Civil Partner Visa UK (10 Years Route)

What is Civil Partner Visa (10 Years Route)?

The Civil Partner Visa under the 10-year route is a category of leave to remain granted where an applicant does not meet all the requirements of Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules for the standard 5-year route. This route is generally applicable where the applicant is unable to satisfy specific mandatory criteria, such as the immigration status requirement, the English language requirement, or the minimum income threshold under the financial requirement. Applications under this route are made online using form FLR(FP) and are considered on the basis of family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Leave granted under the 10-year route is issued in increments of 30 months and must be renewed until a continuous period of 10 years’ lawful residence is achieved before eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain arises. Applicants must continue to meet the suitability requirements, provide evidence of their subsisting and genuine civil partnership, and demonstrate that refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences for the applicant or their partner, in line with the provisions of the Immigration Rules.

Eligibility Requirements for Civil Partner Visa (10-Year Route)

To qualify under the Civil Partner Visa (10-year route), an applicant must satisfy the Secretary of State that the following conditions are met:

• There must be suitable accommodation available in the UK for the applicant and any dependants, without recourse to public funds. 
• The applicant must be in a genuine and subsisting civil partnership with the sponsor, and both must intend to live together permanently in the UK. 
• The civil partnership must be legally recognised under UK law, and the couple must have met each other in person before the application. 
• Both the applicant and the sponsor must be aged 18 or over at the time of the application. 
• The sponsor must fall into one of the eligible categories: a British or Irish citizen, a person settled in the UK, someone with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, a holder of leave as a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker, or an individual granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK. 
• Neither the applicant nor the sponsor must be related in a way that is prohibited under UK law. 
• Any previous marriages or civil partnerships of either party must have legally ended before the application is submitted. 
• The applicant may not be required to meet the full financial or English language requirements typically associated with the 5-year route but must still provide relevant information in support of the application. These elements may be considered under exceptional or compassionate circumstances as part of the 10-year route assessment.

The 10-year route is intended for individuals who are unable to satisfy certain strict requirements of the standard 5-year route but still meet the core criteria relating to the genuineness of the relationship and the intention to reside together in the UK.  

Who Can Apply This Visa Under (10-year route) 

To apply for a UK Civil Partner Visa UK (10 years route), both the applicant and their partner must be at least 18 years of age. This immigration route is available to individuals who are married to a qualifying sponsor and wish to live together permanently in the UK but are unable to meet all the requirements of the 5 years route. 

The sponsor must fall within one of the following categories: 

• A British citizen or an Irish citizen 
• A person who has been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK 
• An individual holding settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme 
• A person with documented permanent residence in the UK 
• A refugee with recognised protection status in the United Kingdom 
• A person granted permission to stay as a refugee or as a stateless person 

This route is intended for genuine couples who cannot satisfy certain eligibility criteria under the standard route, such as the financial or English language requirements, but who meet the core requirements relating to their relationship and sponsor’s immigration status. 

Documents Required

Applicants for the Civil Partner visa UK (10-year route) must submit a complete set of supporting documents to demonstrate that they meet the relevant immigration requirements. Submitting all evidence in the correct format is vital, as failure to do so can lead to delays or refusal of the application. 

The standard documentation includes: 

• A valid passport or official travel document 
• A marriage certificate that is legally recognised under UK law 
• A completed application form FLR(FP) 
• Satisfactory proof that the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor is genuine and subsisting 
• Disclosure of any criminal convictions or pending matters 
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results, where required based on the applicant’s country of residence 
• Additional documents depending on the applicant’s personal circumstances, such as previous immigration records or joint financial responsibilities 

Every application is assessed individually, and the Home Office may request further documentation based on the specific facts of the case. It is essential that applicants prepare a thorough and well-organised submission to support their application under the 10-year route. 

How To Apply?

Applying for a UK Civil Partner Visa UK (10-year route) involves a structured process that must be followed carefully to ensure a valid and complete application. The following is the step-by-step guidance to apply for civil partner visa under the 10-year route.  

Step 1: Assess Eligibility 

Before beginning the application process, the applicant must confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements for the Civil Partner Visa UK (10-year route). This includes factors such as age, the immigration status of the sponsoring partner, the nature of the civil partnership, and the intention to reside together in the UK. 

Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents 

Applicants must collect and prepare a full set of documents to support the application. Key documents include a valid passport, civil partnership certificate, proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship, details of accommodation, and any required health or character-related documents. Depending on the applicant’s location, supporting evidence may need to be uploaded online or submitted by post to a processing centre. 

 Step 3: Complete and Submit the Online Application 

The application for the Civil Partner Visa UK (10-year route) must be completed and submitted online via the UK government’s official platform. Applicants are required to fill in the correct form (FLR(FP)), provide accurate details, and upload relevant evidence. At this stage, the applicant must also pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). 

Step 4: Attend a Biometric Appointment 

After submitting the online application, the applicant will be instructed to schedule a biometric appointment at a local visa application centre (VAC). Attendance in person is required to provide fingerprints and a photograph. 

Step 5: Await a Decision 

Once the application and biometric information have been submitted, the applicant must wait for the Home Office to process the case. Processing times vary depending on case complexity and volume, but applicants will be notified once a decision is made. 

Application Process Time 2025 

The processing time for a UK Civil Partner Visa (10-year route) depends on where the application is made and whether the applicant meets certain eligibility criteria. 

For applications submitted outside the UK, the average processing time is approximately 12 weeks. 

For applications made within the UK, the timeframe may vary: 

• Where the applicant meets both the financial and English language requirements, a decision is usually made within 8 weeks. 
• If the applicant does not meet the financial or English language requirements and is applying under the 10-year route, the application takes up to 12 months to be decided. 

Applicants may choose to use the Priority or Super Priority Service by paying an additional fee. If available, these services can result in a faster decision. The Priority Service usually provides a decision within 5 working days, while the Super Priority Service may offer a decision within 1 working day.  

Civil Partner Visa (10-Year Route) Fees – 2025 

Application Fee: 

• £1,938 if applying from outside the UK 
• £1,321 if applying from within the UK 

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): 

• £2,587.50 if staying for 2 years and 6 months 
• £3,105 if staying for 2 years and 9 months 
• £5,175 if staying for 5 years 

What is the difference between Civil partner visa 10-year route and 5-year route? 

The 5-year civil partner visa route is for applicants who meet all the standard requirements of the Immigration Rules, including the financial threshold, English language ability, and suitable immigration status. This route leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of continuous residence. In contrast, the 10-year route is available to applicants who are in a genuine and subsisting civil partnership but cannot meet one or more of those specific requirements. Under the 10-year route, the applicant must complete a longer period of residence in the UK, usually through repeated grants of 30- or 33-months leave, before becoming eligible for settlement. 

What Is Paragraph EX1 Of Appendix FM Of The Immigration Rules?

To qualify for leave to remain as a civil partner under the 10-year route, the applicant must meet the requirements set out in paragraph EX1 of Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules. Paragraph EX1 applies where the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements for the 5-year route but seeks leave to remain on the basis of family or private life.

The requirements of EX1 will be satisfied where either:

• The applicant has a parental relationship with a child under the age of 18 who is in the United Kingdom and who:
  • Is a British citizen; or
  • Holds indefinite leave to remain (ILR); or
  • Has resided in the United Kingdom continuously for at least seven years;

and

• It would not be reasonable to expect the child to leave the United Kingdom.

OR

• The applicant is in a genuine and subsisting relationship with a partner in the United Kingdom who is a British citizen, a person present and settled, or otherwise falls within an eligible immigration category;

and

• There are insurmountable obstacles to family life with that partner continuing outside the United Kingdom.

For the purposes of paragraph EX1, insurmountable obstacles are defined as very significant difficulties that would be faced by the applicant or their partner in continuing their family life outside the United Kingdom, which could not be overcome or would entail very serious hardship. An application under the 10-year route relying on paragraph EX1 must include detailed evidence demonstrating the existence of such circumstances.

Can i Apeal Against Refusal to Switching into Civil Partner 10 Years Route?

If the Home Office UKVI refuses your application for a civil partner visa and grants you a right of appeal, you may lodge an appeal with the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) within 14 calendar days of the date of the refusal decision. The appeal may be brought on the basis that the decision is unlawful under the Immigration Rules or breaches the appellant’s right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The appeal will be determined by an Immigration Judge who will consider both the legal merits of the refusal and any human rights grounds relied upon. Sunrise Solicitors offers expert legal representation in civil partner visa appeals, including preparation of appeal bundles, written grounds, and advocacy before the Tribunal, ensuring a professionally presented case to challenge the Home Office decision.

ILR as Civil Partner Visa (10 Years)

Individuals on the Civil Partner Visa UK (10-year route) may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing 10 continuous years of lawful residence in the UK. Unlike the 5-year route, the 10-year ILR route allows applicants to combine time spent on different visa categories that lead to settlement. This can include time spent on a civil partner visa, work visa, or other qualifying visa types. However, time spent in the UK as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner cannot be counted. 

To apply for ILR under this route, the applicant must also meet the English language requirement at CEFR level B1 and pass the Life in the UK Test. These requirements apply whether the applicant is applying under the 5-year or 10-year route. Meeting these criteria is essential to complete the transition from limited leave to permanent settlement in the UK. 

Why Choose Us?

At Sunrise Solicitors, we have built a strong reputation for delivering expert legal support in complex UK immigration matters. With years of experience in handling Civil Partner Visa (10-year route) applications, our dedicated team is well-equipped to guide clients through every stage of their immigration journey. We understand that each case is unique, and we provide tailored legal solutions with precision and care. 

Our services for the Civil Partner Visa (10-Year Route) include: 

• Assessing eligibility and advising on the most appropriate application route 
• Preparing and submitting initial applications under the 10-year route 
• Handling extensions and further leave to remain applications 
• Representing clients in complex cases involving relationship or documentation issues 
• Preparing ILR applications after completing the 10-year qualifying period 
• Advising on switching from the 10-year to the 5-year route, where applicable 

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