Unmarried or same-sex partner: applications on or before 8 July 2012
This section is for the unmarried or same-sex 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.
If you applied to come to the UK as a partner on or before 8 July 2012, the conditions of your stay have not changed. If you apply to extend your stay or settle in the UK, we will consider your application under the rules that applied until 8 July 2012.
The information in this section is based on Part 8 of the Immigration Rules.
If you are subject to immigration control and you are the unmarried or same-sex partner of a British citizen or person who is settled here, this category allows you to enter or remain in the UK. The relationship may be a heterosexual or same-sex relationship, but you must not be related by blood.
To find out whether you can make an initial application as an unmarried or same-sex partner, read the Can you apply? pages.
If you meet these requirements, you can find out how to apply on the Applying from outside the UK and Applying from inside the UK pages.
You do not need to apply under this category if:
- you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland - the European nationals section describes your right to live in the UK;
- you are the non-European family member of an EEA or Swiss national - the European nationals section explains whether you need to apply for a family permit;
- you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus; or
- you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.
Review of age decision
Following a Supreme Court judgement immigration rules have been laid in parliament to reinstate a minimum age of 18 for a spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner, and his/her sponsor to qualify for entry clearance, leave to enter, leave to remain or variation of leave on the basis of the applicant's relationship.
If you were refused a visa solely on age grounds alone, between 27 November 2008 and October 2011 and you have not since made a successful application, you could seek a review of that decision. For further information see the Review of age decision page.