The genuine relationship requirement is the most evidence-heavy part of an unmarried partner visa. The couple must show a relationship like a marriage or civil partnership that has lasted at least two years before they apply. Where the evidence does not convince the decision-maker on both points, the application may be refused, and the fee is not refunded. This post provides an overview of why an unmarried partner visa may be refused, and the relationship evidence required, for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa.
What is the core requirement for an unmarried partner visa?
The core requirement is a genuine relationship like a marriage or civil partnership that has lasted at least two years before the date of application. This is the durable partner test under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, and it is the requirement on which most refusals turn.
The applicant and their British or settled partner must show that they are in a relationship like a marriage or civil partnership, that it is genuine and continuing, and that they intend to live together permanently in the UK. The two-year period must be complete before the application is made. A relationship that has not yet reached two years does not qualify under this route. The test is explained in full on the relationship akin to marriage guide, and the route on the Unmarried Partner Visa guide.
Is cohabitation still required for an unmarried partner visa?
Cohabitation is no longer a strict requirement for an unmarried partner visa. The old rule that the couple must have lived together for at least two years was removed. The test is now whether the relationship has been like a marriage or civil partnership for that period, whether or not the couple lived together throughout.
The change was made by the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 246, laid on 7 December 2023 and in force from 31 January 2024. Before that date, the definition required the couple to have lived together in a relationship like a marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. The new definition requires only that the couple have been in such a relationship for at least two years. The Home Office has confirmed that the two-year period does not need cohabitation throughout, which takes account of couples living apart for reasons such as work. A common misunderstanding is that the change lowered the standard of proof. It did not. The relationship must still be shown to be genuine, continuing and at least two years old. What changed is that living together is no longer the way that two-year history must be shown.
Why is insufficient relationship evidence the main reason for refusal?
Insufficient relationship evidence is the main reason for refusal because the durable partner test is a question of fact that the applicant must prove. A decision-maker can only judge what the evidence shows. Where the evidence does not establish a genuine relationship of at least two years, the application may be refused even though the relationship is genuine.
A couple who have not married have no marriage certificate to anchor the relationship, so the relationship has to be built from a body of documents covering the full two years. Where that evidence is thin, inconsistent, or bunched into a short window rather than spread across the two years, the decision-maker may not be satisfied that the test is met. The removal of the cohabitation requirement makes this more important, not less. A couple who did not live together cannot rely on a shared tenancy or joint bills as the backbone of their evidence, and must show the relationship in other ways.
What relationship evidence supports an unmarried partner visa?
An unmarried partner visa is supported by a range of evidence that, taken together, shows a genuine relationship over at least two years before the application. No single document proves the relationship; the decision-maker looks at the evidence as a whole.
Evidence that commonly supports the relationship includes:
- Documents showing a shared life, such as a joint tenancy or mortgage, joint bank accounts, or post addressed to both partners.
- Evidence covering time spent apart, such as travel records, visit records, photographs together across the two years, and a record of contact.
- Evidence that others recognise the relationship, such as statements from family and friends, and evidence that each partner’s family knows about it.
- Evidence of shared finances or responsibilities, where these exist.
The evidence should be spread across the whole two years rather than bunched, and it should match the account given in the application. The unmarried partner visa evidence guide sets out the evidence in detail, and the recent changes to unmarried partner visa rules guide covers the rule change.
What other reasons can lead to refusal?
Beyond relationship evidence, an unmarried partner visa may be refused where the financial requirement, the English language requirement or the suitability requirements are not met. These apply to the unmarried partner route in the same way as to the Spouse Visa.
The financial requirement under Appendix FM must be met and evidenced in the form Appendix FM-SE sets out, and the figure is published on the Spouse and Partner Visa financial requirement guide. The applicant must also meet the English language requirement unless an exemption applies, as explained on the English language requirement for a partner visa guide. An application may also be refused on suitability grounds, for example where there is a relevant immigration or criminal history. Where the two-year relationship is not yet complete, a couple who are engaged or intending to marry may consider the Spouse or Fiancé route instead, and the routes are compared on the Spouse Visa vs Unmarried Partner Visa guide.
What can you do if an unmarried partner visa is refused?
Where an unmarried partner visa is refused, the usual course is to address the reason for refusal and make a fresh application with stronger evidence. A refusal on relationship evidence does not mean the relationship fails to qualify. It means the evidence did not prove it to the required standard.
A fresh application lets the couple gather a fuller body of evidence covering the whole two years, correct any inconsistencies the decision identified, and answer any financial or other point raised. Where the two-year period was not complete at the date of the refused application, the couple may now meet it, or may consider another route. The refusal letter sets out the specific grounds, and a fresh application should respond to each of them. Reviewing the refused application before reapplying is what most often improves the position, because it shows exactly where the evidence fell short.
In practice
A couple who have been together for more than two years but lived apart for part of that time, for work or study, can still meet the test as of June 2026, because cohabitation is no longer required under HC 246. Their application succeeds where it shows the relationship across the full period through travel, contact, photographs and statements, rather than relying on a shared address they did not have.
A second couple, refused on relationship evidence, reapply after gathering documents spread evenly across the two years rather than bunched in recent months. Reading the refusal letter to see exactly which part of the relationship was not accepted is what shapes the stronger second application.
Frequently asked questions
No. The requirement to have lived together for two years was removed by the Statement of Changes HC 246, in force from 31 January 2024. The couple must still show a relationship like a marriage or civil partnership for at least two years, but they no longer need to have lived together throughout that period.
The relationship is proved through a range of evidence looked at as a whole, including documents showing a shared life, evidence covering time apart, photographs and contact across the two years, and statements from family and friends. The evidence should span the full two years and match the account in the application.
Yes. The usual course after a refusal is to address the reason given and reapply with stronger evidence. A refusal on relationship evidence does not mean the relationship fails to qualify; it means the evidence did not prove it to the required standard. The refusal letter sets out the grounds, and a fresh application should answer each.
The Spouse Visa is for married partners and needs a marriage recognised in law. The unmarried partner route needs a relationship like a marriage for at least two years before applying. A couple not yet married, and not yet at two years, may consider the Fiancé route. The financial and English language requirements are the same across the partner routes.
How Whytecroft Ford can help
The Whytecroft Ford immigration team advises couples on the unmarried partner route, including applications after a refusal. The firm reviews the relationship evidence against the durable partner test, identifies where a previous application fell short, and helps the couple gather evidence that spans the full two years. This is particularly useful for the couple who are genuinely committed but spent part of the qualifying period living apart.
To discuss an unmarried partner visa with our immigration team, call 0208 757 5751 or use the contact form.
Sources
- Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 246, 7 December 2023 – GOV.UK
- Relationship with a partner: caseworker guidance – GOV.UK
Written and reviewed by the Whytecroft Ford immigration team. IAA Accredited. All guidance is researched against primary sources, including the Immigration Rules, Home Office caseworker guidance and GOV.UK. Reviewed every six months, or sooner following a rule change. Last reviewed: 12 June 2026.
