Civil Partner Visa UK – Requirements, Costs, and Application Guide

Moving to the UK to be with your civil partner is an exciting but complex journey. Whether you’re planning to join your British partner in Manchester or anywhere else in England, understanding the civil partnership visa process is crucial for a successful application. If you are in a civil partnership with someone who is British, Irish, or settled in the UK, you may be able to apply for a Civil Partner Visa UK. This visa allows you to live together in the UK and can eventually lead to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and British citizenship.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about applying for a civil partnership visa UK, from eligibility requirements to common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

What is a Civil Partnership Visa?

A civil partnership visa allows foreign nationals to live in the UK with their civil partner who is either a British citizen or has settled status. Unlike some countries, the UK doesn’t have a separate “civil partnership visa” category.

This visa falls under the UK’s family visa route, governed by Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. To be eligible, you and your partner must meet several strict Home Office requirements. This includes a financial requirement, where your sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold, and an English language requirement for the applicant. Crucially, you must also provide substantial supporting documents to prove that your civil partnership is genuine and subsisting, and that you have suitable accommodation arranged for your life together in the UK.

The application process requires careful preparation, whether you are applying from your home country or switching from another visa inside the UK. If successful, you will initially be granted leave for 2.5 years (30 or 33 months).

Before this expires, you will need to apply for a visa extension to continue on the 5-year route to settlement.

After successfully completing this period, you can then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), freeing you from immigration restrictions.

Who Can Apply for a UK Civil Partnership Visa?

To be eligible for a civil partnership visa UK, you must be at least 18 years old and in a legally recognised civil partnership. Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing the Home Office will scrutinise your application to ensure it’s not a marriage of convenience.

You’ll also need to demonstrate that any previous relationships have permanently ended through divorce decrees or death certificates where applicable.

UK Partner Requirements

Your civil partnership must be legally recognised in the UK. If you entered your civil partnership abroad, it needs to meet UK legal standards. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department will assess whether your overseas partnership qualifies under British law.

Your UK-based civil partner (the sponsor) must also be at least 18 and fall into one of these categories:

• British or Irish citizen living in the UK
• Person with indefinite leave to remain or settled status
• Individual with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Holder of a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa
• Person granted refugee status or humanitarian protection

Your partner must genuinely intend to live with you permanently in the UK and help meet the financial requirements.

Recognised Civil Partnerships

Your civil partnership must be legally recognised in the UK. If you entered your civil partnership abroad, it needs to meet UK legal standards. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department will assess whether your overseas partnership qualifies under British law.

Civil Partnership Visa Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Civil Partner Visa UK, you need to meet several rules set by UKVI.

Financial Requirements

As of April 2024, couples must demonstrate a combined annual income of at least £29,000. This represents a significant increase from the previous £18,600 threshold, reflecting the government’s intention to reduce migration numbers.

However, if you applied before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner, you may benefit from transitional arrangements requiring only the lower £18,600 threshold.

Example: Sarah from Sydney and her British partner James, who live in Manchester, needed to show £29,000 annual income. James works as a teacher earning £32,000, easily meeting this requirement through his employment alone.

The financial requirement can be met through

• Employment income (most common)
• Self-employment earnings
• Savings (must be held for at least 6 months)
• Pension income
• Combination of the above

English Language Requirement

You must prove your English language ability by either:

• Passing an approved English language test at the required level
• Holding a degree taught or researched in English
• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country

The specific level required depends on your circumstances, but generally, you’ll need to demonstrate competency equivalent to A1 level on the Common European Framework.

Accommodation Requirement

You must have adequate accommodation in the UK that:

• Is owned or occupied exclusively by you and your partner
• Isn’t overcrowded according to UK housing standards
• Meets public health regulations
• Provides suitable living space for any dependent children

Relationship Evidence

Proving your relationship is genuine and subsisting is crucial. The Home Office looks for evidence of:

• Joint financial commitments (shared bank accounts, bills)
• Cohabitation history (tenancy agreements, correspondence)
• Regular communication (call records, messages, emails)
• Shared experiences (photos, travel bookings, event tickets)
• Support from family and friends (witness statements)

How to Apply for a Civil Partnership Visa UK

Applying from Outside the UK

If you’re currently overseas, you’ll submit your application online through the official government website. After completing your application, you’ll need to attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre in your country of residence.

The process typically takes 12 weeks, though you can pay for faster processing if needed.

Applying from Within the UK

If you’re already in the UK on a valid visa (such as a work or student visa lasting more than six months), you may be able to switch to a civil partnership visa without leaving the country.

You’ll complete your application online and either attend a UKVCAS appointment or use the Immigration ID Check app if eligible. Processing usually takes 8 weeks for straightforward applications.

Application Costs

The fees vary depending on where you apply:

You’ll also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year for adults, giving you access to NHS services during your stay.

Civil Partnership Visa Processing Times

Standard processing times are:

• Outside UK: 12 weeks
• Inside UK: 8 weeks (if meeting all requirements)

Priority services are available for faster decisions:

• Priority service: £500 extra for 5 working days
• Super priority: £1,000 extra for next working day decision

Real-life example: Tom from Canada applied from Toronto in January 2025. Despite choosing standard processing, he received his decision in 10 weeks, allowing him to join his partner in Leeds by early March.

Extending Your Civil Partnership Visa

You should apply to extend your visa before it expires, ideally within 28 days of the expiry date. The extension process requires you to continue meeting all the original eligibility criteria, including:

• Maintaining your genuine relationship
• Meeting financial requirements (current £29,000 threshold)
• Having adequate accommodation
• Demonstrating continuous cohabitation

Extensions are typically granted for 2.5 years, keeping you on track for the 5-year settlement route.

Path to Settlement and British Citizenship

After 5 years of continuous residence on a civil partnership visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This gives you permanent settlement status with no time restrictions on your UK residence.

To qualify for ILR, you must:

• Pass the Life in the UK test
• Meet English language requirements
• Demonstrate your relationship remains genuine
• Have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period

Once you have ILR, you can apply for British citizenship immediately if your civil partner is a British citizen and you’ve lived in the UK for at least 3 years. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait 12 months after receiving ILR.

Common Refusal Reasons and How to Avoid Them

Insufficient Relationship Evidence

The most common refusal reason is failing to prove your relationship is genuine. Couples often submit limited evidence or documents that don’t span a sufficient period.

How to avoid: Create a comprehensive evidence portfolio covering at least two years of your relationship, including financial ties, communication records, and third-party verification.

Financial Requirement Failures

Many applications fail because couples can’t properly demonstrate the £29,000 income requirement or submit incomplete financial documentation.

How to avoid: Gather 6 months of consistent evidence showing income sources, ensure all documents are certified copies, and consider professional advice if your financial situation is complex.

Inadequate Accommodation Evidence

Some couples fail to prove they have suitable accommodation or that it meets UK standards.

How to avoid: Provide clear tenancy agreements or property ownership documents, include floor plans if helpful, and ensure the property isn’t overcrowded according to UK housing standards.

What to Do if Your Application is Refused

If your civil partnership visa is refused, you have several options depending on the refusal reasons:

Appeal Rights

If human rights are involved (such as right to family life), you may be able to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal within 14 days if in the UK, or 28 days if overseas.

Administrative Review

For certain refusal types, you can request an administrative review within the same timeframes. This allows a different caseworker to check for errors in the original decision.

Reapplication

Often, the most practical solution is addressing the refusal reasons and submitting a fresh application with stronger evidence.

Similar to our guidance on Spouse Visa Extension After 2.5 Years, the key is understanding exactly why the refusal occurred and systematically addressing each point.

Speak to a Civil Partner Visa Lawyer

Applying for a civil partnership visa can be complex, particularly with the increased financial requirements and detailed evidence needed to prove genuine relationships. Many couples benefit from professional immigration advice to ensure their application is as strong as possible.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the civil partnership visa process or want to maximise your chances of success, consider seeking expert guidance. Professional immigration advisors can review your circumstances, help gather the right evidence, and present your case in the strongest possible way.

Ready to start your UK civil partnership visa journey? 

Our experienced immigration team at Deluxe Law Chambers has successfully helped hundreds of couples reunite in the UK. We understand the complexities of UK immigration law and can guide you through every step of the process. Call us today on 0161 464 4140 or book your consultation online to discuss your specific circumstances and get expert advice tailored to your situation.