Choosing the correct UK relationship visa affects how quickly you can join your partner, whether you can work, how long you can stay and how you progress toward settlement. Many applicants find themselves trying to compare routes such as the UK spouse visa, the partner visa UK, the unmarried partner visa UK, the fiancé visa UK, the marriage visa UK, the civil partnership visa UK and the dependent visa UK, often without understanding the different conditions, financial rules and evidence requirements each route demands.
Your immigration route shapes your long term plan in the UK. It determines how you extend after two and a half years, whether you are eligible for indefinite leave to remain UK spouse status, what happens if the relationship ends, how much you will pay in fees and how strict the Home Office will be about your documents.
This guide explains the main UK relationship routes, how they differ and how to decide which category matches your circumstances.
Spouse Visa UK
The UK spouse visa is the main visa for married couples. To qualify, you must meet the UK spouse visa requirements, which assess your relationship, accommodation, English language level and financial position. You must show that your marriage is genuine and that you intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Financial rules matter. The Home Office checks whether you meet the spouse visa UK salary level and whether your income satisfies the detailed UK partner visa minimum income requirements. Employed applicants often need items such as the UK spouse visa three months’ payslips or longer sets of evidence, along with bank statements and employer letters.
Costs are another factor. The UK spouse visa fee is one of the more expensive family visas once the Immigration Health Surcharge and supporting costs are added.
Your application must follow the UK spouse visa document checklist carefully. Relationship evidence, financial documents and identity papers must align in dates and details. Many refusals are caused by missing or inconsistent documents rather than issues with the relationship itself.
Partner and Unmarried Partner Visas
Couples who are not married can often apply under the partner visa UK or the unmarried partner visa UK. To qualify, you must show that you have lived together for at least two years in a relationship similar to marriage. This usually requires housing, financial and official documents covering the full period.
You still have to meet the same income rules as married applicants. That means following the UK partner visa minimum income requirements, showing stable employment or savings and ensuring the evidence matches the rules. This category can feel more demanding because many couples struggle to produce consistent cohabitation evidence.
Applicants often ask about approval levels for this category. Some research focuses on the unmarried partner visa UK success rate, although the best guide to your prospects is how well your evidence meets the requirements.
Fiancé & Marriage Visas
If you are not yet married but plan to marry in the UK, the fiancé visa UK or marriage visa UK may be the right route. These visas allow you to enter the UK for a short period so the ceremony can take place. They do not allow you to work.
The usual path is to follow the fiancé visa to spouse visa UK sequence once the marriage is complete. That means preparing not only for the initial visa but for the spouse application that follows shortly afterwards.
Couples sometimes ask whether marrying an EU citizen in the UK changes their options. It may, depending on the partner’s immigration status and whether they have rights under the EU Settlement Scheme. You still need to meet evidence standards and relationship rules even if the ceremony is the same.
If you are already in the UK on another visa, you may consider switching from student visa to spouse visa in the UK rather than leaving the UK to apply as a fiancé. Your choice affects timing, work rights and costs, so understanding both routes is important.
Civil Partnership Visas & Relationship Protections
If you are in or planning a civil partnership, the civil partnership visa UK applies. It has similar requirements to the spouse visa and relies on detailed relationship and financial evidence. You must prove your civil partnership is genuine and that you intend to live together in the UK.
Relationship law also sits alongside immigration rules. Situations involving marriage and civil partnership discrimination may become relevant where the way others treat your relationship differs unfairly based on your status. These issues are separate from immigration law but can affect personal circumstances during your journey.
Dependent Visas
The dependent visa UK is different from Appendix FM family visas. This route attaches to another person’s visa, usually a Skilled Worker or other long term permission. If your partner holds a work visa, you may be able to apply as their dependant rather than using the spouse or partner route.
Your rights under the dependant category depend on the main visa. It often allows you to work in the UK, which is not the case with the fiancé and marriage visas. Many couples compare Appendix FM with the dependant route to see which is more suitable for their long term plans.
Children may require separate pathways. Depending on status and circumstances, some applications use Set(F) or Form MN1. In citizenship cases, Form MN1 may be required. These routes sit alongside the main relationship visa and need careful planning.
Extensions, Settlement & Long-Term Planning
Most relationship visas are granted for two and a half years. To stay long term, you must usually complete a second stage. The spouse visa extension after 2.5 years repeats many of the original requirements. You must show your relationship is still genuine and meet the income rules again.
If you are planning for settlement, the route is usually five years before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain UK spouse status. That means two successful grants of two and a half years each, plus meeting the Life in the UK and English language requirements. Some applicants take longer routes where there are exceptional circumstances.
Relationship breakdown affects all of this. Under the spouse visa divorce rules, you cannot remain on the spouse route if the relationship ends. The same applies to unmarried partner and civil partnership visas. You may need to switch into another category, and your ILR timeline resets.
Costs, Evidence & When to Seek Legal Help
Costs accumulate across this journey. The UK spouse visa fee applies at each stage, and the Immigration Health Surcharge applies again at renewal unless the rules change. Evidence must be precise. Even small gaps in dates can cause refusals.
Some applicants work with a spouse visa lawyer or a team of spouse visa solicitors when their situation is complex. This can be useful when dealing with blended families, previous refusals, income fluctuations or unusual living arrangements. The more complex your situation, the more careful your preparation must be.
Conclusion
Relationship visas sit at the centre of many people’s plans to build a life in the UK. The UK spouse visa, the partner visa UK, the unmarried partner visa UK, the fiancé visa UK, the marriage visa UK, the civil partnership visa UK and the dependent visa UK routes each serve different situations.
Understanding the rules, knowing the evidence you need and planning for the extension and ILR stages gives you the best chance of success. Every route carries commitments around documents, finances and timing. With careful planning and clear expectations, you can choose the visa that fits your life and your future together.
