UK Unmarried Partner Visa Extension Guide for 2025

22nd Aug 2025

If you are currently in the UK on an Unmarried Partner Visa, you will need to extend your visa before it expires to continue living here with your British or settled partner. Applying for an extension through the FLR(M) route is an important step towards building your life together in the UK and eventually qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). At First Migration, we specialise in preparing successful Unmarried Partner Visa Extension applications. Whether you are looking for expert guidance on which documents to include or you prefer us to handle every stage of the application on your behalf, our team provides a tailored service designed to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Whether you simply want a clear checklist of required evidence or prefer our full end-to-end service where we handle every stage of your application, we are here to help.

Dean Morgan Director

Category: Unmarried Partner Visa

Read Time: 6 mins

What is a UK Unmarried Partner Visa Extension?

The UK Unmarried Partner Visa is designed for long-term partners who are not married or in a civil partnership but have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years. It allows them to remain in the UK with their British or settled partner.

When you first apply, the visa is usually granted for 2 years and 9 months if applied for overseas, or 2 years and 6 months if applied from within the UK. To stay beyond this period, you must submit an application to extend your visa using form FLR(M).

By extending your visa, you continue on the 5-year partner route, which eventually makes you eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you continue to meet the requirements throughout.

When Should You Apply for an Extension?

You can apply to extend your Unmarried Partner Visa any time before your current visa expires, but timing is important if you are working towards settlement in the UK.

• If you apply too early (more than 28 days before completing 30 months in the UK), your new visa may be granted with an earlier end date, which could leave you short of the full 5 years needed for ILR.
• To avoid this issue, most applicants choose to apply within the final 28 days of their current visa period.

Once you have submitted your extension application, your rights are automatically protected under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. This means that even if your current visa expires while your application is pending, you can continue living, working, and studying in the UK lawfully until a decision has been made.

Financial Requirements for an Unmarried Partner Visa Extension

To extend your Unmarried Partner Visa, you and your partner must show that you can meet the Home Office minimum income requirement. The exact threshold depends on when you were first granted your visa:

• If your initial application was made before 11 April 2024
  You must demonstrate a combined annual income of at least £18,600. If you have dependent children who are not British or settled, the threshold increases by £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child.
• If your initial application was made on or after 11 April 2024
  The higher threshold of £29,000 per year applies.

If you do not meet the requirement through employment income alone, you may also rely on:

• Cash savings (above £16,000, held for at least 6 months),
• A combination of income and savings, or
• Certain alternative sources of income in limited circumstances.

Meeting this financial requirement is one of the most important parts of the extension process, and applications are often refused where evidence is incomplete or incorrect.

Documents Required for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa Extension

When applying to extend your Unmarried Partner Visa, it’s essential to provide strong evidence to prove both your relationship and that you meet the financial and accommodation requirements. The Home Office categorises documents by how much weight they carry:

• Tier 1 (most persuasive): tenancy or mortgage agreements, official bank statements, joint utility bills, council tax bills, GP registration letters, insurance policies, or other official correspondence showing both partners’ names at the same address.
• Tier 2: entries on the electoral roll, letters from educational institutions or government bodies addressed jointly.
• Tier 3 (supporting): travel bookings, photographs together, online chat history, greeting cards, invitations, or receipts from shared activities.

In addition, you’ll need to provide:

• Evidence of your partner’s immigration status (e.g., British passport or residence document),
• Proof that you meet the financial requirement,
• Evidence of suitable accommodation, and
• Proof that your relationship is genuine and ongoing.

At First Migration, we provide a bespoke document checklist tailored to your circumstances and templates for supporting letters, ensuring you present your case as strongly as possible.

The Application Process (Form FLR(M))

To extend your Unmarried Partner Visa, you’ll need to complete the application using the online FLR(M) form. The process involves several key steps:

1. Complete the online application – filling in details about your relationship, finances, and living arrangements.
2. Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – both must be paid before the form can be submitted.
3. Upload your supporting documents – either through the UKVCAS portal or by scanning them at your biometrics appointment.
4. Attend a biometrics appointment – at a UKVCAS centre, where your fingerprints and photograph will be taken.
5. Wait for the Home Office decision – once your application and evidence are submitted, UKVI will begin assessing your case.

Most straightforward applications are processed within 8 weeks, although complex cases may take longer. For those who need a quicker result, a priority service is sometimes available for an additional fee, offering a decision within around 5 working days.

Fees and Processing Times

As of 2025, the fees for extending an Unmarried Partner Visa are:

• Home Office application fee: £1,321
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year (for a typical 2.5-year extension, this usually totals £2,587.50)

Processing times:

• Standard service: around 8 weeks for straightforward applications.
• Priority service: available in some locations, typically providing a decision within 5 working days at an additional cost.

It’s important to note that processing times can vary depending on the Home Office workload, so planning ahead and submitting a complete, accurate application is essential to avoid delays.

What Happens After Your Extension?

If your Unmarried Partner Visa extension is approved, you will typically be granted 2 years and 6 months leave to remain in the UK. During this period, you can live, work, and study with your partner without restriction.

Once you have completed 5 years in the UK on this visa route, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you continue to meet the requirements for a genuine and ongoing relationship, financial stability, and suitable accommodation.

It’s important to continue maintaining clear evidence of your relationship and finances throughout this period to ensure a smooth path to settlement.

Why Choose First Migration?

Choosing the right support for your Unmarried Partner Visa Extension can make a significant difference to your application’s success. At First Migration, we offer:

• Proven track record – thousands of successful partner visa applications since 2007.
• Tailored guidance – whether you need a full-service application or just a document review, we adapt our support to your circumstances.
• Expert knowledge – we know exactly what the Home Office looks for and can help you present the strongest possible case.
• Peace of mind – with our assistance, you can navigate the FLR(M) process confidently and avoid common pitfalls.

From preparing documents to managing the full application process, our team ensures that every detail is handled professionally, giving you the best chance of approval.

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