How can I visit the UK, file for civil partnership with my boyfriend and stay with him?

Unlike the US, the UK does allow Civil partnership couples to settle. You follow the standard Spouse visa path. Either - Get a civil partnership/marriage outside the UK and apply as a 'spouse' OR - Get a Fiance Visa (not a standard visitors Visa Free entry) do the partnership in UK then apply for the initial 2 year Spouse visa after 2 years if you have kept records and are still together, you apply for indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) the equivelent of the US green card. unlike the US, you cannot change from any standard visitors visa to another catagory without returning to a country of normal residence, you also may not get married without a special Marriage visitors visa (not the visa free entry). The rules should therefore be the same for a Civil Partnership. read the guidance not only on the Fiance visa's but also the Settlement SET(M) visa so you know what to collect along the way. There are also minimum (spare) income after rent, utilities and council (residence) taxes are paid for, approx 106 pounds/wk for the two of you when applying for the spouse visa. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/partners-families/ - initial Fiance visa entry http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/settlement/findtherightform/family - family Settlement http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/settlement/setm1 - SET(M) notes