EEA FP, little proof of cohabitation but long relationship

[dshr]

Hi everyone!

My girlfriend (a Russian national) and me (Bulgarian) are thinking of applying for a EEA Family Permit.

A bit of a backstory: We have been in a relationship since 2010 and back then both of us lived in Russia. In 2012 we moved together to the UK to study, and in October 2014 she had to move back to Russia after finishing her Fd course. Since then we have been trying to see each other roughly every 6 weeks, with either her visiting London, or me visiting Russia, both having to apply for visas each time.

Problem is that we don't have proper proof of cohabitation - didn't have a contract with our landlord and all bills came in that landlord's name. We do have a throve of pictures of us on social media for the past 5 years, so we have definite proof of the length of the relationship. We can also provide ticket/hotel booking details for each of our trips to visit each other in the past year that we've been apart. Also, my girlfirend's UK visitor visa was also issued based on an invitation the I wrote, so can we use that as a proof as well?

So I have three questions:

1) What are our actual chances of getting the EEA FP?

And in the event of refusal:

2) Is there any chance it can impact my girlfriend's visa history, e.g. prevent her from getting a new UK Visitor visa?
3) If we get married and then reapply, is there a possibility that UKBA will consider that as a marriage of convenience?

Any help is very much welcome. Thank you.

[Casa]

Hi everyone!

My girlfriend (a Russian national) and me (Bulgarian) are thinking of applying for a EEA Family Permit.

A bit of a backstory: We have been in a relationship since 2010 and back then both of us lived in Russia. In 2012 we moved together to the UK to study, and in October 2014 she had to move back to Russia after finishing her Fd course. Since then we have been trying to see each other roughly every 6 weeks, with either her visiting London, or me visiting Russia, both having to apply for visas each time.

Problem is that we don't have proper proof of cohabitation - didn't have a contract with our landlord and all bills came in that landlord's name. We do have a throve of pictures of us on social media for the past 5 years, so we have definite proof of the length of the relationship. We can also provide ticket/hotel booking details for each of our trips to visit each other in the past year that we've been apart. Also, my girlfirend's UK visitor visa was also issued based on an invitation the I wrote, so can we use that as a proof as well?

So I have three questions:

1) What are our actual chances of getting the EEA FP?

And in the event of refusal:

2) Is there any chance it can impact my girlfriend's visa history, e.g. prevent her from getting a new UK Visitor visa?
3) If we get married and then reapply, is there a possibility that UKBA will consider that as a marriage of convenience?

Any help is very much welcome. Thank you.

1) Slim. You need evidence of a 'durable relationship' the equivalent in UK immigration rules would be 'a relationship akin to marriage'. At present you only have proof of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship which won't be sufficient.
2) Visitor visas always come under a great deal of scrutiny when a partner is resident in the UK. Your partner would have to show strong ties to her home country to convince the Entry Clearance Officer she won't overstay.
3) Not if you submit evidence of contact when you are apart and photos etc of time spent together.