UK Unmarried Partner Visa For Ghanaians
If you’re a Ghanaian citizen and you want to join your partner who lives in the UK, you can apply for a UK Unmarried Partner visa. You must intend to live with your unmarried partner permanently when you enter the United Kingdom.
If you need more information on what is Unmarried Partner visa UK, including all requirements, the application process, or other ways we can assist you, Total Law can help. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or complete our online enquiry form for immediate response.
UK Unmarried Partner Visa: What is an Unmarried Partner?
The Unmarried Partner visa, also known as UK de facto visa is designed for Ghanaian citizens who want to join their UK-based partner. To apply for this visa, your partner must be a British/Irish citizen or settled in the UK without immigration restrictions.
This visa is under the Family visa category, and the main reason for which you’ll be granted this visa is based on the relationship you have with your UK-based partner.
Therefore, it must be proved that you already have a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner who resides in the UK and that such a relationship has lasted for at least 2 years.
The Unmarried Partner visa suits both opposite and same-sex relationships and it typically allows its holder to enter and remain in the UK initially for up to 33 months. After renewing this visa and staying for a total of 5 years in the UK, you may qualify to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Page Contents
- The UK Unmarried Partner Visa: An Overview
- UK Unmarried Partner Visa Requirements & Eligibility Criteria
- Application Fees Of The UK Unmarried Partner Visa
- The Application Process Of The Unmarried Partner Visa
- Unmarried Partner Visa Application Processing Time
- Extending / Renewing The UK Unmarried Partner Visa
- The Unmarried Partner Visa Holders Rights And Benefits
- Bringing Dependants on the UK Unmarried Visa
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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UK Unmarried Partner Visa Requirements & Eligibility Criteria
Overview
Ghanaian citizens applying for a UK Unmarried Partner visa are required to meet several UK Unmarried Partner visa requirements such as providing documents and meeting certain eligibility criteria. Below are the documents you must provide:
- Your Ghanaian international passport
- Your English proficiency test result or a degree certificate (taught in English)
- Your UK-based partner’s British passport or immigration status
- Your evidence of satisfying the genuine relationship requirement
- A copy of your payslips or bank statements as proof of meeting the financial requirement
- A proof of terminating other previous relationship you had such as civil partnership or marriage (if any)
- Evidence of clean criminal record
- Proof you have adequate accommodation when you enter the UK
- Your tuberculosis test result
UK Unmarried Partner Visa Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for an Unmarried Partner visa include:
- You and your UK-based partner must be at least 18 years old
- Your partner must be a British/Irish citizen or settled in the country without immigration restrictions or have human protection or refugee status in the United Kingdom
- You must not be in any other marriage or civil partnership
- You must have a genuine and subsisting relationship with your UK-based partner
- You and your partner have met and you can prove that you’re in a relationship that has lasted for at least 2 years
- You must have evidence of adequate accommodation for you and your partner including any dependent going to the UK with you
- You and your partner intend to remain together indefinitely when you enter the UK
- Your UK-based partner must earn at least £29,000 (or £18,600, to renew your visa if you initially applied before April 11th, 2024)
UK Unmarried Partner Visa Fees: How much does it cost?
As a Ghanaian citizen who wants to obtain an Unmarried Partner visa, the fees you need to pay include:
- Application processing fee of £2,064 for those applying from outside the UK
- Application processing fee of £1,407 for those applying for renewal from within the UK
- English proficiency test of £150
- Immigration healthcare surcharge fee of £1035 for adult applicants and £776 for child applicants
- A priority service fee of £500 to get a decision in 5 working days
How to Apply for UK Unmarried Partner Visa: Step by Step Guide
The Unmarried Partner visa UK application is typically done following a step-by-step guide. As a Ghanaian citizen seeking this visa, you are required to follow the below steps:
Fill Out the Visa Application Form
Before you complete your Unmarried Partner visa application form, note that there are two separate application forms for this visa.
The first one is designed for applicants within the UK, whereas the other one is for applicants outside the UK. As a Ghanaian citizen seeking to enter the UK on this visa, you must complete the form created for applicants outside the UK with the correct information.
It’s ideal to consult one of our professional immigration lawyers at Total Law to assess your situation, help you fill out your application form and complete your overall application to the required standard. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online for immediate assistance.
Bring and Upload Required Documents
Once you have completed your online application form, gather and upload all the required documents in the appropriate size and format. Do not omit any document to avoid the risk of refusal.
Pay Required Fees
You must pay the application processing fee alongside other fees for your application to be processed. The fees you will pay include consular, healthcare surcharge, and more. Ensure you pay these fees via the required payment method.
Fix and Attend Appointment
Schedule an appointment with the UK immigration authorities at your closest UK visa application centre. Be present at the appointment as you will be assessed by the UK immigration officials to know whether you qualify for the visa. Your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) will also be needed at the appointment.
Get Your Visa
After the approval of your Unmarried Partner visa, you will be notified to come and pick it up.
Unmarried Partner Visa Application Processing Time
The Unmarried Partner visa UK processing time typically takes about 12 weeks (3 months). However, if you need to get the visa faster, you can engage the priority service and receive it within 30 working days.
Can I Extend Unmarried Partner Visa UK? Extending & Renewing Your Visa
Ghanaian citizens who hold a UK Unmarried Partner visa valid for 33 months can apply to extend their stay with their partner in the UK. You must apply to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to extend your stay before the expiration of your current visa. Upon a successful application, you will be granted an additional 30 months.
You must still satisfy those initial requirements for the visa and prove that you live with your unmarried partner in the UK. When your total stay in the UK gets up to 5 years, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK, provided you meet all the requirements.
Unmarried Partner Visa UK Holders: Rights and Benefits You Get
As a Ghanaian citizen who has entered the UK on an Unmarried Partner visa, you will be entitled to several rights and benefits. With your visa, you will be allowed to study and work in the UK to cater for your financial needs.
You will be allowed to extend your visa before its expiration. After staying in the UK for up to 5 years, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. When you stay in the country for an additional 1 year, you can apply for citizenship if you meet the requirements.
After becoming a UK citizen you will be entitled to all the benefits UK indigenes enjoy, such as the right to free healthcare, the right to work for any employer, the right to vote and to be voted for, and more.
Bring Dependants on Unmarried Partner Visa UK – Who Qualifies?
Ghanaian citizens applying for a UK Unmarried Partner visa are allowed to enter the UK with their dependents. You are allowed to apply for your children who are below the age of 18 to join you when coming to the UK.
Note that you must apply for your dependents at the same time you apply for your Unmarried Partner visa so that they will be issued visas that will synchronise with your visa’s validity period.
However, remember that there are additional fees you must pay to bring your child or children with you as an Unmarried Partner visa applicant. Besides that, you are required to fulfil other key requirements such as accommodation, financial, and relationship requirements among others.
How Can Total Law Help With Your Unmarried Partner Visa UK Application?
As a Ghanaian citizen who wants to get the Unmarried Partner visa to reunite with a UK-based partner, you must meet certain eligibility criteria and provide all required documents.
Besides that, you must make financial commitments to obtain this visa. It’s best to seek expert guidance from our friendly immigration lawyers at Total Law to guide you throughout the UK Unmarried Partner visa application process.
You may risk a refusal should you file an incomplete application which will waste your time and money. Our immigration lawyers will help you gather your required documents, and even apply on your behalf with the same pattern which has led to positive outcomes for other Ghanaian applicants we have helped in the past.
For advice on alternative UK Unmarried Partner visas for unmarried partners, call us today at Total Law on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online for immediate response.
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Appeal Package
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The Advice Package
During this Advice Session, an immigration lawyer will assess your circumstances, explain your options and tell you what you need to do to make a strong application.
We review your circumstances, explain the relevant requirements, identify potential problems or refusal risks, and advise you on the evidence and next steps.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
We check your application for missing information, inconsistencies and potential issues before submission, helping you avoid common mistakes that could affect your case.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package gives your case priority with our immigration lawyers, helping you get your application prepared, checked and submitted as quickly as possible.
Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
The Appeal Package
Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of now, there is no official statement regarding the success rate for the UK Unmarried Partner visa. However, applications may be refused if it’s filed incorrectly. For this reason, it’s best to consult a specialist immigration lawyer to ensure your application is prepared to the required standard.
To prove your relationship for a UK Unmarried Partner visa, you can provide evidence of cohabitation, marriage or civil partnership certificate, selection of call logs, emails, and more.
