It can be difficult to prove an unmarried partner relationship, particularly while applying for a UK visa where documentation is needed to prove your relationship. In this post, we will discuss about the documentation you might require to bring your unmarried partner to UK.

In the context of UK visas, a dependent is typically a family member of the main applicant who relies on them for financial support.

This include –

1. Spouse or Civil Partner:

   A legally married spouse or civil partner is considered as a dependent. The relationship must be recognized under UK law.

2. Unmarried Partner:

   An unmarried partner who is in a long-term, committed relationship with the main applicant but is not legally married or in a civil partnership is considered as a dependant. The applicant should be able to demonstrate cohabitation for at least 2 years.

3. Same sex partner:

   The UK recognizes and allows same-sex partners to apply for different UK visa categories like UK student visa, UK skilled worker visa, UK senior specialist worker visa, UK expansion worker visa, UK unmarried partner visa and such relationships are treated the same as opposite-sex partners. You can bring your partner as dependant with you if you can provide evidence of your cohabitation for at least two years before your application

4. Children:

   Children under the age of 18 years, including adopted children are considered as dependants.

Individuals in unmarried partnerships are eligible to apply under certain UK visa categories. The most common visa category for unmarried partners is the “Unmarried Partner Visa,” which falls under the family visa category. This visa allows unmarried partners to join their British or settled partner in the UK.

This visa is designed for individuals who are in a long-term relationship but are not married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or a person with settled status in the UK.

The visa allows the applicant to live and work in the UK. After five years, the individual may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain).

UK skilled worker visa allows an unmarried partner who is in a long-term, committed relationship with the primary applicant to accompany them as dependant. This visa allows the dependant partner to reside and work in the UK. After five years, the individual may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain).

UK student dependant visa also allows an individual to accompany their unmarried partner to the UK. It allows the dependant partner to reside and work in the UK. However, the time spent on the UK student dependant visa does not contribute towards settlement.

Similar to the UK skilled worker visa the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa allows you to bring your unmarried partner to the UK. This UK visa category also allows your partner to work and study in the UK. After five years, the applicant may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain).

UK expansion worker visa allows the unmarried dependant partner to join the main applicant in the UK. Your partner can work and study in the UK, However their time on this visa will not count towards settlement.

If you have a UK service supplier visa, you can bring your unmarried partner to the UK if you can demonstrate that you are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. This UK visa allows your dependant partner to study and work in the UK. But the time spend under this visa does not contribute towards settlement.

UK temporary work visa allows unmarried dependant partners to join the main applicant in the UK. This visa category also allows the dependant partner to work and study in the UK but the time spent on this visa does not count towards settlement.

When applying for a UK visa, particularly for a visa category that allows for dependents, such as a spouse or civil partner, providing evidence that your relationship is genuine and subsisting is crucial.

Some of the documents or information you may need to provide includes:

1. Marriage Certificate or Civil Partnership Certificate
2. Photographs at the time of the wedding/registration
3. Evidence of any holidays taken together e.g. flight tickets, hotel reservations
4. Evidence of any join financial responsibilities e.g. joint accounts, mortgages, investments
5. Evidence of cohabitation e.g. utility bills, tenancy agreements, land registry records, etc.

Proving your unmarried partner status for a UK visa typically involves providing evidence of your relationship and cohabitation. You must provide sufficient proof to demonstrate that you are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner. You must have been living together for two or more years.

Some of the documents or information you may need to provide includes:

1. Evidence of cohabitation e.g. tenancy agreement in both your names, utility bills, land registry records
2. Evidence of any savings together e.g. savings bank accounts, fixed deposits
3. Evidence of any investments together
4. Applicants may use any official correspondence received individually at the same address
5. Photographs of you and your partner together at various social events
6. Travel records for holidays taken together

Solution: While you may not have a marriage certificate, collect any available documents that demonstrate joint responsibilities, such as joint bank accounts, joint leases, or joint utility bills.

Solution: Collect evidence of shared financial responsibilities, such as joint bank account statements, shared bills, or evidence of jointly owned property. This can help establish the financial interdependence of your relationship.

Solution: If you and your partner have temporarily lived at different addresses, give a justification and show proof of your on-going connection with each other. Examples of this could be shared responsibilities, vacation records, or common financial responsibilities made during the period of physical separation.

Solution: Provide a narrative describing any changes in your personal circumstances such as job relocations or study abroad opportunities. Show that your dedication hasn’t changed in spite of these adjustments.