If the unmarried partner has dependent children under their sole responsibility, the children can also be included in the application.
If you have received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, your application will normally be subject to mandatory refusal.
For custodial sentences of less than 12 months, or for non-custodial convictions, the Home Office will consider the circumstances on a case-by-case basis, including factors such as the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred, and any evidence of rehabilitation. In these cases, it is advisable to provide supporting evidence of good character.
These types of applications can be complex, and individual circumstances must be carefully assessed.
Visa categories that count towards the BN(O) Visa residence period include:
Tier 1 (main applicants and dependants), Tier 2 (main applicants and dependants), Overseas Representative (main applicants and dependants), Spouse visa (and dependants).
Visa categories that do not count towards the BN(O) Visa residence period include:
Visitor visa, Tier 4 student visa, Tier 5 temporary worker visa, and Youth Mobility Scheme visa (working holiday).
You are applying for a UK visa from outside the UK, you plan to stay for more than 6 months, and you have lived in a country where TB is common for more than 6 months.
You are applying from within the UK for a British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa and did not provide a TB test certificate when you last entered the UK because your visa was valid for 6 months or less or you applied to enter the UK at the border.
In such cases, you must get tested at a clinic approved by the Home Office. A TB test certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray. If you already have a valid certificate from an approved clinic abroad, you do not need to take another test.
Time on Student visas, Visitor visas, Tier 5, or Youth Mobility Scheme visas does not count.