As of 2025, the fee for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa is £1,938 if you apply from outside the UK, and £1,321 if you apply from within the UK. However, these amounts cover only the standard application fee paid to the Home Office. There are several additional expenses you may encounter throughout the application process. In this guide, we’ll break down all the potential costs involved in applying for a UK Unamrried Partner Visa.
Since 2011, the cost of obtaining a UK Unmarried Partner Visa has risen significantly. Back in the early 2010s, the application fee stood at just £585. Over the years, however, successive governments have increasingly treated the immigration system as a means of generating revenue. As a result, not only have the application fees sharply increased, but applicants are now required to cover a range of additional expenses—most notably, the Immigration Health Surcharge.
So, what does an Unmarried Partner Visa actually cost in 2025?
The table below shows the full costs for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa in 2025:
These expenses mean that, even in the most straightforward cases, an application from outside the UK will cost at least £5,000, while an application made from within the UK will start at close to £4,000. Depending on the complexity of your case, the additional services required, and how quickly you want a decision, total costs can easily exceed £7,000.
The costs involved in applying for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa can vary depending on your location, personal circumstances, and other factors. In this section, we’ll break down each of these expenses in detail.
This is the fee charged by the Home Office to process your application. It must be paid in full when you submit your application online and is non-refundable, even if your application is later refused or withdrawn before a decision is made.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), introduced in 2015, is a mandatory fee for most migrants to access NHS services in the UK. The charge was increased in 2024 and currently stands at £1,035 per year for adults and £776 for children and students. It applies to nearly all visa applicants staying in the UK for six months or more, with only limited exceptions.
The IHS must be paid in full at the time of submitting your online application. You’ll be required to pay the total amount based on the duration of your visa—typically £3,105 for applications made from outside the UK, and £2,587.50 for those applying from within the UK. If your application is refused or withdrawn, the IHS is refundable.
Priority services are available for most visa categories, including Unmarried Partner Visa applications. While optional, they are a popular choice for applicants who want a faster decision. Within the UK, you can pay an additional £500 for the Priority Service (5 working days) or £1,000 for the Super Priority Service (1 working day). For applicants applying from outside the UK, a £500 Priority Service is available, offering a decision within 30 working days.
Many applicants choose to work with an immigration consultant or lawyer to handle their application. Considering the complexity of the process and the potential financial and emotional impact of a refusal, professional support is often seen as a worthwhile investment. However, it is entirely possible to apply successfully without legal assistance, so hiring an advisor is not a requirement. If you do decide to seek professional help, be sure to choose someone with a strong reputation who is regulated by the OISC or the Law Society.
The final step in the application process is attending a biometric appointment. At a designated centre in the UK or abroad, you’ll provide your biometric information and, if necessary, submit any remaining supporting documents. While standard appointments are usually free if you have flexible availability, additional fees may apply for appointments scheduled at short notice, outside regular hours, or on weekends.
Most UK Unmarried Partner Visa applicants are required to meet the English language requirement. This can be fulfilled by holding a recognised qualification taught in English, being a citizen of a majority English-speaking country, or passing an approved English language test. If you opt to take a test, you’ll need to cover the cost yourself. Fees vary depending on the test provider and location, with IELTS exams in the UK typically ranging from £155 to £220. Whichever test you choose, you must achieve at least an A1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Another way to meet the English language requirement is by holding a recognised qualification taught in English. If the qualification was earned outside the UK, you’ll need to obtain either a statement of comparability or a visa and nationality statement, depending on the country where you studied. These documents are issued by ECCTIS, with a fee of £168.
If you are applying from abroad and have lived or currently live in a country where tuberculosis (TB) is common, you will need to provide a TB test clearance certificate. The cost of the test varies depending on the location, typically ranging from £20 to £200. Make sure the testing provider is officially recognised and approved by UKVI.
All documents submitted with your application must be in English. If a document, such as a bank statement, is in another language, it must be translated by an approved translator. Translation costs vary depending on the number of documents and your location. Always ensure the translator you use is reputable and recognised by UKVI.
When applying for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa, you must demonstrate that you meet the Adequate Accommodation Requirement. If you intend to live with family or friends, or in a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), you may be required to provide a Housing Report. The cost of this report typically ranges from £80 to £150..
