Eligibility

Before diving into paperwork, it helps to review whether you and your partner appear to meet the fundamental criteria set by the Home Office. This section sets out the high-level requirements — details about each one and how to prove it are covered in the following modules.

Core requirements

1. Both you and your partner must be 18 years of age or older.

2. Your partner must be in the UK and hold one of the following statuses:

   • British or Irish Citizen
   • Settled in the UK (e.g. Indefinite Leave to Remain, settled status, or proof of permanent residence)
   • Pre-settled status from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein (must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021)
   • Protection status (refugee status or humanitarian protection)
   • Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa holder
   • Stateless person (must have held permission to stay as such before you became their partner)

What you need to prove

Even if you’re eligible, your application will be rejected if you can’t demonstrate the following:

Your relationship

You must prove that you intend to live together permanently in the UK, and that you fall into one of these categories:

• You are in a marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK
• You have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years
• You are a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner (planning to marry/enter a civil partnership within 6 months of arrival)
• You have been in a relationship for at least 2 years but cannot live together (e.g. due to work, study, or cultural reasons)

Knowledge of English

You must meet the required standard of English language proficiency.

Financial requirements

You must meet the minimum income/savings threshold.

If you are applying as a fiancé(e)

• You must prove your intention to marry or enter a civil partnership within 6 months of arrival
• Any previous marriages or civil partnerships must be legally ended
• You cannot work or study in the UK during your engagement — once you marry/enter the civil partnership, you will need to apply to extend your stay to gain the right to work or study

⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules are subject to change. Always cross-reference your specific situation with the official GOV.UK Family Visas portal before submitting an application.