UK Civil Partnership and Same-Sex Partner Visa

Civil Partnership Visa vs Spouse Visa: What Is Different?

In practice, very little. Both routes use Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. The requirements — financial, relationship, accommodation, English language — are identical. The process, fees, and route to settlement are the same. The only substantive difference is the type of relationship at the application's foundation:

Spouse visa: for legally married couples (opposite-sex or same-sex)
Civil partnership visa: for couples in a legally recognised civil partnership

A same-sex couple who are legally married applies under the spouse visa route, not the civil partnership route.

Who Can Apply?

The applicant must be in a legally valid civil partnership with a person in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen, a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status, a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection, or a person on a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa. Both parties must be aged 18 or over and neither can be already married or in a civil partnership with someone else.

Eligibility Requirements

The civil partnership visa requirements are identical to the spouse visa:

Relationship: the civil partnership must be legally valid and genuine
Financial: the UK-based sponsor must meet the £29,000 income threshold
Accommodation: adequate accommodation must be available
English language: the applicant must meet A1 level
Age: both parties must be 18 or over

Recognition of Overseas Civil Partnerships and Same-Sex Marriages

The UK recognises a wide range of overseas civil partnerships and same-sex marriages. Whether a specific overseas civil partnership is recognised depends on the law of the country where it was formed.

Countries with same-sex marriage: A same-sex marriage performed in a country where same-sex marriage is legal is generally recognised as a valid marriage in the UK.
Countries with civil partnership but not same-sex marriage: A civil partnership registered in a country with a formal registered partnership regime is generally treated as a civil partnership in the UK.
Countries where same-sex relationships have no formal legal recognition: The couple will need to consider whether to marry or form a civil partnership in a country that permits it, or to apply under the unmarried partner route.

Evidence of the Civil Partnership

The civil partnership certificate is the primary document. It must be an original or certified copy issued by the relevant registering authority, and in English or accompanied by a certified translation. For overseas civil partnerships where the certificate format is unfamiliar, a brief covering letter explaining the registration system and confirming legal validity helps to contextualise the document for the caseworker.

Relationship Evidence for Civil Partners

The relationship evidence requirements are the same as for the spouse visa — photographs, communication records, travel evidence, cohabitation evidence where available, and third-party statements. One issue that occasionally arises for same-sex couples from countries where same-sex relationships face social or legal challenges: the couple may have maintained a lower public profile, limiting available third-party evidence. Where this is the case, a covering letter explaining the context briefly and factually can help the caseworker understand why certain types of evidence are absent.

Financial Requirement

The £29,000 financial requirement applies in the same way as for the spouse visa. All the same income categories, evidence formats, and rules about cash savings apply. There is no difference in the financial requirement for civil partners versus married partners.

Processing, Fees, and the Route to ILR

Fees, processing times, and the route to settlement are identical to the spouse visa:

Application fee (entry clearance): £2,064
Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year of leave
Initial visa: 33 months (entry clearance from outside the UK)
FLR(M) extension: 30 months
ILR: after five years of continuous residence on the partner route

Unmarried Same-Sex Partners: The Unmarried Partner Route

Same-sex couples who are not married or in a formal civil partnership can apply under the unmarried partner visa route, provided they have lived together in a relationship akin to a civil partnership for at least two years before the application date. The requirements are identical to the civil partnership and spouse visa routes, except that cohabitation for at least two years is mandatory rather than optional supporting evidence. The two-year cohabitation requirement applies strictly — an application submitted after eighteen months of living together will not meet the requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a civil partnership visa different from a spouse visa?

The requirements are identical. The difference is the relationship type — civil partnership vs marriage. Same-sex married couples apply under the spouse visa route.

Can same-sex partners get a UK family visa?

Yes. Married same-sex couples use the spouse visa route. Civil partners use the civil partnership route. Unmarried same-sex couples with two years of cohabitation use the unmarried partner route.

Is an overseas civil partnership recognised?

Generally yes, if it is legally valid in the country where it was formed. Where there is any doubt, submit supporting legal confirmation.

Can unmarried same-sex partners apply?

Yes, via the unmarried partner route, provided they have lived together for at least two years.