Family partner requires an eligible sponsor and an actual qualifying relationship, finances, accommodation and English under the applicable branch. Unmarried partners need a qualifying two-year relationship; cohabitation is not universal. Fiancé permission has different duration and work/study restrictions. Settlement is a separate conditional application on the applicable five- or ten-year route. Check current dated fees and processing by application location; no automatic permanent residence.
Partner application fee: £2,064 outside the UK or £1,407 inside, per applicable applicant/dependant. IHS depends on actual age and permission duration, and eligible fee-waiver rules require separate assessment. The £452 protection-status fee is for the adult-relative care branch, not a general partner fee.≈ $2,621
GOV.UK does not give a decision time for family visas: its processing-time tool says it cannot be used for family visas or settlement because times vary with personal circumstances.
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Source-backed requirements
Eligibility
(2)English Language Proficiency
DocumentConditionalInitial partner English is normally A1; the applicable extension after 2.5 years may require A2. Check actual nationality, accepted qualifications/Ecctis, prior proof and exemptions. Appendix FM sets the age exemption at 65 or over; disability and exceptional circumstances require actual evidence. A new test is not universal.
Verified officialMinimum Age Requirement
MandatoryBoth the applicant and their partner must be at least 18 years old at the time of the application.
Verified official
Qualification
(1)Minimum Income Threshold
MandatoryThe usual partner financial threshold is £29,000, using only permitted income/savings sources and specified evidence. Actual entry-clearance and in-country income rules differ. Eligible same-partner extensions from a successful pre-11 April 2024 application can use the £18,600 transition with qualifying child additions capped at £29,000. Specified benefits instead require adequate maintenance; exception routes need case review.
Verified official
Preparation
(1)Intent to Cohabit
DocumentMandatoryEvidence must be provided showing that the couple intends to live together permanently in the United Kingdom.
Verified official
Application
(4)Adequate accommodation
ConditionalWhere required by the applicable partner branch, prove adequate accommodation for the family and other household members, owned or occupied exclusively, without public-funds reliance. It must not be overcrowded or breach public-health rules. Assess actual premises and permitted exceptions; a generated tenancy or landlord letter is not evidence.
Verified officialEligible partner sponsor
MandatoryCheck the partner’s actual eligible status: British/Irish, settled, qualifying pre-settled status with the required residence history, specified Turkish worker/businessperson permission, protection status, or qualifying stateless permission. Apply the exact status and timing rules. A temporary Student or work visa alone does not make this a Family partner route.
Verified officialLegal Marriage Recognition
ConditionalIf applying as a married or civil-partner couple, the marriage or civil partnership must be valid and recognised under the applicable rules. Unmarried-partner and fiancé branches have different requirements; a marriage certificate is not mandatory for every partner application.
Verified officialGenuine Relationship Evidence
MandatoryApplicants must prove they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship and have met their partner in person.
Verified official
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Immigration Documents & Forms
Source citations
UK Spouse Visa — Official Program Page
UK Home Office
Official government page for UK Spouse Visa (GB). Contains fee information, processing times, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
UK Spouse Visa — Official Program Page
UK Home Office
Official government page for UK Spouse Visa in GB. Contains current fees, processing times, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
Appendix FM — bounded partner relationship and financial sections
UK Home Office
ActualGEN1.2/1.3, E-ECP2relationship/3financial/4English and E-LTRP1relationship/3financial/4English/D-LTRPgrantbranches. Age18,metinperson,genuineongoing,marriageconditional,permanentcohabitintent,actualfinancialsources/casebranches,65oroverlanguageexemption. Notwhole1104lineappendixacceptance.
Family partner — actual financial branches
UK Home Office
Usual29000financialframework; actualspecifiedsources/savings/benefitadequatemaintenance/pre11Apr2024samepartnertransition18600childrenadditionscap29000/exceptionroutesnotallspousesmustearn29000.
Official links
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