Real and Subsisting Relationship Requirement

By Aarya Chaudhary –
Authorized Affiliate

07 Jan 2026

1. When Is a Real and Subsisting Relationship Required Underneath the Immigration Guidelines?

A number of UK visa routes, such because the Partner Visa, Civil Accomplice Visa and Single Accomplice Visa, require candidates to show that their relationship is ‘real and subsisting’. Dependents of people within the UK in work or study-based routes additionally must show a ‘real and subsisting relationship’ when making use of for a Dependent Visa. This is a crucial requirement, on which many purposes hinge. Moreover, the place married candidates are unable to point out that their marriage is real, it might result in accusations that their marriage was entered into solely to circumvent the Immigration Guidelines. 

Not like different elements of the Immigration Guidelines, there isn’t a prescribed listing of paperwork that should be submitted to show {that a} relationship is real and subsisting. This may understandably be irritating for candidates, but it surely displays the Dwelling Workplace’s recognition that relationships take many alternative varieties and develop in numerous methods. There isn’t a single mannequin of a real relationship, and choice makers are due to this fact anticipated to contemplate every case by itself information relatively than making use of a inflexible guidelines.

The Dwelling Workplace assesses the real and subsisting relationship requirement on the stability of chances, bearing in mind all out there proof and the broader context of the couple’s circumstances.

2. Components the Dwelling Workplace Considers When Assessing Real and Subsisting Relationships

Resolution-makers search for constant, ongoing indications of an actual partnership. Dwelling Workplace steering lists illustrative components (not an exhaustive guidelines) that may point out genuineness. 

When deciding whether or not a relationship is real and subsisting, choice makers take into account a variety of things. These could embody the size and historical past of the connection, whether or not the couple stay collectively or have lived collectively previously, and whether or not they have made concrete plans to stay collectively sooner or later. Proof that the couple share monetary tasks or in any other case assist each other financially could also be related, as could proof that they’ve youngsters collectively and share parental duty. The character and frequency of contact between the companions, significantly during times of separation, can be related, as is proof that the couple have met in particular person and preserve an ongoing connection.

Visits to one another’s residence nation or household could assist an software the place they’ve taken place, though the absence of such visits will not be handled as a adverse issue if there’s a affordable clarification.  Whereas the truth that an applicant has by no means visited the UK should not be considered a adverse issue, it’s a requirement of the Immigration Guidelines that the couple have met in particular person. The Dwelling Workplace additionally considers whether or not the couple have made sensible plans for his or her life collectively within the UK, corresponding to housing preparations, employment plans, or future household plans.

3. Outward Indicators of Dedication and Potential Dwelling Workplace Checks

Case regulation has clarified that in a real and subsisting relationship it’s affordable to count on outward indicators of dedication, companionship, emotional assist, affection, and an ongoing curiosity in one another’s welfare. The place these options are usually not obvious from the proof offered, the Dwelling Workplace could have doubts concerning the nature of the connection. In such circumstances, additional checks could also be carried out, together with requests for added paperwork, interviews with one or each companions, or, in uncommon circumstances, a house go to.

4. Organized Marriages and Real and Subsisting Relationships

Organized marriages are acknowledged within the Dwelling Workplace steering. The Dwelling Workplace notes that in some cultures {couples} could meet solely briefly earlier than marriage, and marriage could itself mark the beginning of a dedicated partnership. The Dwelling Workplace requires its decisionmakers to bear in mind regular practices for marriages and household dwelling based on specific spiritual and cultural traditions. 

5. Paperwork Required to Show a Real and Subsisting Relationship

There aren’t any obligatory paperwork which are required to be able to show {that a} relationship is ‘real and subsisting’. Nevertheless, the Dwelling Workplace will count on to see vital proof of normal contact, indicators of affection and companionship, emotional assist, and an abiding curiosity in one another’s welfare and wellbeing.

6. Sorts of Proof to Display a Real and Subsisting Relationship

Candidates contemplating what proof they need to present ought to concentrate on documentary proof which might converse to each elements of the real and subsisting relationship requirement, particularly that their relationship is an actual one, based mostly on real affection or shared values, and that it’s ongoing on the time of the applying. 

There aren’t any obligatory paperwork that should be submitted to show {that a} relationship is real and subsisting, however candidates are anticipated to supply adequate proof to point out each that the connection is actual and that it’s ongoing. Many candidates start with a wedding or civil partnership certificates, or start or adoption certificates for any youngsters, though these paperwork alone are by no means adequate. The place a pair stay collectively, proof of cohabitation is usually offered by tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, financial institution statements, utility payments, or different official correspondence addressed to at least one or each companions on the similar deal with.

Paperwork don’t must be in joint names, and it’s common for {couples} to depend on separate paperwork addressed individually to every companion on the shared deal with.

7. Proof for Lengthy-Distance or Non-Cohabiting {Couples}

For {couples} who don’t stay collectively, who’re in long-distance relationships, or who’ve solely lately married, it’s attainable to depend on different types of proof. This may occasionally embody pictures exhibiting the couple collectively over the course of the connection, proof of journey to see each other, and data of communication corresponding to messages, name logs, or screenshots of video calls. Proof of future plans, corresponding to property searches, correspondence referring to housing, wedding ceremony or honeymoon preparations, or plans referring to work or research within the UK, might also assist show that the connection is ongoing.

8. Private Statements and Supporting Letters for UK Visa Functions

Private statements from the companions explaining the historical past of the connection, together with supporting letters from members of the family, mates, or professionals who know the couple, could help in offering context, significantly the place documentary proof is restricted. Whereas such statements usually carry much less weight than official paperwork, they are often invaluable in explaining cultural practices, intervals of separation, or gaps within the proof.

Candidates are inspired to clarify any uncommon options of their relationship or any lacking proof clearly and truthfully. Offering a coherent narrative that matches the documentary proof can considerably scale back the probability of additional enquiries or refusal.

Though the real and subsisting relationship requirement can seem advanced, it’s finally versatile. The Dwelling Workplace will not be searching for an ideal set of paperwork, however for a reputable, constant image of an actual and persevering with relationship. The place the proof as a complete demonstrates dedication, mutual assist, and an intention to stay life collectively, the requirement will be met.

Our immigration barristers can advise intimately on the documentary proof which is able to show that your relationship is an actual one, based mostly on real affection, and that it’s ongoing on the time of the applying.

Our immigration barristers frequently help overseas nationwide spouses and civil companions and single companions to relocate to, and settle in, the UK with their British citizen or settled companions. For professional recommendation and help contact our immigration barristers and legal professionals on 0203 617 9173 or through our enquiry type beneath.

10. Continuously Requested Questions