How do I bring my partner to the UK?

Bringing your partner to the UK on a Fiance visa

The UK Fiancé visa allows individuals who are engaged to a UK-based partner (sponsor) to enter the UK and marry their partner within six months of arrival. The Fiancé visa is valid for six months, during which time you and your partner must usually marry. If your partner wishes to remain in the UK after the Fiancé Visa expires, they must apply for another UK visa or immigration permission. 

To be eligible for a Fiancé visa, your partner must meet the following requirements:

• Have met in person.

• Are in a genuine and subsisting relationship.

• Intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership with your partner within six months of your arrival in the United Kingdom.

• Any previous relationships, civil partnerships, or marriages have broken down permanently.

• You intend to live together permanently in the United Kingdom.

• Able to adequately maintain themselves without needing to claim public funds.

• Have adequate accommodation for themselves and any dependents.

• Meet the English language requirement.

Bringing your partner to the UK on a Spouse visa or Unmarried Partner visa

The UK Spouse and Unmarried Partner visas enable individuals to join their spouse, civil partner, or long-term partner in the UK. These visas allow spouses and unmarried partners to stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months, with the option to apply to extend their stay. After living continuously in the UK for 5 years on a family visa as a partner, individuals may apply for settlement or indefinite leave to remain. 

To be eligible for a UK Spouse or Unmarried Partner visa, your partner must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older.

• Be married, in a civil partnership, or have lived together in a relationship for at least 2 years.

• Have met each other in person.

• Demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and subsisting.

• Have permanently ended any previous relationships, civil partnerships, or marriages.

• Intend to live together permanently in the UK.

• Have adequate financial support without relying on public funds.

• Have suitable accommodation.

• Meet the English language requirement.

How to apply to bring your partner to the UK?

To apply to bring your partner to the UK, your partner must make an application for the appropriate visa. The visa application is completed and paid for online, and supporting documents can then be uploaded to a dedicated portal, or scanned by a Visa Application Centre. Your partner will need to attend a centre to give their fingerprints and photographs (known as biometric information). A decision will be issued electronically, and a sticker will be placed in their passport to allow them to enter the UK to join you.

How can Paragon Law help? 

Our immigration lawyers have assisted many individuals to successfully bring their partner to the UK. If you require assistance to bring your partner to the UK, or need support in relation to another matter relating to UK immigration, then please contact us to speak to an expert immigration lawyer.