Partner of a British citizen or settled person
How long can you stay in the UK?
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.
This section explains how long you can stay in the UK if you successfully apply to enter or remain in the UK as the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or a person settled here.
Applications from outside the UK
If your visa application is successful, we may give you permission to settle permanently in the UK as soon as you arrive here. To be given this permission, you will need to provide evidence that:
- you and your partner married or formed a civil partnership at least 4 years ago; and
- you have spent those 4 years living together outside the UK; and
- you are both coming to the UK to settle here together;
- you do not have any unspent convictions within the meaning of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; and
- you have sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK. (You do not need to meet this last requirement if you are aged 65 or over.)
If your application is successful but you do not meet the above criteria, we will grant you a visa lasting 27 months. This is known as your 'probationary period' or 'qualifying period'.
Shortly before the end of your probationary period, you can apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK. This is known as 'indefinite leave to remain'. The Settlement pages contain more information.
Applications from inside the UK
If your application to switch into this category is successful, we will grant you permission to remain in the UK (known as 'further leave to remain') for 2 years. This is known as your 'probationary period' or 'qualifying period'.
Shortly before the end of your probationary period, you can apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK. This is known as 'indefinite leave to remain'. The Settlement pages contain more information.