How to bring a partner or girlfriend to the UK?

It is a common question from the British citizens working abroad. They are now coming back to the UK, they met their partner while abroad and would like him/her to relocate to the UK in the future.

1) Unmarried Partner visa: this is when you have lived together, as a couple, for at least 2 years, in any country or in several countries. This is for people who have lived together for at least 2 years in a relationship like a married couple but without a marriage certificate. It does NOT cover a situation where you have been dating for a while or seeing each other as often as possible, it only applies when you have lived together for at least 2 years.  

If you do not meet this requirement - and do not wish to get married yet - then you may consider other categories, such as a Student visa or Working Holiday, wit until you have these 2 years of living together and then apply as Unmarried Partners.

Visa would be for 2.5 years + 3 months and allows to work. Then extension for another 2.5 years and then permanent residency.

 
2) Spouse visa: you need to be married and then your husband/wife can apply for this visa. It is the same type as an unmarried partner, except you'd have a marriage certificate and not 'living together for 2 years'. In this case it does not matter when you get married, there is no 2 years rule (or similar rule).  

The above also applies to civil partners who have the same rights as spouses. Civil partnership is a registered partnership between the 2 people of the same gender, such as 2 men or 2 women. If you are a man and a woman but not married then you would be unmarried partners (subject to the above 2 year rule) and not civil partners. If you are 2 men or 2 women but have not registered a civil partnership then you would be same-sex partners, which is the same category as for unmarried partners and have the same conditions as in the option 1) above.


3) Fiancee visa: this is a 6 months visa, without a right to work, it gives your partner a chance to come to the UK and marry you within 6 months. Then he/she could apply for a Spouse visa after you get married and then a Spouse visa would be the same as above and would allow to work in the UK.

Then the same: 2.5 year visa, then extension for another 2.5 years and then permanent residency.

A Fiancee visa is an extra step, another fee, another application etc but if you want to get married in the UK, or to see first how it goes in your relationship, then this visa would be suitable. As long as you understand you only have 6 months and have to be reasonably confident you want to marry this person.

 
4) All of the above categories have the same requirements on other issues, such as English language or Financial Requirement (minimum £18,600), so those will be the same whichever category you choose.

5) If you do not meet the financial Requirement, yet, then your partner can come here as a visitor and stay for up to 6 months in each year with no right to work, study or use the NHS. Then apply for one of the above.

For more advice or to make an application please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com

If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our CDP training website: www.1st4immigration.com/training

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