UK immigration: proposed civil partner visa

If you and your partner are yet to make a legal commitment to your relationship in terms of a civil partnership, he or she is still able to join you in the UK on a settlement visa as long as you satisfy the following general criteria:

• You are both over 21 years of age;
• You are both legally free to register a civil partnership;
• You are a qualified sponsor, e.g. a British Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the UK;
• You must plan to register your civil partnership in the UK within a reasonable time - usually six months;
• You plan to live together after registering your civil partnership;
• You have met each other in person;
• Your have been in a genuine and continuing relationship prior to sponsorship; 
• You and your partner, along with any dependants, can support yourselves financially;
• Your partner is a person of good moral character (a criminal record may prevent your partner from obtaining a visa);
• In some countries, visa applicants are tested for active tuberculosis. (If your partner has active TB, this may prevent her from obtaining a visa);

If you can meet these basic eligibility requirements, your partner will likely be allowed to join you in the UK with permission to stay up to six months, although without permission to work. Once you have registered your civil partnership in the UK, your partner can apply immediately for a 2-year provisional permission to live and work in the UK, otherwise known as further leave to remain. 

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