Unmarried Partner Visa

[Meeee]

Hello,
My partner and I applied for an unmarried partner visa in 2024 and were rejected on the basis that we didn’t live together and it didn’t seem like we intended to. We were under the impression that this wasn’t necessary anymore. This is what we mentioned in our cover letter -Due to work commitments and logistical challenges, my partner and I have not yet been able to fully cohabit as a couple. She currently lives and works in Milton Keynes, and as I have not yet been able to secure a position within my field, I prefer to wait until I find a suitable role, so I know where I will be residing long-term before making a permanent move together. This has made relocating di`icult for the time being, but we remain deeply committed to our relationship and have taken every opportunity to spend meaningful time together whenever possible.

We could have explained further- part of it was that my partner wasn’t sure where he would be working as he was applying for roles within his field and due to the job market was willing to relocate to any city so once he got the job, we would figure out the next step. My family home is a three bedroom with 2 double rooms and single ( which I was occupying). The other two rooms were occupied so it wasn’t possible for him to stay with us. We have since been living together since May 2025 and want to reapply. With the more detailed explanation and evidence of us living together since May 2025, would you say our chances are high or there is still a possibility of rejection?

Hopefully I covered everything but let me know if there’s any questions

[secret.simon]

we didn’t live together and it didn’t seem like we intended to. We were under the impression that this wasn’t necessary anymore

Where did you get the impression that it wasn't necessary any more from?

For partner/spouse applications under the UK Immigration Rules, it has always been necessary to prove that the relationship is not only genuine, but also subsisting. Normally, the genuine part is only assessed on the initial application, but the subsisting part applies on every application upto ILR.

The exception to this requirement of living together was for applications under the EEA Regulations and then under Appendix EU, because EU law did not require partners to live together, merely be in the same country as each other.

Merely having a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship is not sufficient for an unmarried partner visa. The two of you need to be in "a relationship akin to marriage", with shared finances and living together.

You may want to read the Relationship with a partner caseworker guidance, especially the part after "Durable Relationship".

Note that the genuine and subsisting requirements apply both to durable relationships and to married couples.

We have since been living together since May 2025 and want to reapply. With the more detailed explanation and evidence of us living together since May 2025, would you say our chances are high or there is still a possibility of rejection?

You can certainly try, but I would say that your chances would improve after May 2027, after two years of living together. What is/are the current immigration statuses of the non-British citizen people involved?