Unmarried Partner Visa Extension
As an Unmarried Partner visa holder, you can apply for an Unmarried Partner visa extension to extend your stay and continue living with your partner in the UK.
Applying for a UK Unmarried Partner visa extension can be overwhelming and confusing. Seeking professional advice from experienced immigration solicitors can help you navigate the application process smoothly.
If you require help with your Unmarried Partner visa extension application, contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors at 0203 959 7755 or fill in our online contact form.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Unmarried Partner visa extension
- When should you apply for an Unmarried Partner visa extension?
- Unmarried Partner visa extension requirements
- Minimum income requirements
- English language requirement
- Documents for the extension of Unmarried Partner visa
- How to extend an Unmarried Partner visa?
- Unmarried Partner visa extension processing time
- Fee for Unmarried Partner visa extension
- Role of an immigration solicitor
- How to contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors?
- FAQs about Unmarried Partner visa extension
Understanding Unmarried Partner visa extension
If you have been living in the UK under an Unmarried Partner visa (5-year route), you must extend your visa before it expires to continue living in the UK.
If your application is successful, you will be granted an extension of stay, typically for another 2.5 years, after which you may need to apply for further extensions or for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
After completing a total of 5 years on the Unmarried Partner visa route, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet all the requirements.
When should you apply for an Unmarried Partner visa extension?
It is advisable to apply for an Unmarried Partner visa extension before your current visa expires. Ideally, you should begin the application process at least 2-3 months before the expiration date.
You can apply for an Unmarried Partner visa extension 28 days before your current visa expires.
Unmarried Partner visa extension requirements
To extend an Unmarried Partner visa, you must:
- hold a valid Unmarried Partner visa at the time of your application.
- apply for the extension before your current visa expires.
- be in a genuine and subsisting relationship.
- have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years.
- have the intention to live together permanently in the UK.
- meet the financial requirements, demonstrating that you can financially support yourselves without relying on public funds.
- have suitable accommodation available for you and your partner.
- meet the English language proficiency requirement.
- not fall under any of the general grounds for refusal.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
Minimum income requirements
To meet the financial requirements, you must demonstrate that you and your partner have a combined income or savings above a certain threshold. The exact amount varies depending on your circumstances, such as whether you have children or not.
To be eligible for a Partner / Spouse visa UK, you and your partner must meet the minimum income requirement, which is currently set at £29,000 gross per year. This minimum income requirement rose from £18,600 to £29,000 on 11 April 2024.
English language requirement
You can prove your English language proficiency by:
- Passing an approved English language test at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Holding a degree taught or researched in English.
Documents for the extension of Unmarried Partner visa
You must include all the necessary documents in the correct format when applying to extend or renew your Unmarried Partner visa. The Home Office requires specific documentation to assess your eligibility and determine if you meet the requirements for the visa.
When you apply, you'll need to provide:
- Valid passports for both you and your partner.
- Proof of your relationship with your partner, such as photographs, correspondence, or joint tenancy agreements.
- Evidence of your financial stability, including bank statements, payslips, or employment contracts.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement.
- English language proficiency test results.
Remember, the document checklist provided above is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required based on your personal circumstances. Properly preparing your documentation is key to the success of your application. Contact us today to get a comprehensive list of supporting documents.
Contact our team at Moeen & Co. Solicitors today at 0203 959 7755 for expert guidance on the required documents for your Unmarried Partner visa UK application. We are here to ensure that your application is complete, accurate, and meets all the necessary requirements.
How to extend an Unmarried Partner visa?
To apply for a UK Unmarried Partner visa extension, the applicant will need to submit an online visa application along with all the supporting documentation and visa fees.
Please refer to the following steps to apply for the renewal or extension of your Unmarried Partner visa:
- Step 1: Initial consultation and assessment of your eligibility.
- Step 2: Gathering the required documentation.
- Step 3: Complete the visa application form online.
- Step 4: Submit your visa application supporting documents and pay relevant fees.
- Step 5: Book and attend the biometric appointment.
- Step 6: Wait for the decision, which typically takes up to 8 weeks.
Unmarried Partner visa extension processing time
On average processing time for an Unmarried Partner visa extension application is typically 8 weeks when applying from inside the UK using standard service.
You can apply to extend your Unmarried Partner visa under a 5-year route using Super Priority Service to get a faster decision within 24 hours.
All the applicants are advised to check the latest information about UK visa application processing time on the official UK government website.
Visa application using super priority service
If you require a decision on your visa application urgently, you may be eligible to use the "Super Priority Service" or the "Priority Service", which offers faster processing times for an additional fee. These services aim to provide a decision on your visa application within 24 hours or 5 working days, respectively.
To get a faster decision on your UK visa application, you'll need to pay £1,000 for the "Super Priority Service" or £500 for the "Priority Service" fee per applicant in addition to the visa application fee.
Fee for Unmarried Partner visa extension
The standard fee for an Unmarried Partner visa extension application is £1,048 for each person if applying from inside the UK using a standard service.
The fee is paid online when you submit your visa extension application through the UK government's immigration website. Make sure to check the latest fee structure on the official UK government website as fees can be updated periodically.
Role of an immigration solicitor
Navigating the UK visa application process can be complex and stressful, especially if English is not your first language or if you are unfamiliar with UK immigration laws. Hiring an immigration solicitor provides peace of mind, knowing that you have professional support to guide you through every step of the process.
Here are some ways in which our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors can assist:
- Legal Expertise: Our immigration solicitors have in-depth knowledge of UK immigration laws, policies, and procedures. We can assess your eligibility for different types of visas, advise you on the most suitable visa option, and ensure that your application complies with all relevant legal requirements.
- Consultation and Advice: If you are uncertain about the visa type that best suits your needs or require guidance on the application process, we offer consultations to answer your questions.
- Application Preparation: Our immigration solicitors will fill in your UK visa application forms accurately and submit them.
- Supporting Documents: We will advise you on the required documents to be submitted in support of your visa application and ensure that they meet the specific requirements of the visa category you are applying for.
- Legal Representation: We can represent you in communications with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department, embassy, or consulate handling your application. We can correspond with immigration authorities on your behalf, respond to requests for additional information, and address any concerns or queries raised during the processing of your application.
- Appeals and Administrative Reviews: If your visa application is refused, our immigration solicitors can help you explore options for appealing the decision or requesting an administrative review. We can prepare and submit appeal or review applications, gather additional evidence to support your case and represent you at appeal hearings or review proceedings.
If you have any questions or want assistance with your UK visa application, please call our expert immigration solicitors based in London at 0203 959 7755. Alternatively, fill in our online contact form, and one of our UK immigration experts will get back in touch with you soon!
How to contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors?
If you have questions or need help with your Unmarried Partner visa extension application, you can contact our team of immigration solicitors in Hayes, London by calling 0203 959 7755. Alternatively, you can fill in our online contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
There are several ways to contact our solicitors based in Hayes, London:
- Phone - Call us on 0203 959 7755
- Email us - info@moeenco.com
- Online - Fill in our online enquiry form
- Visit our office - Room 1, The Winning Box, 27-37 Station Road, Hayes UB3 4DX
We are located near Hayes and Harlington Station on Hayes High Street, in Hayes Town Centre.
FAQs about Unmarried Partner visa extension
You can prove your relationship for the UK Unmarried Partner visa through various types of evidence, such as joint financial documents, shared accommodation, photographs together, correspondence, and statements from family and friends.
Yes, you can continue to work in the UK while your visa extension application is being processed, as long as you applied before your current visa expires.
If your Unmarried Partner visa application is refused, it's advisable to seek advice from an experienced immigration solicitor to understand your options and address any issues with your application.
If your extension is approved, it will typically be valid for another 2.5 years. After this period, you may apply for further extensions or for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you meet the qualifying criteria.
Hiring a Unmarried Partner visa lawyer can significantly increase your chances of a successful application. They have expertise in navigating the complexities of UK immigration law, ensuring that your application is complete, accurate, and meets all eligibility requirements.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.
