C4.78 Can Partners Accompany on a Student Visa?¶
Can couples go to the UK for accompanying studies without being married?
Recently, a guy asked Shishengmiao. His girlfriend is going to the UK to study for a master's degree. Her major requires on-campus study in the UK and cannot be taken online in China, so he wants to go to the UK with her for accompanying studies. However, they have only been in a relationship for about 1 year and will soon reach 2 years, and they haven't obtained a marriage certificate yet, so he asked if it's possible.
It's 2025 now, and it depends on the specific situation. Currently, only the following two situations are eligible for accompanying studies:
A PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
A research-based higher degree
Shishengmiao has several friends who brought their boyfriends or girlfriends from China to the UK for accompanying studies. The accompanying visa also allows working. Eventually, one of the guys found a way to earn a lot of money during the accompanying period, so he decided to stay in the UK and not return to China with his girlfriend. Now the two have got married and bought a house in the UK, and settled there.
As long as you can prove that you are in a genuine romantic relationship in accordance with the requirements listed by the official, your visa will basically not be rejected. The visa type is the UK PBS Dependant visa