UK Immigration Visa for Spouses and Partners:
UK Spouse and Partner Immigration
Can I join my husband, wife, fiance, fiancee in the UK?
You can apply to join your husband, wife, civil partner, fiance, fiancee or proposed civil partner in the UK as long as:
they currently live and are settled in the UK, or
they are coming to live permanently in the UK, and
they are not under 18
How do I qualify to join my husband, wife or civil partner in the UK?
You must show that:
you are legally married to each other or are in a civil partnership recognised in the UK
your husband, wife or civil partner is present and settled in the UK (see below)
you both intend to live together permanently as husband and wife or as civil partners
you have met each other before
together you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds
you have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds
your husband, wife or civil partner is not under 18, and
you are not under 18.
If your husband or wife has more than one wife or husband, only one will be allowed to join them in the UK.
At first, you will be allowed to stay and work in the UK for two years. Near the end of this time, if you are still married and intend to continue living together, you can apply to stay permanently in the UK.
The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) will deal with your application to stay permanently and give you information on what you will need to do.
If you and your husband, wife or civil partner have been living together outside the UK for four years or more, and they have been a British citizen for four years or more, there will be no time limit on how long you can stay in the UK.
What does "present and settled" mean?
'Settled' means being allowed to live in the UK lawfully, with no time limit on your stay. "Present and settled" means that the person concerned is settled in the UK and, at the time we are considering your application under the Immigration Rules, is in the UK or is coming here with you, or to join you and plans to live with you in the UK if your application is successful.
How do I qualify to join my fiance, fiancee or proposed partner in the UK?
You must show that:
you plan to marry or register a civil partnership within a reasonable time (usually six months)
you plan to live together permanently after you are married or have registered a civil partnership
you have met each other before
there is somewhere for you and your dependants to live until you get married or register a civil partnership, and you will be able to live without help from public funds, and
you and your dependants can be supported without working or claiming any help from public funds
You will be allowed to stay in the UK for six months but without permission to work. When you are married or have registered a civil partnership, you can apply for a two-year extension to your visa and, if your application is granted, you will be allowed to work. Near the end of this time, you can apply to stay in the UK permanently.
Can I join my unmarried or same-sex partner in the UK?
You can apply to join your unmarried or same-sex partner in the UK, as long as:
they currently live and are settled in the UK, or they are coming to live permanently in the UK, and
you are aged over 18 and your sponsor is over 18.
How do I qualify to join my unmarried or same sex partner in the UK?
You and your unmarried or same sex partner must show that:
any previous marriage, civil partnership or similar relationship, has permanently broken down
you have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for two years or more
you have suitable accommodation which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds
you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds
you intend to live together permanently
your partner is not under 18, and
you are not under 18.
The Entry Clearance Officer will need to see evidence of a two-year relationship. This may include:
documents showing joint commitments, such as bank accounts, investments, rent agreements or mortgages
letters linking you to the same address, and
official records of your address, such as your National Insurance card or health card.
At first, you will be allowed to stay and work in the UK for two years. Near the end of this time, if you are still partners and intend to continue living together, you can apply to stay permanently in the UK.
If you and your unmarried or same-sex partner have been living together outside the UK for four years or more, and they have been a British citizen for four years or more, there will be no time limit on how long you can stay in the UK.