). 
• Evidence of meeting the financial requirement (pay slips, bank statements). 
• Proof of English language ability (approved test or relevant degree). 
• Valid passports and immigration history documents 

How long does the visa process take, and can I work in the UK once granted? 

The application made from outside the UK has a processing time of 12 weeks.  For applications made from inside the UK, the processing time is 8 weeks.  Once granted, you can live, work, and study in the UK without any restrictions.