UK Unmarried Partner Visa

What is the UK Unmarried Partner Visa?

The Unmarried Partner visa, also known as the UK De Facto visa, is part of the UK Family visa route. 

The unmarried partner route allows individuals who are the long-term partner of either a British or Irish citizen, someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, refugee leave or humanitarian protection or limited leave to remain under Appendix EU, in the UK with permissions as a 'Stateless Person' or Appendix ECAA to join their unmarried partner in the UK.

Under the UK unmarried partner visa route, individuals applying from outside of the United Kingdom are able to live and work in the UK for up to 33 months (2 years and 9 months) initially, if their visa is granted. Following the completion of the initial period of stay within the UK, under the Unmarried Partner route, and if the eligibility requirements are still met then there is the potential to extend the visa by an additional 30 months.

 After spending 5 years in the UK as a partner, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain which can then lead to British citizenship.

Unmarried Partner Visa Requirements 2024

To be eligible for a Unmarried Partner visa, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• You and your partner are at least 18 years old.
• You have been in a relationship similar to a marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years.
• Your partner is either a British or Irish citizen, has settled or pre-settled status in the UK, has a Turkish Business Person or Turkish Worker visa, is currently in the UK with permissions as a 'Stateless Person' or has refugee status / humanitarian protection in the UK.
• You and your partner have physically met each other in person.
• You and your partner intend to live together permanently in the UK and there is adequate accommodation in place.
• Your relationship must be genuine and subsisting.
• Any previous relationships have broken down.
• You satisfy the English language requirement.
• You satisfy the financial requirement.

The Genuine and Subsisting Relationship Requirement

As part of the UK Unmarried Partner route, you will need to prove to the Home Office that you and your partner are in a ‘genuine and subsisting relationship’. The uniqueness of relationships means that decisions on the genuine and subsisting nature of relationships are made on a case-by-case basis using the evidence presented. 

To prove that you and your partner are in a genuine and subsisting relationship, you can provide the following supporting evidence to the UK Home Office:

• Evidence of time spent together, for example on a holiday or at family events, such as birthdays, weddings, etc…
• Although it is no longer a mandatory requirement to show that you and your partner have been living together previously, here at Paragon Law we would recommend that you provide the documentary evidence if you have in fact lived together previously.

• Documents which show that you share financial responsibilities.

Please note that there is a wider range of evidence which can be used to prove that your relationship is genuine and subsisting, so please get in touch with an immigration lawyer if you are unsure as to what evidence to provide. 

Unmarried Partner Visa UK Financial Requirement

When applying for a UK Unmarried Partner visa, you will be required to prove that you and your partner will not need to rely on public funds to support your stay.

To satisfy immigration officials that you will not need to rely on public funds, your partner in the UK must have an annual income of at least £29,000. 

Correct at the time of writing - 16th May 2024.

How to Meet the Financial Requirement

A variety of sources of income can be used to satisfy the UK Unmarried Partner visa financial requirement, such as:

• Income from salaried or non-salaried employment.
• Income from self-employment, or income as a director or employee of a specified limited company in the UK.
• Non-employment income, for example, from property rentals, child maintenance, or dividends/income from investments, stocks and shares.
• Money from a state (UK or foreign), occupational or private pension in your name or that of your partner.
• Maternity allowances or bereavement benefits received in the UK. Income-related benefits will not be counted towards the financial requirement.

Please note that other income sources can be used to satisfy the financial requirement. Moreover, there are exemptions in relation to the financial requirement, therefore, it is important that you speak to an immigration lawyer for further assistance.