At First Law Solicitors, we provide specialist legal advice and representation for unmarried partners of British citizens and settled persons who wish to live together in the United Kingdom.
We understand that genuine relationships come in many forms. Whether you have built your life together in the UK or abroad, our solicitors ensure your application is carefully prepared, fully documented, and compliant with the latest Home Office requirements under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
Based in Manchester and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID No: 665823), we act for clients across the UK and internationally, combining technical accuracy with empathy and strategic foresight.
The Unmarried Partner Visa allows individuals in long-term, committed relationships with British citizens or settled persons to live and work in the UK without needing to be married or in a civil partnership.
To qualify, you must demonstrate that your relationship is genuine, subsisting, and that you have lived together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years. The Home Office applies a high evidential standard to these applications, often requiring detailed proof of cohabitation and shared responsibility over time.
We guide you through every step, from proving cohabitation to preparing robust evidence portfolios that clearly establish the authenticity of your relationship and your shared life.
To qualify as an unmarried partner of a settled person, you must satisfy four key areas of eligibility under Appendix FM:
Relationship Requirement: You must show that your relationship is genuine and subsisting, and that you intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Cohabitation Evidence: You must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or a civil partnership for at least two consecutive years before the date of your application.
Financial Requirement: You and your partner must have a combined annual income of at least £29,000, or demonstrate sufficient savings to meet the threshold. Following the July 2025 government review, the previously announced increase to £38,700 has been deferred pending the new “Family Stability Index,” making £29,000 the correct figure for all applications as of December 2025.
English Language Requirement: For an initial application, you must meet Level A1 of the Common European Framework (CEFR). For extension and settlement applications, this increases to A2 and B1 respectively.
We prepare each application meticulously, ensuring that all income and cohabitation evidence complies with Appendix FM-SE and current Home Office evidential rules.
Proving cohabitation is often the most complex aspect of unmarried partner visa applications. The Home Office requires consistent evidence spanning two years or more, demonstrating that you have lived together in a genuine partnership.
Examples include tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, joint bank accounts, utility bills, and official correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address.
Our solicitors review each piece of documentation to ensure consistency in address history, coverage periods, and formatting. We also assist in bridging any evidence gaps through supporting witness statements or statutory declarations where necessary.
The financial requirement must be met through income from employment, self-employment, pensions, or savings. The current minimum income threshold of £29,000 applies to both married and unmarried partner routes.
For applicants relying on savings, the Home Office continues to apply the formula requiring £16,000 plus 2.5 times the shortfall between your income and the threshold.
We provide detailed calculations and ensure that all supporting documents, including payslips, bank statements, and tax return,s meet the Home Office’s formatting and time frame rules to prevent technical refusals.
If approved, the Unmarried Partner Visa is granted for 2.5 years (30 months). During this time, you are permitted to work, study, and access healthcare through the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
After five continuous years on this route (two periods of 2.5 years), you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Our solicitors begin ILR planning early, ensuring that your documentation, residence continuity, and English language qualifications are ready for your next stage.
All Unmarried Partner Visa applications are processed through the Home Office’s MyHMCTS digital system. Under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, all applications require Digital ID Verification (IDV) and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) for authentication.
We submit and manage your application entirely online through our secure encrypted portal, ensuring that every document and signature meets modern compliance and confidentiality standards.
The Home Office frequently refuses applications where relationship or financial evidence is inconsistent or incomplete. Our solicitors have extensive experience handling refusals, appeals, and administrative reviews, especially in cases involving:
We prepare detailed legal representations addressing any prior refusal grounds and reinforcing the human rights elements of your case under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
At First Law Solicitors, every case benefits from strategic oversight, precision, and discretion.
Tailored Evidence Strategy: We build a clear evidential narrative around your relationship, ensuring it meets the Home Office’s “balance of probabilities” standard.
Senior Legal Oversight: Each case is reviewed by an experienced immigration solicitor specialising in complex Appendix FM applications.
Digital Assurance: All applications and documents are securely processed in full compliance with the DUAA 2025 and SRA Standards.
Our mission is simple to protect your future together in the UK through expert preparation and legal foresight.
If you are in a long-term relationship with a British citizen or settled person and wish to live together in the UK, contact First Law Solicitors today for professional, confidential advice.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a private consultation.
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