Send evidence that:
comes from the government, a bank, landlord, utility provider, or a medical professional
confirms your relationship with your partner – for example, that you live together, share expenses or are married or in a civil partnership
is less than 4 years old
You can use things like:
a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
a tenancy agreement, utility bills or Council Tax bills confirming that you live at the same address or pay bills together
a bank statement from a joint bank account, or confirming that you live at the same address
a letter from your doctor or dentist confirming that you live at the same address
If you do not have any evidence that meets these criteria, there is other evidence you can provide instead, including:
a one-off bill like vet’s fees or home repair costs
letters confirming you and your partner are on the voting register for the same address
student finance paperwork confirming that you live at the same address
If you do not live together
If you cannot live together because of work or study, or for cultural reasons, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other. You can do this by providing evidence that you:
communicate regularly with each other
support each other financially
care for any children you have together
spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events
You must be able to prove one of the following:
you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
you are a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and will marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving
you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture
You also need to prove you:
have a good knowledge of English
meet the financial requirements
If you cannot provide this proof you may still be able to apply for a visa or extend your permission to stay if:
you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK
it would breach your human rights to stop you coming to the UK or make you leave
If you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner
You must prove that:
any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended
you plan to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of arriving in the UK
You will not be able to work or study during your engagement.
You’ll need to apply for permission to extend your stay in the UK when you marry or enter into a civil partnership. If your application is approved, you’ll have the right to work or study in the UK.
To apply as a partner, you and your partner both need to be 18 or over.
Your partner must also either:
be a British or Irish citizen
have settled in the UK – for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence
be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status – they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
have a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa
have protection status (leave to remain as a refugee, permission to stay as a refugee or a person with humanitarian protection)
You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK after you apply.