HOW DO I QUALIFY TO JOIN MY SPOUSE OR PARTNER IN THE UK?

You qualify if you can prove that:

• you are legally married to each other or are in a de facto partnership recognised in the UK
• your spouse or partner is present and settled in the UK*
• you intend to live together permanently as spouses or de facto partners
• you have met each other before
• together you can support yourselves and any dependants without assistance from public funds
• you have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any assistance from public funds
• your spouse or partner is not under 18
• you are not under 18.

If you have more than one wife or husband, only one will be allowed to join you in the UK.

Initially, you will be allowed to stay and work in the UK for two years. Towards the end of this period, if you are still married and intend to continue living together, you are able to make an application to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to stay in the UK permanently.

If you and your spouse or de facto partner have been living together outside the UK for four years or more, and they have been a British citizen for four years or more, there is no limit on the time you can stay in the UK.

HOW DO I QUALIFY TO JOIN MY FIANCÉ, FIANCÉE OR PROPOSED PARTNER IN THE UK?

You qualify if you can prove that:

• you plan to marry or register a civil partnership within a reasonable time (usually six months)
• you intend to live together permanently after you are married or have registered a civil partnership
• you have met each other before
• there is somewhere for you and your dependants to live until you get married or register a civil partnership, and you will be able to live without assistance from public funds
• you and your dependants can be supported without working or claiming any assistance from public funds.

You will be allowed to stay in the UK for six months but do not have permission to take employment within this period. When you are married or have registered a civil partnership, you can apply for a two-year extension to your visa and, if your application is granted, you will be allowed to take employment witout restriction. Towards the end of this period, you are able to make an application to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to stay in the UK permanently.

HOW DO I QUALIFY TO JOIN MY UNMARRIED OR SAME-SEX PARTNER IN THE UK?

You qualify if you can prove that:

• your partner currently lives and is settled in the UK, or that they are going to live permanently in the UK
• both you and your partner are over 18 years of age

and

• any previous marriages or civil partnerships have permanently broken down
• you have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for two years or more
• you have suitable accommodation which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any assistance from public funds
• you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds
• you intend to live together permanently
• both you and your partner are over 18 years of age.

Initially, you will be allowed to stay and work in the UK for two years. Towards the end of this period, if you are still married and intend to continue living together, you are able to make an application to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to stay in the UK permanently.

If you and your unmarried or same-sex partner have been living together outside the UK for four years or more, and they have been a British citizen for four years or more, there will be no time limit on how long you can stay in the UK.