For a partner to be included in a residence application, we must be satisfied that:

• you’ve been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for 12 months or more
• you’re both aged 18 years or over, or if you’re aged between 16 and 18 years and you have the support of your parents or guardians
  and 
• you met before you made your residence application
  and 
• you’re not relatives.
  

For our official criteria regarding when partners included in an application may be granted a residence class visa, see our Operational Manual at R2.1.15. 

See also our definitions of partner and a genuine and stable relationship.