Visas

I am a US Citizen trying to obtain a Dependency visa for the UK. My boyfriend of 6yrs. is attending school and is under the HSMP. I would like to know which documents I need and how many of those documents to get the best results in gaining a dependency visa. We have a joint account, have lived together, and receive mail at this address all for approx. a year and a half. I understand that we need to prove we have been together for at least 2 years. It has been almost 2 yrs., but then he moved to London for school. Seeing as we have been together for 6yrs....can we prove this through our emails, pictures, insurance, etc, but just haven't lived together for 2 yrs.

I have been trying to find the right advice about this topic for awhile now. I just want to make sure I can get into the UK. He is there for 2yrs. and I cannot think about staying here without him. =(. Please let me know if you can help with my question! Thanks!!
 

you really need to have a full 24 months of proof- they're pretty strict on that.  Out of curiosity, when you say "almost 2 years," exactly how long was "almost"?

I understand that we need to prove we have been together for at least 2 years.

Erm.... this isn't a requirement to apply for EC as a dependent of an individual on HSMP.. I think you're confusing this with Unmarried Partner's visa?

Erm.... this isn't a requirement to apply for EC as a dependent of an individual on HSMP.. I think you're confusing this with Unmarried Partner's visa?

it is a requirement if they're not married, which is the OP's situation.

Wow, didn't know that. Thanks for the correction!

Close....

A gap of up to three months is permitted without question - up to six months with a little argument.  So, when you say 'nearly', how near exactly?

Vicky

We lived together and have had mail sent to the same residence for a year and 8 months.

I'd go for it.  You need to show lots of evidence that you have maintained contact in the four months apart.

(Assuming that is is now 4 months since he moved to the UK?)

Vicky

He left Sept. 25, 2008 and so we lived together from Feb 2007-through Sept. 2008. (year and a half) So, I have lived in the US and he has been in school in the UK for this past Oct and part of Nov.

In which case, you don't qualify yet.

You won't meet the 'relationship akin to marriage' criteria until Feb '09, and by then you would have been apart for only 5 months, so will *just* squeeze in.

Vicky

We have been in a relationship together for 7yrs. this Feb. but have only lived together for a year and a half. We have pictures, emails, letters, etc. showing our relationship has been of that time. Seeing as he has been in school since the beginning of Oct. he won't be coming home (only for holidays) until he is done with school. So, even though we have lived together for a year and a half...we won't be able to live together any longer...because he is gone. We will be able to show airline tickets home between that time...ahhh. I'm sorry. Thanks for your patience!

unfortunatley i must leave for work. Thank you for you advice, and time!! It is much appreciated! Hopefully, we can connect another time!

Sofiegreen

I think what Vicky is saying here (and correct me if I have interpreted it wrong, Vicky) is that in order to qualify for the dependent visa, you can't apply to join him until 2 years after you started living together.

As long as you have lots of evidence of being in regular contact with him between Sept 2008 and Feb 2009, then the EC may grant you the visa as long as you have been 'living together' for 2 years (i.e. it's been 2 years since you moved in together) and you haven't been apart for more than 6 months during those 2 years (you will have been apart for about 5 months in Feb 2009, so you should just qualify).

I think what Vicky is saying here (and correct me if I have interpreted it wrong, Vicky) is that in order to qualify for the dependent visa, you can't apply to join him until 2 years after you started living together.

As long as you have lots of evidence of being in regular contact with him between Sept 2008 and Feb 2009, then the EC may grant you the visa as long as you have been 'living together' for 2 years (i.e. it's been 2 years since you moved in together) and you haven't been apart for more than 6 months during those 2 years (you will have been apart for about 5 months in Feb 2009, so you should just qualify).

Absolutely right!  Thank you for explaining.  I'm never at my most coherent after court.

Vicky