Legal service
Unmarried Partner Visa Solicitors
An unmarried partner application needs evidence of a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership lasting at least two years. Shared residence can help show that relationship, but two years of cohabitation is not a universal requirement.
Sources checked on . This general information does not assess your individual circumstances.
The relationship requirement
Appendix FM defines an unmarried partner by a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before application. Both people must be at least 18, have met in person, be in a genuine and continuing relationship and intend to live together permanently in the UK.
The duration and nature of the partnership matter together. A two-year history of contact alone does not necessarily demonstrate a relationship equivalent to marriage or civil partnership. Previous relationships must have ended permanently.
Evidence where you have not lived together
Official guidance recognises couples who cannot live together because of work, study or cultural reasons. Explain why you have lived apart and provide evidence of an ongoing commitment. Do not create or imply a shared address that does not reflect your circumstances.
A coherent relationship history is more useful than unexplained volumes of messages. Show how the relationship developed, how you maintain it across distance and your practical plans for a shared life in the UK.
- Records of visits and time spent together, with an understandable timeline.
- Evidence of regular communication and financial support where relevant.
- Shared responsibilities, including care for any children.
- Documents explaining work, study or other reasons for living apart, and plans to live together.
The UK partner’s status and other eligibility
The sponsor must have a status permitted under the family partner rules, such as British or Irish citizenship, settlement or a qualifying specified status. Pre-settled status has conditions; check the sponsor’s actual basis of permission.
If your partner is temporarily in the UK as a worker or student, consider the appropriate dependant route instead. Meeting a relationship test does not remove the separate financial, accommodation, English or immigration-status requirements.
Financial and English evidence
The usual family partner minimum income is £29,000 a year. Qualifying transitional extensions after successful applications made before 11 April 2024 and specified benefit cases have different rules. Permitted savings and income must be assessed under the correct evidence category.
Initial applications normally require at least A1 speaking and listening if an English test is used. An eligible nationality, qualification or exemption may provide another way to meet the requirement. Evidence of adequate accommodation and the plans to live together is also relevant.
Applying and continuing the relationship route
Choose the outside-UK or in-country process according to your location and permission. Visitors normally have to leave to make a family application; a long relationship does not automatically create an in-country switching exception.
Prepare the relationship account alongside the financial and practical evidence, then follow the application’s identity and document instructions. After a grant, review its duration and settlement route. If you become engaged while holding unmarried partner permission, official guidance says to extend in the same status rather than applying to extend as a fiancé.
Relationship evidence is an important part of preparing an unmarried partner application. Ask the team to confirm how it can assist with your circumstances, particularly where you have lived apart. The proposed work and professional fees should be agreed before instruction.
Official guidance
- Application and healthcare charges
- Check current family-route charges for your application location and the applicable healthcare surcharge. Relationship evidence preparation does not replace the financial requirement.
- Prepare a clear chronology
- Set out the relationship dates, living arrangements and reasons for time apart. Keep original documents and arrange any necessary certified translations.
- Agree Highfin’s role
- Ask for confirmation of the evidence review or application assistance available, the named adviser and professional fees. No approval or successful outcome is promised.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions
Must we have lived together for two years?
No. The requirement concerns a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. Where you could not live together, official guidance allows evidence explaining the circumstances and showing continuing commitment.
Are messages enough to prove the relationship?
Messages can contribute, but the evidence should explain the relationship as a whole. Time together, shared responsibilities, support and credible reasons for living apart may also be relevant.
Can an unmarried partner of a Skilled Worker use this family route?
The appropriate application is normally under the Skilled Worker dependant provisions, if eligible. That route has its own conditions and restrictions; the family visa income rules should not be substituted.
Does being unmarried change the usual partner income threshold?
The family partner financial rules cover unmarried partners as well as spouses. The usual £29,000 requirement is subject to the applicable transitional and benefit-related provisions.
Should we switch to fiancé status if we become engaged?
Official guidance tells someone already in the UK as an unmarried partner to extend with the same visa status, rather than applying to extend as a fiancé or proposed civil partner.
Your next step · Unmarried Partner Visa
Let’s start with
a conversation.
Enquire about Unmarried Partner Visa using the Contact page enquiry section.
Use the enquiry form or our telephone or email contact details.
View enquiry formReturn to Family Visas