Resources Toolkits and guides 1. Your relationship Both partners must be over 18 at the time of applying, must have met each other in person and must not be in a prohibited relationship for marriage The sponsor must be either “present and settled” in the UK or have leave to remain because of refugee status or humanitarian protection. “Present and settled” means the sponsor must have British citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain, and either be in the UK when the application is made, or intend to return to the UK permanently once their partner’s visa is granted The Entry Clearance Officer (the Home Office official who will assess your application) must be satisfied that the applicant and the sponsor are in a “genuine and subsisting” relationship If you're married or in a civil partnership, it must be considered valid by the Home Office. A marriage will be valid if it was legal in the country where it took place, and you'll need to supply your marriage certificate. If you got married in another country and the certificate is not in English, you should include the original certificate and a translation with your application. If you’re using a translator based in the UK, make sure they’re registered with a professional body like the Institute of Linguists or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, or that they work for a company that’s part of the Association of Translation Companies. If your certificate is being translated abroad, make sure the translator is a member of a professional body in that country If you are not married, you can still apply for an Unmarried Partner visa as long as you can prove that you’ve lived together for at least 2 years. You can do this by supplying documents like a letter from your landlord or letters addressed to both of you at the address where you live Manage Cookie Preferences