Reviewed by Kashif Iqbal, Solicitor
What we help with
- Spouse visathe £29,000 income rule, English test, relationship evidence, accommodation and TB test, and how to apply..
- Unmarried partner visathe two-year relationship rule, when living together is not required, the £29,000 income rule, evidence and how to apply..
- Fiancé visawho qualifies, the £29,000 income rule, the six-month wedding deadline, no work until you switch, and moving to a spouse visa..
- Extension and ILRtiming, the income rule, English B1, the Life in the UK test, fees and documents..
- Refusals and appealsUK spouse or partner visa refused? The common reasons, the 14 or 28-day appeal deadline, when to reapply instead, and how solicitors put the case right..
- Fee waiver and exceptional circumstancesWhen the Home Office waives the spouse visa fee and health surcharge, the affordability test and the exceptional circumstances route..
On this page
Three routes let a partner of a British citizen, or of someone settled in the UK, live here. They share the same financial, English language and accommodation requirements; they differ in the relationship you must prove and in what the visa lets you do on arrival.
Spouse or civil partner visa
For couples who are married or in a civil partnership recognised in UK law. The visa is granted for 33 months from abroad (30 months in the UK), can be extended, and leads to settlement after five years. You can work from the day you arrive. See the spouse visa.
Unmarried partner visa
For couples who are not married but have lived in a relationship like marriage for at least two years. Since 2024 the Home Office accepts relationships where the couple could not live together for good reason, with other evidence of commitment. Same length, same path to settlement. See the unmarried partner visa.
Fiancé or proposed civil partner visa
For couples who plan to marry in the UK. The visa lasts six months, does not allow work, and is followed by a switch to the spouse visa after the wedding, from inside the UK. See the fiancé visa.
What the three routes share
- The sponsor must be British, settled, have pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or hold refugee status or humanitarian protection.
- A minimum income of £29,000 a year, or savings of £88,500, or a combination (see the financial requirement).
- English at level A1 for the first application, A2 for the extension and B1 for settlement, unless you are exempt.
- Adequate accommodation that is not overcrowded.
- A tuberculosis certificate if you are applying from a listed country.
- The relationship must be genuine and continuing, and you must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Which route to choose
If you are already married, the spouse visa. If you have lived together for two years, the unmarried partner visa saves you marrying first. If you want to marry in the UK and your partner is here, the fiancé visa, bearing in mind the six-month no-work period and the cost of two applications. If you married abroad recently and are unsure whether the marriage is recognised, ask us before applying; a marriage that is not recognised means a spouse application fails on the relationship requirement.
After the first visa
All three lead to the same five-year route: an extension after 30 months, then indefinite leave to remain. A refusal at any stage usually carries a right of appeal; see refusals and appeals.
Talk to us
Not sure which route fits? Book a free 10-minute call or send us your details and a member of the team will come back to you within one working day.
