The Lindsays immigration law team can simplify the process of applying for a UK Partner visa, assisting you and your partner to reunite and stay together in the UK
You may qualify for a UK Partner visa if you are in a ‘genuine and subsisting’ relationship with your eligible fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, spouse or civil partner, or living with your unmarried partner. To be considered eligible, the sponsor would potentially be a British or Irish citizen, or the holder of settled status (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK.
At Lindsays, we can guide you through these potential routes and requirements, from your initial visa application to your extension application and finally your indefinite leave to remain application.
Types of UK Partner visas
The Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner visa enables you to enter the UK for a period of six months to lawfully register your marriage or civil partnership in the UK. You can then apply for the Spouse or Civil Partner visa application from within the UK. Unlike the Spouse/Civil Partner or the Unmarried Partner visa, you will not be permitted to work on this six-month visa. There are also key differences between this visa and the Marriage Visitor visa – for details, see the Frequently Asked Questions section below.
The Spouse/Civil Partner or Unmarried Partner visas provide a five-year route to settlement. The initial application is granted for a period of 33 months where you are applying to enter the UK (or as 30 months’ further leave to remain in the UK where you have switched into this route from inside the UK). After completing this initial grant period, you have to seek an extension application, with successful applicants granted a further period of 30 months.
When you can prove that you have completed five years’ lawful residence on this route, you may be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
When applying for a UK Partner visa, you and your partner must meet specific requirements, which we summarise below.
Genuine and subsisting relationship
For these UK Partner visa routes, the Home Office requires clear evidence that your relationship is ‘genuine and subsisting’. This can include documents such as joint financial commitments, travel history, communication when you are not physically together, evidence of travel together, photographs, and/or proof of living together.
For Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner visas, you must also demonstrate a clear intention to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK within the six-month visa period.
Financial requirements
In most cases, your UK-based partner must have a minimum gross income of at least £29,000 per year. This is a combined income requirement and alternative income sources such as savings, pensions or rental income may be accepted, depending on your individual circumstances.
In some cases, a lower threshold may be applicable if you were already on the Partner visa route before 11 April 2024 or your partner receives certain benefits.
Our expert team can assess your financial situation and advise on how best to navigate these requirements.
Accommodation and language requirements
To qualify for these vias, you must show that you will have adequate accommodation in the UK without creating overcrowding or contravening public health regulations.
You must also demonstrate your ability to speak and understand English to a required level, depending on the stage of your visa journey. We can advise on the different language levels required, give details of approved Home Office test providers, and confirm if exemptions apply based on your age, medical conditions or nationality.
How we can help
Our experienced and empathetic team at Lindsays can support you at every stage of applying for a UK Partner visa:
- Identifying the most suitable visa route for your circumstances
- Assisting you to meet the different requirements, including the documents you will need
- Preparing and submitting your application to the Home Office
We also offer legal support on reviewing Home Office decisions if a visa is refused.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can I apply for a UK Partner visa if I am already in the UK?
Yes, you may be eligible to apply for the Spouse/Civil Partner or Unmarried Partner visa route, depending on what visa status you hold in the UK when you make your application. For example:
- If you are in the UK as a visitor, you cannot apply for a UK Partner visa from inside the UK.
- All Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner visa applications must be submitted from outside the UK.
However, we can work with you to minimise the period of time that you are separated from your family or loved ones while you apply for the visa.
We can also advise on circumstances where you may be able to apply from within the UK, for example if you are here on a Student or Graduate visa.
Q. What is the difference between a Marriage Visitor visa and the Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner visa?
Both visa applications must be submitted from outside the UK and are granted for a period of six months, but there are also important differences.
A Marriage Visitor visa allows you to enter the UK solely to get married or enter a civil partnership and then leave the UK afterwards before the visa expires. On this route, you will not be eligible to switch to a different visa category from inside the UK.
In contrast, the Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner visa is for those intending to get married or enter a civil partnership in the UK and then stay here. After you get married or enter a civil partnership in the UK, you can apply for a spouse visa without needing to leave the country.
If you are unsure as which route is best for you, our immigration solicitors can guide you through your options.
Q. When should I apply to extend my Partner visa?
You should submit your UK Partner visa application before your current visa ends. The Home Office recommends applying no more than 28 days before your current leave expires, but it is important to plan early to avoid unexpected issues or gaps in your immigration status.
Our team at Lindsays can advise on the best time to apply based on your visa expiry date and assist you in ensuring your extension application is submitted correctly and on time.
Q. Can I include children on my Partner visa application?
Yes, you can include your dependent children in your UK Partner visa application from within the UK or submit a separate application for each child at the same time if you are applying from outside the UK. To qualify as dependants, children must usually:
- Be under 18 years old at the time of the application
- Not be financially self-sufficient, living separately or married
You will need to provide documentary evidence confirming that you have parental responsibility, and that you can provide adequate accommodation in the UK and financial support without relying on public funds.
At Lindsays, we can help you prepare a strong application for both partners and children, ensuring that you meet all the requirements and provide the correct documents from the outset.
Q. How much does a UK Partner visa cost?
The cost of a UK Partner visa depends on where you apply from and the specific route you are using – for example, the Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner visa or the Spouse/Civil Partner visa or Unmarried Partner visa application from inside the UK.
The Home Office application fees (as of 1 July 2025) are:
- Applying from outside the UK: £1,938
- Applying from inside the UK: £1,321
There is also an immigration healthcare surcharge to factor in, which must be paid in advance at the time of the application. For an adult, this would be £1,035 for each year of your intended stay (a 30-month grant would equate to £2,587.50), and for a child, it would be £776 per year (a 30-month grant would equate to £1,940). More information on fees, and other requirements, is available at https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa.
Fixed-fee initial consultation for immigration and visa advice
As the above FAQs illustrate, navigating the UK Partner visa rules – from income thresholds to relationship evidence – can be complex and overwhelming. Our experienced immigration team at Lindsays offer an initial fixed-fee consultation to help you:
- Understand the most suitable visa route for your relationship
- Get tailored advice based on your individual circumstances
- Avoid common mistakes that lead to delays or refusals
You will receive clear actionable advice – whether you are just starting your immigration journey with the initial application or need help with an extension or refusal.
Find out more here.
