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Partner of a British citizen or settled person

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Can you apply?

This section is for the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or a person who is settled here who had applied on or before 8 July 2012 for a visa to come to the UK. If you had not applied for a visa under this category by that date, please see the main Partners section for the different rules that apply to you. These pages explain whether you can apply to enter or remain in the UK as the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or someone who is settled here.

The information on these pages is based on Part 8 of the Immigration Rules.

If you apply but cannot meet all the requirements for this category, you will be refused and your application fee will not be refunded.

Your husband, wife or civil partner must be:

  • currently living and settled in the UK; or
  • returning to the UK with you to live here permanently (if you are currently outside the UK).

If they have more than 1 husband or wife, only 1 of their husbands or wives will be allowed to join them here in this category.

You must show that:

  • you are legally married to each other or have registered a civil partnership;
  • you are both at least 18 years old on the date when you would arrive in the UK or when we would give you permission to remain;
  • you intend to live together permanently as husband and wife, or as civil partners;
  • you have met each other;
  • you meet our English language requirement, unless you can show that you qualify for an exemption - see the English language page;
  • you can support yourselves and any dependants without help from public funds - see the Maintenance page; and
  • you have adequate accommodation where you and your dependants can live exclusively and without needing public funds.

The Documents required page explains how you can demonstrate that you meet these requirements.

You must also meet all the other requirements of the Immigration Rules - see 'More information' below.

Can you 'switch' if you are already in the UK?

You may be allowed to switch into the category of husband, wife or civil partner if:

  • you are currently in the UK with permission as a fiance(e) or proposed civil partner, or as the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner of a relevant points-based system migrant, and you are still with the same husband, wife or partner; or
  • you entered the UK in a different immigration category (for example, as a student), and you have been given permission to live here for a total of more than 6 months since your most recent admission to the UK. For example, you can switch if we gave you a 3-month visa and then permission to remain for 5 months, totalling 8 months. Your current permission must have been given in accordance with the Immigration Rules, not 'exceptionally' (outside the Immigration Rules).

You will not be allowed to switch if:

  • you have entered or remained in the UK in breach of the immigration laws (for example, by overstaying your visa); or
  • your marriage or civil partnership took place after a decision was made to deport or remove you from the UK; or
  • you came to the UK as a visitor with permission to stay for 6 months - you must leave the UK and apply from your country of residence.

More information