The Unmarried Partner visa application is for migrants who wish to join or remain with their British or Settled partners in the UK. In order to apply under this category, Applicants must meet the relationship, financial, and English language requirements. The key requirement is the relationship requirement in which Applicants must show that they are in a genuine relationship akin to marriage. The Unmarried Partner visa category also offers a route to settlement.
What is an Unmarried Partner visa?
The Unmarried Partner visa is for migrants who wish to join or remain with their British or Settled partners in the United Kingdom for a period of 30 months. This visa is also often referred to as a Defacto visa. Applicants can apply for entry clearance or leave to remain if they are already in the UK on a visa valid for more than 6 months. This route allows migrants to apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) after spending a continuous period of 5 years in the UK.
How much does it cost for an Unmarried Partner visa application?
For entry clearance applications the Home Office visa fee is £1523 and for leave to remain applications (in-country) the fee is £1033. Applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for both applications (entry clearance and in-country). The current IHS fee is £1560 (£624 per year).
What are the requirements for an Unmarried Partner Visa application?
There are a number of key requirements that must be satisfied for an Unmarried Partner visa application. The application is made under Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules and the correct supporting documents must be submitted as per Appendix FM SE. Applicants must meet the below requirements:
- Applicants must be of good character and must meet the suitability requirements; and
- The Applicant and Sponsor must be aged at least 18 or over and the Sponsor must be a British or Settled citizen;
- Applicants must show that they are in a relationship akin to marriage and the relationship is genuine and subsisting. Applicants must also show that they have a genuine intention to live together (see below); and
- Applicants must meet the financial requirement of £18,600 (see below); and
- Applicants must meet the English language requirement (see below).
Our immigration team specialise in Unmarried Partner visa applications and can advise on all applications. In our initial consultation, our team will advise you of the requirements and how to meet each of the requirements and provide guidance on the supporting documents.
What is the relationship requirement in an Unmarried Partner visa application?
Applicants must show that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship and living together in a relationship akin to marriage. The Home Office expects to see evidence that the Applicant and Sponsor have been living together for at least 2 years prior to the application. The items of correspondence should be addressed to both the Applicant and Sponsor jointly in their names. If an Applicant cannot provide this evidence, it is possible to submit items addressed to each of other individually if they show the same address for both the Applicant and Sponsor.
In some circumstances, where there is a gap (less than 6 months) in cohabitation Applicants may still apply as long as there is a valid reason relating to the gap.
What is the financial requirement in an Unmarried Partner visa application?
The financial requirement for an unmarried partner visa application is £18,600. The financial requirement also referred to as the minimum income requirement, must be satisfied by the Sponsor for all entry clearance applications. For leave to remain applications (in-country switch), Applicants can rely on their own income. The salary must be received from the same employer for 6 months or more.
There are a number of different ways you can meet the financial requirement. The most popular routes to meeting the financial requirement are through salaried or self-employment. You can also meet the requirement by using cash savings (£62,500) if you can show that the savings were held for a continuous 6-month period. In some circumstances, where the Sponsor earns less than £18,600 it is possible to combine cash savings with the salaried employment to meet the requirement. When combing salaried employment with cash savings it is important to use the Home Office formula. It is also possible to rely on non-work employment such as property rentals or dividends. Our immigration team has ample experience in submitting complex applications involving the financial requirement.
What is the English language requirement in an Unmarried Partner visa application?
The English language requirement for an Unmarried Partner visa application is having a qualification at Level A1 CEFR or above from an approved provider. Applicants will be required to prove their level of English by submitting an academic qualification, or by taking a test. Applicants can also meet the requirement if they have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English. If the qualification is from a UK university or college, you only need your degree certificate.
Where qualifications are from a university or college outside the UK, Applicants must obtain a certificate from UK NARIC to show that their qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and that it was taught in English.
How our immigration solicitors can help submit an Unmarried Partner visa application
Our immigration solicitors in London specialise in visa applications and can submit successful Unmarried Partner visa applications. Our immigration team prepares applications to the highest standard. We have an impeccable track history of submitting successful visa applications for a range of clients. The key to submitting a successful visa application is being aware of the relevant Immigration Rules and submitting the correct supporting documents. Our immigration solicitors in London guide Applicants through the requirements and prepare detailed legal submissions in support of the application. In addition to the legal representations, our team of solicitors also provides multiple substantial reviews of the application bundle to ensure that the correct documentary evidence is submitted. We also prepare and assist with the submission of the application.
Using our Immigration Solicitors in London to submit an Unmarried Partner visa application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with an Unmarried Partner visa application. Our solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications, which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, our solicitors and barristers will ensure all specified documents must be provided.
The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successfully submit an Unmarried Partner visa application
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your prospects of submitting an Unmarried Partner visa application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of an Unmarried Partner visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements under the Immigration Rules.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. LEXVISA is just minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice, and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to a successful Unmarried Partner application. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.