Unmarried Partner Visa
for couples in a durable relationship planning their life in the UK
An unmarried partner visa may allow an eligible applicant to
join or remain with their partner in the UK where the couple
have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil
partnership for at least two years.
Relationship dates, living arrangements, periods apart and supporting documents should form one consistent account.
Route Overview
How the unmarried partner visa
route works for durable relationships
The unmarried partner visa route may be available where the
applicant and their UK-based partner have been in a relationship
similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years.
The application should explain how the relationship developed,
why it is genuine and continuing, each partner’s immigration
position and the couple’s intention to live together permanently
in the United Kingdom.
Living together can provide strong evidence, but continuous
cohabitation for the full two-year period is not mandatory.
Couples who have lived apart should explain the reasons and show
how they maintained their relationship and shared commitments.
Confirm the applicant’s and partner’s current immigration positions
Build a clear relationship chronology covering at least two years
Explain living arrangements and any relevant periods apart
Dates, shared responsibilities, living arrangements and periods apart should be explained consistently.
Route Snapshot
Core areas to establish
These areas provide an initial overview of the route. The complete requirements and evidence will depend on the relationship history, immigration position, living arrangements and individual circumstances.
01
Age and identity
Both partners should be at least 18 and their identity details should remain consistent across the application records.
02
Partner’s UK position
The UK-based partner must hold a nationality or immigration status accepted under the family route.
03
Two-year durable relationship
The couple should show a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership that has existed for at least two years.
04
Future life together in the UK
The relationship should be genuine and continuing, with a clear intention to live together permanently in the UK.
Important Route Check
Family visa or dependant partner route?
An unmarried partner family visa is not necessarily the correct route where the UK-based partner holds temporary permission under a work or study category.
In those circumstances, the relevant route may instead be a dependant partner application connected to the main visa holder.
Eligibility depends on both partners’ ages and identities, the
UK-based partner’s status, the duration and nature of the
relationship, the applicant’s immigration position and the
wider partner-route requirements.
01
Age and identity
Both partners must be at least 18. Names, dates of birth, nationality details and previous immigration records should remain consistent throughout the application.
Review passports and identity records
02
The partner’s UK status
The UK-based partner must hold a nationality or immigration status accepted under the family route, such as British or Irish citizenship or qualifying settled permission.
Confirm the current status before applying
03
Durable relationship history
The couple should demonstrate that their relationship has been similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years and remains genuine and continuing.
Build a clear two-year relationship chronology
04
Living together or living apart
Evidence should explain the couple’s living arrangements. Where they have not lived together, the reasons and continuing commitment should be presented clearly.
Explain cohabitation and any periods apart
Main Requirements
Unmarried partner visa requirements
that should be considered together
An unmarried partner visa application should present a complete
and consistent account of the relationship, living arrangements,
financial position, English-language evidence and proposed UK
accommodation.
Identify the financial rule that applies before collecting
payslips, bank statements, employment records, savings evidence
or documents supporting an alternative permitted basis.
01
Durable relationship
The couple should show that the relationship has been similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years and is genuine and continuing.
Review
Relationship duration, commitment and future plans
02
Living arrangements
The application should explain where the couple have lived, how their shared life is organised and why any periods apart occurred.
Review
Cohabitation, shared responsibilities and periods apart
03
Financial position
The permitted income, savings or alternative basis relied on should be identified before collecting the corresponding financial documents.
Review
Income source, evidence period and calculations
04
English language and UK accommodation
The applicant may need accepted English-language evidence or an exemption, and the application should show that suitable UK accommodation will be available.
Review
English evidence, property and household details
Living together is not the only way to demonstrate the route
Where the couple have not lived together, the application should explain why and show that the relationship has still been similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years.
Supporting Evidence
Unmarried partner visa evidence
for one consistent relationship history
Evidence should confirm both partners’ identities and immigration
positions, demonstrate the duration and nature of the relationship
and support the financial, English-language and accommodation
requirements relied on.
Check the full relationship chronologyDates, addresses, visits, periods apart and shared commitments should agree across the evidence.
Evidence Groups
Organise documents by purpose
The documents required will depend on the application and circumstances. These groups provide a practical starting structure.
01
Identity and immigration position
Confirm who each partner is and the immigration position relied on for the route.
Current passports and relevant travel records
Evidence of the partner’s UK status
Relevant previous applications or decisions
02
Relationship duration and commitment
Explain how the relationship developed and show that it has been similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years.
A clear relationship chronology covering at least two years
Communication, visits and time spent together
Shared responsibilities, commitments and future plans
03
Living arrangements and periods apart
Show how the couple’s shared life is organised and explain any periods when they have not been able to live together.
Joint-address, household or responsibility records where available
Travel and communication evidence during periods apart
Explanations for work, study, cultural or other living constraints
04
Financial, English and accommodation evidence
Support the financial basis, English-language position and intended UK accommodation relied on in the application.
Employment, income, savings or permitted financial evidence
Accepted English-language evidence or exemption
Accommodation and household information
Review translations and document quality
Evidence should be complete and readable. Documents not in English or Welsh may require an appropriate certified translation.
Application Process
Prepare the unmarried partner visa
before submitting the application
A structured process helps keep the online form, two-year
relationship history, financial information, supporting evidence
and later identity-stage information consistent.
Review the relationship duration, partner’s UK status, applicant’s current immigration position and whether the application should be made from inside or outside the UK.
02
Preparation
Complete the form and organise the evidence
Prepare the online application using information that agrees with the identity, two-year relationship history, living arrangements, financial, English-language and accommodation documents.
03
Online Submission
Submit the application and required payments
Check the declarations and final answers before submitting the online application and completing the payments requested for the application.
04
Identity Stage
Upload documents and complete identity checks
Follow the instructions provided after submission, including uploading supporting evidence and attending an appointment for biometric information where required.
05
Decision
Keep the application record and review the outcome
Retain copies of the form, submitted evidence and correspondence. When a decision is received, review its terms and any practical next steps.
Follow the instructions issued for the individual application
Identity checks, document-upload arrangements and any further requests can depend on where and how the application is made.
Common Questions
Unmarried partner visa
frequently asked questions
General answers about the two-year durable relationship,
cohabitation, living apart, switching from inside the UK,
dependant routes, translations and the process after submission.
Individual Circumstances
Need a more specific review?
Prepare a short summary of the relationship, immigration status, living arrangements, periods apart and intended application date.
The couple must show a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership that has existed for at least two years. Living together can provide important evidence, but the route may still be available where the couple cannot live together because of work, study, cultural circumstances or another credible reason.
Evidence may include a clear relationship chronology, communication records, visits, shared addresses or responsibilities, financial links, plans for the future and explanations for relevant periods apart. The evidence should show an ongoing commitment similar to marriage or civil partnership.
That depends on the applicant’s existing immigration permission and how they entered the UK. The switching position should be checked before an application is started.
A family partner visa may not be the appropriate route. Depending on the main visa category, the applicant may need to consider a dependant partner application.
Documents not written in English or Welsh may need an appropriate certified translation. Both the original document and translation should be kept together.
The applicant should follow the identity, biometric and document instructions issued for the application. Any later request for information should be reviewed carefully and answered within the stated period.
Review Your Circumstances
Discuss your unmarried partner visa application
before deciding how to proceed
Discuss the relationship duration, partner’s UK status, living
arrangements, periods apart, financial position, English
requirement, accommodation and supporting documents before
submitting the application.
