Proving You're in a Relationship

Hi all,

My partner and I have been living together for five years and are going to do the unmarried partner visa route. We have been living together in the UK and have over 40 documents that prove we were living together officially during this entire time.

People are telling me on a Facebook group I should sent pictures, WhatsApp messages, Facebook, etc...but none of that is required.

What do you experts suggest I send? Do I need to send more? People are saying some of their applications weighed over 7lbs, but I'm just concerned this gets ridiculous for postage and the people looking it over.

Hi all,

My partner and I have been living together for five years and are going to do the unmarried partner visa route. We have been living together in the UK and have over 40 documents that prove we were living together officially during this entire time.

People are telling me on a Facebook group I should sent pictures, WhatsApp messages, Facebook, etc...but none of that is required.

What do you experts suggest I send? Do I need to send more? People are saying some of their applications weighed over 7lbs, but I'm just concerned this gets ridiculous for postage and the people looking it over.

I saw your post in one of my groups but now I can't seem to find it. I saw all of the horrible advice you were being given early on but I've learned not to say much in groups otherwise you will be attacked.

Anyway, ksand24, KFdancer and larrabe will be along by morning to steer you in the right direction.

More is not better. Stick with the required documentation and tick the boxes.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

You'll want to include a few pictures, but don't go overboard.  For the unmarried partner visa, you need official documents that prove cohabitation throughout the 2 years.

You'll need a minimum of 6 documents if jointly addressed evenly spread throughout the 2 years.  A minimum of 3 different official sources is also required.  If you do not have a jointly addressed single document for a certain time period, you can use two documents dated in that period addressed to you both individually.  Sending 40 documents is overkill, but it's good to have them because you'll have a large pool to choose your documents from.

As an example:

Months 1-4: Jointly addressed tenancy agreement (1 document)
Months 5-8: Bank statement you; bank statement partner (2 documents)
Months 9-12: Jointly addressed water bill (1 document)
Months 13-16:  Jointly addressed council tax bill (1 document)
Months 17-20: Bank statement you; bank statement partner (2 documents)
Months 21-24: Bank statement you; NHS letter partner (2 documents)

As evidence, from the application form:

Six items of correspondence addressed to you and your partner at the same address as evidence that you have been living together since your last grant of leave in this category, or from the date you first started living together up to a maximum of two years. See Note 11.

Note 11 The items of correspondence should be addressed to you jointly or in both your names.  Examples of acceptable items are listed below. The documents provided must be originals.  Photocopies are not acceptable.  The dates of the items of correspondence should be spread evenly over the whole period you are relying on. They should be from at least 3 different sources. If you do not have enough items in your joint names, you may also provide items addressed to each of you individually if they show the same address for both of you.

And

Examples of acceptable items of correspondence

• Letters or other documents from government departments or agencies, for example HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Work and Pensions, DVLA, TV Licensing.
• Letters or other documents from your GP, a hospital or other local health service about medical treatments, appointments, home visits or other medical matters
• Bank statements/letters
• Building society savings books/letters
• Council tax bills or statements
• Electricity and/or gas bills or statements
• Water rates bills or statements
• Mortgage statements/agreement
• Tenancy agreement(s)
• Telephone bills or statements

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/733726/FLR__M__-07-18.pdf

I saw your post in one of my groups but now I can't seem to find it. I saw all of the horrible advice you were being given early on but I've learned not to say much in groups otherwise you will be attacked.

Anyway, ksand24, KFdancer and larrabe will be along by morning to steer you in the right direction.

More is not better. Stick with the required documentation and tick the boxes.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Thanks! I've talked a lot to Ksand and she's been SUPER helpful.

YES, the advice is always terrible. People saying you can't go from a student visa to a spouse visa, or that they sent a whole suitcase full of things is just like, "really?"

I got blocked by a woman for saying that your British partner doesn't have to be working six months salaried with a company  for your visa, it's just the easiest way to do it.  Originally, we weren't going to go that route, but then decided to as it turned out to be the easiest....still, she was pissed.

I'm kind of amazed at how some of these people legally entered the UK, though it seems some have had issues.

Aquila, thank you! We have five from three different sources addressed jointly, and about 35 from those lists addressed separately over the entire time we've been living together. So I think we're good!

Thanks! I've talked a lot to Ksand and she's been SUPER helpful.

No problem ;.

Aquila, thank you! We have five from three different sources addressed jointly, and about 35 from those lists addressed separately over the entire time we've been living together. So I think we're good!

You only need 6 in each name in total. DO NOT send all 40 documents.

Send 1 document in each name for each 4-month period up to a maximum of 2 years... giving 6 documents in each name in total... this could be 6 joint documents, or 12 separate documents (1 each per 4-month period, ideally dated as close together for each period as possible), or 5 joint and 2 separate, or 3 joint and 6 separate etc.

Thanks Ksand! Is that all I need to prove our relationship? (Aside from proving we're in communication during the time we're apart right now.)

I will post a document check anyway before I submit...but just want to double check.

Thanks Ksand! Is that all I need to prove our relationship? (Aside from proving we're in communication during the time we're apart right now.)

I will post a document check anyway before I submit...but just want to double check.

How long are you apart? You have to prove that for the 24 months leading up to application you have been living together. I believe a gap of one month or more isn't allowed, but the experts can correct me if I am wrong.

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How long are you apart? You have to prove that for the 24 months leading up to application you have been living together. I believe a gap of one month or more isn't allowed, but the experts can correct me if I am wrong.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

My visa expired July 30th and we can't apply until the end of September due to his job not having started in time. He is with me until Sunday. 

You can be apart for up to six months. We have consulted with two lawyers as well as the experts here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unmarried-and-same-sex-partners-set05/unmarried-and-same-sex-partners-set05

It says very clearly:

12. SET5.12 Assessing whether the relationship has subsisted for two years
‘Living together’, should be applied fairly tightly, with a couple providing evidence that they have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership which has subsisted for two years or more.

Periods apart for up to six months would be acceptable for good reasons, such as work commitments, or looking after a relative as long as:

it was not possible for the other partner to accompany; and
the applicant can show evidence that the relationship continued throughout that period, for example, by visits, letters, logged phone calls.

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My visa has expired and he has to go to work in the UK, so it applies here to allow for the six weeks apart (from when he leaves to our application).