UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa Guide 2025: Requirements, Process & Expert Help

Planning to enter a civil partnership in the UK with your British or settled partner? The UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa could be your pathway to starting your new life together. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about applying successfully in 2025.

What is a UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa?

A UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa allows you to enter the UK for six months to register a civil partnership with your British citizen, Irish citizen, or settled partner. Unlike a standard visitor visa, this route is specifically designed for couples who intend to make the UK their permanent home together.

The visa doesn’t grant settlement immediately, but once you’ve registered your civil partnership, you can apply to switch to the Civil Partner route from within the UK. This eventually leads to indefinite leave to remain after five years of continuous residence.

Who Can Apply for a Proposed Civil Partner Visa in 2025?

Your sponsoring partner must hold one of the following statuses:

• British or Irish citizenship
• Indefinite leave to remain (settled status)
• Pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa
• Refugee status or humanitarian protection

Both you and your partner must be over 18 years old when you submit your application. You’ll also need to demonstrate that you’ve met in person and have a genuine, ongoing relationship.

Essential Requirements for UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa

Meeting the visa requirements involves satisfying several key criteria that the Home Office will scrutinise carefully.

Relationship Requirements

Your relationship must be genuine and continuing. The Home Office looks for evidence of:

• Regular communication and contact
• Time spent together physically
• Shared financial responsibilities where possible
• Future plans to live together permanently in the UK

You cannot be within a prohibited degree of relationship as defined by UK marriage laws. This includes close family relationships like siblings, parents, children, or grandparents.

Intention to Register Civil Partnership

You must plan to register your civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK. The Home Office typically expects to see some evidence of planning, such as:

• Venue bookings or enquiries
• Appointment confirmations with registry offices
• Documentation showing you’ve given notice of your intention

Previous Relationships

Both you and your partner must be free to enter a civil partnership. If either of you was previously married or in a civil partnership, you’ll need official documentation proving the relationship has ended through divorce, dissolution, or death.

Financial Requirements: Meeting the £29,000 Threshold

The financial requirement is often the most challenging aspect of the application. Your sponsoring partner must demonstrate a gross annual income of at least £29,000, or you can meet this jointly if you’re already in the UK with permission to work.

Ways to Meet the Financial Requirement

Employment Income: Your partner’s salary from employment is the most straightforward way to meet this requirement. You’ll need six months of payslips and a letter from their employer.

Self-Employment: If your partner is self-employed, you’ll need tax returns, business accounts, and evidence of ongoing contracts or work.

Savings: Cash savings above £16,000 can count towards the requirement. These must be held for at least six months before your application and remain under your or your partner’s control. If you don’t earn enough, you can use your savings to make up the difference. First, work out how much more you need. Then, multiply that amount by 2.5, and add £16,000. That’s how much savings you’ll need.

Other Sources: Property rental income, dividends from shares, and pension income can all contribute to meeting the financial threshold.

Proving Your Genuine Relationship: What Evidence You Need

The Home Office wants comprehensive evidence that your relationship is real and ongoing. Strong applications typically include:

Communication Evidence: Screenshots of messages, call logs, and video chat history spanning your relationship

Photos Together: Images from different occasions, locations, and time periods showing your relationship’s development

Travel Evidence: Flight tickets, hotel bookings, and passport stamps showing visits between countries

Financial Links: Joint bank accounts, insurance policies, or evidence of financial support between partners

Family Integration: Photos with each other’s families, invitation to family events, or testimonials from relatives

If you haven’t lived together, focus on demonstrating consistent contact and future planning. If you have cohabited, provide utility bills, tenancy agreements, or council tax statements in both names.

English Language Requirements and Exemptions

Unless exempt, you must prove English language ability at CEFR Level A1 for your initial application. This basic level requires you to understand and use familiar everyday expressions.

Meeting the Requirement

You can satisfy this through:

• Nationality of a majority English-speaking country
• Passing an approved English language test
• Having a UK degree or equivalent overseas qualification taught in English

Exemptions

You may be exempt if you’re:

• Over 65 years old
• Have a physical or mental condition preventing you from learning English
• Face exceptional circumstances making it impossible to meet the requirement

Application Process

Step 1: Gather Your Documents Start collecting evidence at least three months before applying. Some documents must be dated within specific timeframes of your application.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application Use the official UK government website to submit your application. You cannot apply from within the UK for this visa category.

Step 3: Pay the Fee and Book Appointment The current fee is £1,846, plus additional costs for priority processing if needed. Book your biometric appointment at a visa application centre.

Step 4: Attend Your Appointment Provide biometric information and submit your supporting documents. Some countries allow document uploads instead of physical submission.

Step 5: Wait for Decision Standard processing takes up to 24 weeks. Priority service reduces this to 30 working days for an additional fee.

Processing Times and Fees

Current processing times and fees for 2025:

• Standard application fee: £1,846
• Standard processing time: 24 weeks
• Priority service: 30 working days (additional fee applies)
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year of visa validity

Common Reasons for Refusal (and How to Avoid Them)

Insufficient Financial Evidence: Ensure all required documents are provided in the correct format. Missing payslips or bank statements are common oversights.

Weak Relationship Evidence: Generic evidence won’t suffice. Provide personal, detailed documentation spanning your relationship’s timeline.

Inadequate English Evidence: Don’t assume exemptions apply without proper documentation. When in doubt, take an approved test.

Incomplete Application Forms: Double-check all sections are completed accurately. Inconsistencies between your application and your partner’s information cause delays.

Wrong Document Formats: Follow the guidance precisely regarding document specifications, translations, and certification requirements.

After Your Visa is Approved: Next Steps

Once you receive your visa, you have six months to:

• • Travel to the UK
  • Give notice of your intention to register a civil partnership

• Register your civil partnership

• Apply to switch to the Civil Partner visa route

After registering your civil partnership, you can apply from within the UK for further leave to remain as a civil partner. This grants 30 months’ leave, renewable once before you become eligible for indefinite leave to remain.

Why Choose Professional Immigration Advice?

Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. A single mistake can result in refusal, wasted fees, and months of delay. Professional guidance ensures your application is complete, compliant, and presents your case in the strongest possible light.

Ready to start your UK civil partnership journey? 

Our experienced immigration solicitors in Manchester have helped hundreds of couples successfully obtain their UK Proposed Civil Partner Visas. We understand the local requirements and can guide you through every step of the process.

Contact our Manchester immigration team today on 0161 464 4140 or book your consultation online to discuss your specific circumstances and start your application with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a Proposed Civil Partner Visa valid? 

The visa is valid for six months from your entry date to the UK. You must register your civil partnership within this period.

Can I work on a Proposed Civil Partner Visa? 

No, this visa doesn’t grant work permission. You can only work after switching to the Civil Partner route following your civil partnership registration.

What happens if we don’t register within six months? 

You can apply for a six-month extension if there’s a good reason for the delay and evidence that the ceremony will take place soon.

Can I apply from within the UK? 

No, you must apply from outside the UK. You cannot switch to this visa category from another UK visa.

What if my application is refused? 

You have the right to appeal most refusal decisions. The appeal process can take several months, so professional representation is advisable.