UK Civil Partnership Visa Immigration Lawyer in London

Conroy Baker Ltd is a trusted UK Civil Partnership Visa immigration lawyer in London, offering expert support for couples navigating the UKVI process. Whether you’re applying from abroad or within the UK, our advisors ensure a smooth and compliant application journey.

The UK civil partner visa is a visa route for civil partners of British or Irish citizens or persons who are settled in the UK, who wish to join them in the UK. You can either apply for this category outside the UK (entry clearance application) or you can also switch to this category within the UK itself. This pathway can lead to indefinite leave to remain or settlement in the UK after a period of 5 years. It is a great opportunity for civil partners to enter the UK and eventually settle, however the eligibility requirements could be complex for most of the applicants. You can also apply for the UK proposed civil partnership visa if you have plans of entering a civil partnership soon and then switch to a UK  visa within the UK itself after getting married to the sponsor.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the category for further clarity:

The most important eligibility criteria of a UK civil partner visa is meeting the financial requirement which has been revised since 2024. This can either be met by evidencing salaried employment or savings. For the salaried employment route, the sponsor (UK based partner) must have a minimum gross annual income of £29,000. To meet the requirement by evidencing cash savings, the sponsor must have at least £88,500 maintained for a period of at least six months. This may be different for those receiving governmental allowances.

The applicant must prove that he/she has sufficient knowledge of the English language. This can either be done by furnishing your academic qualifications or by taking an English language test. You may also be exempt from the same in certain circumstances. It is important to assess what suits your case the best.

This requirement serves as the make or break factor for several applications. Applicants will need to show they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with the sponsor. You must be in a civil partnership that is legally recognized in the UK and you must have been cohabiting or living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years.

This is a great pathway for those who have plans of getting married soon as it allows you to enter the UK for 6 months as a proposed civil partner and then switch to a civil partner visa after registering your civil partnership in the UK itself. If you are opting for this route, you must meet these eligibility requirements at the time of making the application, enter the UK, enter into a civil partnership within 6 months of arriving and then prove the same at the time of making the switch application.

The UK civil partner visa is granted for a period of 33 months, i.e. 2 years 9 months. Upon the expiry of this term you can extend your visa for another 30 months, i.e. 2 years 6 months. You will only qualify for an extension if you are in the same eligible relationship with your sponsor, and you must apply before your current visa expires.

If you’re already in the UK on another type of visa, you may be able to switch to the civil partnership visa. Most long-term visas allow the applicants to switch to the civil partnership visa route, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements. However, some visa categories such as a UK visit visa or those that only allow short-term visits to the UK, will not allow you to switch to this category visa. Therefore, you must be aware about whether your current visa category allows you to switch or not.

One of the most prominent categories from which applicants can smoothly switch to a UK Civil Partner visa is the UK Proposed civil partner visa.

After residing in the UK on your civil partner visa for a period of 5 years, you might be able to apply for settlement, i.e. an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This will mean you can remain permanently in the UK and will not be subjected to immigration control anymore. Contact our team of experienced immigration lawyers to assess your circumstances and make an informed decision.

When assessing your application, three factors are primarily considered- validity, eligibility, and suitability as per Appendix FM of the UK immigration rules. You need to ensure that you meet all three of these.

Approximately, 20-25% of UK partner visa applications face rejection by the UK Home Office. If your UK civil partner visa, or proposed civil partnership visa has been refused, our UK visa experts are here to help you understand the reasons behind the refusal and chart a way forward.

As Top UK Immigration & Business Advisors in the UK, Conroy Baker Solicitors offers a holistic and client-focused approach, combining expertise to deliver outstanding immigration solutions. Our services include:

• Comprehensive assessment of your qualifications, job offer, and salary against the UK Civil Partnership Visa criteria.
• Confirmation that your job role meets the Home Office’s list of eligible occupations.

We assist with gathering essential documents, including:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer.
• Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS for UKVI, degrees taught in English).
• Financial evidence showing you can support yourself and any dependents in the UK.
• Valid passport, travel history, and tuberculosis (TB) test results if required.

• Comprehensive assessment of your qualifications, job offer, and salary against the UK Civil Partnership Visa criteria.
• Confirmation that your job role meets the Home Office’s list of eligible occupations.

• Regular monitoring of your application status and handling Home Office queries on your behalf.