- 27 October 2023
- Immigration
If you are in a committed relationship, akin to marriage, with a British/Irish citizen or a person in the UK with Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settled Status), you may be able to join your partner in the UK via the Unmarried Partner Visa route.
What is the Unmarried Partner Visa?
The Unmarried Partner Visa (a subcategory of the Partner Visa) allows non-British/Irish nationals to join their British/Irish/Settled partners in the UK, provided certain criteria are met. This visa offers a lifeline to couples who are not married but are in a genuine, committed, and lasting relationship. It can also lead to becoming eligible for Settlement in the UK after a continuous period of 5 years.
Eligibility Requirements
As with the Fiancé Visa, to obtain an Unmarried Partner Visa, certain requirements must be met:
- The applicant and their partner must be at least 18 years old
- The partner is either a British or Irish citizen or has obtained Settlement in the UK
- They have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 continuous years
- The relationship is genuine and subsisting
- They intend to live together permanently in the UK
- Any previous relationship has broken down permanently
- They satisfy the ‘financial requirement’
- There is adequate accommodation for both the applicant and the partner
- The applicant speaks and understands English to the required level
Financial Requirement
The financial requirement for an applicant and partner without dependent children, is £18,600 per year (before tax). To fulfil the financial requirement, the partner may rely on a variety of income sources:
- income from salaried or non-salaried employment
- non-employment income, for example, income from property rental or dividends from shares
- cash savings of £62,500 or above, held by the partner and/or the applicant for at least 6 months immediately before the application date
- income from self-employment
The Unmarried Partner Visa allows non-British/Irish nationals to join their British/Irish/Settled partners in the UK, provided certain criteria are met.
Cohabitation Requirement
To be eligible for an Unmarried Partner Visa, an applicant and their unmarried partner must have lived together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years prior to the date of the visa application. Documents must be provided establishing that they’ve shared the same address for this duration.
The two-year period should be continuous, but if the couple is not currently living together, they can still qualify if they met the two-year requirement in the past. However, they must convince the Home Office that their relationship is genuine and ongoing at the time of application.
Evidence can include the following:
- Utility Bills
- Telephone bills or statements
- Joint bank statements
- Letters or other documents addressed jointly from government departments or agencies, for example HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Work and Pensions and etc.
Assessing a durable relationship
An applicant can demonstrate cohabitation through various forms of evidence that indicate shared living arrangements. This might include documents like bank statements, tenancy agreements or utility bills, all of which should reflect that both partners have been residing at the same address for the requisite period of time.
A relationship can still be considered a durable relationship even if the couple is not currently living together for a legitimate reason. For instance, couples might be living apart due to one of them pursuing education in another country, work-related obligations that require separation, or while awaiting immigration permission in another country. In such scenarios, a durable relationship can still meet the requirements, but it’s essential to establish that the relationship is genuine, enduring, and still in effect despite the physical separation. This could be substantiated by evidence suggesting that, though they are currently living apart, they have previously cohabited in a durable relationship and intend to do so in the future.
If the couple has never lived together, Home Office caseworkers must be satisfied that the relationship is equivalent to a marriage or civil partnership and has persisted for more than two years.
In some countries, unmarried partners may not have the opportunity to live together. In these instances, an assessment of whether the relationship resembles a marriage or civil partnership, rather than a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, becomes necessary. In certain other countries, same-sex relationships may not be legally recognised or accepted, potentially making it challenging or impossible for same-sex partners to live together.
Under these circumstances, Home Office caseworkers will initially consult the relevant Country Policy and Information Notes to ensure that their approach is consistent with the available information. Instead of relying solely on evidence of cohabitation, they will look for other indications of an ongoing relationship, such as regular communication, visits, shared holidays, attendance at events, financial support, or any other supporting evidence demonstrating the continuity of the relationship. Typically, when the couple has initiated their relationship in the UK or in a country where same-sex relationships are recognised, they will be expected to have cohabited, unless there are valid reasons for living apart.
The UK’s Unmarried Partner Visa is a beacon of hope for unmarried couples. Our immigration solicitors have a proven track record of obtaining fiancé, spouse and unmarried partner visas for applicants wishing to come to the UK as the partner of a British/Irish citizen or person present and settled in the UK.
We can advise you on the eligibility requirements for a Partner Visa application and once instructed will inform you of the documents required which would demonstrate you meet the relationship, financial, English language and suitability requirements.
In the end, the UK Unmarried Partner Visa creates a way for couples to conquer the hurdles of immigration. Love, after all, knows no borders.
About this article
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SubjectUnmarried Partner Visa UK
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Author
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ExpertiseImmigration
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Published27 October 2023
Disclaimer
This information is for guidance purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking legal advice. Please refer to the full General Notices on our website.
About this article
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SubjectUnmarried Partner Visa UK
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Author
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ExpertiseImmigration
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Published27 October 2023
Immigration Fee Surcharge – October 2023
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit visa – short up to 6 months | £100 | £115 | £15 |
| Visit visa – long up to 2 years | £376 | £400 | £24 |
| Visit visa – long up to 5 years | £670 | £771 | £101 |
| Visit visa – long up to 10 years | £837 | £963 | £126 |
| Visiting academic – more than 6 months but no more than 12 months | £200 | £200 | £0 |
| Private medical treatment visa – more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £200 | £200 | £0 |
| Transit visa (direct airside transit) | £35 | £35 | £0 |
| Transit visit visa (landside transit) | £64 | £64 | £0 |
| Visa for the purpose of joining a ship or aircraft as a member of the crew of that ship or aircraft | £64 | £64 | £0 |
| Electronic Visa Waiver | £30 | £30 | £0 |
| Single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (outside the UK) | £388 | £388 | £0 |
| Transfer of Conditions (Vignette Transfer) application made overseas | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Other visa | £531 | £637 | £106 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 30 months – main applicant and dependants | £180 | £180 | £0 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 5 years – main applicant and dependants | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Route to Settlement | £1538 | £1846 | £308 |
| Route to Settlement – other dependant relative | £3250 | £3250 | £0 |
| Route to Settlement – refugee dependant relative | £388 | £404 | £16 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of a member of the armed forces under Appendix Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules | £2404 | £2885 | £481 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a foreign or Commonwealth citizen discharged from HM Forces under paragraph 13 of Appendix Armed Forces to the immigration rules | £2404 | £2885 | £481 |
| Call out/ out of hours fee (per hour/part hour) – service of consular officers | £142 | £142 | £0 |
| Receiving, preparing and forwarding documents – consular functions | £141 | £141 | £0 |
| Administrative review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Founder – main applicant and dependants | £1036 | £1191 | £155 |
| Endorsement fee under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1000 | £1000 | £0 |
| Start-up – main applicant and dependants | £378 | £435 | £57 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £456 | £524 | £68 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is required | £167 | £192 | £25 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is not required | £623 | £716 | £93 |
| Global Talent – dependants only | £623 | £716 | £93 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependants only | £623 | £716 | £93 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – dependants only | £1036 | £1191 | £155 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) – main applicant and dependants | £1638 | £1884 | £246 |
| Skilled worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £625 | £719 | £94 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1235 | £1420 | £185 |
| Skilled Worker – shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £479 | £551 | £72 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £943 | £1084 | £141 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £247 | £284 | £37 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £479 | £551 | £72 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £247 | £284 | £37 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £479 | £551 | £72 |
| T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants | £625 | £719 | £94 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for 12 months or less – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over 12 months – main applicant and dependants | £625 | £719 | £94 |
| Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange and Youth Mobility Scheme – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £625 | £719 | £94 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £625 | £719 | £94 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £1235 | £1420 | £185 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Scale-up – main applicant and dependants | £715 | £822 | £107 |
| High Potential Individual – main applicant and dependants | £715 | £822 | £107 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student – main applicant and dependants | £490 | £490 | £0 |
| Child student | £490 | £490 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Visa service – Settlement | £573 | £500 | -£73 |
| Priority Visa service – Non-Settlement | £250 | £500 | £250 |
| Super Priority Visa service | £956 | £1000 | £44 |
| User Pays Visa Application service | £55 | £76.50 | £21.50 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to provide any premium service relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £77.40 | £77.40 | £0 |
| International Contact Centre – Email Service (per query) | £2.74 | £2.74 | £0 |
| International Contact Centre – Telephone Helpline (per minute) | £0.69 | £0.69 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Priority service | £800 | £1000 | £200 |
| Expedited processing – Priority service | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| On-Demand service (Mobile Biometric Enrolment) (per hour per representative of the contractor providing the service) | £650 | £650 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, to a Government Department, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom | £57.33 | £57.33 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £77.40 | £77.40 | £0 |
| Premium status checks and advice – Administrative Officer (per minute) | £0.80 | £0.80 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) | £0.88 | £0.88 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) | £1.10 | £1.10 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Higher Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) | £0.97 | £0.97 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Higher Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) | £1.23 | £1.23 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Traveller (Adult) – Yearly Subscription (per year) | £50 | £50 | £0 |
| Registered Traveller (Child) – Yearly Subscription (per year) | £24 | £24 | £0 |
| Registered Traveller – Registration of New Documents | £20 | £20 | £0 |
| Fast Track – Heathrow | £5.20 | £5.20 | £0 |
| Fast Track – Other ports of entry | £3.00 | £3.00 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Founder – main applicant and dependants | £1292 | £1486 | £194 |
| Endorsement fee under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1000 | £1000 | £0 |
| Start-up – main applicant and dependants | £508 | £584 | £76 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £456 | £524 | £68 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is required | £167 | £192 | £25 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is not required | £623 | £716 | £93 |
| Global Talent – dependants only | £623 | £716 | £93 |
| Graduate Route – main applicant and dependants | £715 | £822 | £107 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependants only | £623 | £716 | £93 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – main applicant and dependants | £1292 | £1486 | £194 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) – main applicant and dependants | £1638 | £1884 | £246 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £719 | £827 | £108 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1423 | £1500 | £77 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £479 | £551 | £72 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £943 | £1084 | £141 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £247 | £284 | £37 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £479 | £551 | £72 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £247 | £284 | £37 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation –Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £479 | £551 | £72 |
| T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants | £719 | £827 | £108 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for 12 months or less – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over 12 months – main applicant and dependants | £719 | £827 | £108 |
| Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement Worker, Government Authorised Exchange Worker and Youth Mobility Scheme – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £719 | £827 | £108 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £719 | £827 | £108 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £1423 | £1500 | £77 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker – main applicant and dependants | £259 | £298 | £39 |
| Scale-up – main applicant and dependants | £715 | £822 | £107 |
| High Potential Individual – main applicant and dependants | £715 | £822 | £107 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student – main applicant and dependants | £363 | £490 | £127 |
| Child Student | £363 | £490 | £127 |
| Short term student studying English language for more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £200 | £200 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Extension – main applicant and dependants | £1000 | £1000 | £0 |
| Leave to enter for persons in the UK who are liable to immigration detention | £1048 | £1258 | £210 |
| Leave to remain– Other | £1048 | £1048 | £0 |
| Hong Kong British National (In-country) for 30 months – main applicant and dependants | £180 | £180 | £0 |
| Hong Kong British National (In-country) for 5 years – main applicant and dependants | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Processing an application which is subsequently rejected as invalid | £25 | £25 | £0 |
| Indefinite leave to remain – main applicants and dependants | £2404 | £2885 | £481 |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Card (issued under the EU Settlement Scheme) which has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed | £19 | £19 | £0 |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Permit which has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed | £19 | £19 | £0 |
| Travel Document – Certificate of travel – adult | £280 | £280 | £0 |
| Travel Document – Certificate of travel – child | £141 | £141 | £0 |
| Travel Document – Convention travel document – adult | £75 | £82 | £7 |
| Travel Document – Convention travel document – child | £49 | £53 | £4 |
| Administrative Review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | £50 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation (British citizenship) | £1250 | £1500 | £250 |
| Naturalisation British overseas territory citizens | £1000 | £1000 | £0 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult | £1126 | £1351 | £225 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – child | £1012 | £1214 | £202 |
| The arrangement of a citizenship ceremony (including the administration of a citizenship oath and pledge at the ceremony). | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| The administration of a citizenship oath, or oath and pledge where the oath, or oath and pledge, are not administered at a citizenship ceremony or by a justice of the peace. | £5 | £5 | £0 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – adult | £901 | £901 | £0 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – child | £810 | £810 | £0 |
| Renunciation of nationality | £372 | £372 | £0 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (In the UK) | £372 | £372 | £0 |
| Nationality review | £372 | £372 | £0 |
| Status Letter (Nationality) | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality) | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Nationality correction to certificate | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Nationality – supply of a certified copy of a notice, certificate, order or declaration | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Nationality reissued Certificate | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New Fee from 4th October 2023 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – large sponsors | £25000 | £25000 | £0 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – small sponsors | £8000 | £8000 | £0 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Student sponsors | £8000 | £8000 | £0 |
| The expedited processing of a sponsorship management request made by a Worker sponsor or Temporary worker sponsor | £200 | £200 | £0 |
| Priority service for expedited processing of sponsor licence applications | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor ) | £1476 | £1476 | £0 |
| Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Student sponsor licence | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1476 | £1476 | £0 |
| Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1476 | £1476 | £0 |
| Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1476 | £1476 | £0 |
| Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor), where sponsor currently holds a Temporary Worker and/or Student Sponsor Licence | £940 | £940 | £0 |
| Endorsement fee for a Scale-up sponsor licence under Endorsing Body Pathway (payable to the endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1500 | £1500 | £0 |
| Student sponsor basic compliance assessment | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Sponsor action plan | £1476 | £1476 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker | £199 | £239 | £40 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – Temporary Worker including Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker route, and Scale-up route | £21 | £25 | £4 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – Over 12 Months | £199 | £239 | £40 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – Up to 12 months or less | £21 | £25 | £4 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for student, child student | £21 | £25 | £4 |
