If you are intending to move to the UK with your civil partner, understanding how the Civil Partnership visa works can help you avoid a waste of time, money, and effort. The Civil Partnership visa UK falls under the family visa category and is designed for partners wishing to live together in the UK.
To obtain this visa, you must meet various eligibility requirements, provide certain documents, submit a complete application, and avoid common errors that would otherwise lead to a rejection of your application. This article explains the Civil Partnership visa, its eligibility criteria, application steps, and common errors applicants should avoid.
What Is a UK Civil Partnership Visa?
The UK Civil Partnership visa is a family visa allowing you to be united with your British civil partner in the UK. This visa comes under the same umbrella as a Spouse visa with the same application process and requirements. The only major difference is the type of relationship, that is, civil partnership.
If you are not in a civil partnership yet and intend to enter into such a union in the future, you will not be able to apply for the UK Civil Partnership visa. Rather, you have to apply for the Proposed Civil Partnership visa and later change it to a Civil Partnership visa after your ceremony.
If you intend to apply for the Civil Partnership visa outside the UK, its validity will be 33 months; whereas, if you apply inside the UK, then it will be 30 months. The visa can be renewed for another 30 months after its initial expiration.
The visa doesn’t just help you to stay with your civil partner. It also enables you to acquire a work permit and provides a route to indefinite leave to remain as well as British citizenship after five years of lawful residence in the UK.
Eligibility Requirements of a Civil Partnership Visa
You must meet certain eligibility criteria to obtain a UK Civil Partnership visa, including the following:
● You must be 18 or older.
● Your civil partnership must be legally recognised under UK law.
● You and your partner must meet the minimum gross annual income of at least £29,000. Alternatively, you can have savings of up to £16,000 if your income falls short of the stated amount. Or you can provide £88,500 if you only want to rely on your savings to meet the financial requirement.
● You must demonstrate that you and your partner have suitable accommodation in the UK, which should meet the basic living conditions for partners and any dependent (if applicable).
● You should meet the English language proficiency requirements by passing an accredited Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR Level A1. You may be exempt from their requirement if you already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a majority English-speaking country or from an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
UK Civil Partnership Visa Application Process
Applying for a UK Civil Partnership visa requires certain well-defined steps that can be easily broken down. The first step is to determine whether you are eligible to apply through this route.
After confirming that you are eligible for the visa, the next step is to visit the UK government’s website and fill in the visa application form online. While doing so, you will need to select the Family visa and the Civil Partnership visa option available.
Now that you have completed your online application form, it is the right time to gather your supporting documents. You must ensure that you collect all your documents, including:
● Valid and previous passports.
● Two recent colour photographs in passport size.
● Proof of genuine relationship through call records, email and chat correspondence, shared utility bills, and bank statements of you and your partner with your names on the same address.
● Your civil partnership certificate.
● Evidence of sufficient finance through bank statements or payslips.
● Proof of meeting English language requirements through an English language test certificate, or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the English language verified by ECCTIS.
● Tuberculosis test certificate if applicable to the country you are applying from
Furthermore, you must pay the visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge to access the NHS. After you have made your payments, you will be asked to schedule an appointment at your nearest visa application centre, where you have to give your biometrics, that is, fingerprints and photographs.
The waiting period after your application is usually the most stressful, so knowing the time frame can help you plan better. If you are applying from outside the UK, the process can usually take up to 12 weeks. The regular processing time can take up to 8 weeks on average for applicants residing in the UK and switching or extending their visa.
Should you need an expedited application process, UKVI provides a premium service for an additional fee. For those applying from outside the UK, there is a priority service fee to receive a decision within 30 working days. Those living in the UK can access a super-priority service fee to receive a decision within 24 hours.
Common Mistakes in Applying for a UK Civil Partnership Visa
The common mistakes UK Civil Partnership visa applicants must avoid include:
● Providing insufficient evidence to demonstrate that you have an ongoing and subsisting relationship with your partner.
● Providing evidence of sufficient funds that does not demonstrate that you and your partner have at least £29,000 annually or the other alternatives.
● Completing the Civil Partnership visa application form using misleading or inaccurate information, leading to discrepancies in the details in your application form and the information in your documents.
● Having accommodation details that do not meet Home Office standards for partners coming to reside in the UK.
Conclusion
The Civil Partnership visa provides a well-defined roadmap that helps partners who have taken their relationship seriously and want to live together in the UK. By understanding the requirements of the UK Civil Partnership visa, preparing your documents carefully, and avoiding common mistakes, you can cope with the rigorous application process with greater confidence. Being organised, asking for clarification where necessary, and meeting deadlines will greatly increase your chances of success.
