For those who have been trying to learn more about the UK unmarried partner visa, you have come to the right place!
Long-term partners of British citizens or individuals with UK settled status, a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa, or humanitarian or refugee status, can use the Unmarried Partner visa UK to come to the country.
The visa is a type of UK Family visa that lasts for two and a half years, meaning that, after an extension, it can be used to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
In this article, I will guide you to the key requirements and documents to complete your application, before guiding you through the application process.
It then helps you to understand what you can and cannot do in the UK with this visa.
What Is The UK Unmarried Partner VISA?
People who are in a serious, long-term relationship with a British citizen or someone who has settled in the UK, you have good news!
Sometimes referred to as the de facto visa, with the help of the UK Unmarried Partner VISA, they are permitted to join or stay in the UK with their spouse.
This visa is an alternative to the spouse visa for couples who have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years but are not legally married or in a civil partnership.
Requirements for the Unmarried Partner Visa
The main eligibility requirement is that you need to have been in a long-term, genuine, and committed relationship with your partner, akin to marriage or civil partnership.
The following requirements apply to ensure that your relationship fits this classification:
- You are both at least 18 years old.
- You have lived together for at least two years.
- Any previous relationships have broken down. The UK Government doesn’t recognise polyamorous relations.
- You will live together in the UK in adequate accommodation for yourself, your partner, and any dependents.
The cohabitation period can be fulfilled outside of the UK. This can be proven through joint tenancy agreements or utility bills with both your names on.
On top of these relationship requirements, you also need to match English language requirements and have sufficient funds not to need state support to sustain yourself in the UK. The requirement will typically be a combined annual income of £29,000.
Required Documents for the Unmarried Partner Visa
The exact pieces of documentation required for this visa will vary depending on your unique circumstances. However, the standard required documentation is as follows:
- Proof of your partner’s settled, immigration, or citizenship status.
- Your valid travel document, such as a passport.
- Recent bank statements or wage slips to prove you meet the minimum salary threshold.
- Information of any children that will be joining you.
- Proof of accommodation in the UK.
- Details of criminal convictions.
- Details of past countries you have lived in.
Unmarried Partner Visa Application Process
To be eligible for an Unmarried Partner visa you have to complete a web-based application and then go to a location where your biometrics will be taken.
Utilize the online application process that is outlined below:
- Submit your application online by filling out the form on the official UK government website. Sign up if you are a first-time applicant for a UK visa.
- Scan and save all necessary documents to your computer.
- Proceed with the payment of the application fee. Remember to keep the receipt as it will be required later on. Also, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to access NHS care.
- Make an appointment and go there for the biometrics procedure during which pictures of your fingers and a photo of you are taken. Don’t forget to take your passport with you.
Once the biometric information has been recorded, the Home Office will handle your dossier. This process usually takes 12 weeks for applications sent from overseas and 8 weeks for those filed within the UK.
Nevertheless, if your application is difficult to process or the Home Office is understaffed, it may take much longer.
You can also opt for priority processing for an additional fee, which reduces the processing time to five working days.
Proving You are a Genuine Couple
Concerns that people will pretend to be in a couple to come to the UK have led the Home Office to demand substantial evidence for this visa.
Failure to prove you are a genuine couple is a common reason for an Unmarried Partner visa application being rejected.
The first step in proving your relationship is to maintain comprehensive documentation of your time together. This can include the following things:
- Dated photographs.
- Travel itineraries.
- Records of shared experiences.
Apart from these, other things that will also show that you are financially committed to each other are:
- Joint bank accounts.
- Tenancy agreements.
- Utility bills
Finally, it is a great idea to get help from your friends and family. They can write letters on your behalf, including anecdotes of your time spent together.
Rights and Obligations of the Unmarried Partner Visa
Once your visa application has been granted, you can come to the UK to join your partner. One reason this visa is so popular is that it gives you a fantastic range of rights in the UK, including the ability to work without restrictions.
You can even start a business or become self-employed. This visa is also a pathway to ILR once you have been in the UK for five years. ILR provides greater security in the UK and can serve as a pathway to full citizenship.
However, the visa also comes with obligations. You must remain in the relationship, and the Home Office may continue to check that you are living together.
Any separation must be reported to the Home Office immediately. Furthermore, you need to maintain financial stability.
Dropping below the minimum income requirement could impact your ability to remain in the UK, particularly given that you will not be entitled to access public funds.
Once your visa expires, you will no longer be allowed to remain in the UK. Make sure that you renew it or obtain ILR to avoid overstaying the visa, which could cause issues if you apply for other UK visas in the future.
Your Legal Guide: How Can IAS Help?
Immigration lawyers and advisors are usually sought by the applicants of Unmarried Partner visas in order to have the best possible chances of success.
Immigration Advice Service offers knowledgeable and customized advice by utilizing a team of in-house attorneys.
They are able to facilitate you in the collection of your documents and their confirmation, and they can also inform you of the status of your application if they have a strong connection with the Home Office.
Moreover, they can produce a Letter of Representation that is focused on the positive parts of your application. And hence, it will be a personalized one for you.
Moreover, they do not leave you alone after you have submitted your application. However, they are always at your side. And here is the thing! In the case of a change in your situation or if you need to renew your visa, you can always ask them for help, as they will be there.
During this heavy application procedure, their staff may assist you in establishing whether you are eligible for residency and settlement.
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