This comprehensive guide explains the relationship with partner visa UK requirements for 2026, including how to prove a genuine and subsisting relationship to the Home Office. Whether you're married, in a civil partnership, or applying as an unmarried partner in a durable relationship, understanding what evidence satisfies the relationship proof requirements is crucial for a successful application. This guide covers the specific criteria under Appendix: Relationship with Partner of the Immigration Rules.
UK Partner Relationship Visa Guidance 2026
The UK relationship visa (officially known as the Partner visa or Family visa - partner route) allows partners of British citizens or settled persons to live in the UK. Central to every partner visa application is proving the relationship is genuine, subsisting, and meets the specific criteria set out in the Immigration Rules. The Home Office scrutinises relationship evidence carefully to prevent abuse of the immigration system while ensuring genuine couples can be together.
This partner relationship guidance covers the three eligible relationship categories: spouses (married couples), civil partners, and unmarried partners in durable relationships. Each category has specific evidence requirements, though the core principle remains the same—demonstrating a genuine, committed relationship that will continue in the UK.
What is a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship?
A genuine and subsisting relationship is one that is real, continuing, and committed. "Genuine" means the relationship was not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. "Subsisting" means it is ongoing and the couple intend to live together permanently. The Home Office assesses this through evidence of shared life, communication, financial interdependence, and future plans together.
The "genuine and subsisting" requirement appears in paragraph R-LTRP.1.1(d)(i) of the Immigration Rules and applies to all partner visa applications. It is the foundation of every UK spouse visa and partner visa application. The Home Office caseworker will examine your evidence holistically to determine whether your relationship meets this standard.
How Does the Home Office Assess a Genuine Relationship?
Caseworkers consider multiple factors when assessing whether a relationship is genuine:
- How the couple met: The circumstances, timeline, and development of the relationship
- Time spent together: Evidence of visits, holidays, and periods of cohabitation
- Communication evidence: Phone records, messages, video calls, and correspondence
- Financial interdependence: Joint accounts, shared bills, money transfers between partners
- Knowledge of each other: Details about families, backgrounds, and daily lives
- Future plans: Where you will live, work, and build your life together
Durable Relationship Requirements for Unmarried Partners
A durable relationship (also called "durable partner" status) applies to unmarried couples who are not in a civil partnership but have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years. The couple must provide evidence of continuous cohabitation and demonstrate their relationship has the same level of commitment as a marriage.
Unmarried partners face additional scrutiny because they must prove their relationship is equivalent to marriage in commitment and stability. The 2-year cohabitation requirement is strictly enforced, and gaps in cohabitation can be problematic unless there are compelling reasons (such as work or family emergencies).
Comparison: Spouse vs Civil Partner vs Unmarried Partner
Relationship Proof: Evidence and Documents Required
Proof of relationship for UK partner visas includes official documents (marriage/civil partnership certificates), evidence of cohabitation (joint tenancy, utility bills), communication records (call logs, messages), photographs together, financial evidence (joint accounts, transfers), and statements from family and friends. The key is demonstrating a genuine, ongoing relationship through multiple types of evidence.
The Home Office expects comprehensive relationship proof that covers different aspects of your life together. Quality matters more than quantity—a few strong pieces of evidence from different categories is better than many weak documents from the same category. All supporting documents should be organised clearly and translated if not in English.
- Official certificates: Marriage, civil partnership, or birth certificates of children
- Cohabitation evidence: Joint tenancy agreement, utility bills at same address, council tax
- Communication records: Phone bills showing calls, screenshots of messages/video calls
- Photographs: Photos together at different times, events, with family members
- Financial evidence: Joint bank accounts, money transfers, shared financial commitments
- Travel evidence: Flight bookings, hotel reservations, passport stamps from visits
- Third-party statements: Letters from family and friends confirming the relationship
Evidence of Relationship: What the Home Office Looks For
The evidence of relationship should paint a complete picture of your life as a couple. Consider including:
- Correspondence addressed to both partners: Bank statements, official letters, or deliveries to the same address
- Evidence of meeting families: Photos with in-laws, attendance at family events
- Joint purchases or commitments: Furniture, vehicles, insurance policies naming both parties
- Wedding or engagement evidence: Invitations, guest lists, venue bookings, photos
- Social media evidence: Relationship status, tagged photos, shared posts (use sparingly)
UK Relationship Visa Requirements 2026
Beyond proving a genuine and subsisting relationship, partner visa applicants must meet several additional requirements under Appendix FM:
Routes to Settlement
Partner visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after meeting the residence requirements. The standard route takes 5 years, though applicants who don't meet certain requirements (particularly financial) may need to use the 10-year route to settlement.
What is Your Relationship to the Applicant?
"Your relationship to the applicant" is a question on UK visa forms asking sponsors to specify their connection to the visa applicant. For partner visas, typical answers include: "spouse," "husband," "wife," "civil partner," or "unmarried partner." This confirms the familial relationship and determines which Immigration Rules apply to the application.
This question appears on various Home Office forms and is important for establishing the basis of the application. The sponsor must accurately describe their relationship to ensure the correct rules are applied.
Relationship to Applicant: Examples
- Spouse: "I am the husband/wife of the applicant" (legally married)
- Civil Partner: "I am the civil partner of the applicant" (registered civil partnership)
- Unmarried Partner: "I am the unmarried partner of the applicant" (durable relationship, 2+ years cohabitation)
- Fiancé(e): "I am the fiancé(e) of the applicant" (engaged, planning to marry within 6 months)
- A "genuine and subsisting" relationship means real, ongoing, and not primarily for immigration purposes
- Unmarried partners must prove 2 years of continuous cohabitation (durable relationship)
- Relationship proof should include multiple evidence types: documents, photos, communication, finances
- Quality and variety of evidence matters more than quantity
- Financial requirement is £29,000 minimum income (2026)
For more information on UK family visa requirements, visit the official gov.uk visas and immigration page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a genuine and subsisting relationship?
A genuine and subsisting relationship is one that is real, authentic, and ongoing. "Genuine" means the relationship was entered into for love and commitment, not primarily for immigration purposes. "Subsisting" means it is continuing and the couple intend to live together permanently. The Home Office assesses this through evidence of shared life, regular communication, financial connections, and future plans.
What is a durable relationship for UK visa purposes?
A durable relationship applies to unmarried couples who are not in a civil partnership but have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least 2 years. The couple must provide evidence of continuous cohabitation, such as joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, and other documents showing they share a life together. The relationship must be exclusive and committed.
What documents prove a genuine relationship for UK visa?
Key documents include: marriage or civil partnership certificates, joint tenancy agreements, utility bills at the same address, joint bank account statements, phone records showing regular communication, photographs together at different times, travel tickets and hotel bookings from visits, and letters from family and friends confirming the relationship. A variety of evidence types is more convincing than many documents of the same type.
What is your relationship to the applicant mean on visa forms?
This question asks sponsors to specify their connection to the visa applicant. For partner visas, typical answers include: spouse, husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner. This establishes the basis for the application and determines which Immigration Rules apply. Be accurate and consistent—the answer must match the evidence provided.
How long do you need to live together for a UK partner visa?
For married couples or civil partners, there is no minimum cohabitation requirement—the marriage or civil partnership certificate serves as primary evidence. For unmarried partners (durable relationship), you must have lived together for at least 2 years continuously. Short gaps may be acceptable if there are valid reasons (work, family emergency), but you must explain them.
What is the financial requirement for UK partner visa in 2026?
The UK sponsor must demonstrate a minimum annual income of £29,000 to support the applicant without recourse to public funds. This threshold is being increased in phases and will eventually reach £38,700. The income can come from employment, self-employment, or a combination including savings and other sources meeting specific criteria.
Can I apply for a UK partner visa if we met online?
Yes, many successful partner visa applicants met online. The Home Office accepts relationships that began through dating apps, social media, or other online platforms. You must still prove the relationship is genuine through evidence of progression from online contact to real-life meetings, visits, and eventually commitment. Communication records, travel evidence, and photographs from meetings are particularly important for couples who met online.
How long does a UK partner visa last?
A UK partner visa is initially granted for 33 months (approximately 2.5 years) if applying from outside the UK, or 30 months if switching from within the UK. After this period, you can apply for a further extension of 2.5 years. After completing 5 years on the partner route, you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement), provided you continue to meet all requirements.