UK Unmarried Partner visa Document Checklist

To apply for a UK Unmarried Partner visa, you'll need to submit key documents, including proof of income, relationship, accommodation, and English proficiency. Missing, incorrect, or inconsistent documents can lead to a refusal.

Below is a comprehensive checklist of all the mandatory supporting documents you will need for your UK Unmarried Partner visa application.

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.

If you're unsure about any documents or need help with a UK Unmarried Partner visa application, call Vanguard Solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or fill in the enquiry form.

Table of Contents

What Is a UK Unmarried Partner Visa?

The UK Unmarried Partner visa allows couples who have been in a genuine relationship akin to marriage for at least two years with a British citizen or settled UK resident to live together in the UK.

As an Unmarried Partner visa holder, you can work full-time without any restrictions. There are no limitations on the type of job or industry in which you can be employed.

An Unmarried Partner visa is initially granted for 30 months (2.5 years) if applied for within the UK, or 33 months (2 years and 9 months) if applied for from outside the UK.

After this period, you can apply to extend your UK Unmarried Partner visa for an additional 30 months (2.5 years) to continue living and working in the UK.

After living in the UK for five years on this visa, you may qualify to apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) as an unmarried partner, which allows you to live permanently in the UK. Time spent in the UK on any other visa, or as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, cannot be counted.

Once settled, you may also become eligible to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation, opening the door to full rights as a UK citizen.

Who Can Apply for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa?

To be eligible to apply as an unmarried partner, you and your partner must be 18 or over.

Your partner must also either:

• be a British or Irish citizen
• have indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
• have a settled status
• have proof of permanent residence
• have a protection status
• have permission to stay as a refugee
• have permission to stay as a stateless person

To be eligible for a UK Unmarried Partner visa, you and your partner must have a genuine, ongoing relationship and intend to live together permanently in the UK.

What Documents Are Required for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa Application?

To apply for a UK Unmarried Partner visa in 2025, you'll need to provide the documents listed in the checklist below.

Required documents include:

1. Your valid passport.
2. Your partner's British passport or proof of their immigration status.
3. Proof of a genuine & subsisting relationship for at least two years.
4. Proof of meeting the financial requirement.
5. Proof of Adequate Accommodation in the UK.
6. Evidence that you meet the English language requirement.
7. Photographs that show you have spent time together frequently.
8. Evidence of communication, such as emails, chats, or phone records.
9. Details of any criminal convictions.
10. Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable).
11. Additional supporting documents, depending on your circumstances.

Proof of Identity and Immigration Status Documents for an Unmarried Partner visa

UK Unmarried Partner visa applicants need to provide several personal identification and immigration history documents, such as:

• Current passport or valid travel document.
• Copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports.
• Details of any previous immigration applications you've made.
• A copy of your biometric residence permit (BRP), if you have one.
• Your eVisa (online record of your immigration status), if applicable.
• Details of any criminal convictions.

Documents Your UK Partner (Sponsor) Must Provide

Your partner must show they are either a British citizen or have settled status in the UK. A British passport, an Indefinite Leave to Remain document, or similar evidence will usually be required.

Your UK partner (sponsor) will need to provide:

• Valid passport.
• Evidence of UK immigration status.
• Evidence of meeting financial requirements (e.g., payslips or bank statements).
• Proof of adequate accommodation in the UK (e.g., rent agreement or mortgage documents).
• Sponsorship declaration.

Documents Needed to Prove the Relationship for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa

You will need the following to prove the relationship is genuine and subsisting:

• Photos together.
• Communication records (e.g., messages, emails, or call logs).
• Joint tenancy/mortgage documents.
• Utility bills in both names.
• Joint bank statements.
• Travel documents showing you met in person at least once.
• Letters or cards exchanged.
• Proof of children, if any (e.g., birth certificate).
• Statements from relatives or friends verifying the relationship.

Evidence That You Meet the Financial Requirements

When applying for a family visa as an unmarried partner, you and your partner typically need to show a combined annual gross income of at least £29,000.

Only the following income sources will be considered:

• Employment or self-employment income.
• Pension from the applicant and/or partner.
• Maternity allowances or bereavement benefits received by the UK-based partner.
• Any other income or savings declared by the applicant and/or partner.

Your partner (sponsor) must show they can support you and needs to provide several financial documents, such as:

Proof of Income

The minimum income requirement is £29,000 per year for the sponsor. To meet this, your partner can provide:

• Payslips from the last 6 months.
• Employer's letter confirming employment and salary.
• Bank statements showing the income.

Self-Employment Documents

If your sponsor is self-employed, they'll need to show:

• Tax returns (SA302 or similar)
• Business accounts
• Bank statements

Cash Savings (if applicable)

If your partner doesn't meet the income requirement, savings of at least £88,500 can be used as proof of financial stability.

Proof of Adequate Accommodation for Unmarried Partner Visa

There must be adequate accommodation for the applicant and any dependents without relying on public funds.

You may need to provide evidence of your accommodation, such as:

• A rental agreement, mortgage document, or property deed.
• A letter from a landlord confirming that you and your spouse will live there.
• Utility bills show the address.
• An accommodation inspection report, if applicable (this shows the property is suitable and not overcrowded).

Evidence That You Meet the English Language Requirement

Unless you are exempt, you may need to prove your English language proficiency when applying for a UK Unmarried Partner visa.

You can meet the knowledge of the English language requirements by:

• Passing an approved English language test at or above the A1 CEFR level.
• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
• Having an academic qualification, which is either a bachelor's, master's degree or a PhD.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test for Unmarried Partner Visa

A tuberculosis (TB) test is required for UK Unmarried Partner visa applicants who are coming to the UK for more than 6 months if they have spent 6 months or more in a relevant country, including any time within the 6 months leading up to the application date.

If you're from a country needing a TB test (like Pakistan, India, or Bangladesh), you'll need a TB test from a UKVI-approved clinic.

Contact Vanguard Solicitors

If you're unsure about any of the requirements, seeking professional immigration advice can help guide you through the process and avoid costly mistakes.

If you require assistance with the UK Unmarried Partner visa 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.