Partners of British citizens and people settled in the United Kingdom
If you are in a relationship with a person who is settled here, or is applying to settle here, you can apply for permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom with a view to settlement as his/her:
- husband, wife or civil partner;
- fiance(e) or proposed civil partner; or
- unmarried/same-sex partner.
If your application as a husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner is successful, you could be granted permission to enter and live here for two years. Shortly before the end of these two years, you will be able to apply for permission to live permanently (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain') in the United Kingdom as a partner.
If your application as a fiance(e) or proposed civil partner is successful, you will granted permission to enter and live here for six months while you get married or register your civil partnership. You can then apply to switch into the category of husband, wife or civil partner.
If you are a British citizen or settled in the United Kingdom and your partner has permission to enter or remain in one of the above categories, you must tell us if your relationship breaks down permanently before he/she has been given indefinite leave to remain.
