Discover the Ideal Partner Visa Application UK: Your Complete Guide

If you are considering applying for a partner visa application in UK to stay with your British or settled partner, you may find the differences between the marriage visit visa, fiancé visa, unmarried partner visa, and spouse visa confusing. In this post, we will outline these differences to help you determine which option is best suited for you.

Dreaming of a Fairytale Wedding in the UK, But Not Considering a Permanent Stay?

Marriage Visit Visa

If you currently reside outside the UK and have no intention of settling in the country, but desire to visit the UK to have your legal wedding ceremony or form a civil partnership, you will need to apply for a marriage visit visa.

This means you must meet all the standard requirements for visitors to the UK. Specifically, you must have the intention to leave the UK at the end of your visit and not reside in the country for extended periods by frequently and successively visiting the UK.

Additionally, you must fulfil the additional eligibility criteria for visitors coming to the UK for marriage or civil partnership. These include being at least 18 years old at the time of application and intending to give notice of marriage or civil partnership in the UK, or to get married or form a civil partnership in the UK that is not a sham.

Please note that if you enter the UK on a marriage visit visa, you will not be able to switch to any other partner visa during your stay in the UK.

The current cost for applying for a marriage visit visa is £115.

If You Intend to Live In the UK: Applying as a Partner Under Appendix FM

The spouse/civil partner, unmarried partner and fiancé options are all routes for settling in the UK. All three options require applying for partner visa application in UK under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

What Immigration Status Is Needed to Sponsor a Partner Under Appendix FM?

To sponsor a partner under Appendix FM, it is necessary to be either:

• A British citizen.
• Someone with indefinite leave to remain/settled status.
• An EEA national with pre-settled status under Appendix EU who was in the UK by 31 December 2020.
• Someone in the UK with protection status.
• Someone in the UK with limited leave as a worker or businessperson granted under Appendix ECAA

Can I Apply as a Parent Instead?

You cannot apply as a parent if you are eligible to apply as the partner of the child’s other parent.

Various Approaches to Fulfil the Criteria of being a 'Partner’

The spouse/civil partner, unmarried partner and fiancé options are all different ways to meet the definition of ‘partner’ under the Immigration Rules. Depending on the visa you are applying for, you will need to show some different evidence to prove that you meet the relevant definition.

You will have to apply through the same online partner visa application in UK under Appendix FM regardless of whether you are applying as a spouse, unmarried partner, or fiancé.

There is one online form for applications made from inside the UK, and a different one for applications made from outside the UK.

Applying as Spouses or Civil Partners

If you are currently in a valid marriage or civil partnership (with a partner whose immigration status means they can sponsor someone under Appendix FM as set out above) and want to live permanently in the UK, the relevant partner visa would be a spouse visa.

This also means that, if you are currently unmarried, an option could be that you enter a valid marriage and then apply to enter the UK as a spouse. The spouse/civil partner route does not require showing that you have been in a relationship for two years.

If you are currently outside the UK and making a UK spouse visa application to enter the country, the visa would be valid for 33 months initially.

If you are applying from inside the UK, the visa will be valid for 30 months. You can then apply to extend a spouse visa for a further 30 months.

If you meet all the requirements for indefinite leave to remain in UK as a partner under Appendix FM, after a continuous period of 60 months with leave as a spouse or civil partner, you would be eligible to apply for settlement.

The current Home Office fee for making an application as a partner from outside the UK is £1,846. If you are currently in the UK on a visa that allows you to switch to the partner route (it is generally not possible to apply from inside the UK if you are in the UK as a visitor or without leave) then the Home Office Application fee is currently £1,258.

You would also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. The Immigration Health Surcharge has increased significantly since 6th February 2024.

Applying as Unmarried Partners

As of 2025, the definition of unmarried partners has changed to become slightly more flexible. Previously, the rules required unmarried partners to have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years before the date of application.

The new definition of partner no longer requires this period of cohabitation.

As with the spouse/civil partner route, an unmarried partner visa is initially valid for 33 months if you are applying from outside the UK, and for 30 months if you are applying from inside the UK.

After 60 months of leave as a partner, unless you are relying on an exception to meet the requirements, you will be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK.

The Home Office fees for an unmarried partner visa application in UK are the same as those for a spouse/civil partner visa set out above. You would also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Applying as Fiancés or Proposed Civil Partners

If you are currently outside the UK and want to come to the UK to get married or form a civil partnership and live permanently in the UK, then you should apply for a fiancé visa.

The fiancé route does not require showing that you have been in a relationship for two years. You cannot apply for leave to remain as a fiancé from inside the UK.

A grant of entry clearance as a fiancé is for six months only and you are expected to marry/form a civil partnership in the UK within this time. You would then need to make an application to stay in the UK as a spouse/civil partner.

This means the fiancé route is more expensive than the unmarried partner or spouse visa route. The initial application for a fiancé visa currently costs £1,846. This visa is valid for six months. You do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at this point.

Once you have entered the UK and married/formed a civil partnership, you can apply for leave to remain as a spouse/civil partner. This leave would be valid for 30 months. This application for leave as a spouse/civil partner costs £1,258 (as you would be applying from inside the UK). In this application, you would also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

You would then be able to apply to extend the visa for a further 30 months, again paying the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. You would be eligible to apply for settlement after a continuous period of at least 60 months with leave as a partner. This 60 months does not include time spent in the UK with leave to remain as a fiancé or proposed civil partner.

Additional Requirements

For all these options of partner visa applications in UK, you will need to prove that you are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner and that you meet certain other requirements, for example regarding your intention to live together in the UK.

You will also need to meet the financial requirements. The financial threshold for a couple without children is currently £29,000 per year. An exception to this minimum threshold applies if your partner is receiving certain benefits, including disability living allowance, carer’s allowance and personal independence payments. You can read more about navigating the new partner visa financial requirements here.

In addition, you will need to show that you will have adequate accommodation in the UK that will not be overcrowded and that you meet the English language requirement.

Partner Visa Application in UK: Step-by-Step Process

1. Complete the Application Form

When making a partner visa application in UK, you can do so online through the official government website. There are two options for forms:

• Inside the UK: Use the online application form for those already residing in the UK
• Outside the UK: Use the entry clearance application form

You do not have to fill out the entire form in one sitting; you can save your progress and return later.

2. Pay the Application Fees

Once you have filled the form, next comes paying the application fee. The fee for partner visa applications in UK will vary based on your location.

If you are applying from outside the UK you will have to pay £4,951 (£1,846 application fee + £3,105 Immigration Health Surcharge).

If you are applying from the UK, you will have to pay approximately £3,845.50 (£1,258 application fee + £2,587.50 Immigration Health Surcharge).

Additional charges may apply for optional services like priority processing.

3. Upload the Documents

You will need to upload the supporting documents for your visa application after paying the application fee.

You can visit UKVCAS (when applying from within the UK) or VFS Global/TLS Contact (when applying from outside the UK) for uploading these pieces of evidence.

4. Attend Biometrics Appointment

Once you have submitted the form and paid the fee, you will be automatically directed to a page where you can book an appointment for biometrics with the Visa Application Centre, where you’ll have to provide fingerprints and a photograph. This appointment is booked at no extra cost.

Your application will not be processed until you have attended the appointment for biometrics. So, we advise you to book your appointment for biometrics as soon as possible after submitting your application.

5. Wait for a Decision

The processing time for a partner visa application in UK can vary significantly. After submitting your application, you will typically receive the decision anywhere between 1 working day to up to 8 weeks when applying from within the UK and 30 to 60 working days when applying from any other country. Do not make any travel plans until you receive confirmation on your visa status.

6. Receive Your Decision and Travel

If your partner visa application in the UK gets approved, you will receive an email granting you entry into the UK. Upon arrival, you will have to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

Note that BRPs are now phased out and replaced by an online immigration status known as eVisa since late 2024.

Additional Considerations for Partner Visa Application in UK

• Fee Waivers: If you cannot afford the application fees due to exceptional circumstances, you can apply for a fee waiver
• Change of Circumstances: If your financial situation changes while waiting for a decision, it is crucial to inform the Home Office as it may affect your eligibility

Enjoy a Smooth Partner Visa Application in UK with UK Visas

Here at UK Visas, we can help you with all partner visas and even marriage visitor visas. Our team has experienced immigration lawyers and that help you with your UK Partner Visa or UK Spouse Visa applications to ensure a hassle free process.

If your UK Spouse Visa is refused for some reason, our OISC accredited level 1 immigration lawyers can help you reapply or offer an alternate solution based on your unique situation.

Reach out to us today for assistance. Call us on 01403801801 or email us at [email protected]

Laura Charge

Laura, is a Level 1 IAA acccredited adviser with over 20 years experience of working within the Home Office and the UK Immigration Service. She brings a unique advantage to our team. Her expertise in Immigration law and writing skills are an asset.