Bridge Partners

Unmarried Partner

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is the Unmarried Partner Visa?

The Unmarried Partner Visa is available to long term partners of British or Irish citizens, persons who are settled in the UK, persons with pre-settled status, persons with a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker Visa, who wish to stay with or join their unmarried partner in the UK.  

The UK Unmarried Partner Visa can lead to indefinite leave to remain or settlement in the UK after a period of 5 years.  

Who can apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa?

Under the Unmarried Partner Visa, if you are a long-term partner of a British citizen or someone with UK indefinite leave to remain or settled status, then you may be eligible to apply.   

What are the requirements?

Under this Unmarried Partner Visa, there are certain requirements to meet for it be valid. Such requirements include: 

  • You and your partner must be both aged 18. 
  • You and your partner have met in person. 
  • You and your partner have lived together permanently in the UK. 
  • You can prove that your relationship is genuine. 
  • Any previous relationship is broken down permanently. 
  • You can satisfy the financial requirement. 
  • There is adequate accommodation for you and any dependents.  
  • You speak and understand English to the required level.  

What is the Unmarried Partner Visa processing time?

Under this visa route, the Home Office service standard for producing a decision regarding a visa application that is submitted outside the UK, is 12 weeks (3 months). With the backlog of Ukraine Visa Scheme applications, the Home Office has stated that Unmarried Via applications may be processed within 60 working days.  

How to apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa?

To successfully apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa, applications are submitted via an online application form – it is important that you select the right application form depending on whether you are applying from inside the UK or overseas.  

As part of the application process, you will need to prepare supporting documents which will help necessitate your submission.  

How long does an Unmarried Partner Visa last?

If issued to the applicant by the Home Office, the Unmarried Partner Visa will be valid for 33 months. If you are applying for leave to remain, the visa is generally issued for 30 months. If you wish to extend your stay beyond this period, you must make an application. If successful, you can be granted leave for a further 30 months.  

After a period of five years residence in the UK, as an unmarried partner you may be eligible to apply for UK settlement.  

How much does it cost to get an Unmarried Partner Visa?

Currently, the Home Office application fee in 2021 is £1,523 if you are applying outside the UK and £1,033 if you are applying from inside the UK.  

Can my dependants be included as part of Unmarried Partner Visa?

Yes, if you have any children under the age of 18 it is possible to bring them with you to enter the UK.  

How can I apply to include my dependants as part of my Unmarried Partner Visa?

Regarding the application process, it should be submitted at the same time when you make your initial application for your own Unmarried UK Partner visa. 

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

We can assist individuals with submitting applications so that they can join their loved ones in the UK. As a law firm specialising in UK immigration, we understand and value the important of your immigration needs and can guide you through the necessary process. Please contact us today for more information. 

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.