If you plan to come to the UK to enter into a civil partnership, the Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK provides a structured immigration route for couples who intend to formalise their relationship. This visa allows you to travel to the UK specifically to register a civil partnership and then continue towards long-term residence.
As of 8 April 2026, the Home Office has revised the fee structure for family visa routes, including the Proposed Civil Partner Visa. The updated costs are as follows:
Understanding these updated fees is important when planning your application, as costs apply at different stages of your immigration journey.
The Proposed Civil Partner Visa UK is a short-term visa that allows an individual to enter the UK for up to 6 months for the purpose of registering a civil partnership with their British or settled partner. It is specifically intended for couples who are not yet in a legally recognised civil partnership but intend to form one in the UK.
This visa is the starting point of a long-term immigration pathway. After arrival, once the civil partnership is registered, applicants can switch to a long-term civil partner visa without leaving the UK. This then leads towards settlement and eventually eligibility for indefinite leave to remain.
It is important to note that this visa must be applied for from outside the UK and cannot be switched to from within the country.
To act as a sponsor for this visa, your partner in the UK must meet one of the following conditions:
The sponsoring partner must also demonstrate an intention to live permanently with you in the UK and support the financial requirements of the application.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. The relationship must meet strict requirements, including:
The Home Office carefully assesses whether the relationship is authentic and not entered into for immigration purposes.
Applicants must meet a combined annual income requirement of £29,000. This financial threshold applies across key stages of the immigration route, including initial application, extension, and settlement.
Savings can be used where income is insufficient, provided:
In certain cases, applicants may be exempt if the sponsor receives qualifying disability-related or care-based benefits, including:
Even if exempt, applicants must still demonstrate adequate maintenance and accommodation.
Applicants must demonstrate English language ability at CEFR A1 level for the initial application.
For future extensions, CEFR A2 level is required.
Accepted methods include:
You may be exempt if you:
A complete application must include:
Strong applications typically include:
Poorly organised or incomplete evidence is one of the most common reasons for refusal.
1. Confirm eligibility based on immigration rules
2. Collect all required supporting documents
3. Complete the online application form
4. Pay the application fee of £2,064 (outside UK) or £1,407 (inside UK)
5. Attend biometric appointment
6. Provide additional health or testing documents if required
7. Await decision
Standard processing time is up to 24 weeks. Priority processing reduces this to 30 working days for an additional £500 fee.
Once granted entry, applicants must register their civil partnership within 6 months.
Key steps include:
After entering the UK and registering the civil partnership, applicants move through the settlement route:
Some applicants may instead follow a 10-year route depending on circumstances.
Refusals often occur due to:
Civil partnership visa applications require careful preparation due to strict financial and evidential requirements. Professional guidance can significantly improve the quality and strength of your application.
Immigration specialists can assist with:
For expert assistance, applicants can seek professional support to ensure compliance with current immigration rules and improve the likelihood of success.
