As of 2025, the application fee for a UK Civil Partner Visa is £1,938 for applications made outside the UK and £1,321 for those submitted from within the UK. However, these figures reflect only the basic fee payable to the Home Office. There are a number of other potential costs you may incur during the application process. In this guide, we’ll outline all the possible expenses involved in applying for a UK Civil Partner Visa.
Since 2011, the cost of securing a UK Civil Partner Visa has increased substantially. In the early 2010s, the application fee was just £585. However, over time, successive governments have increasingly used the immigration system as a source of revenue. As a result, not only have application fees risen sharply, but applicants must now also budget for various additional costs—most notably, the Immigration Health Surcharge.
So, what does an Civil Partner Visa actually cost in 2025?
The table below shows the full costs for a UK Civil Partner Visa in 2025:
These costs mean that, even in the simplest cases, applying from outside the UK will cost a minimum of £5,000, while applications made from within the UK typically start at just under £4,000. Depending on the complexity of your situation, the services you need, and how quickly you want a decision, the total cost can easily surpass £7,000.
The expenses involved in applying for a UK Civil Partner Visa depend on your location, personal situation, and various other factors. This section offers a comprehensive breakdown of all possible costs.
This fee is charged by the Home Office to process your application. It must be paid in full at the time of online submission and is non-refundable, even if your application is refused or withdrawn before a decision is reached.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), introduced in 2015, is a compulsory fee that most migrants pay to access NHS services in the UK. The fee was increased in 2024 and currently amounts to £1,035 per year for adults and £776 for children and students. It applies to almost all visa holders staying in the UK for six months or longer, with a few exceptions.
The IHS must be paid in full when you submit your online application. The total fee depends on the length of your visa—typically £3,105 for applications made from outside the UK and £2,587.50 for those submitted from within the UK. If your application is refused or withdrawn, the surcharge is refundable.
Priority services are offered for most visa types, including Civil Partner Visa applications. Although optional, many applicants choose them to receive a quicker decision. In the UK, you can pay an extra £500 for the Priority Service, which provides a decision within 5 working days, or £1,000 for the Super Priority Service, delivering a decision within 1 working day. For applicants applying from outside the UK, a £500 Priority Service is available, with decisions made within 30 working days.
Many applicants opt to hire an immigration consultant or lawyer to assist with their application. Given the process’s complexity and the financial and emotional consequences of a refusal, professional support is often considered a valuable investment. However, it is completely possible to apply successfully without legal assistance, so engaging an advisor is not mandatory. If you choose to work with a professional, make sure they have a solid reputation and are regulated by the OISC or the Law Society.
The last stage of the application process involves attending a biometric appointment. At an approved centre in the UK or overseas, you will provide your biometric data and, if needed, submit any outstanding supporting documents. Standard appointments are typically free when you have flexible scheduling, but extra charges may apply for appointments booked at short notice, outside normal hours, or on weekends.
Most applicants for a UK Civil Partner Visa must satisfy the English language requirement. This can be met by holding a recognised qualification taught in English, being a national of a majority English-speaking country, or passing an approved English language test. If you choose to take a test, you will be responsible for the cost. Test fees vary by provider and location, with IELTS exams in the UK generally costing between £155 and £220. Regardless of the test you take, you must achieve a minimum of A1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
An alternative way to satisfy the English language requirement is by possessing a recognised qualification taught in English. If your qualification was obtained outside the UK, you’ll need to secure either a statement of comparability or a visa and nationality statement, depending on the country where you studied. These documents are provided by ECCTIS for a fee of £168.
If you are applying from overseas and have lived or are living in a country where tuberculosis (TB) is prevalent, you must obtain a TB test clearance certificate. The cost of the test varies by location, usually ranging from £20 to £200. Ensure that the testing provider is officially recognised and approved by UKVI.
All documents submitted with your application must be in English. If any document, such as a bank statement, is in a foreign language, it must be translated by an approved translator. Translation fees vary based on the volume of documents and your location. Always verify that the translator you choose is reputable and recognised by UKVI.
When applying for a UK Civil Partner Visa, you need to prove that you satisfy the Adequate Accommodation Requirement. If you plan to live with family or friends, or in a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), you might need to submit a Housing Report. The cost of this report usually falls between £80 and £150.
