We have recently been successful in securing our client with his un-married partner visa on the basis of his relationship with his partner who is currently in the UK on an Ancestry visa.

The previous requirement required partners to evidence they had physically lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years. This has now been removed from the Immigration Rules.

The UK unmarried Partner visa relationship requirements is as follows:

• You and your partner must have met in person;
• You and your partner must have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years;
• Your relationship must be genuine and subsisting;
• You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK;
• Any previous relationship must have broken down permanently.

A relationship can still be recognised as meeting the requirement for a durable relationship where, for example, there is a good reason the partners are living apart which is still consistent with them having a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership.

For example, they may currently live apart because one party is studying in another country, or they have to live apart for work reasons, or while applying for immigration permission in another country. In such circumstances a durable relationship can still meet the requirements, but the Home Office will need to be satisfied the relationship is durable and genuine and subsisting even though they are living apart.

Needless to say our client and his partner in the UK are absolutely delighted with the outcome and is arriving to the UK shortly.