Apply as a partner or spouse
To apply as a partner, certain eligibility criteria must be met by both you and your partner. Firstly, both individuals need to be 18 years of age or older. Additionally, your partner must fulfill one of the following conditions: they must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status in the UK (such as indefinite leave to remain or proof of permanent residence), be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status (having started living in the UK before 1 January 2021), hold a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa, or have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK. Furthermore, it is necessary for you and your partner to have the intention of permanently living together in the UK after the application is submitted.
When applying, you will need to provide evidence to support your partnership. The following can be used to prove your relationship:
- Being in a civil partnership or marriage that is recognized in the UK.
- Living together in a committed relationship for a minimum of 2 years prior to the application.
- Being engaged, with plans to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving.
Additionally, you must demonstrate proficiency in English and show that you are financially capable of supporting yourself and any dependants. However, if you do not meet these requirements, there may still be options available to you. For instance, you could apply for a visa or seek an extension of your permission to stay if you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or has resided in the UK for 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the country. Alternatively, if there are significant challenges that cannot be overcome if you and your partner were to live outside the UK as a couple, or if it would violate your human rights to prevent you from entering or remaining in the UK, you may still be eligible.
If you are applying as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, you must provide evidence that any previous marriages or civil partnerships have been dissolved, and demonstrate your intention to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of arriving in the UK. It’s important to note that during your engagement, you will not be permitted to work.
How to prove your relationship
When submitting evidence to support your application, it is important to include documentation that fulfills certain criteria. The evidence should originate from reliable sources such as the government, a bank, landlord, utility provider, or a medical professional. It should also confirm your relationship with your partner, showcasing aspects such as cohabitation, shared expenses, or proof of marriage or civil partnership. It is crucial that the evidence is recent, not exceeding 4 years old.
You can include various documents as evidence, such as a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, a tenancy agreement, utility bills, or council tax bills that verify your shared residence or joint payment of bills. A bank statement from a joint bank account or one that confirms your shared address can also be utilized. Additionally, a letter from a doctor or dentist confirming your shared address can serve as evidence.
In cases where you lack evidence meeting the aforementioned criteria, there are alternative options available, although they may decrease the likelihood of a successful visa application. These alternative pieces of evidence can include one-off bills like veterinary fees or home repair costs, letters confirming that both you and your partner are registered to vote at the same address, or student finance paperwork that confirms your shared address.
It is important to note that certain items such as greetings cards, travel tickets, receipts, photographs, and text or social media messages are not considered strong evidence of your relationship and are unlikely to support your application effectively. Therefore, it is advisable to focus on the types of evidence mentioned earlier for a stronger case.
How long you can stay
Upon obtaining this visa, you will be permitted to remain in the UK for a duration of 2 years and 9 months. However, if you are applying as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, the granted stay will be limited to 6 months. Once this initial period expires, you will be required to apply for an extension to prolong your stay in the UK.
In the event that you successfully extend your family visa or switch to this specific visa category, the subsequent period of stay allowed in the UK will be 2 years and 6 months.