Eligibility quiz
Does your UK-based partner have one of these statuses: British or Irish citizenship; UK settlement; qualifying pre-settled status; a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa; refugee status; humanitarian protection; or qualifying permission as a stateless person?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in the United Kingdom
You can live with your partner in the United Kingdom for the time granted.
An initial grant is usually up to 2 years 9 months, with repeat extensions of up to 2 years 6 months each.
Permission as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner lasts six months.
Study in the United Kingdom
Ordinary partner permission lets you study in the United Kingdom, though some study requires a separate security clearance.
You cannot study on permission as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner.
Work in the United Kingdom
Ordinary partner permission lets you work for an employer or work for yourself, subject to the conditions in your online immigration record.
You cannot work on permission as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner.
Travel and return
You can leave and seek to return to the United Kingdom while your permission is valid.
Use a valid passport or travel document recorded in your online immigration account.
Seek permanent residence
On the standard route, you can apply for permanent residence after five continuous years in the United Kingdom as a partner.
Time as a fiancé(e) or on unrelated visas does not count; two-year and ten-year family routes have different rules.
Use public healthcare
Paying the immigration health charge generally gives you access to NHS treatment on broadly the same basis as United Kingdom citizens while your permission lasts.
Some services still cost extra, and charging rules differ across the four nations.
How to apply
From outside the United KingdomFrom outside the United Kingdom
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your partner visa application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Start the online family visa application as a partner or spouse and fill in your answers. Follow the instructions to prepare the documents requested for your application.
Start your applicationPay the fees online
Pay the application fee online and, if required, the immigration health surcharge during the application process.
Pay the feesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the fees for a UK family visa as a partner from outside the UK?”
Submit your application
Submit your completed partner visa application online while you are outside the UK.
Submit your applicationUse the identity app
Follow the identity instructions after submitting your application. Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app if you are offered it; otherwise, book a biometric appointment.
Find the identity appSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I use the UK Immigration ID Check app for a UK family visa application as a partner?”
Find a visa centre
If you need a biometric appointment, find the visa application centre for the country where you live. If there is no centre there, you can select one in another country.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is the UK visa application centre for a family visa as a partner near your city?”
Book an appointment
If you need a biometric appointment, follow the instructions to book one at your selected visa application centre.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a visa application centre appointment for a UK family visa as a partner?”
Go to your appointment
If you booked an appointment, bring your passport or travel document, appointment confirmation and required evidence to the visa application centre. Follow the centre's instructions for giving your fingerprints and photograph and submitting your documents.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a UK family visa as a partner biometric appointment?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision on your application and respond if UK Visas and Immigration asks for more information.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a UK family visa application as a partner from outside the UK take?”
Access your eVisa
If your application is approved, create or use your UK Visas and Immigration account to access your eVisa.
Access your eVisaSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I access my eVisa after a UK family visa as a partner is approved?”
Travel to the UK
Travel to the UK within the period covered by your permission.
Prepare for travelSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to the UK with an eVisa after a family visa as a partner is approved?”
Once in the United KingdomOnce in the United Kingdom
Use your eVisa
Once in the UK, use your eVisa and follow the conditions of your permission to stay.
Use your eVisaSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I use my eVisa in the UK after a family visa as a partner is approved?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Relationship evidence
Provide recent evidence of your relationship from official or independent sources where possible, such as tenancy papers, bills, joint bank evidence or letters from a medical professional. If you cannot live together, include evidence of your continuing commitment, such as regular communication, financial support, care of children you have together or time spent together.
Partner's status records
Provide evidence of your partner's citizenship or qualifying permission to live in the UK. A residence permit alone does not necessarily mean your partner qualifies; check the partner visa requirements.
Marriage or partnership certificate *
Provide your marriage or civil-partnership certificate from the office that issued it. If either of you was previously married or in a civil partnership, include the relevant records showing that the earlier relationship has ended.
* Only if you are married or in a civil partnership.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Account and permission conditions
Keep your online immigration account, passport and contact details up to date; incorrect details can delay entry or prevent boarding.
Follow the conditions on your permission, including any limits on work and study, or it can be cancelled.
Public funds restrictions
Most holders cannot claim listed benefits, social housing or homelessness help.
Payments based on National Insurance may be available if you qualify.
You can ask for the restriction to be lifted if destitute or at imminent risk, a child's welfare outweighs it, or exceptional financial circumstances apply.
Permission can end
Your permission normally ends on expiry, so apply to extend or change it before then.
A permanent relationship breakdown usually prevents renewal, though other routes or provisions for domestic abuse or a partner's death may apply.
Permission can also be cancelled for deception, breaking conditions, criminality, exclusion or other suitability reasons.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Uk spouse settlement visa
English Facebook group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Request to joinEu Settlement and Pre Settlement scheme (Immigration)
English Facebook group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Join on FacebookI LOVE MY 'FOREIGN' SPOUSE: defend the rights of cross-border couples
English Facebook group for people living in the United Kingdom interested in British visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated