Which UK Partner Visa Should I Apply for?
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| UK Partner Visa Option | UKVI Fee | IHS Fee | Period of Leave in UK Granted | Period Req for ILR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiance Visa | £1,846 | N/A | 6 Months | N/A |
| Proposed Civil Partner Visa | £1,846 | N/A | 2.5 Years | N/A |
| Marriage Visitor Visa | £115 | N/A | 6 Months | N/A |
| Spouse Visa | £1,846 | £3,105 | 2.5 Years | 5 Years |
| Civil Partner Visa | £1,846 | £3,105 | 2.5 Years | 5 Years |
| Unmarried Partner Visa | £1,846 | £3,105 | 2.5 Years | 5 Years |
| FLR M | £1,048 | £2,587.50 | 2.5 Years | 2.5 or 5 Years |
Let’s now take a closer look at each of these UK Partner Visa options.
Fiance(e) and Proposed Civil Partner Visas
If you would like to come to the UK to marry or enter a civil partnership with your British/settled partner, you can apply for a Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner visa which will grant you entry clearance to the UK for 6 months. During this period of leave, you are expected to get married and you can then
apply for leave to remain as a spouse of British/settled person
(FLR M). The Fiancé(e) visa can only be made for those outside the UK i.e. you cannot switch to it while you are in the UK on another visa. The cost for the Fiancé(e) visa is the same as all UK Leave to Enter/Entry Clearance visas as a Family Member, which is currently £1,846.
To find out more about the UK Fiancé(e) Visa including the costs and requirements, visit this page.
Marriage Visitor Visa
On the face of it, the Marriage Visitor visa appears to be very similar to the Fiancé(e) visa, however the major difference between the 2 visas, is the ability to remain in the UK and switch to the Married Partner category after getting married. Essentially with the Marriage Visitor visa, to make a Spouse visa application once you are married to your British/Settled partner, you will need to return to your country of residence and make the application from there. There is also a vast difference in the price of each Visa (currently £115 for the Marriage Visitor Visa as opposed to £1,846 for the Fiancé(e) Visa).
Spouse and Civil Partner Visa
The Spouse visa is the most common UK Partner visa application. If you are married to a British/Settled Partner and providing your marriage is legally recognised in the UK and satisfying the relevant requirements, you can apply for a Spouse/Civil Partner Visa for leave to enter the UK, which if granted will give you 2.5 years of leave and can be extended for a further 2.5 years (via FLR M). After the total 5 years, you will then be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, and subsequently British Citizenship .
The Spouse visa is for individuals applying outside the UK and costs £1,846 for those already in the UK on another visa category and wanting to switch to the Partner route after getting married, you will need to apply for FLR M .
Unmarried Partner Visa
The unmarried partner visa is available to applicants who are not officially married to their UK Partner, but are able to evidence that they are in a long term relationship that is akin to a marriage. Essentially this requires proving that you have been living with your partner and have been in a subsisting relationship for a minimum period of 2 years. As with the married partner, applications can be made while inside or outside the UK subject to meeting all the requirements and the cost is exactly the same (£1538 for leave to enter, and £1048 for leave to remain).
It is also important to note that any previous relationships you or your partner were in must have officially broken down e.g. if previously married you must evidence you are now officially divorced.
FLR (M): Switching to the Partner Route or Extending a UK Partner Visa
You would typically apply for FLR (M) to extend your current UK Partner visa (including those who are on a Fiance/Proposed Civil Partner visa) to obtain further leave to remain in the UK on the partner route for another 2.5 years. You can also apply for FLR M if you are currently in the UK under another visa category and want to switch to the Partner route after getting married to (or have been in a long term relationship with - see unmarried partner above) a British/settled person.
The current cost for FLR M is £1048 and is only available to applicants already in the UK on a valid visa (not a visitor/tourist visa).
The UK Partner Visa Requirements
Though there are some variances in the specific requirements for each of the UK Partner visa options covered in this article, in all instances the following requirements will hold true:
- You are both over the age of 18;
- You have met each other in person;
- You are not directly related to each other;
- Your relationship is genuine and you intend to live together permanently;
- Any previous relationships have broken down permanently;
- There is adequate accommodation for you and any dependents
For the Complete Guide on
UK Partner Visas, which covers everything you need to know about the application process and getting the visa granted doing it all by yourself,
head over here.
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While every effort has been made to ensure that the information and law contained in this article is accurate and current as of the date of publication, we accept no responsibility for its accuracy or for any loss or damages arising from accessing, or the reliance, of this guidance.
Please also note that the information does not represent a complete statement of the Law and does not constitute legal advice.
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