Personal Immigration
Business Immigration

CIVIL PARTNER VISA

CIVIL PARTNER VISA

The UK Civil Partner Visa is for civil partners of British or Irish citizens, persons who are settled in the UK, persons with pre-settled status, persons with a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa and persons with refugee status or humanitarian protection who wish to join, or stay with, their civil partner in the UK.  You can also apply for a UK Civil Partner Visa if your Civil Partner is outside the UK, but is intending to return to the UK with you.

The UK Civil Partner Visa can lead to indefinite leave to remain or settlement in the UK after a period of 5 years.  

UK Civil Partner Visa Requirements

In order to qualify for a UK Civil Partner Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you meet the following requirements:

  • Your partner is British or Irish, is settled in the UK, has been granted pre-settled status, holds a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa or has refugee status or humanitarian protection;
  • You and your partner are both over the age of 18;
  • You and your partner are not within a prohibited degree of relationship;
  • You and your partner have met in person;
  • You and your partner are legally in a civil partnership that is recognised in the UK;
  • Your relationship is genuine and subsisting;
  • You and your partner intend to live together permanently in the UK;
  • Any previous relationship has broken down permanently;
  • You satisfy a financial requirement;
  • There is adequate accommodation for you and any dependents;
  • You speak and understand English to a required level.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy in order to qualify for a Civil Partner Visa may vary depending on your personal circumstances.  You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

To discuss your UK Civil Partner Visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our UK Civil Partner Visa lawyers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

Status of Sponsoring Partner

In order to qualify for a UK Civil Partner Visa, your partner must either:

  • Be a British or Irish citizen in the UK; or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or permanent residence in the UK; or
  • Have pre-settled status under Appendix EU; or
  • Have limited leave to remain as a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker under Appendix ECAA; or
  • Have refugee leave or humanitarian protection status in the UK;

A British Citizen in the UK includes a British Citizen who is coming to the UK with you as your partner. A person with indefinite leave to remain in the UK includes a person who is being admitted for settlement on the same occasion as you.

Minimum Age for a Civil Partner Visa

You and your partner must both be over the age of 18 on the date when you submit your Civil Partner Visa application.

UK Civil Partner Visa Relationship Requirement 

The UK Civil Partner Visa relationship requirement has various elements to it:

  • You and your partner must not be within a prohibited degree of relationship;
  • You and your partner must have met in person;
  • You and your partner must be legally in a valid civil partnership;
  • Your relationship must be genuine and subsisting;
  • You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK;
  • Any previous relationship must have broken down permanently.

Prohibited Degree of Relationship Requirement

In order to qualify for a UK Civil Partnership Visa, you and your civil partner must not be within a prohibited degree of relationship as defined in the Marriage Act 1949,  the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004.  

This means that you and your civil partner must not be related in any of the following ways:

  • Adoptive child
  • Adoptive parent
  • Child
  • Former adoptive child
  • Former adoptive parent
  • Grandparent
  • Grandchild
  • Parent
  • Parent’s sibling
  • Sibling
  • Sibling’s child

In this list ‘sibling’ means a brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister.

A civil partnership between a person and any person in the following list will not qualify for a Civil Partner Visa until both parties are aged 21 or over, and provided that the younger party has not at any time before attaining the age of 18 been a child of the family in relation to the other party:

  • Child of former civil partner
  • Child of former spouse
  • Former civil partner of grandparent
  • Former civil partner of parent
  • Former spouse of grandparent
  • Former spouse of parent
  • Grandchild of former civil partner
  • Grandchild of former spouse

Requirement to Have Met in Person

You and your civil partner must have met in person. The requirement to have ‘met’ means that you must be able to demonstrate a face-to-face meeting which resulted in the making of a mutual acquaintance. Simply coming face-to-face followed by telephone or written contact would not satisfy the requirements for a UK Civil Partner Visa.

Requirement for Civil Partnership to Be Recognised in the UK

In order to qualify for a UK Civil Partner Visa, you and your partner will need to have entered into a civil partnership that is recognised in the UK. 

Civil Partnership in the UK

To be recognised as valid, all civil partnerships which take place in the UK must be monogamous and must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

This means that any required notice of intention to enter into a civil partnership must have been given, your civil partnership must have taken place at a place that is registered to conduct civil partnerships and your civil partnership must have been conducted by, or in the presence of, a person authorised to register civil partnerships. You and your civil partner  must also both have been at least 18 years old (in England and Wales) or 16 years old (in Scotland and Northern Ireland) on the date when you registered your civil partnership in order for your civil partnership to be recognised as valid.

A civil partnership in the UK must be evidenced by a civil partnership certificate.

Civil Partnership Outside the UK

An overseas civil partnership will be recognised in the UK if:

  • The type of civil partnership is recognised in the country in which it took place; 
  • The civil partnership was properly conducted to satisfy the requirements of the law of the country in which it took place; 
  • There is nothing in the laws of either person’s country of domicile at the time of the civil partnership which prevented the civil partnership being recognised; and 
  • Any previous civil partnerships of the couple had broken down permanently.

A civil partnership outside the UK must be evidenced by a reasonable equivalent to a civil partnership certificate, valid under the law in force in the relevant country.

Overseas Relationships Recognised as Civil Partnerships

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 provides for the recognition of an overseas relationship as a civil partnership in the UK where all the following conditions are met:

  • The relationship is registered with a responsible authority in a country or territory outside the UK;
  • Both parties are not already married or in a civil partnership;
  • The relationship is exclusive in nature;
  • The relationship is indeterminate in duration;
  • The relationship results in the parties being regarded as a couple or treated as married.

Schedule 20 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (updated by The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Overseas Relationships) Order 2012) provides a list of overseas relationships which will be recognised as civil partnerships in the UK.

Genuine and Subsisting Relationship Requirement

In order to qualify for a UK Civil Partner Visa you will need to provide the Home Office with evidence that your relationship with your partner is a genuine and subsisting relationship.

Decisions on whether a relationship is genuine and subsisting are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all available evidence and individual circumstances. 

Factors Considered by the Home Office When Deciding Whether a Relationship Is Genuine and Subsisting

Factors which may be considered by the Home Office when determining whether your relationship is genuine and subsisting include:

  • Whether you and your civil partner are in a current, long-term relationship; 
  • Whether you and your civil partner have been or are now living together;
  • Whether you and your civil partner have children together (biological, adopted or step-children) and shared responsibility for them; 
  • Whether you and your civil partner share financial responsibilities;
  • Whether you and your civil partner have visited the other’s home country and family;
  • Whether you and your civil partner have made definite plans concerning the practicalities of living together in the UK;

If the Home Office has doubts as to the genuine and subsisting nature of your relationship then it may undertake further checks, interview you and your civil partner or arrange a home visit.

Documents Required to Prove a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship

The Home Office will expect to see significant evidence of regular contact, signs of affection and companionship, emotional support, and an abiding interest in each other’s welfare and wellbeing.

In addition to a civil partnership certificate,  the Home Office will expect to see evidence of cohabitation. Documents should ideally be in the name of you and your civil partner jointly. Alternatively, it is possible to rely on documents addressed to you both individually at the same address. Documents should be dated within the last few years and originate from a range of sources.  Official documents are preferred, but if it is not possible to provide exclusively official documents then other documents proving cohabitation may also be submitted.

If you and your civil partner have not lived together for very long, it is also possible to provide unofficial evidence of a relationship. 

As mentioned above, the Home Office will expect to see significant evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship.  If the Home Office has doubts as to the genuine and subsisting nature of your relationship then it may undertake further checks, interview you and your civil partner or arrange a home visit.  If it has reasonable grounds to doubt that your relationship is genuine or subsisting then your Civil Partner Visa application will be refused.

Our immigration barristers regularly advise Civil Partner Visa applicants as to the documentary evidence that the Home Office will expect to see in order to be satisfied that their relationship is a real one, based on genuine affection and shared values, and that it is ongoing at the time of the application.  We do not rely on templated lists of documents and only ever advise our clients on the documents needed to prove a genuine and subsisting relationship on the basis of their own personal circumstances.  

Intention to Live Together Permanently in the UK

In order to qualify for a Civil Partner Visa, UK Visas & Immigration will want to be satisfied that you and your civil partner intend to live together permanently in the UK.

At the initial Civil Partner Visa application stage this will require a clear commitment from both of you that you will live together permanently in the UK immediately following the outcome of your Civil Partner Visa application or as soon as circumstances permit thereafter.

When you apply for further leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain as a civil partner, the Home Office will expect any periods of time spent outside the UK to be limited, for good reason and consistent with an intention to live together permanently in the UK. Good reasons could include time spent overseas in connection with work, holidays, training or study.

If you or your civil partner spend the majority of your time overseas, this could cause the Home Office to doubt your intention to live together permanently in the UK. The Home Office will consider the reasons for travel, length of absence and whether you and your civil partner travelled and lived together during the time spent outside the UK. 

Previous Relationship Broken Down Permanently

The Home Office will want to be satisfied that neither you or your civil partner are married to or in a civil partnership with another person at the date of your application for entry clearance as a civil partner.

If you or your civil partner have been previously married or in a civil partnership then you will need to provide evidence that this marriage or civil partnership has been legally dissolved.  

If you or your civil partner have been previously married or in a civil partnership and this marriage or civil partnership has not been legally dissolved then you may still qualify for an Unmarried Partner Visa. You will need to provide evidence that the new relationship is genuine and subsisting and that the previous relationship has broken down permanently.

UK Civil Partner Visa Financial Requirement

In order to demonstrate that you can be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds, you will need to satisfy the Civil Partner Visa financial requirement.

The financial requirement for a UK Civil Partner Visa application states that, unless exempt, you will need to demonstrate that your civil partner (or both of you jointly if you are in the UK with valid leave to remain) has a gross annual income of at least:

  • £18,600; plus
  • £3,800 for a first child (who is not British, holds indefinite leave to remain in the UK, has pre-settled status or settled status or is an EEA national with a right to reside in the UK); plus
  • £2,400 for each additional child (who is not British, holds indefinite leave to remain in the UK, has pre-settled status or settled status or is an EEA national with a right to reside in the UK).

Different considerations will apply if your civil partner is in receipt of certain state benefits or entitlements, when the financial requirement for a UK Civil Partner Visa is that the sponsor can ‘adequately maintain and accommodate’ the family member being sponsored to enter or remain in the UK.

You will need to meet the financial requirement when you first apply to enter the UK as a civil partner, when you apply to extend your stay as a civil partner and when you apply for indefinite leave to remain as a civil partner. 

The Immigration Rules relating to the Civil Partner Visa financial requirement are complex and include mandatory documentary evidence requirements. The onus is on applicants to demonstrate that the financial requirement is met.  One of the most common reasons for refusal of a Civil Partner Visa application is because mandatory financial evidence is not provided.   

How to Satisfy the UK Civil Partner Visa Financial Requirement

The UK Civil Partner Visa financial requirement can be satisfied in a variety of different ways, including by relying on:

  • Income from salaried or non-salaried employment of your civil partner (and/or you if you are in the UK with permission to work); 
  • Non-employment income, for example, income from property rental or dividends from shares; 
  • Cash savings of your partner and/or yourself, above £16,000, held by your civil partner and/or you for at least 6 months and under their / your control;
  • State (UK or foreign), occupational or private pension of your civil partner and/or yourself;
  • Income from self-employment, and income as a director or employee of a specified limited company in the UK, of your civil partner (and/or you if you are in the UK with permission to work).

In some circumstances it is possible to rely on a combination of the above sources of income to satisfy the financial requirement.  

As mentioned above, different considerations will apply if your civil partner is in receipt of certain state benefits or entitlements

Also, Civil Partner Visa applicants relying on cash savings to satisfy the Civil Partner Visa financial requirement may wish to keep in mind that the level of cash savings required in an entry clearance and extension application is different from the level required when applying for indefinite leave to remain

In exceptional circumstances in which refusal of the Civil Partner Visa application could otherwise breach ECHR Article 8, other credible and reliable sources of income, financial support or funds available to the couple may be taken into account.

Our immigration barristers are experts in the Civil Partner Visa financial requirement rules and regularly assist UK Civil Partner Visa applicants to navigate the complex evidential requirements.

To discuss your UK Civil Partner Visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our UK Civil Partner Visa lawyers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

Civil Partner Visa Accommodation Requirement 

Whether you are applying for entry clearance or for further leave to remain as a civil partner, you will need to provide evidence that there will be adequate accommodation available to you and your civil partner, without the need to rely on public funds, in accommodation which you own or occupy exclusively.

You will need to provide evidence as to the basis on which the property is owned or occupied, that you are legally and exclusively entitled to occupy the property and that the property will not be overcrowded or contravene public health regulations.

Civil Partner Visa English Language Requirement 

Unless exempt, as part of your Civil Partner Visa application you will need to satisfy the Home Office that you satisfy an English language requirement.

When applying for entry clearance or to switch into the Civil Partner Visa route you will need to demonstrate competence in the English language to at least CEFR level A1.  When you apply for further leave to remain as a civil partner you will need to demonstrate competence in the English language to at least CEFR level A2. 

You can meet the Civil Partner Visa English language requirement by:

  • Holding the nationality of a majority English speaking country;
  • Passing an approved English language test at or above the required CEFR level, with an approved provider as set out on Approved Secure English Language Tests and Test Centres; or
  • Having an academic qualification which is either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD if awarded in the UK; or, if awarded outside the UK, is deemed by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to meet or exceed the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, and Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) has confirmed that the degree was taught or researched in English at or above the required CEFR level.

In order to be exempt from the English language requirement you will normally have to prove that either:

  • You are over the age of 65 at the date of application;
  • You have a physical or mental disability which prevents you from meeting the English language requirement; 
  • There are exceptional circumstances which mean that you cannot satisfy the English language requirement before entering the UK.

If you are not able to demonstrate that you meet the English language requirement (or are exempt), then your Civil Partner Visa application will be refused.

UK Civil Partner Visa Supporting Documents Checklists

The most common reason for a Civil Partner Visa application to be refused is because the applicant fails to include sufficient documentary evidence in support of their application.

The Immigration Rules contain strict requirements in terms of the documents that must be submitted in support of a UK Civil Partner Visa application.  Every case is different and the required supporting documents for a Civil Partner Visa application will vary from case to case. 

Applicants should be very careful when using pre-prepared document checklists for Civil Partner Visa applications.  Advice from an immigration lawyer will ensure that the documents listed are appropriate for individual circumstances.  

At the same time, if a required document is not provided, is in the wrong format or does not contain all mandatory information then the application for a Civil Partner Visa may be refused.  Appeals can take many months to be determined and the outcome may be uncertain.  A fresh application will involve further cost and additional delay.

Our immigration barristers provide expert advice to Civil Partner Visa applicants in relation to the documents required for a successful Civil Partner Visa application and also check supporting documents for compliance with the Immigration Rules.  

UK Civil Partner Visa Application Fee

The Home Office application fee for a UK Civil Partner Visa application submitted outside the UK is currently £1,523.  The Home Office application fee to switch into the civil partner category from within the UK or extend stay as a civil partner is currently £1,033.

UK Civil Partner Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times

The Home Office service standard for deciding a Civil Partner Visa application submitted outside the UK is 12 weeks (3 months).  Following a reduction in the backlog of Ukraine Visa Scheme applications, the Home Office has announced that standard family visa applications, including Civil Partner Visa applications, are now being processed within 60 working days.

Applications to switch into or extend as a civil partner submitted from within the UK should be decided within 8 weeks.

The Super Priority Service is not available for new Civil Partner Visa applications submitted outside the UK. However, from 9 January 2023, existing applicants with a pending Civil Partner visa application are being offered the option of upgrading to a 15 full working days/3 weeks Priority Service.  The Home Office is aiming to reintroduce the Priority Visa service for Civil Partner Visa applications submitted outside the UK in early 2023.  

Duration of a UK Civil Partner Visa

If your application for a UK Civil Partner Visa is successful, your civil partner visa will be valid for 33 months initially. If you apply for leave to remain in the UK as a civil partner then you will be granted leave valid for 30 months.

Before your initial grant of leave expires, you will need to apply to UK Visas and Immigration to extend your stay.  If your application for further leave to remain as a civil partner is successful then you will be granted further leave to remain for a period of 30 months.

After spending 5 years in the UK as a civil partner, you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Switching Into the Civil Partner Visa Route From Within the UK

An application for leave to remain as a civil partner can be made from within the UK, unless you are in the UK as a visitor or, with few exceptions, with valid leave granted for a period of 6 months or less.  

Visitors who wish to settle in the UK with their civil partner should leave the UK and apply for entry clearance as a civil partner from overseas.

If you are in the UK with permission as a proposed civil partner or were granted leave pending the outcome of family court or divorce proceedings then, exceptionally, you can apply for leave to remain as a civil partner from within the UK.  

Working in the UK on a Civil Partner Visa

Civil Partner Visa holders have a full right to work in the UK.

Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Civil Partner

If your Civil Partner Visa application is successful, you will initially be granted permission to enter the UK for a period of two and a half years (plus an additional three months if applying for entry clearance).  You will need to make an extension application before the expiry of your leave.  If your civil partner extension application is successful then you will be granted further leave for a period of two and a half years.  

After spending 5 years (60 months) in the UK on the Civil Partner Visa route, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain as a civil partner you will need to demonstrate, in addition to the above requirements, that:

  • Since you have been in the civil partner category you have lived together with your civil partner in the UK or there is good reason, consistent with a continuing intention to live together permanently in the UK, for any period when you have not done so;
  • You meet the higher CEFR Level B1 English Language requirement that applies to settlement applications;
  • You have passed the Life in the UK test (unless exempt)..

If you make an application for indefinite leave to remain as a civil partner but do not satisfy the above requirements, UK Visas and Immigration will go on to consider if you meet the requirements for a further extension of stay as a civil partner.

UK Civil Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Register a Civil Partnership in the UK?

If you wish to travel to the UK to register a civil partnership then there are two main immigration routes available: the Civil Partnership Visit visa and the Proposed Civil Partner visa.

The Civil Partnership Visit visa is designed for individuals who wish to visit the UK to form a civil partnership, or give notice of a civil partnership, in the UK.

The Proposed Civil Partner visa is for engaged partners of British or Irish citizens, persons who are settled in the UK, persons with pre-settled status, persons with a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa and persons with refugee status or humanitarian protection, who wish to enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of their arrival.

Where Can I Apply for A UK Civil Partner Visa?

If you are applying for a Civil Partner Visa from outside the UK then you should apply in the country where you are resident (otherwise than as a visitor). You do not need to be a citizen of the country.

If you are already in the UK and have been granted permission to stay for a period of more than six months then you can apply for leave to remain as a civil partner from within the UK.

If you have been granted a period of leave of six months or less, such as a visitor, you will need to leave the UK and apply for entry clearance as a civil partner from overseas.  The concession which allowed visitors to apply from within the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic is no longer in force.

How Do I Apply for a UK Civil Partner Visa?

Civil Partner Visa applications are made using an online application form. There is a different application form, depending on whether the applicant is applying from inside the UK or overseas. 

Before you apply for a UK Civil Partner Visa you should check the correct application form for your individual circumstances with an immigration lawyer.

You should prepare your supporting documents while you are preparing your Civil Partner Visa application form, as there are some specific document requirements which necessitate that your documents are dated before the date that you submit the online application form. 

The current system allows individuals to upload scans of their civil partner visa supporting documents for the Home Office to review. However, you should check the individual procedure for the country in which you intend to apply at the time when you are applying, as the Home Office changes this system from time to time.

Will My Overseas Civil Partnership Be Recognised by the Home Office? 

The Home Office will recognise a civil partnership which has taken place outside the UK provided:

  • The type of civil partnership is recognised in the country in which it took place;
  • The civil partnership was properly conducted to satisfy the requirements of the law of the country in which it took place;
  • There is nothing in the laws of either person’s country of domicile at the time of the marriage which prevents the civil partnership being recognised;
  • Any previous marriages or civil partnerships of the couple have broken down permanently

There are some additional requirements in relation to age and prohibited degrees of relationship and previous divorces, but in broad terms, if the country in which your civil partnership took place recognises you as having entered into a valid civil partnership then so will the UK.

As set out above, the Civil Partnership Act 2004 also provides for the recognition of certain overseas relationships as equivalent to a civil partnership in the UK.

When Can I Apply for a British Passport?

When you first enter the Civil Partner Visa category you will be granted a period of two and a half years (plus an additional three months if applying for Entry Clearance). You will then have to make an extension application before the expiry of this leave and will be granted a further two and a half years.

Most people in the Civil Partner Visa category are on a five year route to settlement. This means that after two grants of 30 months, they are eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Some people are on a ten year route to settlement, and they will need to have four grants of leave. If, after you enter the UK you switch from the five year route to the ten year route, then you can count both grants of leave towards the period you need for the ten year route.

Once you have obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, if you are married to a British national you can immediately apply to Naturalise as a British Citizen. If you are not married to a British national, you will need to wait a period of 12 months before you can apply.

What if My Civil Partner Visa Application Is Refused?

If your application for a UK Civil Partner Visa is refused then you should have a right of appeal. This is because a civil partner application is automatically deemed a human rights claim. 

The appeal will be heard at the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in the UK. 

If you are in the UK, you and your civil partner will be able to attend and give evidence before the Judge. 

If you are outside of the UK, your civil partner will be able to attend, but you can write a statement and provide evidence for the Tribunal to consider. Arrangements may be made for you to give evidence remotely if this is appropriate in your case.  

Immigration appeal proceedings can take many months to be determined and the outcome may be uncertain.  Again, we recommend seeking legal advice and representation from a specialist immigration lawyer before appealing against a decision to refuse a Civil Partner Visa application.

What if I Cannot Satisfy the Requirements for a UK Civil Partner Visa?

If you are not able to satisfy the requirements for a UK Civil Partner Visa you may still be able to enter or remain in the UK on human rights grounds if, for example:

  • You have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen;
  • You have a child in the UK who has lived in the UK for at least 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK;
  • There would be very significant difficulties for you and your civil partner that could not be overcome if you lived together as a couple outside the UK;
  • It would otherwise breach your human rights to prevent you from coming to the UK or to make you leave the UK.

How Our Immigration Barristers Can Help

Our immigration barristers regularly assist foreign national civil partners to relocate to, and settle in, the UK with their partners.  We have assisted hundreds of foreign national civil partners to prepare and submit successful UK Civil Partner Visa applications.

Whether you require expert advice on the requirements of the Immigration Rules for Civil Partner Visas, an independent assessment of your prospects of qualifying for a Civil Partner Visa or professional assistance with preparing a Civil Partner Visa application, our immigration barristers can help.

The financial requirement rules are particularly complex and include mandatory requirements in terms of the documentary evidence that must be provided to UK Visas and Immigration in order to demonstrate access to the relevant funds. Our immigration barristers specialise in assisting applicants with complex financial circumstances to secure successful outcomes in their Civil Partner Visa applications.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients’ needs. We are a highly driven team of immigration barristers, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to individuals applying for a Civil Partner Visa as part of a professional and friendly service.

We can also assist with

  • Immigration property inspection reports for Civil Partner visa applications

    In order to satisfy the requirements of the Immigration Rules for a Civil Partner visa, you will need to demonstrate that there is adequate accommodation for yourself, your partner and any dependants. Our barristers can arrange for a qualified surveyor with specialist knowledge and skills to attend your property to assess and produce a comprehensive report that can be submitted in support of your application.

  • Super priority service appointments for Civil Partners

    If you already have leave to remain in the UK as a Civil Partner and are applying to extend your stay or to settle in the UK, you may be able to submit your application in person and receive a decision on the next working day, using UK Visas and Immigration’s Super Priority Service.

    We can arrange for one of our legal associates, who is familiar with your case, to accompany you to the premium service centre, assist you with registering, provide assistance with enrolling your biometrics and liaise with the immigration officer, caseworker and, if required, your barrister on your behalf.

  • Applications for extension of stay as a Civil Partner

    Before your initial grant of leave as a Civil Partner expires, you will need to apply to UK Visas and Immigration to extend your stay.

    The requirements for further leave to remain in the UK as a Civil Partner are broadly the same as those that apply to initial applications in the Civil Partner category.  However, you will need to make sure that your application satisfies the relationship, financial, accommodation and immigration status requirements again.  A higher level English language requirement will also apply.

  • Applications for settlement as a Civil Partner

    After spending 5 years (60 months) in the UK as the Civil Partner of a British citizen or settled person, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

    In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain as a Civil Partner you will need to demonstrate, in addition to the above requirements, that:

    • Since you have been in this category you have lived together with your Civil Partner in the UK or there is good reason, consistent with a continuing intention to live together permanently in the UK, for any period when you have not done so;
    • You meet the higher English Language requirement that applies to settlement applications;
    • You have passed the Life in the UK test.

    If you make an application for indefinite leave to remain as a Civil Partner but do not satisfy the above requirements, UK Visas and Immigration will go on to consider if you meet the requirements for a further extension of stay as a Civil Partner.

  • Applications by Civil Partners of HM Forces personnel

    The Partner of HM Forces category is for partners of UK armed forces personnel who wish to join, or stay with, their husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner in the UK.

    In order to qualify for leave to enter as the partner of a member of HM Armed Forces, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

    • You are the partner of:
      • a serving British citizen including one who has naturalised after five years’ reckonable service in HM Forces;
      • a serving foreign or Commonwealth national serving in HM Forces (including Gurkhas);
      • someone discharged from HM Forces, within the two years before the date of application, who is a British citizen or who has leave or is being granted leave at the same time under paragraphs 276E-QA of the Immigration Rules or 13-19 of Appendix Armed Forces;
    • You are aged 18 or over and have met your partner in person;
    • You intend to live together with your partner permanently;
    • You are not within a prohibited degree of relationship with your partner;
    • Your relationship with your partner is genuine and subsisting;
    • Any previous relationships have broken down permanently;
    • If you are married or in a civil partnership, it must be a valid marriage or civil partnership;
    • If you are engaged or a proposed civil partner then you must be applying to enter the UK in order to enable your marriage or civil partnership to take place;
    • You will be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds;
    • There is adequate accommodation for you and any dependents;
    • You speak and understand English to the required level.

    In order to demonstrate that you can be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds, you will need to satisfy a financial requirement. You must demonstrate that your partner has a gross annual income of at least £18,600. This amount increases if there are ‘relevant’ children, with an additional £3,800 being added for the first child and a further £2,400 for each additional child thereafter.

    ‘HM Forces’ means a member of the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force who is serving as a member of the regular forces. ‘Gurkha’ means someone enlisted in the Brigade of Gurkhas as part of the British Army.

    Once your application for leave as the partner of a member of HM Forces has been approved, you will be granted leave to enter or remain in the UK for a period of five years (or in line with your partner’s enlistment if this is less than five years).

    After spending 5 years in the UK as the partner of a member of HM Forces, you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

    The Home Office has made special provision for bereaved partners of HM Forces personnel to qualify for settlement early.

  • Fresh applications and Immigration Appeals for Civil Partners

    If your application for entry clearance, leave to remain or settlement as a Civil Partner has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise you on the merits of making a fresh application and/or challenging the decision by way of an appeal to the Immigration Tribunal.

    As well as preparing high quality visa applications, our immigration barristers provide professional legal advice and representation in relation to every aspect of pursuing a UK immigration appeal.

    Our immigration appeal barristers advise on the merits of appealing against Home Office immigration decisions, draft grounds of appeal and applications for permission to appeal, prepare appeal bundles and provide representation at immigration appeal hearings before the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and higher courts.

WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?

To discuss your UK Civil Partner visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our Civil Partner visa team on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form.




    Attach a file if it supports your enquiry. Only .doc or .pdf files.

    open
    close

    LATEST ARTICLES EXPERT COMMENT AND INSIGHT
    FROM OUR IMMIGRATION TEAM

    Expert advice & representation from immigration barristers that you can rely on.

    Google+ - Five Stars

    Read the 600+ five out of five star Google reviews of our immigration barristers.

    More
    AWARDS