Build your life together in the UK with a carefully evidenced unmarried partner application.
A committed relationship does not always come with a marriage certificate or two years of joint bills. Knightsbridge helps you understand the applicable partner requirements and present evidence that explains your relationship, circumstances and plans to live together.
About this route
The unmarried partner route forms part of the UK family visa framework. It can allow you to join a British or Irish partner, a settled partner or someone holding another qualifying status.
You normally need to show a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership lasting at least two years. Two years of living together is not an absolute requirement: couples unable to cohabit because of work, study or cultural circumstances can qualify if the relationship requirements are established.
The relationship must be genuine and continuing, and you must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Successful applicants can work and study. Under current rules, the standard partner route can lead to settlement after five qualifying years, subject to the remaining requirements.
Eligibility Check
Consider these questions:
- Are you and your partner both aged 18 or over?
- Does your partner hold a qualifying immigration status?
- Can you evidence the required relationship and commitment?
- Can you meet the applicable financial and accommodation requirements?
- Can you satisfy the English language requirement or an exemption?
- If applying within the UK, does your current permission allow switching?
Eligibility depends on the combined requirements and supporting evidence, rather than relationship length alone.
Understanding your situation
You may have lived together for several years, maintained your relationship across countries, or spent time apart while working or studying.
We look at how the relationship developed, where you have lived and why any periods apart occurred. Your evidence should give a coherent account of your commitment and future plans, supported by documents relevant to your actual circumstances.
How Knightsbridge Helps
Our agreed service can include:
- Assessing the appropriate partner route and application location.
- Reviewing your relationship history and supporting evidence.
- Checking the applicable financial and accommodation requirements.
- Assessing English language evidence.
- Providing a tailored document list and preparing your application.
- Supporting submission and relevant follow-up within the agreed engagement.
We explain which documents support each requirement and where further evidence or clarification is needed. You review the application before submission, with an opportunity to correct information and understand how your circumstances have been presented.
Addressing Challenges
For most new partner applications, the minimum income requirement is £29,000 annually. Qualifying savings may be relevant, while different provisions apply to some existing applicants and sponsors receiving specified benefits.
How income is earned affects the evidence required. Self-employment, variable pay or recent employment changes therefore need careful assessment.
Limited cohabitation evidence can also require closer work. We help organise the relationship history and supporting material so periods apart are explained clearly, without assuming photographs or messages alone establish every requirement.
Timescales and Costs
Standard decisions are usually made within twelve weeks overseas or eight weeks within the UK where the financial and English requirements are met. Other application types can take substantially longer.
The current government application fee is £2,064 overseas or £1,407 within the UK. The adult Immigration Health Surcharge is normally £3,105 for a standard overseas grant of two years and nine months, or £2,587.50 for two years and six months.
We confirm our professional fee, scope and any applicable VAT in writing.
Situations requiring closer analysis
Tell us about previous refusals, earlier marriages, children, an approaching visa expiry or difficulty meeting the standard requirements. We establish what needs further advice before you commit to application work.
Your application location and current status also matter. Visitors will usually need to apply from outside the UK.
Your journey with Knightsbridge
We begin by understanding your relationship, your partner’s status and your plans to live together in the UK. We also look at your financial circumstances and current immigration position before agreeing a plan for your application. You receive a tailored document list explaining how to evidence the relevant requirements.
We work through your relationship history and supporting material, identifying any gaps or periods that need a clearer explanation.
As the evidence comes together, we check that the documents and application give a consistent account of your circumstances. We then prepare the application and take you through it before submission, giving you time to check the details and ask questions.
We guide you through submission and the relevant identity checks, keep you informed of updates we receive and deal with further requests covered by our agreed service. When a decision arrives, we explain the outcome and any next steps within the agreed scope. Where permission is granted, we also highlight the dates and requirements to keep in mind when preparing for your next immigration stage.
Ready to have your case assessed?
Use our Free Case Review to explain your relationship, your partner’s status and where you intend to apply. This initial enquiry identifies whether we can assist and the appropriate paid service. Detailed advice and document assessment are separately agreed.
