United Kingdom - Family & Partner - UK Partner (British or Settled Partner) Visa
This UK Partner Visa (often referred to as a UK Marriage Visa, a UK Spouse Visa or UK Unmarried Visa) is based on a valid relationship (married or unmarried, including Same Sex relationships and Civil Partnerships) with a person who holds settled status in the United Kingdom. Where the partner is not a Married Partner (nor a Civil Partner), this visa is often referred to as a De Facto Visa.
Watch this SHORT VIDEO on the UK Partner Visa:
The three types of UK settled status are:
- British Citizen
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and Permanent Residency (including EU Nationals resident in the UK for longer than 5 years)
- Right of Abode
PLEASE NOTE
THE HOME OFFICE HAS INCREASED THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR THIS VISA FROM 2 YEARS TO 5 YEARS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR SETTLEMENT OR INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN.
In addition to the above, the Home Office have implemented a new Financial Requirement to be met by the British partner or spouse. The financial requirement of £18,600 can be met in the following ways:
- employment or non-employmment income
- savings
Where dependents are included, a higher financial requirement must be met.
There are further requirements based on the type of relationship. They are:
1. Married partner (spouse) including Civil Partners (Same Sex)
- the couple are husband and wife or, in the case of a Civil Partnership, same sex partners
- a legally recognised marriage or civil partnership
- there is no relationship length requirement
- there is no UK residency length requirement
2. Unmarried partner (including Same Sex relationships)
- a substantiated and existing relationship
- the relationship length must be at least 24 months
- there is no UK residency length requirement
It can be issued either within the UK or by a British foreign diplomatic post where the applicant has a claim to normal residence or citizenship. In other words, you can apply for this visa both within and outside of the UK. The visa will be granted for five years, made up of two 2.5 visas.
In all cases, both partners must be at least 18 years of age. This was reduced from 21 in late 2011.
A UK Fiance Visa is different, and has a different purpose. This occurs when a couple are intending to marry in the UK but they do not meet the requirements of this UK Partner Visa. This Fiance Visa is an Entry Clearance Visa (in other words, it is issued to a partner in a country other than the UK). It is issued only for 6 months, during which time the couple must marry in the UK and apply for the UK Partner Visa.