Your Relationship Blueprint: Expert Support for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa.

This is often the most confusing part of any family visa application, and with recent changes, it's more complex than ever. The Home Office has strict rules on how you must prove your financial stability to ensure you won't need to rely on public funds.

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The New Financial Requirement: £29,000

 

For most new applicants, the minimum income requirement is now £29,000. The great news is that, unlike previous rules, this figure does not increase if you are also including children in your application.

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The Old Rules: Transitional Arrangements

 

If you are already on the five-year partner route and are applying for an extension, you will likely be assessed under the previous financial rules. The income threshold for these applications remains £18,600. The changes to these rules came into force on 11th April 2024.

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It's crucial to understand that under these old rules, the income required still increases for each additional child. However, there is now a cap in place: your required income will not exceed the new £29,000 threshold, even if you are sponsoring a large number of children. This is a vital point that can significantly impact your application.

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A Future Under Review

 

It's also important to note that the current £29,000 threshold is being reviewed by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), and there is a possibility that this figure could be adjusted in the future. As a registered adviser, I stay on top of these potential changes to ensure your application is always based on the most current information.

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How to met the income requirements through ‘adequate maintenance’ when you have an exemption 

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If your UK Long-term partner has a long term illness or disability and receives any of the following benefits or allowances through the Department of Work & Pensions in the UK, then you may be eligible to apply under "adequate maintenance" criteria through appendix FM.

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To meet the income threshold you will need to provide evidence of “adequate maintenance” rather than demonstrating you meet the minimum income threshold criteria confirmed in more detail below. Your application can be considered on “adequate maintenance” grounds by providing supporting evidence of any of these benefits.

 

• Carer’s Allowance

• Disability Living Allowance

• Severe Disablement Allowance

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

• Attendance Allowance

• Personal Independence Payment

• Armed Forces Independence Payment or

• Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

• Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme

• Police Injury Pension

 

“Adequate Maintenance” threshold criteria will continue to apply on your next visa application as long as your partner continues to receive any of those benefits or allowances indicated above at the time of your next application submission.

 

UK Civil Partner visa Financial Categories under Appendix FM

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The financial requirement can be met in a number of different ways. The rules on which income can be counted and from which sources are highly specific. My role is to help you navigate these to build a strong case.

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​​Category A: In employment with current employer for 6 months or more

 

For individuals with stable employment for six months or more, this is the most straightforward way to prove you meet the financial threshold. This is because all household income, including salaried income, from both the sponsor and the applicant (if they have permission to work), can be combined to meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 (£18,600 per year under Transitional Arrangements).

 

Under this category, you also have the flexibility to combine other sources of income, including:

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• Category C: Non-employment income.

• Category D: Cash savings.

• Category E: Pension income.

 

Category B: Less than 6 months with employer or has variable income

 

This category is for those who have recently changed jobs or have a variable income. It is considered more complex to prove, as it requires income documentation from both your current employment and your earnings over the previous 12 months.

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This category applies when you and/or your partner are in the UK with permission to work and are in salaried or non-salaried employment at the time of application. It is used if you have been with your current employer for less than six months or if your earnings are variable.

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The income requirements for partner visa to UK under Category B must be met in two parts, and the specific financial threshold depends on when your initial application under the partner route was submitted: £29,000 for new applicants or £18,600 for those under transitional arrangements.

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Part 1: Current Income

Your gross annual salary at the time of application must meet the relevant minimum income threshold.

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Part 2: Income from the Last 12 Months

Your combined gross income over the 12 months before the application must also meet the relevant minimum income threshold.

 

Category C: Non-employment income

 

This category covers income from sources like property rental, investments, or maintenance payments. It can be a vital piece of the puzzle, especially for those whose primary income is not from employment.

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Category D: Cash Savings

 

To satisfy the financial conditions of the visa, cash savings can be used either as a primary source or in combination with other income. I'll provide detailed guidance on the specific rules for calculating the required amount and for the continuous period the funds must be held.

 

Category E: Pension income

 

If you or your partner are retired, your State, occupational, or private pension income can be used to satisfy the financial requirement. This can be combined with other categories as needed in order to meet Appendix FM requirements.

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Category F & G: Financial Requirements for the Self-employed

 

If you or your partner are self-employed or a director of a specified limited company, your income can be used to meet the financial requirements. These categories have very detailed and strict requirements for evidence and are assessed based on your income over the last one or two full financial years.

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Category F: Last full financial year

 

For those who are self-employed or work for a specified limited company, this route lets you use your income from the most recent full financial year to satisfy the income requirement. This is a great way to prove your financial standing at the time of application.

 

Category G: Average of last 2 full financial years

 

You can choose to rely on this category if it is more beneficial. It allows you to use the mean average of the income received in the last two full financial years to meet the financial requirement.

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Important Notes:

 

You can combine income from this category with salaried employment, non-employment income, and pension income. However, cash savings cannot be combined with income under Category F or G.

 

A Note on Overseas Income

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The use of overseas income to satisfy the financial criteria under Categories B, F, and G is a complex area, and it is not a straightforward conclusion that it can be combined with UK income for a guaranteed successful outcome. If your specific circumstances involve overseas earnings, I strongly recommend you seek expert advice.

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Need Help with a Complex Financial Situation?

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My expertise lies in assisting clients with complex financial circumstances. I will assess your unique situation and identify the correct way for you to meet the financial criteria, ensuring every piece of documentation is correct and your application is positioned for success.

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Accessing Your E-Visa Account

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Biometric Resident Permit has been replaced with a new e-visa account attached to your passport. When applying for the first time through entry clearance you will receive a vignette visa in your passport allowing you to travel into the UK. Your Atlas approval email sent by UKVI provides instructions on how to activate your e-visa account. I help all my clients on this important step of the application process to make sure they can access their visa details either before or after they travel.

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How much does an Application Cost

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UK Unmarried Partner Visa cost = £1938.00 (Entry Clearance)

Unmarried Partner Visa UK Cost = £1321.00 (In-country submissions) 

Immigration Health Insurance for adults (18 or older) it costs:

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• £2,587.50 in-country applications 36 months

• £3,105 out of country applications 39 months

• £5,175 5 year period

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For each child (under 18), it costs:

• £1,940 in-country applications 36 months

• £2,328 out of country applications 39 months

• £3,880 5 year period

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Ready to Begin Your Journey?

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My name is Marc Gibson, and I'm here to be your personal guide. I'll provide a roadmap and hands-on support to turn a stressful visa process into a clear, confident journey when you apply for unmarried partner visa UK. The unmarried couple visa application may seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. For most people, the biggest challenge isn't meeting a complex requirement—it's simply not knowing how to approach the application or which documents are needed to prove their life together.

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If you are considering a marriage visit visa or a travel visa for your unmarried partner, be sure to check out my other posts. Using a Visit visa is a good way to help establish or fix your immigration history if you've previously had visa application issues. Reach out to me to establish how I can support you. I specialize in assisting foreign nationals and their long-term partners relocate and settle in the UK. I've supported hundreds of UK and other settled nationals sponsor their foreign Unmarried partners to prepare and submit successful UK Unmarried Partner Visa Applications.

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While I specialize in complex financial and non-traditional cases, the vast majority of my clients simply need expert guidance to ensure they get it right the first time. I will work directly with you, on a one-to-one basis, to make sure every piece of your application is perfect.

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If you need a consultation to understand the Immigration Rules for your forthcoming application, or have your Long-term partner visa application professionally checked by me before submitting, or use my representation service to prepare and submit your Unmarried Partner Visa application for you.

 

​Ready to get started?

Contact me for a free, no-obligation exploratory call to apply for unmarried partner visa UK. We’ll discuss your situation and I'll outline exactly how I can help you move forward with clarity and peace of mind.