Who Is A 'Partner' In Appendix FM?

• Published date: 06 March 2026
• Subject Matter: Immigration, General Immigration, Work Visas
• Law Firm: Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers
• Author: Ms Rosanna Atkinson

Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules allows British Citizens and settled persons to bring their ‘partner' to join them in the UK. A ‘partner' is defined as the applicant's spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner or a person that has been in a relationship with their partner which is similar to marriage or a civil partnership for at least two years prior to the date of application.

1. Validity of a Marriage for a UK Spouse Visa

A marriage in the UK must be evidenced by a valid marriage certificate recognised under the laws of England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

An equivalent official marriage certificate should be provided for a marriage conducted outside the UK. A foreign marriage will be recognised by the UK as long as the marriage ceremony is recognised as a valid form of marriage by the law of the country in which it takes place and it has been properly registered.

This can include religious marriages, and in some circumstances, proxy marriages, provided the legal requirements for recognition are met. The parties to the marriage must have capacity to marry, and any previous marriage of either party must first have been validly terminated. Evidence of the divorce must be provided.

A British or settled person that is in a polygamous marriage is only permitted to sponsor one person to live in the UK as their partner under Appendix FM.

Find out more about the requirements for a UK Spouse visa.

2. Validity of a Civil Partnership for a UK Civil Partner Visa

A civil partnership in the UK must be evidenced by a civil partnership certificate. This was initially a form of civil union akin to civil marriage, but solely for...