Use these guides to understand published UK immigration requirements and questions to check. Confirm the current rule on GOV.UK and obtain regulated advice for your own circumstances.
The useful starting point
These routes solve different immigration problems
The family route recognises more than one partner category, but the evidence needed to establish the relationship can differ significantly.
Side-by-side
Key differences
A marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK.
No marriage or civil partnership is required.
Formal certificate plus evidence the relationship is genuine and continuing.
Evidence of a qualifying durable relationship and ongoing commitment.
Cohabitation evidence is useful but not the only relationship proof.
Living arrangements and reasons for any time apart can be especially important.
Financial, English, accommodation and suitability rules can apply.
The same wider family-route requirements can apply.
Confirm the current rules
Read both official route pages
Know when a guide is no longer enough
Eligibility assessments, evidence reviews, application preparation and representation should be handled by a suitably regulated professional.