Unmarried or same-sex partner: applications on or before 8 July 2012
Maintenance (funds)
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.
This page explains how you can meet the maintenance (funds) requirement when you apply to enter or remain in the UK as the unmarried or same-sex partner of a British citizen or a person settled here.
You and/or your partner must demonstrate that you and/or they can cover your living expenses in the UK for:
- 27 months, if you are applying from outside the UK; or
- 2 years, if you are already in the UK and applying to switch from a different immigration category.
This is called your 'probationary period'.
You will not have access to most public funds (such as state benefits) during your probationary period.
The Evidence of maintenance page describes the documents that you should submit to prove that you meet this requirement.