If your spouse/unmarried partner or same-sex partner has been granted a UK work permit, you will be eligible to enter the UK as the Dependent of a Work Permit holder, provided that you live with them permanently.

If you are not married, you will need to prove that you have been in a relationship akin to a marriage with your partner for at least two years before the date of application.

Your visa will be granted for the same period as your spouse or partners work permit, allowing you employment without restriction and multiple entries to the UK .

 
     
 

Spouse visas
If your husband or wife is either a British citizen, or has indefinite leave to remain in the UK , you can join them on a Spouse visa. If you have been granted limited leave to remain in the UK , you can apply for a Spouse visa without having to leave the UK . If not, you must apply for entry clearance to ensure you enter the UK as a spouse.

 
     
 

To qualify for this visa, you must be able to show that:

  1. You are over the age of 18, and your spouse is over the age of 18.
  2. You are lawfully married to a person who is either settled in the UK or being admitted for settlement.
  3. You have met your spouse in person.
  4. You intend to live permanently with your husband or wife and that your marriage is subsisting.
  5. You and any dependents have adequate accommodation which you will own or occupy exclusively, and will be able to maintain yourselves without relying on public funds.

If you have been married for less than four years, you will be given a probationary period of residence for two years. You will be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain after you have lived in the UK for two years, provided you can prove that you have been genuinely living together as husband and wife.

If you can prove you have been married for more than four years, you can apply for indefinite leave to enter immediately.

Once the visa has been issued, you will be able to work without restriction and exit and enter the UK multiple times.

 
 

 
 

Unmarried Partner visas
If you have lived with a British citizen or a UK permanent resident in a heterosexual or same-sex relationship for at least two years, you can apply to join them in the UK .

 
     
 

To qualify for this visa, you will need to show that:

  1. You are the unmarried partner of a person present and settled in the UK or who is being admitted for settlement.
  2. You have been living together in a marriage-like relationship for two years or more, either in the UK or in another country.
  3. Any previous marriage or similar relationship by either partner has ended.
  4. You are not related by blood.
  5. You and any dependents will be able to accommodate and maintain yourselves without relying on public funds.
  6. You intend to live permanently with your partner for the future.

If you can prove that you have lived together in this relationship for at least four years, you can apply for settlement in the UK immediately. If not, you can apply for settlement after you have lived in the UK for two years.