The unmarried partner visa allows a person in a long-term relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership to join or remain with an eligible partner in the UK without marrying or entering into a civil partnership.
The unmarried partner route sits alongside the spouse and civil partner routes. It carries the same financial, accommodation, English-language and suitability requirements.
The distinguishing requirement is that the couple must have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before the application date. This does not mean that they must have lived together continuously—or at all—throughout the two-year period.
Where a couple has not lived together, they must provide evidence explaining the circumstances and demonstrating that their relationship has nevertheless been genuine, subsisting and sufficiently committed throughout the relevant period.
If granted on the standard partner route, the visa normally permits work and study and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after the relevant qualifying period.
You may be eligible if:
No. The current requirement is that you must have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before applying. There is no separate requirement to demonstrate two continuous years of cohabitation.
However, if you have not lived together, you should explain why and provide evidence showing that the relationship has remained genuine, subsisting and committed throughout the relevant period.
The appropriate evidence depends on how the relationship has developed. It may include:
The evidence should be assessed as a whole. No single type of document is mandatory in every case.
Living apart does not automatically prevent a successful application. Couples may live separately because of work, study, immigration restrictions, family responsibilities, cultural circumstances or other practical reasons.
The application should explain the circumstances clearly and demonstrate an ongoing commitment through regular communication, visits, financial support, shared responsibilities and future plans. The couple must also intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Documents do not necessarily need to be jointly addressed. Separate official documents addressed to each partner at the same address can help demonstrate cohabitation.
Relevant evidence may include bank statements, medical correspondence, employment records, tax documents, insurance records, driving licences, electoral-register records and letters from government departments or educational institutions. The evidence should be organised chronologically and any significant gaps should be explained.
It is not legally a lesser or inherently more difficult route. However, the evidence may require more detailed analysis because an unmarried couple cannot rely on a marriage or civil partnership certificate and must demonstrate that their relationship has been similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years.
The appropriate route depends on the couple’s circumstances and personal choices. Marriage is not required simply for immigration purposes where the unmarried partner requirements can be met.
Yes. Cohabitation outside the UK can be relied upon as evidence of the relationship. There is no requirement for the couple to have lived together in the UK.
Documents issued overseas may be used, although any document not written in English or Welsh will normally need to be accompanied by a compliant translation. More importantly, cohabitation itself is not mandatory: the central requirement is a qualifying relationship lasting at least two years.
