Key Points
- Same financial, English and accommodation requirements.
- Same length of visa and settlement timeline.
- Unmarried partners carry a heavier evidence burden on the relationship.
- Marrying later does not restart the route.
Side by side
| Spouse visa | Unmarried partner visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage requirement | Valid marriage or civil partnership | None |
| Relationship evidence | Certificate plus evidence the relationship is genuine | Evidence of a relationship similar to marriage |
| Two-year relationship concept | Not required | Required |
| Financial requirement | £29,000 per year | £29,000 per year |
| English requirement | A1 at entry | A1 at entry |
| Duration | Up to 2 years and 9 months | Up to 2 years and 9 months |
| Settlement | After 5 years | After 5 years |
Choosing between them
If you have two years of solid evidence, the unmarried partner route avoids marrying to a timetable. If your time together is shorter or poorly documented, marriage gives a clearer legal basis, although the relationship must still be shown to be genuine.
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.