unmarried partner indefinite leave to remain

[eiggod]

Hi,

I am from South Africa and current on an entry clearance visa with a 5 year work permit. I am living with my girlfriend who was born in SA but has a british passport.

My understanding was that after 2 years, with proof of living together I could apply for indefinite leave to remain. I followed this up with an agency and they came back with this reply

"Your visa must be that of an unmarried partner (not a work permit) to benefit from this route. Only after 2 years in the UK as the unmarried partner of a UK national will you be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain."

Is this correct or was I correct in thinking I can go ahead with this after two years on my entry clearance visa living with my british partner?

Regards,

[kawasaki1]

They are right. You need first to apply for an unmarried partner visa (which requries proof of certain number of years of co-habitation), and then after 2 years for ILR. So if you have been together for a few years it might be worth applying for the unmarried visa now given 2 years < 5 years on work permit.

Check out the BIA website for more details.

[eiggod]

Thanks kawasaki1