Documents to take along on an Unmarried Partner visa interview?

Hi All,

I was very excited to find out about the unmarried partner visa. I am currently here on a student visa which expires in February and thought I was forced to move back to the U.S., since my bf and I are not ready to get hitched just yet.  After a year plus of living together, The thought of being seperated (and spending all our money on airfare and phone calls again) was terrible. Then a few days ago, on this board, I heard about the unmarried partner visa - which I think I just might qualify for, even though the bf and I have only technically lived under the same roof for just over a year. (I arrived in the UK on my student visa on Aug 31, 2003).

I am going to pay the premium fee and have made an appointment at the immigration office in Croydon for Nov 22. I have read the application form and have all the required supporting documents such as wage slips and back statements for the past year - we are hoping that they will consider the previous year - when we were flying back and forth to see each other, as part of our "2 years in a relationship akin to marriage".

My question - what types of documents should I take along to prove that we were in a serious relationship at that time.  I'd also like to hear other's experiences  with applying for the unmarried partner visa . thanks much for your help!

With little information about when you met and how you carried out your relationship I can't speak as to whether or not they'd consider that time to be "akin to marriage".  (I believe that I have seen other comments on this board that says you don't HAVE to live together all that time, but don't quote me on that.  )

What I CAN suggest is that you have ANY documentation that shows the earliest dates you lived together.  ALSO, when we went, we took cards that we gave each other on anniversaries, birthdays, and "just because I love you".  We took pictures of trips we took and places we went together.  What we did and what you should DEFINITELY do is get letters from friends and family to testify you are a genuine couple.  They should state how long you've been together, that your relationship is like a marriage, etc.  Get them to write a few things about how they know you, and about your relationship and how they view it.

Good luck!

Thanks! This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for. I will definately ask friends and family to write letters testifying that we are a genuine couple.

My employer is also keen for me to stay and is willing to write a letter supporting my application - however, they are looking for a template or example of exactly what type of information they should put in the letter.  if anyone has any information about that, that will be helpful as well. 

Thanks again and please do keep the advice coming. I really really appreciate it.

If your employer is that keen, can't they sponsor you for a work permit?

Well - they aren't quite THAT keen! I had a look into work permits and it didn't really seem to apply to my field (Librarian for a law firm). The other complication is that I'm currently in a job-share, so as to abide by the 20 hours per week restiction on work with my current student visa.  I think that work permits are only valid for full time employment, right?

but that's not my main concern actually. I'm starting to feel pretty confident about this unmarried partner visa. Wow, it just seems too good to be true. Fingers crossed!

Jessielee -

If your "2 years living together" isn't straightforward (in other words, you can't give them EXACTLY what they ask for on the application form), you might be better off applying by post rather than in person. 

I was in a similar situation to you - spent one year living with my partner "on & off" via visits, etc. and then one whole year living with him.  I spoke to a couple of immigration lawyers, both of whom suggested I should apply by post.

Apparently, when you apply in person if your application isn't immediately "straightforward" they are more likely to either reject it immediately or send it off for futher processing (meaning you've just wasted the extra 100pounds you paid for an in person application).  Whereas if you send it by post, not only is it cheaper but apparently they are more likely to look at it in more detail.

To answer your question:  The application form (Form FLR(M)) states that they need to see something like 5 documents addressed to you both at the same address for each year, or 4 documents addressed to one person and 2 documents addressed to the other at the same address for each year (I'm not sure I've got the number of documents exactly right, I'm too lazy to check).  You can find the application form on the IND website (http://ind.homeoffice.gov.uk)

If you don't have the above, send in ANYTHING that shows the two of you were together, and in a relationship akin to marriage.  When I applied, I submitted the 5 or so documents addressed to us both at the same address for the second year.  For the first year, I didn't have anything like this.  So instead I showed plane tickets, phone bills, photos of us together etc along with statements from friends and family that we were in a relationship akin to marriage at this time (send me a private message if you want the full list of everything I sent, I have it saved on my computer somewhere).

Have a read of both the Immigration Rules and the IDI's (Immigration Directorate's Instructions) for this category.  They give you an excellent idea of what the IND is looking for.  They can be found at http://ind.homeoffice.gov.uk in the "Law & Policy" section.

Hope this helps!

-Sara.

Keep us posted, my boyfriend and I are currentley in the process of gathering documenttion in hopes of getting unmarried partners.  We've been together nearly 3 years, lived together for 1 year officially (we have an extra 4 months, but no proof since it was in my shoebox room at uni) and for the rest visited, etc.  We are afraid to apply now for fear of rejection since we don't technically qualify.  Any news of someone like us succesfully getting unmarried partners would be fantastic.  Good Luck!  Also, on a side note, have you thought of doing BUNAC?  You could get an extra 6 months of living together and keep your current job.  Just a thought

If your "2 years living together" isn't straightforward (in other words, you can't give them EXACTLY what they ask for on the application form), you might be better off applying by post rather than in person. 

I was in a similar situation to you - spent one year living with my partner "on & off" via visits, etc. and then one whole year living with him.  I spoke to a couple of immigration lawyers, both of whom suggested I should apply by post.

Out of curiosity did you two use an immigration lawyer, or just speak to one about this?  I am really thinking that this is going to be the best way to get myself and partner together again.  I just dropped him off at the airport after a 3 month long visit and I don't know how many more times I can say goodbye to him in an airport.  Are passport stamps, bank statments, emails, photos and lots of support letters enough?

~Jackie

I'd say anything and everything you can get is good.  Better to have too much than not enough.  Any mailings that show you live/lived at the same address?  Any memberships or joint applications you made toward anything?   

We opened a joint bank account, and I beleive I have stuff from the NHS, IRS and paystubs.  We just dont want to apply too early so he may come to stay for another 3 months just to make sure. 

Out of curiosity did you two use an immigration lawyer, or just speak to one about this?  I am really thinking that this is going to be the best way to get myself and partner together again.  I just dropped him off at the airport after a 3 month long visit and I don't know how many more times I can say goodbye to him in an airport.  Are passport stamps, bank statments, emails, photos and lots of support letters enough?

~Jackie

Hi Jackie-

We spoke to a couple of immigration lawyers, but didn't end up using one in the end (decided we couldn't afford it!).

Passport stamps, bank statements, emails, photos and lots of support letters *can* be enough.  Also, any official documents sent to each of you at your address can be useful.  We didn't have any joint bills (all our bills are included in the rent), but it didn't seem to be a problem!

Good luck!

Hi All,

Well, I applied for the unmarried partners visa in person yesterday and was turned down. I'm very dissapointed, but we will just have to be a little more patient. Saraliz was right, when applying in person they stick strictly to the two year time period - since our earliest document showing cohabitation was from July 2003, we wouldn't be eligible for the visa until July 2005. I have the option of switching to a visitor visa when my student visa runs out it February and then apply again at the end of that, but I wouldn't be allowed to work, and that's not really a  viable option.  (Are there really people out there who can get by without working for three months!!)

Anyway, all is not totally lost - we're going to apply by post after we return from holiday travels and can bare to part with our passports.  They might be more lenient with postal applications and its worth a try to find out. Thanks for all the advice and help.

Aw, sorry to hear it Jessielee...  good luck with the next application!

Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you!  I'm sure something will work out for you both.  Hang in there! 

Did want to mention thought that you might want to rethink reapplying so soon after being denied.  The application does ask if you've applied before (at least my fiancee one did) and if you've been denied visa's before....so this may raise their red flags on another application so soon.  You might want to look into other options and save a your money.   

I'm really sorry you were turned down.   

But I do agree with Wishstar.  They will notice that you've only recently applied and were turned down, so they'll pay extra attention to the criteria...meaning they will notice that you don't fulfill the 2-year requirement just yet.  If you want to waste another application fee, by all means, but it's probably best to wait it out.

I hope things work out for you!