Apply For A Civil Partner Visa

The Civil Partner Visa enables you to enter or stay in the UK provided they are in a civil partnership with a British citizen or an individual who holds UK settled status, meaning you are lawfully residing in the UK with no time limit on their stay. Prior to arrival, you must obtain entry clearance to be eligible for entry into the UK.

About the Civil Partner Visa Route

There are various UK Visa options for those who are either:

  • Planning to register as civil partners
  • Already registered as civil partners and would like to reside in the UK

Please note that if you are married, there may be more suitable routes such as the Spouse Visa. There is a helpful guide on the differences between marriage and civil partnership (in England and Wales) that you can read through by clicking here.

If you are planning to register as civil partners

If you are planning to apply for a UK Visa as a civil partner, you will have to choose a route that is specifically suitable for your situation. You may have to consider many factors, including your desired length of stay. The main visa routes that may be applicable are as follows:

  • Proposed Civil Partner Visa – 6 months of stay – This route is ideal for those planning to register their civil partnership and settle in the UK. In this case, the sponsor/partner you are joining must either be ‘settled’, or be a British or Irish citizen.
  • Marriage Visitor Visa – 6 months of stay – This route is suitable for those who wish to register as civil partners or get married in the UK, but do not intend to reside within the UK afterwards.
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What are the eligibility requirements?

In order to successfully apply for a Civil Partners Visa, you must meet the specific requirements of your chosen route. You must also be able to clearly highlight that you meet these visa requirements in your application, which can be done with a well presented and to-the-point application.

It is advisable to seek assistance from legal professionals, as this will increase your chances of your application being accepted from the first try, avoiding a lengthy and costly appeal process.

Proposed Civil Partner Visa

In order to qualify for this specific visa, you will need to show the Home Office that:

  • Your partner is British, Irish, or holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
  • You are both over 18
  • You have met in person
  • You are both free to enter a civil partnership
  • Your relationship is genuine, and you intend to live together permanently in the UK
  • Any previous relationships have broken down completely
  • You intend to enter a civil partnership within 6 months of your arrival in the UK
  • You will be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds
  • There is suitable accommodation for you (and your dependants)
  • You speak and understand English to a satisfactory level

Marriage Visitor Visa

In order to be eligible, you must prove that:

  • You are both 18 or over
  • You are free to give notice of marriage, to marry, or enter a civil partnership in the UK, within 6 months of your arrival
  • You are in a genuine relationship
  • You will be visiting the UK for less than 6 months and leaving the UK at the end of your visit
  • You are able to support yourself without working or help from public funds, and can meet the cost of the return or onward journey

If you are unsure whether you are meeting these criteria, or need help building a strong case, please contact our team.

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If you have already registered as civil partners and would like to reside in the UK:

A Family Visa as a civil partner allows foreign nationals to enter or remain in the UK, so long as they are in a civil partnership with a British/Irish citizen or a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain. To qualify for entry to the UK, you may need to be granted entry clearance prior to your arrival. This route would grant you 2 years, 9 months of stay.

The requirements for this visa are similar to the Proposed Civil Partner Visa. Generally, you will need to prove that:

  • You are both over 18
  • Your partner is British, Irish, or has obtained ILR
  • You are in a recognised civil partnership
  • You have a good knowledge of English
  • You are financially indepndent (meaning you can support yourself and any dependant, without help from public funds)

Civil Partnership Visas with QC Immigration

As a team that specialises in immigration law, we can offer comprehensive guidance on the requirements and routes that are most relevant to a civil partner seeking access to the UK.

We will help you submit a convincing application that minimises the risks of a lengthy appeals process. We will make sure that you are applying for the right Civil Partner Visa, meet all of the requirements, and have all of the necessary documentation.

We can work with you both remotely and in person at our London law firm. You can get things started today by contacting us, which you can do online or by phone.

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