If you are a British citizen and in a long-term relationship with a Thai citizen, a British de facto visa allows you to bring them to the UK permanently, even if you are not married. This visa, also known as a British Unmarried Partner Visa, enables your partner to settle in the UK by granting them important rights and paving the way for permanent residency.
Read on to learn more about the UK de facto visa, how to sponsor your partner for it, and what documents are required.
What is a British de facto visa?
The UK de facto visa is a family reunification visa that allows your partner to join you in the UK. It is initially valid for 2 years and 9 months (33 months in total). Unlike the UK fiancé(e) visa, your partner can apply for this visa even if you do not intend to marry them. This visa allows your partner to work full-time in the UK.
Before the visa expires, your partner can apply for a residence permit, extending their stay by a further 2 years and 6 months (a total of 30 months). After 5 years of residence in the United Kingdom and fulfilling certain criteria, your partner can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which allows them to stay permanently without further visa requirements.
How to obtain a British visa for unmarried partners
Both you and your partner must meet certain conditions as sponsor and applicant respectively in order to obtain a de facto visa for Great Britain.
To sponsor your partner for a visa, you must meet one of the following citizenship requirements before you can sponsor your partner:
In addition, you must also meet the financial requirements:
You and your partner must also both meet the following conditions:
Required documents for a de facto visa for Great Britain
To prove that you both meet the admission requirements and have successfully completed the application process, both the sponsor and the applicant must submit certain documents.
The Thai applicant must submit the following:
As a sponsor, you must submit the following:
Depending on the circumstances, the British immigration authorities may also request additional documentation, typically if you cannot provide sufficient evidence that you meet the admission requirements.
How to apply for a British visa for unmarried partners
Once your partner's application and all required documents are complete, they must submit them to VFS UK in Thailand. There, the application will be processed and the biometric data will be collected. You will need to schedule an appointment with VFS so your partner can provide fingerprints and photos.
VFS UK then forwards the application to the UK Immigration and Customs Enforcement (UKVI) for approval. Once processed, applicants can collect their visa from the nearest UK visa application centre or have it delivered by courier to their address in Thailand.
The average processing time for a visa application for an unmarried partner from Thailand is typically up to 12 weeks. However, incorrect documents and a high workload at the UKVI can extend the waiting time. By using the priority service and paying an additional fee, your partner can receive the visa in as little as 30 working days.
Professional support in applying for a British de facto visa from Thailand
If you want to obtain your UK de facto visa in the easiest and fastest way possible, contact Siam Legal today for professional assistance. As a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience in Thailand, our foreign visa lawyers have the expertise and experience to help you obtain your visa quickly and easily. Schedule a consultation today and speak with our visa specialists to make your dream of living in the UK with your partner a reality.
Frequently asked questions about visas for unmarried partners in Great Britain
Which documents are accepted as proof of the relationship?
You and your Thai partner must both provide certain documents proving that your relationship is genuine and that you have been together for some time. These could include documents proving that you live at the same address:
If you do not live in the same household as your partner, you can instead submit documents proving that you have spent a lot of time together as a couple, support each other financially, communicate regularly, and much more.
Does my Thai partner need to prove any English language skills?
Yes, sufficient English language skills are a mandatory requirement for the de facto visa. Your partner can prove their English language skills in three ways:
Your partner may be exempt from this requirement if they are over 65 years old or have a physical or mental impairment that prevents them from acquiring the required English language skills.
Can my partner obtain a permanent residence permit?
Yes, the UK visa for unmarried partners is a way for your Thai partner to obtain permanent residency in the United Kingdom. However, this visa does not grant your partner immediate permanent residency; they must go through the following process:
Can my partner bring family members?
Yes, your partner can bring family members to the UK, provided they apply for the visa for unmarried partners at the same time. The family members must be under 18 and financially dependent on you and your partner.
Can my partner submit a new application if their application was rejected?
Depending on why your partner's application was rejected, they may have the option to submit a new application or appeal. In this case, it is advisable to consult Siam Legal to increase the chances of success for an appeal against the UKVI decision and a successful new application.
Contact us
Contact our UK visa services team directly by scanning the WhatsApp QR code. We're happy to help with any questions you may have about your visa and support you throughout the entire application process.
You can also contact us using the form below. Please fill out the form completely and send it to us.
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