Immigration regulations recognize the significance of common-law partner relationships on a par with those between legal spouses.
What is the relationship between partners in a common-law marriage?
In light of the immigration rules and European Union regulations, the term “common-law partner relationship” is interpreted as follows:
“Two persons living together in a marriage-like relationship for at least two years may be considered common-law partners.”
This definition does not include casual dating or any short-term relationship in which neither party has any long-term intention of living together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil union. The phrase “marriage-like” means a relationship similar in nature to a marriage or civil union, which includes relationships outside of marriage and relationships between persons of the same sex.
The rules that apply to common-law and same-sex partners aim to allow them to continue their existing relationship. These rules do not open the door to couples who have just started living together, but they do allow those couples who have been living together for a long time to enter or remain in the UK on that basis.
Who can apply On this basis?
Only the persons listed below can bring their civil partners to the UK:
– A person present and domiciled in the UK
– An EEA national with permanent residency or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
– Certain categories of persons with limited leave to remain in the UK.
