Unmarried / Civil Partner Visa

What is this visa?

An Unmarried Partner Visa allows qualifying couples who are not married (and not in a civil partnership) to apply under the family partner rules if they can show a genuine relationship akin to marriage and the required period of cohabitation. Civil partnership visas sit alongside spouse applications for couples who have formally registered a partnership.

Who qualifies

You may qualify if you and your partner have lived together for at least two years, your UK partner is a British citizen or settled person (or otherwise a qualifying sponsor), and you meet financial, English, and accommodation requirements. Periods living apart can complicate the assessment and need careful explanation.

The core eligibility test

The 2-year cohabitation requirement is the hardest part of this route. Most refusals in this category trace back to gaps in joint evidence, mismatched addresses, or an inability to show a shared household over the full period. We map your timeline month by month and identify where evidence is strong or thin before you apply.

Related guidance: Spouse Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, Fiancé Visa, Same-Sex Relationship Visa, Child Visa, Adult Dependent Relative, Bereaved Partner, Settlement & ILR, and British Citizenship.

Financial requirement

The same partner-route financial threshold usually applies as for Spouse Visa applications. Evidence formats are strict. We align your income or savings documents to the current Rules before submission.

Relationship & evidence requirement

Beyond cohabitation, you must show the relationship is genuine and subsisting. Joint accounts, shared leases, utility bills in both names, and consistent correspondence to the same address are typically more persuasive than photos alone.

English language requirement

English requirements mirror the Spouse Visa route for entry and extension, including approved tests and possible exemptions.

Accommodation requirement

You must show suitable accommodation for you both (and any dependants) without overcrowding and without relying on public funds.

Applying from inside vs outside the UK

Whether you can apply in the UK depends on your current immigration status. Many unmarried partners apply from overseas. We check switching rules before you start the form.

Costs & processing time

Fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge apply as on other partner routes. Processing times vary by location and service level.

Route to settlement

Successful applicants usually follow the five-year partner route to ILR, then may progress to British citizenship if eligible.

Common reasons applications are refused

• Insufficient proof of continuous cohabitation for two years

• Address history that does not match claimed living arrangements

• Financial evidence that fails format or threshold tests

• Weak explanation of periods spent living apart

Related guidance: Spouse Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, Fiancé Visa, Same-Sex Relationship Visa, Child Visa, Adult Dependent Relative, Bereaved Partner, Settlement & ILR, and British Citizenship.