Civil Partnership Visa
If you are considering applying for a Civil Partnership visa, our team of immigration solicitors can guide you step-by-step through the process, ensuring you meet all the necessary eligibility criteria and compile a strong application. Our attention to detail and expert knowledge will give you the best possible chance of success.
If you need help with a UK visa application or any other type of immigration matter, contact our immigration solicitors by calling 0208 616 5535 or filling out our online contact form. We are here to guide you every step of the way.
Table of Contents
- What is a UK Civil Partnership visa?
- UK Civil Partnership visa requirements
- Financial requirements
- English language requirements
- Adequate accommodation requirement
- Documents required for Civil Partnership visa UK
- How to apply for a Civil Partnership visa UK?
- UK Civil Partnership visa processing time
- Extension of UK Civil Partner visa
- ILR after 5 years Civil Partner visa
- How can immigration solicitors help with UK visa applications?
- Contact UK immigration solicitors today
What is a UK Civil Partnership visa?
A Civil Partnership visa is a type of UK family visa that allows individuals in a same-sex relationship or civil partnership to live and work in the UK with their partner. This visa is designed to facilitate the reunification of couples who are not married but wish to live together in the UK.
The Civil Partnership visa is typically granted for an initial period of 2 years and 9 months, with the option to extend your visa for an additional 30 months.
After living in the UK for five years under this visa category, you may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), granting you permanent residence in the UK.
UK Civil Partnership visa requirements
To be eligible for a UK Civil Partnership visa, you must meet certain requirements:
- Both, you and your partner must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- You're in a civil partnership that's recognised in the UK.
- You must demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and subsisting.
- You must have the intention to live together permanently in the UK.
- You and your partner must meet certain financial requirements.
- You must have suitable accommodation available for you and your partner.
- You may need to prove your proficiency in the English language, depending on your nationality.
Depending on the type of your appication and circumstances, you must meet all the other eligibility requirements. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor for your eligibility assessments.
Financial requirements
The sponsor needs to demonstrate a minimum level of income to prove they can financially support their partner without recourse to public funds. The income threshold varies depending on whether there are any dependent children also applying.
Minimum income requirement
According to new rules, from 11th April 2024, you and your partner must meet the minimum income requirement, which is currently set at £29,000 gross per year.
Suppose the sponsor doesn't meet the income threshold through employment income alone. In that case, they may be able to combine income from other sources, such as self-employment, cash savings, non-employment income, or a combination of these.
English language requirements
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You can meet the requirements by:
- passing an approved test at or above the required CEFR level, with an approved provider as set out on gov.uk at: Approved Secure English Language Tests and Test Centres
- being a national of a majority English-speaking country
- having an academic qualification which is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree or PhD
Adequate accommodation requirement
To meet the adequate accommodation requirement for a UK Civil Partner visa, the couple must demonstrate that they have suitable accommodation in the UK that meets certain criteria. The accommodation must:
- Be owned or occupied exclusively by the UK-based partner, or be owned or leased jointly by the couple.
- Be free from overcrowding, and meet the relevant health and safety standards.
- Not be rented from a local authority or a housing association.
- Not be subsidized by public funds.
The accommodation requirement can be met in different ways, such as by providing evidence of ownership or occupancy of a property, a rental agreement, or a letter of support from a friend or family member who is willing to accommodate the couple. If the couple does not have suitable accommodation when the application is submitted, they may still be able to apply for a Civil Partner visa, but they will need to demonstrate that they have made adequate arrangements to secure accommodation once they arrive in the UK.
Documents required for Civil Partnership visa UK
When you apply for your Civil Partnership visa you must provide:
- a current passport or other valid travel document to prove your identity
- civil partnership certificate that is recognised in the UK
- evidence of a genuine relationship
- proof you have enough money to support yourself
- proof of accommodation such as a tenancy agreement
- evidence of English language proficiency
- tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
The document checklist provided above is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required depending on the type of your UK visa application and your circumstances. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor to get a comprehensive list of required documents and eligibility assessments.
How to apply for a Civil Partnership visa UK?
Applying for a UK visa involves several steps. Here is a general outline of the visa application process:
- Determine Eligibility: Before applying for a UK visa, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the specific visa category you are applying for.
- Gather Required Documents: Prepare the necessary supporting documents to submit along with your visa application.
- Complete the Online Application Form: Visit the UK government's official visa application website and complete the online application form.
- Biometric Appointment: Schedule an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). You will need to attend the appointment in person.
- Submit Application and Pay Fees: Once you have compiled all the necessary documents and completed the application form(s), submit your visa application online and pay the applicable visa fees. Fees vary depending on the type of visa and processing times.
- Wait for a Decision: Once you have submitted your application and attended the biometric appointment (if required), you will need to wait for a decision on your visa application. Processing times can vary, so check the UK government website for current processing times.
You must carefully follow the application instructions and provide accurate and complete information and documentation to avoid delays or refusal of your visa application. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, consider seeking guidance from our expert UK immigration solicitor in London.
UK Civil Partnership visa processing time
Civil Partnership visa applications generally take up to 8 weeks if applying from within the UK, or up to 24 weeks if applying from outside the UK using a standard service.
The processing time for a UK visa or immigration application can vary depending on several factors. All the applicants are advised to check the latest information about application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.
Extension of UK Civil Partner visa
Once you have been granted a Civil Partner visa, you can live and work in the UK for up to 30 months. After this period, you can apply to extend your visa.
As a result of a successful application for an extension of your Civil Partner visa under the 5-year route, you will be granted further leave to remain for 30 months (2.5 years).
ILR after 5 years Civil Partner visa
As a Civil Partner visa holder, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after you have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on a Civil Partner visa.
Once you are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you can stay in the UK indefinitely and work in any job or industry without the need for a work permit. You may also be eligible to apply for British citizenship after a certain period of time.
How can immigration solicitors help with UK visa applications?
Immigration solicitors play a crucial role in assisting individuals with their UK visa applications by providing expert guidance, legal advice, and representation throughout the application process. Here's how immigration solicitors can help:
- Initial Consultation: Our immigration solicitors offer an initial consultation where we assess the individual's circumstances, immigration goals, and eligibility for the desired visa category. During this consultation, we provide an overview of the visa application process, requirements, and potential challenges.
- Visa Category Selection: Our immigration solicitors help individuals select the most appropriate visa category based on their specific circumstances, such as work, study, family reunion, investment, or settlement. We explain the eligibility criteria and requirements for each visa category and assist in determining the best option for the individual's needs.
- Document Preparation: Our immigration solicitors guide applicants through the preparation of required documents, ensuring they are accurate, complete, and compliant with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.
- Application Form Completion: Our solicitors will fill in visa application forms accurately and thoroughly to avoid any delays or rejection. We provide guidance on answering questions, providing necessary information, and disclosing any relevant details required by the UKVI.
- Application Submission: We will compile and organise your visa application package and submit your visa application to the UKVI or relevant immigration authorities. We ensure that all required documents are included, application fees are paid, and submission deadlines are met.
- Communication with Authorities: Our immigration solicitors act as intermediaries between the applicant and the UKVI, representing the applicant's interests and communicating with immigration authorities on their behalf. We handle any correspondence, requests for additional information, or enquiries from the UKVI throughout the application process.
- Follow-Up and Monitoring: We monitor the progress of the visa application and provide updates to the applicant as needed. We follow up with immigration authorities to expedite the processing of the application and address any issues or concerns that may arise during the assessment period.
Contact UK immigration solicitors today
If you require expert legal advice or assistance with any type of UK visa or immigration application, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors is here to guide you every step of the way.
To schedule a consultation with our UK immigration law solicitors in London, please call us on 0208 616 5535 or contact us through our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions (Civil Partnership Visa UK)
To be eligible, both partners must be in a legally recognised civil partnership relationship, meet financial requirements, have suitable accommodation, demonstrate English language proficiency, and prove the genuineness of their relationship.
The sponsoring partner must meet a minimum income threshold as set by the UK government to ensure that the couple can support themselves without relying on public funds.
Yes, holders of the Civil Partnership visa typically have the right to work in the UK without restrictions, enabling them to pursue employment opportunities.
The benefits include legal residence in the UK with your partner, the right to work, access to services and benefits available to residents, and a potential path to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK after a certain period.
To schedule a consultation, you can contact our office by phone (0208 616 5535) or email (info@vanguardlaw.co.uk). Alternatively, you can fill out the online contact form, and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly to arrange a suitable time for a consultation.