Family visas · IAA-regulated advice
UK Unmarried Partner Visa Advice in Birmingham & London
Join your long-term partner in the UK without marrying first, or switch to this visa if you’re already here. We check you qualify, build your evidence and prepare your application, for a fixed fee agreed in writing.
Last checked 11 October 2026 · Reviewed by Vishal Gautam, IAA-regulated adviser
Overview
What is a UK unmarried partner visa?
An unmarried partner visa lets you live in the UK with a partner you’re not married to, if you’ve been in a relationship similar to marriage for at least 2 years. You can work and study, and after 5 years you can apply to settle (indefinite leave to remain).
It’s the same family route as the spouse visa, under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, with the same income, English and accommodation rules. You don’t have to have lived together, but you must show a committed relationship.
✓This is your visa if…
- You’ve been in a relationship similar to marriage for at least 2 years, and you’re both 18 or over
- Your partner is British, Irish, settled in the UK, or has refugee status or humanitarian protection (or certain other status)
- You’ve met in person and plan to live together permanently in the UK
- You can meet the £29,000 income or savings requirement, or an exemption applies
Quick check
Could you qualify? Six questions, one minute
Answer honestly. Nothing is saved or sent: this is a general guide, not advice on your case.
Is your partner British, Irish, settled in the UK, or a refugee or person with humanitarian protection?Settled means indefinite leave to remain or EU settled status.
Have you been in a relationship similar to marriage for at least 2 years, and have you met in person?You don’t have to have lived together. Both of you must be 18 or over.
Do you both intend to live together permanently in the UK?
Can you show £29,000 a year in income, or enough savings?Savings alone: £88,500. Some benefits change the test.
Do you have an approved English test at A1 or above, or don’t need one?No test needed if, for example, you’re from a majority English-speaking country or have a degree taught in English.
Will you have somewhere to live without claiming public funds?It must not be overcrowded.
Eligibility
UK unmarried partner visa requirements
You must meet every requirement on the day you apply, and prove it with the evidence the Rules specify.
Your relationship
- The 2 years must be complete on the day you apply
- You don’t have to have lived together. If you haven’t, show an ongoing commitment: regular contact, financial support and time together
- You’re both 18 or over, have met in person and aren’t closely related
- Your relationship is genuine and continuing, any previous relationship has permanently broken down, and you intend to live together permanently in the UK
Once you’re here, you’ll need to show you’ve lived together in the UK, or had good reason not to, when you extend and when you settle.
The financial requirement
- Your partner’s UK job or self-employment income counts. From outside the UK, your own overseas earnings don’t
- Pensions, other specified income and savings of either of you can count
- Savings above £16,000 count towards a shortfall at 2.5 to 1
- If your partner gets certain disability or carer’s benefits, an adequate maintenance test applies instead
Extending a visa first granted before 11 April 2024? Lower figures may still apply to you: ask us.
English language
- A speaking and listening test with an approved provider (a SELT), still valid when you apply
- No test needed if you’re a national of a majority English-speaking country or have a degree taught in English
- Exempt if you’re 65 or over, have a disability that prevents it, or exceptional circumstances apply
Book only an approved test: other tests, even at a higher level, won’t count.
Accommodation
- Adequate accommodation that you own or live in, used only by your family
- Not overcrowded under housing law, and meets public health rules
- Paid for without claiming public funds
Evidence usually includes a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement and, if you live with others, the owner’s permission.
Immigration status and history
- In the UK: you can’t switch if you’re a visitor or have permission of 6 months or less, with narrow exceptions
- Your immigration history and any criminal record are checked for suitability
- A TB test is needed if you’re coming from a listed country
Not sure whether something in your history matters? Tell us at the consultation: it’s confidential.
Documents
Unmarried partner visa documents: the easy part
Most people can list the documents. Refusals come from what’s in them, and whether they’re in the exact form the Home Office expects.
What everyone needs
- Your passport, and proof of your partner’s British or settled status
- Evidence of your relationship over at least 2 years
- Proof that any previous marriage or relationship has ended
- £Proof you meet the financial requirement
- AAn English test certificate, or proof you don’t need one
- Proof of where you’ll live
Plus a TB test if you’re coming from a listed country, and certified translations of anything not in English or Welsh.
Costs & timeline
Unmarried partner visa cost and processing time
From outside the UK, the Home Office fee is £2,064, plus the health surcharge of £3,105 for a 33-month visa. You’ll usually get a decision within 12 weeks.
| Home Office application fee | £2,064 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge33 months, charged as 3 years at £1,035 | £3,105 |
| Home Office total, per applicantbefore English test, TB test and translations | £5,169 |
| Home Office application fee | £1,407 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge30 months, charged as 2½ years at £1,035 | £2,587.50 |
| Home Office total, per applicantbefore English test, TB test and translations | £3,994.50 |
Home Office fee and Immigration Health Surcharge from GOV.UK, checked 11 October 2026. The surcharge is charged per year, with part-years of 6 months or less charged at half. English test, TB test and translation costs vary by provider. Our consultation fees →
Apply and give biometrics
Week 0Online application, fee and surcharge paid, then fingerprints and photo at a visa centre.
Decision
Usually within 12 weeks from outside the UKIn the UK, about 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements. If you don’t, it currently takes about 12 months.
Extend
Another 30 monthsApply before your visa ends. You’ll need English at A2, to meet the requirements again, and to show you’ve lived together in the UK.
Settle (ILR)
After 5 yearsEnglish at B1 (B2 from 26 March 2027) and the Life in the UK test. Only time with the same partner counts, and they must be British or settled by then.
British citizenship
Usually 12 months after ILRYou can apply once you’ve had ILR for 12 months and meet the other requirements. If you marry a British citizen, you don’t need to wait.
Avoid a refusal
Common unmarried partner visa refusal reasons
Most refusals come down to evidence, not eligibility. These are the issues we check first.
Applying before the 2 years
The relationship must have been similar to marriage for at least 2 years by the day you apply. Applying even a few weeks early can lead to a refusal.
We check: when your 2 years started, and what evidence covers them.
Living apart, with thin evidence
You don’t have to have lived together, but if you haven’t, the Home Office needs to see an ongoing commitment, not just a long-distance relationship.
We check: your evidence tells a clear, consistent story across the full 2 years.
Evidence in the wrong form
Income must be shown with specific documents covering specific periods, such as 6 months of payslips and matching bank statements.
We check: every document against Appendix FM-SE before you apply.
Income that doesn’t count
From outside the UK, your own overseas earnings don’t count towards the £29,000; your partner’s UK income and savings can.
We check: which sources count for you, and combine them correctly.
The wrong test
The test must be from an approved provider, at the right level, and still valid on the date you apply.
We check: your test or exemption before you book anything.
Switching when you can’t
You can’t switch to this visa in the UK if you’re here as a visitor, or on permission of 6 months or less (with narrow exceptions).
We check: whether you can apply here or must apply from abroad.
How we help
Our unmarried partner visa services
Choose a one-off consultation, or let us handle your application from start to finish for a fixed fee.
Eligibility consultation
We review your situation and tell you which route fits, what you need and the risks.
Evidence review
We check your relationship, financial and accommodation documents against the Rules.
Full application
We prepare and submit your application, with a cover letter that sets out how you qualify.
Extension and ILR
We help you extend after 33 months and apply to settle after 5 years.
Our scope: we’re regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority at Level 1. If you’re refused and need an appeal, we explain your options and refer you to a solicitor or higher-level adviser straight away.
FAQs
Unmarried partner visa questions, answered
Do we need to have lived together?
No. You need a relationship similar to marriage for at least 2 years, not 2 years living together. If you haven’t lived together, for example because of work, study or culture, you must show an ongoing commitment, such as regular contact, financial support and time together. Once you’re in the UK, you’ll be expected to live together.
What if we’ve been together less than 2 years?
You can’t use this route until the 2 years are complete on the day you apply. If you plan to marry, the fiancé(e) visa, or the spouse visa once you’re married, may fit instead. They use the same income, English and accommodation rules.
Can I work on an unmarried partner visa?
Yes. You can work in almost any job, or be self-employed, and you can study. You can’t claim most benefits (no recourse to public funds).
What if we get engaged or married during the visa?
If you get engaged, extend as an unmarried partner, not as a fiancé(e). If you marry, you can extend as a spouse instead. Your time still counts towards settlement, because it’s with the same partner.
Can I switch to this visa from a visitor visa?
No. You must apply from outside the UK if you’re here as a visitor. You also can’t switch if your current permission was granted for 6 months or less, apart from narrow exceptions such as fiancé(e)s and people here for family court or divorce proceedings.
How long does a decision take?
From outside the UK, usually within 12 weeks. In the UK, usually within 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements; if you don’t, it currently takes about 12 months. You may be able to pay for a faster decision.
Can my children come with me?
Usually yes, under the child route. Children joining a parent on the partner route are covered by the same £29,000 financial requirement, which doesn’t increase for each child. Each child pays the Home Office fee and a health surcharge (£776 a year for under-18s), and must meet the child route’s other requirements.
What happens if we separate?
Your visa is based on your relationship, so if it ends you may no longer qualify to stay or extend on this route. You may be able to stay on another basis, for example there are routes to settle if you’ve experienced domestic abuse or your partner has died. Get advice quickly, and in confidence.
Ready when you are
Home, sorted.
Book a consultation, or start with the free quick check on this page.