SETTLEMENT

ILR as an Unmarried Partner 5-Year Route

For unmarried partners who have completed five continuous years in the UK on the partner visa route and are ready to apply for permanent residence.

OVERVIEW

Indefinite Leave to Remain as an unmarried partner is for people who have completed the required time in the UK on the partner route and continue to meet the relationship, residence, financial, accommodation and integration requirements.

The application is often document-heavy because the Home Office expects evidence covering the relationship and cohabitation across the qualifying period, as well as updated financial and accommodation evidence.

FINANCIAL & ACCOMODATION REQUIREMENTS

The financial requirement must be checked against the applicant’s own history because transitional rules can apply. Many current partner-route applications use a £29,000 minimum income requirement, while some applicants who first entered the route before 11 April 2024 may remain under the earlier threshold when extending or settling with the same partner.

  • Employment, self-employment, pension income, savings or permitted combinations may be relevant.

  • Payslips, bank statements, employer letters, accounts and tax documents must match the relevant category.

  • Accommodation must be adequate and not overcrowded.

  • Public funds rules should be checked carefully.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants usually need five continuous years on the partner route. Time spent on another visa route or as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner is not normally counted towards the five-year partner settlement period.

  • Review the dates of all partner-route grants.

  • Check the earliest safe application date.

  • Consider absences and whether they suggest the applicant lives outside the UK.

  • Submit before current leave expires to preserve status while the application is pending.

RELATIONSHIP REQUIREMENTS

  • The relationship must be genuine and subsisting.

  • The couple must continue to intend to live together permanently in the UK.

  • Evidence should show cohabitation and shared life over the relevant period.

  • The partner must usually be British, settled, or hold another qualifying status.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LIFE IN THE UK

Most applicants must meet the English language requirement at B1 level or above and pass the Life in the UK Test, unless an exemption applies. These should be checked early so there is enough time to book tests or obtain replacement certificates if needed.

HOW WE CAN HELP

  • Calculate the qualifying period and application timing.

  • Review relationship and cohabitation evidence across the full route.

  • Check financial evidence against the correct rules and transitional position.

  • Prepare the ILR application, document bundle and supporting representations.

Evidence focus

Documents often matter most.

Every case is different, but these are common evidence themes for this route.

PARTNER VISA HISTORY

COHABITATION DOCUMENTS

FINANCIAL EVIDENCE

PROOF OF ACCOMODATION

ENGLISH B1 EVIDENCE

LIFE IN THE UK PASS