What is a UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa?

There are 8 major requirements that applicants will need to meet to be eligible for a UK proposed civil partner visa. These requirements are as follows:

• Age: The applicant must be over the age of 18.
• Relationship: The applicant must be engaged to or have agreed to enter into a civil partnership with a British citizen or a person settled in the UK.
• Intention to register a civil partnership: The applicant must provide evidence that they intend to register a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK and have made the necessary arrangements for their civil ceremony.
• Financial requirements: The applicant’s sponsor must meet the financial requirements, which include showing that the UK sponsor earns a minimum income of £29,000 per year or has sufficient savings to support the applicant.
• Accommodation: The applicant and sponsor must have suitable accommodation in the UK for themselves and any dependents without recourse to public funds.
• English language: The applicant must pass an English language test with an approved provider or demonstrate their ability to speak and understand English.
• Health: Some applicants may need medical documentation such as a TB Clearance Certificate.
• Character: All applicants must meet the character requirements set by the UK government.

Each of these requirements could vary based on your individual circumstances, such as your nationality, country of residence, and whether there are any dependents. Depending on the information you provide, there may also be additional requirements and complexities.

In the following paragraphs, we look at some more complex requirements in further detail.

To be granted a UK proposed civil partner visa, the applicant must demonstrate their genuine intention to enter a civil partnership with their UK partner within six months of arriving in the UK. The requirements for demonstrating this intention include a past and present relationship overview. Therefore, you will need to provide:

• Proof of a genuine relationship: The applicant must provide evidence that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with their UK partner. This can include photographs, travel itineraries, communication records, and other relevant documents.
• Confirmation of an impending civil partnership: The applicant must provide evidence that they and their partner have made appropriate plans to enter a civil partnership in the UK within six months of the applicant’s arrival. This can include a letter from the registrar confirming the date and location of the civil partnership ceremony and other relevant documents and materials.

To obtain a UK proposed civil partner visa, the applicant and their UK partner must meet certain financial requirements. Specifically, they must demonstrate that they can support themselves financially without relying on public funds. This is assessed by seeing whether the UK sponsor earns sufficient income or whether the couple has adequate savings to support themselves. Additional details can be found in our Appendix FM Financial Requirement guide.

Applicants must meet one of the three current financial requirements to qualify:

• Income threshold: The UK partner must have a gross annual income of at least £18,600 or more. If the partner has dependents, such as children, the income threshold will increase to £22,400 for the first child and by £2,400 for each subsequent child.
• Savings: If the UK partner does not meet the income threshold, they may be able to rely on cash savings to meet the financial requirement. The savings must amount to at least £62,500 or more and have been held in the UK for at least six months.
• Combination of income and savings: If the UK partner does not meet the income threshold but has some savings, they may be able to combine their income and savings to meet the financial requirement.
• Sponsorship from a third party: If the applicant or their partner does not meet the financial requirements, they may obtain sponsorship from a third party, such as a family member or friend.

To obtain a UK proposed civil partner visa, the applicant and their UK partner must demonstrate that they have adequate accommodation in the UK and that they intend to live together. The requirements for suitable accommodation typically include:

• A place to live: The applicant and their partner must have a place to live in the UK that is suitable for them as a couple. This can be a rented or owned property, or it can be with family or friends.
• Adequate space: The accommodation must be large enough to accommodate the applicant and their partner without overcrowding.
• Safe and habitable: The accommodation must be safe, habitable, and not pose a risk to the health and safety of the occupants.
• Documentation: The applicant and their partner must provide documentation to demonstrate that they have suitable accommodation. This can include a tenancy agreement or proof of ownership, as well as evidence of bills and other utilities.

The following is a list of the necessary documents that you will typically need to provide when applying for a UK proposed civil partner visa:

• Valid passport: You must provide your current and valid passport or travel document.
• Proof of relationship: You must provide evidence to show that you and your partner are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. This may include photographs, emails or messages, travel documents, and other evidence demonstrating that you have been in a committed relationship for a reasonable time.
• Proof of intent to register a civil partnership: You must provide evidence to show that you intend to enter a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK. This may include a letter from a registrar or venue confirming your booking or evidence of arrangements you have made for your wedding or civil partnership.
• Evidence of financial support: You will need to provide evidence that you and your partner can meet the financial requirements for the visa. This may include payslips, bank statements, and tax documents.
• Accommodation details: You must provide evidence of suitable accommodation for you and your partner in the UK, such as a tenancy agreement or a letter from your host.
• English language ability: You must provide evidence that you meet the English language requirement for the visa. This may include a test certificate or evidence of an exemption.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results: You may need to provide evidence that you have been tested for TB if you are from a country where TB is prevalent.

It’s important to note that the specific requirements and documents needed for a UK proposed civil partner visa may vary depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant and their partner. While the documents listed above meet the standard requirements, further evidence may be necessary depending on your individual circumstances.

The application fees for a UK proposed civil partner visa are as follows:

• Standard Application: £1,846 (outside of UK)
• Subsequent spouse / civil partnership visa: £1,048 (inside of the UK)

You should note that there may be other fees associated with the application, such as the cost of a tuberculosis test, an English language test, or a biometric appointment fee, which are not included in the application fee.

The processing times for a UK proposed civil partner visa can vary depending on various factors, including the volume of applications being processed, the completeness of the application, and whether additional information or documentation is required. Generally, the UK government aims to process 90% of these applications within 12 weeks of submission. However, some applications are currently taking up to 24 weeks to process.

Several factors can affect processing times. For example, the processing time may be longer if the application is incomplete or the applicant needs to attend an interview or provide additional information. Processing times can also fluctuate throughout the year, with peak periods, such as the summer months, experiencing longer processing times due to the higher volume of applications.

Therefore, it is always recommended to submit the application as early as possible and to ensure that all the required documentation is provided with the initial submission to avoid unnecessary delays.

Once you are in the UK and have entered into a Civil Partnership, you can apply for a Civil Partnership Visa. The process and required documentation are similar to those for a Proposed Civil Partner Visa. You will need to prove the legitimacy of your relationship, demonstrate financial stability, and outline your future plans in the UK. For more information on applying for a Civil Partnership Visa, please refer to our dedicated guide.