The UK Civil Partner Visa allows non-UK nationals to join or remain with their civil partner in the UK if their partner is a British or Irish citizen or holds settled status. This visa also applies if your civil partner is currently outside the UK but intends to return with you. This post provides an overview of the eligibility criteria, financial requirements, required documents, and application process for a UK Civil Partner Visa.
This visa is a significant pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which grants long-term settlement rights in the UK after five years of continuous residence. However, the application process is detailed and requires careful preparation to meet the UK Home Office’s strict requirements.
What is a Civil Partnership?
A civil partnership in the UK is a legally recognised relationship between two people who are not closely related. It offers many of the same legal rights and responsibilities as marriage, including financial, property, and parental rights.
A civil partnership in the UK are registered relationships between two people who are not within the prohibited degrees of relationship.
On 31 October 2019, The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations extended civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples, allowing them to register their relationship under the same legal framework as same-sex couples.
For a civil partnership to be recognised in the UK, it must meet the following criteria:
- It must comply with the laws of the country where it was formed.
- It must be legally valid under UK law.
Under The Civil Partnership Act 2004, a valid civil partnership must satisfy the following conditions:
- Both individuals must have the legal capacity to marry.
- The partnership must be registered with a responsible authority in another country.
- Neither party can be married or in another civil partnership.
- The relationship must be exclusive, meaning neither party is in another legally recognised relationship.
- The partnership must be intended to last indefinitely and not be temporary or contractual.
- The couple must be regarded as married or have equivalent legal recognition.
Schedule 20 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (as updated by The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Overseas Relationships) Order 2012 and The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019) lists overseas relationships recognised in the UK: Part 1 lists same-sex relationships while a list of opposite-sex relationships can be found in Part 2.
Eligibility Requirements for a UK Civil Partner Visa
To apply for a UK Civil Partner Visa, applicants must meet strict requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). These requirements focus on the genuineness of the relationship, financial stability, suitable accommodation, and language proficiency. These requirements include:
- Your civil partner must be:
- A British or Irish citizen, or
- A settled person in the UK (ILR, permanent residence, or settled status), or
- A holder of pre-settled status, or
- A Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa holder, or
- A refugee or a person with humanitarian protection.
- You and your partner must both be over 18.
- Your relationship must be legally recognised as a civil partnership in the UK.
- You must have met in person.
- Your relationship must be genuine and subsisting.
- You must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
- Any previous relationships must have permanently ended.
- You must meet the financial requirement of £29,000 per annum.
- You must have adequate accommodation in the UK for you and your family.
- You must meet the English language requirement.
The specific requirements for a UK Civil Partner Visa may vary based on your individual circumstances. For expert guidance from an experienced immigration adviser, contact our team at +44 208 757 5751 or reach out via our contact form.
Proving a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
The Home Office UKVI will assess whether your relationship is genuine by considering:
- The duration of your relationship.
- Whether you and your partner live together.
- Whether you share financial responsibilities.
- Whether you have children together.
- Evidence of regular communication and visits.
- Future plans for living together in the UK.
To meet the genuine relationship requirement, you must provide official evidence confirming your civil partnership. This includes your civil partnership certificate and, if you have lived together, proof of shared living arrangements, such as joint tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, or utility bills. Financial ties, like joint bank statements, can further demonstrate a committed relationship.
Additional supporting documents may include official correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address, photographs together over time, and travel records showing visits to each other’s home country. A combination of these documents strengthens your application and helps prove that your relationship is ongoing and legitimate.
Before entering a civil partnership, you may need specific documents to prove you are free to register a civil partnership, for example, a certificate of no-impediment (CNI) or an affirmation. In the UK, you may use this service to find out what documents you’ll need, how to apply for them and how much they’ll cost.
If you’re unable to get married or register a civil partnership in your chosen country, it might be possible at a British embassy, consulate or high commission instead. This is known as a ‘consular marriage’ or ‘consular civil partnership’. Check which countries offer consular marriage and consular civil partnership and the processes you’ll need to follow.
Financial Requirement for a UK Civil Partner Visa
From 11 April 2024, new applicants must prove a minimum annual income of £29,000. You can meet the income threshold through:
- Employment or self-employment.
- Income from property rental, investments, or dividends.
- State, occupational, or private pensions.
- Cash savings over £16,000 (held for at least six months).
The financial requirement for a UK Civil Partner Visa application, also known as Minimum Income Requirement (MIR), can be demonstrated solely through cash savings, in which case you will need to prove that you and/or your partner have held cash savings of at least £88,500, for 6-months before applying.
British partners returning to the UK with their civil partners can demonstrate their overseas income from employment or self-employment to meet the MIR.
UK Civil Partner Visa English Language Requirement
Applicants must meet the A1 CEFR level in speaking and listening. If applying for an extension, A2 level is required. You can prove your English language proficiency in one of the following ways:
- An approved English test.
- A degree taught in English.
- Be a national of a majority English-speaking country.
- Be exempt due to age (65+) or a medical condition.
UK Accommodation Requirement
You must provide proof of adequate accommodation in the UK that does not rely on public funds. This ensures that you and your partner will have a stable living arrangement that meets UK housing standards.
Acceptable evidence includes a tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or council tax and utility bills. If the property is owned by someone else, a letter from the property owner confirming your residence may be required. The accommodation must be legally owned or occupied, not overcrowded, and fit for human habitation under UK housing regulations.
TB test Requirement
You will need a TB test certificate if you’ve lived in any of these listed countries for 6 months or more and you were living there (or another listed country) within the last 6 months. You must be tested at a clinic that has been approved by the Home Office.
UK Civil Partner Visa Application Process
Step 1: Complete the Online Application Form
The UK Civil Partner Visa application is submitted online through the UKVI website.
- If applying outside the UK, use the entry clearance application form.
- If applying inside the UK, use the FLR(M) form.
Step 2: Pay Fees and Healthcare Surcharge
The application fee for applications made outside the UK is £1,846, and from inside the UK, it is £1,048.
Additionally, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year, to access NHS healthcare services.
Step 3: Attend a Biometric Appointment
You must attend a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) (if applying outside the UK) or a UKVCAS service point (if applying inside the UK).
Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents
Upload your supporting documents online or submit them at your biometric appointment.
Step 5: Wait for a Decision
The Home Office UKVI’s published processing time is up to 12 weeks if applying outside the UK. You pay an additional £500 for priority services to get a decision within 6 weeks.
If applying from inside the UK, the standard processing time is up 8 weeks and can be expedited to 1 working day at an additional cost of £1000.
How Long is a UK Civil Partner Visa Valid?
If your UK Civil Partner Visa application is approved, the visa will be granted for an initial period of 33 months if you are applying from outside the UK. If you apply for leave to remain from within the UK, you will receive a 30-month visa.
Extending your Civil Partnership Visa
Before your initial visa expires, you must apply to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for an extension. If approved, you will be granted an additional 30 months of leave to remain in the UK. Applicants must demonstrate that they continue to meet all financial, relationship, and accommodation requirements, which is essential for a successful extension.
Switching to a Civil Partner Visa from within the UK
You can apply for a Civil Partner Visa from within the UK, provided you are not in the UK as a visitor or holding temporary leave of six months or less (except in limited circumstances). Visitors wishing to settle in the UK with their civil partner should leave the UK and apply from overseas.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) After a UK Civil Partner Visa
After five years on a Civil Partner Visa, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You have lived together with your civil partner in the UK throughout your visa period or have a valid reason for any time spent apart while still intending to live together permanently.
- You meet the higher B1 English language requirement applicable to settlement applications.
- You have passed the Life in the UK test unless exempt.
If you do not meet the ILR requirements, UKVI may grant a further extension of stay as a civil partner until you become eligible for settlement.
UK Civil Partner Visa FAQs
Yes, civil partner visa holders have full work rights in the UK.
Yes, after obtaining ILR, you can apply for British citizenship. If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply immediately after ILR; otherwise, you must wait 12 months.
If refused, you can:
Request an Administrative Review.
Appeal on human rights grounds.
Submit a new application with stronger evidence.
How Whytecroft Ford Can Help
The UK Civil Partner Visa provides a clear route to settlement for civil partners of British citizens and settled persons. To avoid delays or refusals, ensure that you meet all requirements and submit correct documentation. Seeking professional immigration advice can help strengthen your application and improve your chances of success.
For professional guidance from Whytecroft Ford to ensure a smooth application process. Contact us today on +44 208 757 5751 or use our contact form.
