Same Sex Partner Visa
for couples building their future together in the UK
A same sex partner visa application may be based on marriage,
civil partnership, a planned ceremony or a qualifying durable
unmarried relationship, depending on the couple’s circumstances
and the UK-based partner’s status.
Marriage, civil partnership, engagement or a durable unmarried relationship can require different supporting evidence.
Route Overview
How the same sex partner visa
works across different relationship categories
The same sex partner visa route depends on whether the couple
are married, civil partners, planning a UK ceremony or relying
on a durable unmarried relationship.
The application should identify the correct relationship
category, confirm the UK-based partner’s status and explain
how the relationship is genuine, continuing and intended to
continue in the United Kingdom.
Financial circumstances, English-language evidence, accommodation, previous relationships and the applicant’s immigration history may also need to be reviewed as part of the route.
Confirm the applicant’s and partner’s current immigration positions
Identify the correct relationship category for the application
Build a clear chronology supported by consistent evidence
Relationship dates, legal records, living arrangements and future plans should work together.
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 category, immigration history 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 relevant family route.
03
Relationship category
The application should fit a recognised marriage, civil partnership, proposed ceremony or qualifying durable relationship.
04
Life together in the UK
The relationship should be genuine and continuing, with clear plans to live together permanently in the UK.
Important Route Check
Family visa or dependant partner route?
A family partner 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’ identities and ages,
the UK-based partner’s status, the selected relationship
category, whether the relationship is genuine and continuing,
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
Relationship category
The application should identify whether the couple are married, civil partners, planning a recognised ceremony or relying on a durable unmarried relationship.
Identify the correct category and legal records
04
Genuine relationship and UK plans
The couple should show that the relationship is genuine and continuing and that they intend to live together permanently in the United Kingdom.
Explain shared life, periods apart and future plans
Main Requirements
Same sex partner visa requirements
that should be considered together
A same sex partner visa application should present a complete
and consistent account of the relationship category, shared
life, financial position, English-language evidence and
proposed UK accommodation.
The precise requirements depend on whether the application is
based on marriage, civil partnership, a planned ceremony or a
durable unmarried relationship, together with the applicant’s
immigration position.
01
Relationship category
The legal or durable relationship relied on should be identified clearly and supported by the records relevant to that category.
Review
Marriage, civil partnership, proposed ceremony or durable relationship
02
Genuine and continuing relationship
The application should explain how the relationship developed, how the couple maintain their shared life and why any periods apart occurred.
Review
Relationship history, commitment, shared responsibilities and future plans
03
Financial position
Identify the current financial rule that applies before
collecting payslips, bank statements, employment records,
savings evidence or documents supporting another permitted
financial basis.
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 information
The evidence should reflect the individual relationship
Legal recognition, living arrangements, periods apart, cultural circumstances, previous applications and any permitted exemption can affect how an individual requirement is considered.
Supporting Evidence
Same sex partner visa evidence
for one consistent relationship history
Documents should confirm both partners’ identities and
immigration positions, establish the relationship category
and support the relationship, financial, English-language
and accommodation requirements relied on.
Check consistency before submissionNames, dates, addresses, relationship records and financial information 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 category and legal records
Identify the precise relationship category and provide the legal or historical records relevant to it.
Marriage or civil partnership records where applicable
Evidence of plans for a proposed ceremony where applicable
Evidence of a durable relationship where applying as unmarried partners
03
Shared life and ongoing commitment
Explain how the relationship developed, how the couple maintain their shared life and why any periods apart occurred.
Shared residence, expenses or responsibility records where available
Communication, visits and time spent together
Evidence explaining work, study, cultural or other periods apart
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 same sex partner visa
before submitting the application
A structured process helps keep the selected relationship
category, application form, immigration information,
financial records and supporting evidence consistent from
preparation through to the final decision.
Confirm the correct family or dependant partner route
Review whether the application should be based on marriage, civil partnership, a proposed ceremony or a durable unmarried relationship, together with the partner’s UK status and the applicant’s current immigration position.
02
Preparation
Complete the form and organise the evidence
Prepare the online application using information that agrees with the identity, relationship, 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
Same sex partner visa
frequently asked questions
General answers about relationship categories, marriage,
civil partnerships, unmarried partners, living apart,
applications from inside the UK and dependant partner routes.
Individual Circumstances
Need a more specific review?
Prepare a short summary of the relationship category, immigration status, important dates, living arrangements and intended application date.
Same-sex couples use the relevant family partner category for their circumstances. The application may be based on marriage, civil partnership, a proposed marriage or civil partnership, or a qualifying durable unmarried relationship.
A same-sex marriage or civil partnership can be relied on where it is legally recognised in the United Kingdom. The application must also establish the partner’s accepted UK status and the wider financial, English-language and relationship requirements.
Unmarried partners may qualify where they can show a durable relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership that has existed for at least two years. The evidence should explain the relationship history and ongoing commitment.
Living together is not always required where there is a credible reason the couple cannot do so. The application should explain the circumstances and provide evidence of regular communication, visits, financial or practical support and continuing commitment.
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 instead.
Discuss your same sex partner visa application
before deciding how to proceed
Discuss the relationship category, partner’s UK status,
relationship history, living arrangements, periods apart,
financial position, English requirement, accommodation and
available supporting evidence.
