Entry Clearance For Unmarried Partner Visa UK

You can apply for an entry clearance for an unmarried partner visa if you have lived with your UK partner for at least two years in a relationship akin to marriage. Your UK partner must be either a British Citizen, a person with ILR / settled status, an EU national with pre-settled status, a refugee, a Turkish Businessperson visa holder, a Turkish Worker visa holder or a stateless person. To qualify for an unmarried partner visa from outside the UK, you must meet all the eligibility requirements as stated in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, which includes the evidence of cohabitation with your UK partner for at least two years, financial requirement of the minimum income of at least £29,000 or savings, accommodation requirement, the English language requirement and the Tuberculosis (TB) test requirement, if applicable. 

An unmarried partner visa entry clearance application is a process for non-UK residents who wish to join their British or settled unmarried partner in the United Kingdom. This application must be made from outside the UK, before travelling to the UK. The visa allows the applicant to enter and live in the UK with their UK unmarried partner, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. An application for entry clearance for an unmarried partner visa is made according to the requirements in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. As a result of an application for entry clearance for an unmarried partner visa, the applicant is granted initial leave to enter for a period of 33 months.

The requirements to be met for an unmarried partner visa entry clearance include the following:

Valid application: The applicant must submit a valid entry clearance application for an unmarried partner visa UK from outside the UK;

Relationship requirement: The applicant and his/her UK partner must have lived together for at least 2 years and the applicant's UK partner must either be a British Citizen, a person with ILR / settled status, an EU national with pre-settled status, a refugee / humanitarian protection status holder, Turkish Businessperson visa holder, a Turkish Worker visa holder, or a stateless person. The relationship of the applicant with the UK sponsor must be genuine and subsisting, and the appropriate evidence of the genuineness and subsistence of the relationship should be provided in support of the unmarried partner visa entry clearance application;

Age requirement: Both the applicant and the UK partner of the applicant must be aged 18 or over;

Suitability Requirement: The applicant should meet the suitability requirements as set out in Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules and the application should not fall for refusal on suitability grounds;

Financial requirement: The applicant should meet the financial requirements for the grant of an unmarried partner visa entry clearance. The financial requirements can be met through

• income of £29,000 gross per year of the UK sponsor from employment or self-employment; and/or
• savings of the applicant and/or the sponsor; or
• through the rental income of the applicant and/or the sponsor.

Accommodation requirement: The applicant must provide evidence that there will be adequate accommodation, without recourse to public funds, for the family, including other family members who are not included in the application but who live in the same household, which the family owns or occupies exclusively;

English Language Requirement: The applicant must meet the English language requirement to show that the applicant has English proficiency at CEFR level A1 as required by the UK Immigration Rules;

Tuberculosis Test Certificate: The applicant should provide a Tuberculosis test certificate if this is required under Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) of the Immigration Rules.

The step-by-step process to apply for an unmarried partner visa entry clearance from outside the UK is as follows:

Completing the Application Form Online: You should complete the application form online for an unmarried partner visa UK on the UKVI website;

Submitting Application Online: Once your application form is fully completed, you can submit it online for an unmarried partner visa entry clearance by first paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and then the unmarried partner visa entry clearance application fee.

Booking Appointment for Biometrics: After the online submission of your unmarried partner visa entry clearance, you should book an appointment online with the UK visa application centre to enrol your biometrics and hand over your passport for the processing of your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application.

Uploading Supporting Documents: Once you have booked an appointment for the enrolment of your biometrics, you will be able to upload all supporting documents online in PDF format before you attend your biometrics enrolment appointment so that they can be considered in support of your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application.

Attending Biometrics Appointment: You should attend your biometrics enrolment appointment and wait for a decision on your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application. 

Decision on the Application: If you apply through a priority service, you will receive a decision on your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application within 30 working days of the biometrics enrolment date or 60 working days if you apply through a standard service. 

If your entry clearance application for an unmarried partner visa is successful, you will be granted an unmarried partner visa for the UK for 33 months, which leads to settlement/ILR after 5 years.

Here are the key reasons why you should choose Premium Solicitors for your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application: 

Comprehensive Expertise: Premium Solicitors prides itself on its in-depth understanding of the UK immigration system. Their specialist partner visa services encompass all aspects of the application process, from initial consultation to final approval. The firm's solicitors are well-versed in the intricate requirements of UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance, including the necessary documentation, financial criteria, and relationship evidence. This expertise ensures that clients receive accurate and up-to-date advice tailored to their unique circumstances.

Personalised Service: One of the hallmarks of Premium Solicitors is their commitment to providing personalised service. They recognise that every client’s situation is different and requires a bespoke approach. During the initial consultation, the solicitors take the time to understand the client's relationship history, financial situation, and any potential challenges. This thorough assessment allows them to craft a customised strategy aimed at maximising the chances of a successful UK unmarried partner visa application.

Step-by-Step Guidance: The unmarried partner visa application process can be overwhelming, but Premium Solicitors offers step-by-step guidance to make it manageable. Their services include assisting with the preparation and submission of the unmarried partner visa application, advising on the necessary supporting documents, and ensuring all paperwork is accurately completed. Additionally, they provide ongoing support throughout the process, answering any questions and addressing concerns that may arise.

High Success Rates: Premium Solicitors boast a high success rate for UK unmarried partner visa applications, reflecting their expertise and dedication to client success. They keep abreast of the latest changes in immigration law and policy, ensuring that their advice is always current and in line with the latest changes to the immigration laws and policy guidance. Their meticulous attention to detail and proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of unmarried partner visa application refusals due to errors or omissions.

Client Testimonials: Numerous clients have shared positive testimonials about their experiences with Premium Solicitors. Many highlight the firm's professionalism, empathy, and effectiveness in handling their unmarried partner visa applications. These testimonials underscore the firm’s reputation for excellence and reliability in the field of immigration law. The exceptional quality of our unmarried partner visa services is reflected in our 5-star Google Reviews rating, with 99% of our clients expressing their satisfaction.

Additional Support Services: Beyond unmarried partner visa entry clearance applications, Premium Solicitors offers a range of related immigration services. These include advice on switching to an unmarried partner visa, extending an unmarried partner visa, and navigating the complexities of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and citizenship applications. This comprehensive suite of services ensures that clients have a trusted legal partner throughout their entire immigration journey.

Premium Solicitors has established itself as a premier provider of specialist unmarried partner visa services, combining legal expertise with personalised, client-focused support. Their commitment to excellence and high success rates make them a top choice for individuals seeking to bring their partner to the UK. By choosing Premium Solicitors, clients can navigate the complexities of the visa application process with confidence, knowing they have expert guidance every step of the way.

You can apply online for a UK unmarried partner visa from outside the UK.

No, you cannot apply for a UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance from inside the UK while you are outside the UK, and you must apply online from outside the UK. 

The unmarried partner visa entry clearance application submitted through a standard service is normally decided by the Home Office UKVI within 60 working days. 

The unmarried partner visa entry clearance application submitted through a Priority Service is normally decided by the UKVI within 30 working days. 

Yes, you can submit your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application through a Priority Service for a faster decision on your unmarried partner visa application within 30 working days. 

To apply for a UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance,  your UK partner must either:

• be a British or Irish citizen
• have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence
• be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
• have a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa
• have protection status (leave to remain as a refugee, permission to stay as a refugee or a person with humanitarian protection)
• have permission to stay as a stateless person

Yes, you will have permission to work and study in the UK while in the UK on an unmarried partner visa. 

Yes, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for three years, even though you will be granted a UK unmarried partner visa for 33 months. 

You can add your non-British children to your UK unmarried partner visa application as dependants if they are under 18 when you apply. If your child is from your previous relationship, you must prove that you have had the sole responsibility for your child's upbringing for your child's application to be successful. 

The sponsor/UK partner must have an annual income of at least £29,000 or sufficient savings. 

As a result of changes to Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules effective from 11 April 2024, the new financial requirement of £29,000 gross per annum applies to an applicant who is making their first application on the partner route on or after 11 April 2024. You will not have to meet the income requirement of more than £29,000 gross per annum if you have any dependent children applying simultaneously along with the lead applicant, and the threshold will remain at £29,000 gross per annum.

To satisfy the financial requirement for a UK unmarried partner visa, the applicant's UK partner must be working and earning at least £29,000 gross per year. If the sponsor's employment income is less than £29,000 gross per annum, the applicant can combine the sponsor's employment income under Category A with savings. The savings must be £16,000 plus additional savings equivalent to 2.5 times the difference between the sponsor's gross annual income and £29,000. 

The applicant's overseas salary income does not count towards meeting the financial requirement. However, the applicant's savings, rental income, or pension income (if applicable) counts towards meeting the financial requirement in combination with the UK partner's income.

Yes, you must provide evidence that your relationship is genuine and subsisting. This can include photographs, communication records, and other relevant documentation.

Also, the applicant and their UK partner must not be within the prohibited degree of relationship. The relationship between the applicant and their UK partner must be genuine and subsisting. Any previous relationship of the applicant or their UK partner must have broken down permanently unless it is a relationship which falls within paragraph 278(i) of the Immigration Rules. The applicant and the UK partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK.

Yes, both the applicant and the UK partner of the applicant must be at least 18 years old.

Yes, you must demonstrate your English language proficiency at CEFR level A1 or higher, unless you are exempt.

If your UK unmarried partner visa application is refused, you may have the right to appeal the decision or submit a new application with additional evidence.

Where the applicant has to meet the minimum income threshold, the financial requirement can generally be met in the following 5 ways:

• Income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work). This is referred to as Category A or Category B, depending on the employment history.
• Non-employment income, e.g. income from property rental or dividends from shares. This is referred to as Category C.
• Cash savings of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant, above £16,000, held by the partner and/or the applicant for at least 6 months and under their control. This is referred to as Category D.
• State (UK or foreign), occupational or private pension of the applicant’s partner and/or the applicant. This is referred to as Category E.
• Income from self-employment, and income as a director or employee of a specified limited company in the UK, of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work). This is referred to as Category F or Category G, depending on which financial year(s) is or are being relied upon.

Where the applicant’s UK partner is in receipt of any of the following benefits or allowances in the UK, the applicant will be able to meet the financial requirement at that application stage by providing evidence of “adequate maintenance” rather than meeting an income threshold of £29,000:

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

If the applicant’s UK partner is receiving one of the above benefits or allowances on behalf of their child, the applicant will be able to qualify by meeting the financial requirement through “adequate maintenance.” The evidence required to demonstrate that the applicant’s partner is in receipt of a specified benefit or allowance is specified in Appendix FM-SE.

The Home Office UKVI will use the following formula to determine whether you meet the adequate maintenance requirement for your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application:

A – B ≥ C (A minus B is greater than or equal to C)
Where:
A is the net income (after deduction of income tax and National Insurance contributions);
B is housing costs (Rent and Council Tax); and
C is the amount of Income Support an equivalent British family of that size can receive.

The applicant must provide specified evidence that there will be adequate accommodation, without recourse to public funds, for the family, including other family members who are not included in the application but who live in the same household, which the family owns or occupies exclusively: accommodation will not be regarded as adequate if-

1. it is, or will be, overcrowded; or
2. it contravenes public health regulations.

You’ll need to have information and some evidence ready when you make your UK partner visa application. You should include information for you and any dependants applying at the same time.

You’ll need to provide:

• all your names
• your date of birth
• your current passport or other valid travel ID
• copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports
• a copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one
• details of any previous immigration applications you’ve made
• details of any criminal convictions
•  your national insurance number, if you have one
• your parents’ date of birth and nationality
• your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
• a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh

You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the UK unmarried partner visa. You’ll also need an email address to make an online application.

You’ll also need to:

• prove your knowledge of English
• give proof of your finances

You may need to provide other additional documents depending on your circumstances - for example a sponsorship form from your partner in the UK.

You’ll need to include details of anyone you previously married or had children with. Include evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate.

You’ll need to give details of your children (and your UK partner’s children if you have one). You’ll be asked about all children, even if they’re not applying.

You’ll need to give details of:

• their name
• their nationality
• their date of birth
• their passport details
• who the child normally lives with
• any other people with parental responsibility for your child, for example your step children’s other parents
• how you’re involved in their day to day life
• arrangements you have to see the child - for example the courts have granted you access
• the child’s extended family
• any countries your child has visited or lived in

You can apply for a fee waiver if you cannot pay the fee because you:

• do not have a place to live and cannot afford one
• have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
• have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Apply for a fee waiver online from outside the UK.

Yes, you must provide a Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if you are a national of a country listed in Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) of the Immigration Rules. 

If your entry clearance application for the unmarried partner visa has been refused by the Home Office and you believe that the reasons for refusal are unjustified and not in accordance with relevant laws and facts, you can file an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) within 28 days of the refusal decision. Our specialist team of immigration appeal lawyers can represent you in your entry clearance appeal against the refusal of your entry clearance application as an unmarried partner.

Our partner visa solicitors charge a reasonable fixed fee to handle your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application. Our fixed fee will cover all our work on your UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application until the Home Office makes a decision on your application.

You can check our fixed fee for UK unmarried partner visa entry clearance application by visiting our page - Our Fixed Fees For Family Visa Applications