Unmarried Partner Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as an Unmarried Partner after completing 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on the Partner Visa. You must meet genuine relationship, financial, English language, Life in the UK Test, residence and suitability requirements before applying.

Securing ILR is an important step towards permanent settlement in the UK, giving you the right to live, work and study without immigration time restrictions. However, even long-term residents can face delays or refusal if they apply too early, provide incorrect evidence, or fail to meet a specific Home Office requirement.

If you are approaching your eligibility date, preparing your application early and checking your documents carefully can help avoid unnecessary complications.

Need help with your ILR application as an unmarried partner? Contact Vanguard Solicitors on 0208 616 5535 for expert immigration advice and personalised guidance on your settlement application.

Table of Contents

What Is the 5-Year Unmarried Partner Route to ILR?

The 5-year partner route allows eligible unmarried partners of British citizens or people settled in the UK to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing 5 years of continuous residence on the qualifying family route.

You do not need to be married or in a civil partnership, but you must meet the requirements for an unmarried partner relationship under the Immigration Rules.

Can I Get ILR as an Unmarried Partner?

Yes. You may qualify for ILR as an unmarried partner after 5 years if you have held qualifying partner permission and continue to meet the relationship and settlement requirements.

Your partner will generally need to be:

• A British citizen.
• Settled in the UK with ILR.
• Eligible under another qualifying settlement status.
• A person with qualifying pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, where applicable.

You must also show that your relationship is genuine and continuing.

ILR Requirements for an Unmarried Partner

To qualify for ILR as an unmarried partner, you generally need to:

• Complete 5 years on the qualifying partner route.
• Continue to be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner.
• Intend to continue living together permanently in the UK.
• Meet the financial requirement.
• Meet the English language requirement.
• Pass the Life in the UK Test, unless exempt.
• Meet the accommodation requirements.
• Meet the suitability requirements.
• Provide the required supporting documents.

How Long Do I Need to Live in the UK Before Applying?

You generally need 5 continuous years on the qualifying partner route before applying for ILR.

Time spent in the UK on other immigration routes will not normally count towards the 5-year partner settlement period.

You can usually apply up to 28 days before completing the required 5 years.

What Counts as an Unmarried Partner Relationship?

An unmarried partner relationship generally means that you and your partner have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage or a civil partnership.

You do not necessarily need to have been living together for exactly 2 years under the current rules, but you must demonstrate a genuine and subsisting relationship and meet the specific requirements of the route.

Evidence may include:

• Joint tenancy agreements.
• Joint bank accounts.
• Utility bills.
• Council tax records.
• Mortgage documents.
• Joint financial commitments.
• Correspondence addressed to both partners.
• Evidence of shared responsibilities.
• Evidence of your relationship and time spent together.

Do Unmarried Partners Have to Live Together?

You should normally demonstrate that you and your partner live together or have a genuine and continuing relationship. Circumstances such as work, study or other practical reasons may explain periods when partners live separately.

If you do not live together, provide evidence explaining the circumstances and demonstrating that the relationship remains genuine and continuing.

Can I Apply for ILR if We Have Children Together?

Yes. Having children together can provide additional evidence of your relationship, but having a child does not by itself guarantee ILR.

You may provide documents such as:

• Children's birth certificates.
• School records.
• Medical records.
• Evidence of shared parental responsibilities.
• Joint financial commitments relating to your children.

Financial Requirements for ILR as an Unmarried Partner

For ILR as an unmarried partner under the 5-year route, you will usually need to meet the £29,000 minimum income requirement. Transitional rules may apply if you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024.

You may meet the requirement using permitted sources such as:

• Employment income.
• Self-employment income.
• Certain pension income.
• Specified non-employment income.
• Cash savings, subject to the applicable rules.

If you rely on savings alongside income, the amount required depends on your income and circumstances.

If your partner receives certain disability or carer benefits, the minimum income requirement may not apply, but you must demonstrate adequate maintenance and accommodation without relying on additional public funds.

Important: Check whether transitional financial rules apply to your application before calculating your required income.

English Language Requirement

For ILR as an unmarried partner, you usually need to prove English language ability at B1 level in speaking and listening. For applications made from 26 March 2027, the requirement is due to increase to B2, unless an exemption applies.

You may meet the requirement through an approved English language test, an eligible degree or another accepted qualification. Certain applicants, including those aged 65 or over or with a qualifying disability, may be exempt.

Life in the UK Test Requirement

You must usually pass the Life in the UK Test before applying for ILR as an unmarried partner on the 5-year route, unless you qualify for an exemption.

The test costs £50 and consists of 24 questions. You need a score of 75% or higher to pass.

Continuous Residence Requirement and 180-Day Rule

For ILR as an unmarried partner under the 5-year route, you must complete 5 years of qualifying residence under the partner route. The standard 180-day absence rule in Appendix Continuous Residence does not apply to the 5-year family partner route in the same way it applies to routes such as Skilled Worker.

You should still keep a clear record of all time spent outside the UK, as your travel history may be relevant to your application and other settlement requirements.

Accommodation Requirement

For ILR as an unmarried partner on the 5-year route, you must have adequate accommodation in the UK for you and your family without relying on public funds. The accommodation must be owned or exclusively occupied by the family.

It must:

• Not be overcrowded.
• Comply with public health regulations.
• Provide suitable accommodation for everyone living in the household.
• Be supported by appropriate evidence, such as a tenancy agreement, mortgage documents or property ownership evidence.

The Home Office may refuse the application if the accommodation does not meet the required standard.

Documents Required for ILR Application as an Unmarried Partner

You may need to provide:

• Your valid passport or travel document.
• Your BRP or eVisa details.
• Your partner's passport or immigration status evidence.
• Evidence of your genuine and continuing relationship.
• Joint financial documents.
• Joint accommodation documents.
• Evidence of living together, where applicable.
• Financial evidence.
• English language evidence.
• Life in the UK Test reference.
• Evidence of your immigration history.
• Details of previous UK absences.
• Evidence relating to dependent children, if applicable.

Evidence of a Genuine and Continuing Relationship

Strong evidence can include documents covering your relationship over the relevant period, such as:

• Joint bank statements.
• Joint tenancy agreements.
• Council tax bills.
• Utility bills.
• Mortgage statements.
• Joint insurance policies.
• Joint travel bookings.
• Correspondence addressed to both partners.
• Evidence of shared household expenses.
• Evidence relating to children.

You should avoid submitting large amounts of repetitive evidence. Choose clear documents that demonstrate how your relationship and shared life have continued.

When Can I Apply for ILR as an Unmarried Partner?

You can generally apply after completing 5 years on the qualifying partner route.

You can usually submit your application up to 28 days before completing the 5-year qualifying period.

Applying too early can result in refusal, so calculate your qualifying date carefully.

How Much Does ILR as an Unmarried Partner Cost?

The Home Office ILR application fee is £3,226 per person when applying as an unmarried partner under the 5-year family route. There is no separate fee for providing your fingerprints and photograph.

Additional costs may apply if you choose a priority or super-priority service, or need to pay for an English language test or other supporting documents.

How Long Does an ILR as an Unmarried Partner Application Take?

An ILR application as an unmarried partner usually takes up to 6 months for a decision after you provide your fingerprints and photograph. Complex applications may take longer if additional checks or document verification are required.

You may be able to pay for a faster decision if a priority or super-priority service is available for your application.

What Happens If My Unmarried Partner ILR Application Is Refused?

If your ILR application as an unmarried partner is refused, the decision letter will explain the reasons and whether you have a right to appeal or request an administrative review.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to:

• Appeal the decision if you have a legal right of appeal.
• Request an administrative review if the refusal is eligible for review.
• Make a fresh application if you can address the reasons for refusal.
• Seek specialist immigration advice to determine the most appropriate option.

If you are in the UK and have a right of appeal, the usual deadline is 14 days from receiving the decision.

Do not ignore an ILR refusal. Check the refusal letter carefully and seek professional advice promptly, particularly where your current immigration permission may be affected.

Common Unmarried Partner ILR Mistakes

Common mistakes include:

• Applying too early – Applying before completing the required 5 years.
• Insufficient relationship evidence – Not providing enough evidence that the relationship is genuine and continuing.
• Financial evidence gaps – Providing incomplete payslips or bank statements.
• Incorrect financial calculation – Miscalculating income or savings.
• Missing English evidence – Failing to meet the required level.
• Not passing the Life in the UK Test – Applying without completing the test when required.
• Inconsistent information – Providing conflicting dates, addresses or relationship details.
• Poor-quality documents – Uploading incomplete or unreadable evidence.
• Incorrect immigration history – Failing to disclose previous applications or immigration issues.
• Missing accommodation evidence – Not demonstrating adequate accommodation.

Unmarried Partner ILR Checklist

Before applying, check that:

• You have completed the required 5-year qualifying period.
• Your relationship is genuine and continuing.
• You intend to continue living with your partner permanently in the UK.
• You meet the applicable financial requirement.
• You meet the English language requirement.
• You have passed the Life in the UK Test, if required.
• You meet the accommodation requirements.
• You meet the suitability requirements.
• You have calculated your qualifying period correctly.
• You have gathered sufficient relationship evidence.
• Your supporting documents are complete and consistent.

Need Help Applying for ILR as an Unmarried Partner?

If you want to apply for ILR as an unmarried partner under the 5-year route, Vanguard Solicitors can assess your qualifying period, relationship, financial evidence and settlement eligibility.

If you want to apply for ILR as an unmarried partner, call Vanguard Solicitors on 0208 616 5535 for an eligibility assessment and specialist advice.