A 2023 Reveal – Can Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK?

– UK Spouse / Unmarried Partner Consultant in India

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A 2023 Reveal - Can Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK?

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Introduction: Can Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK

  • Britain has been attracting professionals, young and talented, high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs.
  • The country has offered a boom of opportunities and many foreigners chasing them.
  • But when it comes to moving to a new country altogether, many applicants wonder if unmarried partners can join their partner in the UK.
  • We’re here to resolve the dilemma! There is a visa route that allows you to join your partner in the UK! Yes, it is possible for Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK with the UK Unmarried Partner visa.
  • The UK Unmarried Partner visa route enables partners of someone who is a British citizen or settled on ILR in the UK; to join them as dependents.
  • The Unmarried Partner Visa UK Success Rate is unknown, unfortunately, many Unmarried Partner Visa UK applications are rejected by the Home Office for a variety of reasons.

An Unmarried partner can join their partner in the UK as dependents on mainly all UK visa routes like:

The requirements for all these categories may vary; however, there are two major eligibility criteria you must meet to join your partner in the UK through the UK Unmarried Partner visa:

  1. A Marriage/Civil Partnership certificate – You will be required to show a marriage certificate or a civil partnership certificate.
  2. Evidence of 2 years of relationship – You will have to provide proof that you and your partner have lived together for at least 2 years. You can submit utility bills, rent or mortgage payments, etc.

What is the UK Unmarried Partner visa?

Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK through the UK defacto visa, commonly referred to as the unmarried partner visa, which allows an unmarried partner to enter or remain in the UK on the grounds that they are in a relationship with someone who is already there and “established in the UK.” Having “settled in the UK” indicates that you are regularly residing there without facing any immigration-related time limits.

Eligibility criteria for Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK

You must demonstrate to UK Visas and Immigration that you meet the following criteria in order to meet the unmarried partner’s eligibility to join their partner in the UK:

  • Your partner is British and is either in possession of indefinite leave to remain, limited leave under Appendix EU, or limited leave under Appendix ECAA;
  • You both are older than 18;
  • To meet the unmarried partner visa two-year relationship requirement – You must have lived together for at least two years in a relationship that is comparable to marriage or a civil partnership after having met in person;
  • Your partnership is sincere, and you want to settle down together;
  • All past relationships ended irreparably;
  • You won’t need to use any public cash to sustain yourself adequately in the UK;
  • There is enough space for you and your dependents to stay;
  • You must meet the English language requirements for unmarried partners

Unmarried Partner Visa UK Requirements from the sponsor (the partner settled in the UK)

For those wondering if Unmarried partners can join their partner in the UK; this requirements list is essential:

  • The sponsor may be a citizen of the United Kingdom, or he or she may be a permanent resident (settled on ILR), or
  • The sponsor is granted humanitarian protection or refugee status in the UK.
  • The sponsor must have either savings of at least £62,500 or a gross annual income of at least £18,600.
  • The sponsor must demonstrate their ability to offer appropriate housing that complies with UK dwelling space criteria.

UK Unmarried Partner Visa Application Processing Time

  • 95% of UK Unmarried Partner visa requests are expected to be processed within 12 weeks, according to UK Visa & Immigration. However, the Unmarried Partner visa UK visa processing times also depend on how clear and easy your case is to assess.
  • If you provide all supporting documents, the Home Office might be able to review them faster.
  • Most visa application centres outside the UK provide a Settlement Priority Visa Service if you need your visa processed more quickly.
  • By doing this, you can be sure that your application for a UK Unmarried Partner visa will always be given priority at the beginning of the decision-making process.
  • A UK Unmarried Partner visa application submitted through the Settlement Priority Visa Service typically takes no longer than 30 working days to process.
  • A well-written visa application could lead to a quicker turnaround.

Financial requirements for Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK

You will have to meet the financial requirements for unmarried partners to prove that you can support yourself effectively in the UK without using any public assistance.
For a UK Unmarried Spouse visa application, you must show that your partner (or both of you together if you are in the country with legal authorization to stay)

  • Earns a gross yearly income of at least £18,600;
  • £3,800 for a first kid (who is not a citizen of the United Kingdom, a resident of the EEA, or settled there);
  • And £2,400 for each additional child (who is not a citizen of the United Kingdom, a resident of the EEA, or settled there).

Documents requirement for Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK

  • Unmarried Partner Visa UK Documents Requirement requires the couple’s shared parental responsibility for their children, whether they are biological, adopted, or stepchildren;
  • The pair has been or is presently in a long-term relationship and offers sufficient proof of this, such as tenancy agreements; the couple has previously lived together or does so currently and gives sufficient proof of this;
  • The applicant’s partner they are jointly responsible for financial obligations like a mortgage or rental agreement, a joint bank account, savings, or utility payments.
  • In an arranged marriage, the couple agrees to the union and accepts the arrangements made by their respective families. The couple has made detailed arrangements for how they would live together in the UK, or their family acting on their behalf.

Unmarried Partner Visa UK Cost

  • For applications for a UK Unmarried Partner visa that are submitted from outside the country, the Home Office now charges an Unmarried Partner visa fees of £1,523.
  • The Home Office presently charges £1,033 for applications to change from the category of Unmarried Partners from within the UK or to extend one’s stay in that category.

For how long can you live in the UK with the UK Unmarried Partner visa?

  • Unmarried partners join their partners in the UK, however, it is for a limited period.
  • If you are granted a UK Unmarried Partner visa, the initial validity of your visa is 33 months. You will be granted a 30-month visa if you apply for leave to remain in the UK as an unmarried partner.
  • To extend your stay, you must submit an application to UK Visas and Immigration before your first leave grant expires. If your request for additional permission to stay in the UK as an unmarried partner is approved, you will be given additional permission to stay for 30 months.

Summary: Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK

  • The process to join your partner in the UK is ideal for unmarried couples because it meets the criteria and frees you from constraints; when compared to spouse visas, the features are practically identical.
  • You must remember to complete your application form accurately, though, as you can never be sure whether a missing or wrong detail will cost you a lot of time and money.
  • Utility bills, letters addressed to both the applicant and the sponsor, and other supporting documents that demonstrate your relationship with the sponsor can all be important factors in the approval of your visa application.

How can The SmartMove2UK help Unmarried Partners join their partner in the UK?

  • Given the abundance of information available on the subject, we recognise that applying for unmarried partners to join your partner in the UK can be difficult.
  • You can eliminate the bother by choosing a comprehensive representation service.
  • Our immigration experts at The SmartMove2UK have assisted many unmarried partners join their partner in the UK.
  • If you need legal advice from UK visa consultants regarding a UK unmarried partner visa, you can get in touch with us.
  • Call us on +91 98191 27002 or send an email to info@smartmove2uk.com to schedule an initial consultation with one of our UK immigration specialists if you’d like to find out if you qualify for an unmarried partner visa or have had one denied.

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