What is The UK Civil Partnership Visa and How Can I Apply?

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The UK Civil Partnership Visa, officially known as the Family Visa (for a partner), allows non-UK residents to join their civil partner in the UK if that partner is a British citizen, has settled status (such as indefinite leave to remain), or holds refugee or humanitarian protection status. This visa is similar to the Spouse Visa but is specifically for individuals in a registered civil partnership, which is a legally recognized union between two people of the same or opposite sex in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria for the Civil Partnership Visa
To apply for a UK Civil Partnership Visa, you must meet certain requirements:

1. Relationship Requirements:

  • You and your partner must be in a legally recognized civil partnership.
  • Your civil partnership must be genuine and subsisting (not for immigration purposes).
  • You must intend to live together in the UK permanently.

2. Financial Requirements:

  • Your partner must have a minimum income of £18,600 per year (this increases if you have children).
  • You can combine your income and savings to meet this threshold.

3. English Language Requirement:

  • You must prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test or having a degree that was taught in English.

4. Accommodation:

  • You must have adequate accommodation in the UK where you and your partner can live without relying on public funds.

5. Suitability Requirements:

  • You should not have any criminal convictions that could make your application inadmissible.
  • You must meet health standards, including providing a Tuberculosis (TB) test result if you are from a country where this is required.

How to Apply for a UK Civil Partnership Visa

1. Online Application:

  • You must apply online through the UK government website. You can choose to apply from either inside the UK (if you’re switching to a family visa) or outside the UK (if you’re entering the UK for the first time).

2. Prepare Documents: You’ll need to provide the following documents:

  • A valid passport or travel ID.
  • Proof of your civil partnership (certificate).
  • Evidence that your relationship is genuine (such as joint bank accounts, tenancy agreements, photographs, etc.).
  • Proof of meeting the financial requirements (such as payslips, bank statements).
  • Proof of adequate accommodation.
  • English language test results.
  • TB test result (if required).

3. Biometric Information:

  • You will need to provide biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application center or via a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) appointment, depending on where you are applying from.

4. Pay the Application Fees:

  • The application fee for a Civil Partnership Visa is £1,538 if applying from outside the UK and £1,048 if applying from inside the UK.
  • You’ll also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is currently £624 per year.

5. Processing Time:

  • If applying from outside the UK, it usually takes up to 12 weeks to get a decision.
  • If applying from inside the UK, processing times may take around 8 weeks.

6. Attend an Interview (if required):

  • In some cases, the Home Office may request an interview to verify your relationship’s genuineness.

7. Decision:

  • Once you’ve submitted your application and attended any required appointments, you’ll receive a decision. If approved, you’ll be granted leave to remain in the UK for up to 2.5 years (30 months). After this, you can apply to extend the visa.

Path to Settlement

  • After living in the UK for 5 years on a Civil Partnership Visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). After obtaining ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months.

Common Reasons for Refusal

  • Failure to meet the financial requirement.
  • Inadequate or inconsistent documentation proving the civil partnership or financial standing.
  • Insufficient evidence of a genuine relationship.

For the best chance of success, it’s advisable to seek guidance from an immigration lawyer to ensure all criteria are met and documents are properly prepared.