Common Law Visa - Anyone else have experience?

So my b/f and I are applying for a common law visa - basically, will give me the same rights as spousal, but is for unmarried couples who have lived together for at least 2 years.  The problem is my b/f's UK passport.  He's very uneasy about sending it to the Home Office, b/c of the 6-12 week time period for getting it back.  He has several business meetings in Europe and N. Ireland in the pipeline, that he'll need the passport for.  

We thought we could get a certified copy of his passport and send that in, but found out today we can't.  The Home Office need to see his original passport (I called the Home Office and that's what I was told - does anyone have any different experiences when doing this in the UK?).  We were told we can send a letter with the application, however, stating that my b/f will need his passport back for upcoming travel, and wish it to be returned to us asap and that we don't want this to imfringe on our application process.  The Home Office person I spoke to, though, wasn't able to give me a time estimate on when the passport would be returned.  

Does anyone have any experience, with any of this?  I'm esp. wondering about the certified letter - if we go to a solicitor, I'm not sure what the problem would be esp. as I've heard of people being able to do this before.  Ah well - any help or ideas are very appreciated - thank you!!

~Christa

I would have thought you would be able to have him get a certified copy or notorized copy of his passport. I just went thru our papers, and that's what we did. My husband needed his passport for work purposes as well, when we were applying for my fiancee visa. But I don't know if the regulations are different for unmarried partners visa.

Any possibility of applying in person?  You'd get it same-day and have the passports in hand.  If you're applying from within the UK, then you're pretty much applying for FLR(M), right, good for 2 years?  (Even though the "M" traditionally stood for marriage, it's the same application for unmarried partner.)  I think you can apply in person same as when we converted my Fiancee Visa to the FLR(M) and as we plan to do for ILR next spring.

Thanks for your feedback, you guys.  We've been dealing with an immigration/migration company for this so far, as they handled my student visa and renewal to be here in the first place.  The person we've been dealing with (Wayne) on this application, though, has been incredibly difficult.  I've been trying to go in and get it all sorted with Wayne since I'm off work at the moment, but my b/f is going in with me tomorrow morning after Wayne decided being condescending and speaking down to me was the way to go.  If Wayne is still horrible, we'll just go in to the Home Office and do it ourselves in person.  

**Wayne was not only rude but also tried to tell us we can't even send the letter with our application now - even though the person at the Home Office suggested it with no prompting by me...I'm thinking it may be easier to just not deal with this company, though we'll see**

Thanks for the help and advice - *definitely* appreciated!!

~Christa

It seems that most people who have used a third party to help with their process, have not been satisfied with the service they got. I wonder if Wayne just isn't with the program? I think you should try to gather all the paperwork without him. Save yourself the fee.  

Ugh!  Sounds time to get rid of Wayne....sounds very icky, indeed.  I'm sure you and Russ would be able to pull it off on your own with no problems though.  Best of luck!

Third vote to shove Wayne to the curb!  This is a relatively easy process - and costs enough money as it is now.  You shouldn't have to shell out any more to have someone be condecending to you.

I've said it to you already sweetie, but just to say it again - this is all a horrible process and is designed to be hard and stressful, but it is just that - a process.  One step at a time, and you will get there!  Your situation is incredibly straight-forward and you are not going to have any trouble getting this visa.  Wayne is a jerk and I for one hope Russ gives it to him good this morning.    You absolutely did not deserve to be treated this way...especially by someone you're *paying* for goodness sake!

There's a post from someone on the Welcome Wagon who just went through this unmarried visa situation....you may want to PM her and ask her about her experience.  (I think the thread title is "So here I am.")  She too was on a student visa and then switched over so perhaps you could swap stories!

Keep us posted!!

Oh yeah - and Christa, I've been SO meaning to tell you - you were right.  That is the best corn spoonbread recipe!  

I'm the one who was here on a student visa and just got a UP visa in October.  Although I lived here for 2 years on a student visa, my solicitor advised to apply for UP in New York at the consulate in order to avoid having to send in my gf's passport (and for other reasons which I don't have time to go into right now).  When I finally got to the consulate the whole process took about 10 minutes and I picked up the visa an hour later.  

I'm just out the door at the moment but when I come back later this afternoon I'll read up and see if I can help you out.  UP visa is a pain in the ass but the rules are pretty straightforward.

Emily

Oohh, thank you everyone, *so so* much for the help, advice and such kind words.  It is very very appreciated. And Peedal, glad you liked the corn spoon recipe too!  Family recipes are the best. *grin*

Russ unfortunately wasn't able to give Wayne a word or two, b/c the creep wasn't even in! Even though I'd said specifically what time we'd be arriving - somehow, I don't think it was a coincidence, as he showed up right as we were leaving (but I have been told I'm turning into more of a cynic than I used to be  ).  Anywho, we ended up dealing with one of Wayne's colleagues, who was overly nice and obviously wanted to keep our business.  To give him his due, though, he *was* helpful and made Russ and I feel good enough about it, that we decided to just keep it with their company this time.  

It's been such a frustrating and long situation, that we just wanted to get the application sorted and over with.  If the guy we dealt with today had been rude or mean to us as Wayne was, we would've walked out and just done it on our own.  But I have told Russ that for whatever visa we get next, I'm not sure I want to go with this company again.  Yes, we got it sorted this time and things for this application should be fine.  But the emotional ups and downs we've had, those that have been a result of dealing with Wayne, don't seem worth it to go with them again.  *shrugs*  I guess we'll see, though.  

Thank you again everyone - it really has helped to have your encouragement. *BIG Hugs*

~Christa

Hi Christa!  I'm just about to apply for this visa myself.  It's very nerve-wracking, isn't it?!  Good luck with your application!

Thank you SaraLiz - much appreciated!! Good luck to you as well - let us know how it goes, eh?  And if you have any questions along the way, I am all ears to help if I can.  

~Christa