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Family Visas

Unmarried Partner Visa

The Unmarried Partner Visa lets the partner of a British citizen or settled person live in the UK without being married or in a civil partnership. The defining requirement is that you have been in a relationship similar to marriage or a civil partnership for at least two years. Living together is the usual way to show this and remains strong evidence, though since the rules changed in January 2024 it is no longer strictly required. Well organised evidence of your shared life is what makes or breaks the application, and it is exactly where we focus.

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What is an Unmarried Partner Visa?

The Unmarried Partner Visa is part of the family route under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. It is for couples who are not married and not in a civil partnership, but who are in a relationship that is similar to one. It allows the partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK to join them or remain with them here.

The route works in much the same way as the spouse and civil partner routes once you are on it: the visa is granted for an initial period, then extended, and after five years of continuous residence you can usually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The difference is at the start. Because there is no marriage or civil partnership certificate, you prove the relationship through evidence that it is genuine and has lasted at least two years, most often by showing that you have lived together as partners.

Who this visa is for

  • You and your partner have been in a relationship similar to marriage or a civil partnership, normally for at least two years.
  • Your partner is a British citizen or is settled in the UK.
  • You are not married to or in a civil partnership with each other, and any previous relationships have permanently broken down.
  • You can meet the financial requirement, through income, savings, or a permitted combination.

The main requirements

Each case turns on its own evidence, but most Unmarried Partner Visa applications must satisfy the following.

A relationship akin to marriage, for at least two years

You need to show your relationship has been similar to marriage or a civil partnership for at least two years before you apply, and that it is genuine and continuing. Living together is the most common and strongest way to prove this, usually with documents in both names across that period, such as tenancy agreements, bills, and correspondence. Since the rules changed in January 2024, cohabitation is no longer strictly required, so couples who have lived apart for good reasons can still qualify with a clear explanation and supporting evidence.

Intention to live together permanently

You must both intend to live together permanently in the UK, and have somewhere adequate to live that you own or occupy exclusively, without overcrowding.

The financial requirement

The sponsoring partner generally needs to meet a minimum income requirement, currently £29,000 a year, or hold enough qualifying savings to meet it in another permitted way. Some sponsors are exempt, for example where they receive certain disability or carer benefits, and a different test applies. We check the figure and how you meet it against the rules in force when you apply.

English language

You usually need to prove your knowledge of English at the required level, unless an exemption applies, for example on the grounds of nationality or a relevant qualification.

Immigration rules and financial thresholds change regularly. The figures and timescales on this page are a general guide, correct as at June 2026, and not advice on your case. We confirm the rules that apply to you before any application is made.

How we handle your application

  1. 1

    Initial consultation

    We review your relationship history, how long you have been together, your immigration history, and your finances, then tell you plainly whether you qualify.

  2. 2

    Relationship evidence plan

    This route lives or dies on the evidence of your relationship. We map out exactly which documents you need, in both names where possible, across the qualifying period, and how to explain and fill any gaps.

  3. 3

    Preparing your case

    We check every document, draft the supporting letters, and complete the application so it presents your relationship at its strongest.

  4. 4

    Submission and follow-up

    We submit the application, deal with the Home Office on your behalf, and keep you updated until a decision is made.

What is included in our service

  • An initial eligibility check of your case
  • A cohabitation and relationship evidence checklist tailored to you
  • Drafting of the application and your supporting statement
  • Sponsor letter and relationship evidence
  • Submission to UKVI and biometric appointment booking
  • Email and phone support until your decision

Government costs are paid separately and are not part of our fee. For an Unmarried Partner Visa these are the Home Office application fee, currently £2,064 from outside the UK or £1,407 for an in-country application, the Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 per person for each year of your visa, the biometric enrolment fee, and any English test, document translation, or TB test costs that apply to you. These third party figures are correct as at 24 August 2026 and the Home Office can change them at short notice, so we confirm the current amounts with you before you apply.

Common questions

Since the rules changed in January 2024, you no longer have to prove you have physically lived together for two years. What matters is that your relationship has been similar to marriage or a civil partnership for at least two years and is genuine and continuing. If you have lived apart for good reasons, such as work, study, or immigration restrictions, you can still qualify by explaining this and backing it up with evidence. If the relationship itself is shorter than two years, there may still be a route in exceptional circumstances. Speak to us before applying and we will tell you honestly where you stand.

Where you live together, the strongest evidence is documents addressed to both of you at the same address, spread across the qualifying period, such as tenancy agreements, council tax, utility bills, bank statements, and official letters. Where you do not, we build the picture another way, through communication, time spent together, trips, photographs, and statements explaining your circumstances. The aim is a steady, credible trail rather than a single document. We tell you exactly what to gather for your situation.

The requirements once granted are very similar, as is the five year route to settlement. The difference is how you prove the relationship: a spouse or civil partner shows a certificate, while an unmarried partner proves a genuine marriage-like relationship of at least two years. If you are choosing between marrying and applying as unmarried partners, we can talk through what each means for your application.

In many cases dependent children can apply alongside the main applicant on a related route. We assess each child's position as part of your case so the family is dealt with together where possible.