Unmarried Partner Visa
Unmarried partner visa is for a partner of a UK sponsor who has been living together with the UK partner for at least 2 years in a relationship akin to marriage. You can apply for unmarried partner visa to join or stay with your UK partner if you are an unmarried partner of a relevant qualifying UK partner. If you meet all the rquirements of the rules including the English language and Financial requirements, you can apply for unmarried partner visa under the 5 years route.
To succeed in an unmarried partner visa, the applicant must meet the requirements as set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Unmarried partner visa is also known as settlement visa or Appendix FM Partner visa. As a result of an application for entry clearance for unmarried partner visa, the applicant is granted initial leave for a period of 33 months. In case of an in-country application for switching into unmarried partner visa, the applicant is granted an initial leave for 2.5 years (30 months) and a further extension is granted for another 2.5 years (30 months). You can apply for ILR as an unmarried partner under 5 years route upon completion of 5 years on unmarried partner visa.