Who’s a ‘companion’ in Appendix FM?

By Rosanna Atkinson –
Authorized Affiliate

02 Mar 2026

Appendix FM to the Immigration Guidelines permits British Residents and settled individuals to deliver their ‘companion’ to hitch them within the UK. A ‘companion’ is outlined because the applicant’s partner, civil companion, fiancé(e), proposed civil companion or an individual that has been in a relationship with their companion which has similarities to marriage or a civil partnership for not less than two years previous to the date of utility. 

1. Validity of a Marriage for a UK Partner Visa

A wedding within the UK should be evidenced by a sound marriage certificates recognised underneath the legal guidelines of England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Eire. 

An equal official marriage certificates must be offered for a wedding carried out exterior the UK. A international marriage might be recognised by the UK so long as the wedding ceremony is recognised as a sound type of marriage by the regulation of the nation during which it takes place and it has been correctly registered. 

This will embrace spiritual marriages, and in some circumstances, proxy marriages, offered the authorized necessities for recognition are met. The events to the wedding will need to have capability to marry, and any earlier marriage of both celebration should first have been validly terminated. Proof of the divorce should be offered. 

A British or settled individual that’s in a polygamous marriage is barely permitted to sponsor one individual to stay within the UK as their companion underneath Appendix FM. 

Discover out extra in regards to the necessities for a UK Partner visa.

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

A civil partnership within the UK should be evidenced by a civil partnership certificates. This was initially a type of civil union akin to civil marriage, however solely for same-sex {couples}. Now, same-sex {couples} are permitted to marry in England and Wales and civil partnerships are open to opposite-sex {couples}. 

Different international locations could have totally different types of authorized relationship which may be entered into between two folks. An abroad relationship listed within the Civil Partnership Act 2004 might be handled as a civil partnership. 

Any civil partnership of both celebration will need to have been validly dissolved and proof should be offered of this. 

Learn extra in regards to the Civil Accomplice visa.

3. Necessities for a UK Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Accomplice Visa

You have to show that you’re coming into the UK with the intention to marry or enter right into a civil partnership inside six months of entry into the UK. Neither celebration may be married or in a civil partnership with one other individual on the date of utility.

Proof of real plans to marry or kind a civil partnership must be offered. This will embrace venue bookings, correspondence with registrars, or different preparations that present a transparent intention to formalise the connection.  

The fiance(e) class doesn’t give fast settlement rights. You will have to marry or enter right into a civil partnership within the UK after which change to a partner/civil companion visa from contained in the UK.

Extra details about the UK Fiancé(e) visa class.

4. Recognition of Single Companions for UK Immigration

Chances are you’ll qualify as an ‘single companion’ in case you have been in a relationship much like marriage or civil partnership, for not less than two years previous to the date of utility. 

The two-year interval must be accomplished previous to the date of utility. 

On 31 January 2024, the Immigration Guidelines have been modified by eradicating the strict, necessary 2-year cohabitation requirement for single companions. The definition was up to date and now states single companions will need to have been in a relationship much like marriage or a civil partnership for not less than 2 years.

Nonetheless, proof of cohabitation can nonetheless be robust proof of being in a relationship much like marriage or a civil partnership, however dwelling collectively is just not legally necessary. If in case you have lived collectively, it’s advisable to supply proof that you’ve each lived on the similar deal with for any of the 2 12 months interval, for instance, joint tenancy agreements and official correspondence. Different proof that demonstrates you’ve been dwelling collectively might also be offered. 

An individual who has not but legally divorced or dissolved their civil partnership could qualify as an single companion if they will present that their present relationship is real and the earlier relationship has damaged down completely and they’re now not dwelling collectively as a pair. You possibly can learn extra in regards to the necessities for an Single Accomplice visa.

5. Proving a Real Relationship Below Appendix FM

For all companion routes underneath Appendix FM, the applicant should show that they’re in a real and subsisting relationship. A pair in a ‘sham’ marriage or relationship can not depend on Appendix FM.

There are a variety of different necessities that should be met with the intention to qualify for a companion visa together with monetary, lodging and English language necessities. 

To debate your visa utility as a partner, civil companion, fiancé(e), proposed civil companion, or single companion with certainly one of our immigration barristers, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or full our enquiry kind under.

7. Often Requested Questions