Civil Partner Visa UK: Requirements and Process

Civil Partner Visa UK

The Civil Partner Visa UK is designed for individuals in a civil partnership with a British citizen, is present and settled in the UK, holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), has pre-settled status as an EU national, is a refugee or holds humanitarian protection, or holds a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa. Applications for the Civil Partner Visa are governed by Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules and are commonly referred to as a settlement visa or Appendix FM Partner Visa.

Upon approval, an entry clearance for a Civil Partner Visa grants an initial leave to enter the UK for 33 months. If applying from within the UK to switch to a Civil Partner Visa, the applicant receives an initial leave of 30 months, with the possibility of a further 30-month extension.

Free Immigration Advice for Civil Partner Visa UK

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert team of family visa solicitors offers complimentary online immigration advice regarding your Civil Partner Visa application. For tailored guidance, you can either submit a question through our online platform or schedule an appointment for an in-depth consultation with one of our experienced family visa solicitors.

Eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

To qualify for ILR as a civil , you can apply 28 days before completing 5 years under the 5-year route or 10 years under the 10-year route. Alternatively, you may apply 28 days before reaching 10 years of continuous and lawful residence on any type of UK visa, whichever is sooner.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

A valid travel document or passport
Tuberculosis test (if applicable)
Provide evidence of English language test
Proof of your partner’s UK status such as BRP
Provide your partner’s details, including their name, date of birth, nationality, passport information, and their right to live in the UK
Submit evidence of your relationship, detailing when and how you met, as well as the frequency of your interactions.
Present documentation demonstrating the duration of your cohabitation, such as shared bills, mortgages, rental agreements, and other joint financial responsibilities
Specify if you provide care for your partner
Provide details of any previous civil partnerships, marriages, or children your partner may have had, including relevant divorce certificates
Bank statements illustrating income and cash savings for both you and your partner
Six months’ worth of payslips
A letter from the applicant’s or partner’s employer outlining the duration of employment, job position, salary details, and confirmation of the authenticity of provided payslips
Evidence of income from other streams, such as pensions or rental properties

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

The applicant’s civil partner must show that he/she has a gross annual income of at least £29,000. The income can be from employment, self-employment or other lawful source of income.
The financial requirement can also be met if the applicant or his/her partner or both of them jointly have savings of £88,500 which must have been in held in their bank account for at least 6 months before the date of the application.
In cases where the applicant has children, there will no longer be an additional income requirement.
Some applicants are exempt from meeting the financial requirement of £29,000 or above if the applicant’s partner is receiving disability living allowance or severe disablement allowance or industrial injury disablement benefit or attendance allowance or carer’s allowance. In this case, the applicant still needs to provide evidence with his/her spouse visa application that his/her partner is able to maintain and accommodate himself/herself, the applicant and any dependants adequately in the UK without any additional recourse to public funds.

Transitional Financial Requirement of £18,600

The Home Office UKVI has set transitional financial requirements for applicants who initially applied as a civil partner, or partner before 11 April 2024 and were granted leave under the 5-year route to settlement. According to paragraph E-LTRP.3.5 of Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, if you hold permission as a civil partner, or partner on the 5-year route at the time of your application, you must meet the transitional financial requirement of £18,600 gross per year. This requirement applies if your initial application was successful and made before 11 April 2024.

Under the new rules effective from 11 April 2024, if the financial requirement exceeds £29,000 due to the number of dependent children, you are only required to demonstrate a gross annual income of £29,000.

The transitional financial requirement of £18,600 per year applies to those seeking to extend their stay with the same partner for whom they were previously granted permission. However, if you are applying for permission to stay with a new partner, the updated financial requirement of £29,000 gross per annum must be met.

New Financial Requirement of £29,000 Gross Per Year (Effective 11 April 2024)

From 11 April 2024, the new financial requirement for the civil partner visa route is £29,000 gross per annum. If the sponsor’s income is below this threshold, they can combine employment income with savings. The required savings amount is £16,000 plus additional savings equivalent to 2.5 times the shortfall between the sponsor’s income and £29,000.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The applicant also needs to meet an English Language Requirement, This can be shown by providing evidence to show that the applicant is a national of a majority English speaking country or has passed an English language test in speaking and listening at a minimum of level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages with a provider approved by the Home Office or that the applicant has an academic qualification recognised by UK NARIC as equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD degree in the UK and that the degree was taught in English.
The applicant does not need to meet the English Language Requirement if at the at the date of application the applicant is aged 65 or over or has a disability (physical or mental) which prevents the applicant from meeting the requirement orthere are exceptional circumstances which prevent the applicant from being able to meet the requirement before coming to the UK.

ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS

The applicant also needs to provide evidence to prove that if he/she is granted a civil partner visa then adequate accommodation will be available to the family (without additional recourse to public funds). It must be shown that the accommodation will not be overcrowded or contravene public health regulations. This can be evidenced by way of ownership documents, tenancy agreement and an independent Property Inspection Report from an independent Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner or Estate Agents.

DURATION OF CIVIL PARTNER VISA

Upon approval, the initial UK Civil Partner Visa allows for a stay of 33 months. Applicants can then extend their stay for an additional 30 months. After five years of continuous residence, they become eligible to apply for settlement.

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Specialist Civil Partner Visa Solicitors UK

Our team at Aden & Co Solicitors is adept at handling all aspects of Civil Partner Visa applications. We offer fixed-fee services for expert immigration advice and legal representation, covering entry clearance, switching, extension, and ILR applications under both the 5-year and 10-year routes. With extensive experience in family visa matters, our solicitors are well-equipped to guide you through every step of your civil partner visa process.

“Aden & Co Solicitors are renowned specialists in UK immigration law, providing top-tier legal services for all types of UK visas and immigration matters. Our team of highly qualified and experienced immigration solicitors consistently delivers exceptional results, as evidenced by our outstanding 5-star Google Reviews rating from 99% of our satisfied clients. Trust Aden & Co Solicitors for unparalleled expertise and dedicated support in navigating your immigration journey.”

Civil Partner Visa Applications UK: Expert Legal Services by Aden & Co Solicitors

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert team of family visa solicitors offers comprehensive legal assistance for all aspects of civil partner visa applications. We provide professional advice and representation for various types of civil partner visa applications, including:

Entry Clearance for Civil Partner Visa UK
Switching to Civil Partner Visa UK (5 Years Route)
Switching to Civil Partner Visa UK (10 Years Route)
Extension of Civil Partner Visa UK (5 Years Route)
Extension of Civil Partner Visa UK (10 Years Route)
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Civil Partner (5 Years Route)
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Civil Partner (10 Years Route)
Marriage/Civil Partnership Visitor Visa UK
Immigration Appeals UK
Naturalisation as a Civil Partner of a British Citizen

UKVI Fees for Civil Partner Visa Applications

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we provide detailed information on the Home Office UKVI fees for civil partner visa applications. The fees for various stages of the application process are outlined below:

Application Type	Application Fee	Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	Priority/Super Priority Service Fee
Entry Clearance for Civil Partner Visa from Outside the UK	£1,846 per applicant	£3,105 for partner [£2,328 for each child applicant]	£500 per applicant
Switching to a Civil Partner Visa from Inside the UK	£1,048 per applicant	£2,587.50 for partner [£1,940 for each child applicant]	£1,000 per applicant
Extension of Civil Partner Visa from Inside the UK	£1,048 per applicant	£2,587.50 for partner [£1,940 for each child applicant]	£1,000 per applicant
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Civil Partner	£2,885 per applicant	IHS is not applicable for ILR applications	£1,000 per applicant

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Civil Partner Visa UK

Here are some commonly asked questions (FAQs) regarding the Civil Partner Visa UK:

What is a Civil Partner Visa UK?

The Civil Partner Visa UK, issued by the Home Office UKVI, allows foreign nationals to join their civil partner in the UK. This visa is available to individuals in a civil partnership with a British Citizen, a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status, an EU national with pre-settled status, a refugee, or a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa holder. Known also as a family settlement visa or Appendix FM partner visa, it grants initial leave to enter the UK for 33 months if applying from outside the UK or 30 months if switching from within the UK.

What is the Civil Partner Visa Fast Track Service?

The Civil Partner Visa Fast Track Service expedites the decision-making process for visa applications. Applications made from outside the UK can use the priority service, which aims for a decision within 30 working days. For applications submitted from inside the UK, the Super Priority Service provides a decision within 24 hours.

What Are the Different Routes to Settlement Under a Civil Partner Visa UK?

There are two pathways to settlement available under the UK civil partner visa, detailed as follows:

Civil Partner Visa (5-Year Route)
- Under this route, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) 28 days before completing 5 years in the UK. Time spent under the 10-year route cannot be counted towards the 5-year requirement for ILR.
Civil Partner Visa (10-Year Route)
- With the 10-year route, you can apply for ILR 28 days before completing 10 years under this visa or 10 years of continuous lawful stay in the UK under any type of visa. In many cases, applicants will reach the 10-year long residence requirement before completing 10 years under the civil partner visa route. Switching to the 5-year route can allow you to qualify for ILR sooner.

Can I Switch from the 10-Year Route to the 5-Year Route?

Yes, you can switch from the 10-year route to the 5-year route at any point during your leave to remain. It is advisable to switch as soon as possible, as your time for ILR under the 5-year route will begin from the date you are granted initial leave under that route.

How Soon Can I Apply for a Civil Partner Visa After Registering My Civil Partnership?

You can apply for a civil partner visa immediately after registering your civil partnership with your UK-based civil partner.

When Will I Qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Under a Civil Partner Visa UK?

5-Year Route: You can apply for ILR after 5 years of residence in the UK with leave granted under this route.
10-Year Route: You may apply for ILR once you have completed 10 years in the UK with leave granted under the civil partner visa route or any combination of visas that leads to 10 years of continuous lawful residence.

What is the Financial Requirement for the 5-Year Route?

An applicant seeking civil partner visa entry clearance, transitioning to a civil partner visa, extending a civil partner visa, or applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a civil partner must meet one of the following requirements:

An annual income of at least £18,600 if applying without non-British children.
the adequate maintenance requirement if the applicant’s partner receives specified benefits, thus exempting them from the £18,600 gross annual income requirement

If the refusal of the application could lead to significant violations of human rights laws, such as Article 8 of the ECHR or Section 55 of the BCIA 2009, the applicant may be eligible to use third-party financial support to satisfy the financial requirement.

Can I Apply for a Civil Partner Visa UK from Inside the UK if I Am a Resident Outside the UK?

No, if you are a resident outside the UK, you must submit your civil partner visa application from outside the UK. This involves attending a visa application centre in your country of residence to provide biometrics and submit your passport.

How Can I Challenge the Refusal of a Civil Partner Visa UK?

If your civil partner visa application is refused by the Home Office UKVI, you can appeal the decision to the First Tier Tribunal (FTT). An immigration judge will review your case to determine if the refusal complies with immigration and human rights laws.

Can I Submit a New Application if My Civil Partner Visa UK Application Is Refused?

Yes, if your civil partner visa application is refused and you believe your appeal is unlikely to succeed, you can submit a new application.

For expert advice and representation on your civil partner visa application, contact Aden & Co Solicitors. Our dedicated team is here to ensure a smooth and successful application process.