Proposed Civil Partner Visa for the UK

or a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa holder, you can apply for a proposed civil partner visa for the UK. This application must be made from outside the UK and follows the requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Upon successful application, you will be granted a six-month visa, allowing you to enter the UK to register your marriage or civil partnership. After this, you can switch to a civil partner visa or spouse visa from within the UK.

Free Immigration Advice for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK

Our team of family visa solicitors specializes in providing expert advice on proposed civil partner visa applications. We offer one-off free immigration advice online for those applying from outside the UK. You can ask our team questions online or schedule an appointment for a detailed consultation regarding your visa application.

Expert Immigration Solicitors for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK

Our experienced family visa solicitors are experts in handling proposed civil partner visa entry clearance applications. We offer fast-track visa services to expedite the decision-making process. Our solicitors have a strong track record of successfully assisting clients with their proposed civil partner visa applications using the Priority Service. We provide fast, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration services tailored to your needs.

Cost of Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK

Fixed Fees for Your Application

Our fixed fee for handling your proposed civil partner visa application ranges from £1,000 to £1,500 (excluding VAT). The fee is determined by the complexity of your case and the amount of work required. An initial payment of half the fee is made at the start, with the remaining balance due once your application is fully prepared and ready for submission.

UKVI Fees for Your Application

In addition to our fixed fee, you will need to pay the UKVI fee of £1,846 for your visa application. If you wish to receive a decision within 30 working days, you can opt for the Priority Service by paying an additional £500.

Steps to Apply for Proposed Civil Partner Visa

Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a proposed civil partner visa:

1. Complete the Online Application: Fill out the proposed civil partner visa application form on the UKVI website.

2. Submit the Application: Submit your completed application online and pay the visa fee. Note that the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is not required for this visa.

3. Book a Biometrics Appointment: Schedule an appointment at the UK visa application center to provide your biometrics and submit your passport.

4. Upload Supporting Documents: Upload all required supporting documents in PDF format before your biometrics appointment.

5. Await a Decision: The decision on your visa application will be made within 30 working days if using the Priority Service, or within 60 working days for the standard service.

Requirements for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK

To qualify for the proposed civil partner visa, the following requirements must be met:

Valid Application: Submit a valid application according to Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

Relationship: You must be engaged to a British citizen, a person with ILR or settled status, an EU national with pre-settled status, a refugee, or a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa holder. The relationship must be genuine and ongoing, with evidence provided to support this.

Age: Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old.

Intention to Marry or Register a Civil Partnership: You must show that you intend to marry or register a civil partnership with your partner in the UK.

Suitability: You must meet the suitability requirements set out in Appendix FM.

Financial: You or your partner must have an income of at least £29,000 per year, or sufficient savings or rental income to meet the financial requirements.

Accommodation: Provide evidence that there is adequate accommodation for you and any other family members living with you, without relying on public funds.

English Language: Demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level A1.

Tuberculosis Test: Provide a tuberculosis test certificate if required under Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) of the Immigration Rules.

Relationship Requirement for Proposed Civil Partner Visa Entry Clearance
To be eligible for a proposed civil partner visa, the applicant's UK partner must meet one of the following criteria:
Be a British citizen.
Hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status in the UK.
Be an EEA national with pre-settled status in the UK.
Hold a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa in the UK.
Have leave to remain in the UK as a refugee or under Humanitarian Protection (HP).
The relationship must be genuine, and both parties must have met in person. They should not be closely related in a way that would prohibit their marriage or civil partnership. Additionally, both the applicant and their UK partner must intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership and live together permanently in the UK. Any previous relationships must have ended permanently, unless they fall within specific exceptions under paragraph 278(i) of the Immigration Rules.

New Financial Requirement from 11 April 2024

From 11 April 2024, a new financial requirement of £29,000 gross per year will apply to applicants making their first application on the partner route. This amount remains the same even if dependent children are applying simultaneously with the main applicant.

To meet this financial requirement, the applicant's UK partner must earn at least £29,000 gross annually. If the sponsor's income is less than this amount, the applicant can supplement the income with savings. The required savings must equal £16,000 plus an additional amount calculated as 2.5 times the difference between the sponsor's annual income and £29,000.

The applicant's income from employment abroad does not count towards meeting the financial requirement. However, savings, rental income, or pension income from the applicant or their UK partner can be used to satisfy the requirement.

Meeting the Financial Requirement: Various Sources

To meet the financial requirement, the following income sources can be considered:

1. Employment Income: The income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the UK partner (and/or the applicant if they have permission to work in the UK). This falls under Category A or B, depending on the employment history.

2. Non-Employment Income: This includes income from property rentals or dividends from shares, classified under Category C.

3. Cash Savings: The UK partner’s and/or applicant’s cash savings above £16,000, held for at least six months, fall under Category D.

4. Pension Income: Income from state, occupational, or private pensions of the UK partner and/or the applicant is classified under Category E.

5. Self-Employment Income: Income from self-employment or as a director/employee of a specified limited company in the UK, classified under Category F or G, depending on the financial year(s) relied upon.

Exemptions from Meeting the Financial Requirement

If the applicant’s UK partner is receiving certain benefits or allowances, they can meet the financial requirement through "adequate maintenance" rather than the £29,000 income threshold. The qualifying benefits include:

Carer’s Allowance

Disability Living Allowance

Severe Disablement Allowance

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Attendance Allowance

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement, or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme

Police Injury Pension

If the partner receives one of these benefits on behalf of their child, the applicant may also qualify by demonstrating "adequate maintenance." Specific evidence must be provided as outlined in Appendix FM-SE.

Calculating Adequate Maintenance

To determine if the applicant meets the adequate maintenance requirement, the following formula is used:

A – B ≥ C

Where:

A is the net income after deducting income tax and National Insurance contributions.

B is housing costs, including rent and council tax.

C is the amount of Income Support that a British family of the same size would be eligible to receive.

Adequate Accommodation Requirement for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK

The applicant must prove that there will be sufficient accommodation for their family in the UK, without relying on public funds. This accommodation must be exclusive to the family and not overcrowded or in violation of public health regulations.

English Language Requirement for Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK

The applicant must demonstrate proficiency in English by meeting one of the following conditions:

Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Passing an English language test in speaking and listening at CEFR level A1 or higher with a Home Office-approved provider.

Holding an academic qualification recognized by UK NARIC as equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree, and taught in English.

Being exempt from the requirement due to age (65 or over), disability, or exceptional circumstances preventing the applicant from meeting the requirement before entering the UK.

Switching from a Proposed Civil Partner Visa to a Civil Partner Visa
If you are in the UK on a proposed civil partner visa, you can switch to a civil partner visa once you have registered your civil partnership. To make this switch, you must submit an application online using form FLR (M) before your proposed civil partner visa expires. Our expert family visa solicitors offer a Super Priority Service for such applications, ensuring a decision within 24 hours of your biometrics appointment.