FLR(M)- haven't been together 2 years? What if it's rejected

[turquoise]

Great forum! Hope someone can answer a question or two. I'm Canadian and have been living/teaching in England for three years. My work permit will expire next year (Sept. 2007.) I will not be able to get it renewed. My guy is a British citizen. We plan to marry asap. Well, he still has to divorce his wife , who is still in South Africa, but hopefully, this will be done in the next six months.

Thinking ahead. After we get married, we will apply for a spouse visa (FLR(M). However, looking at the form, it says you have to prove you've been living together for two years. We started living together in June 2005. (I have pay stubs to prove I was at this address then but all the bills were/are in O/H name and come out of his account.) We are in the process of buying a house and will have mortgage/insurance in both our names, though (by Nov. this year).

So, okay, the problem: when we apply for FLR(M), we won't have been living together two years. It will be difficult to provide the necessary documents as all bills were in his name. We've never really been on holiday as both want to save money.
So, what happens if we are married, but the FLR(M) is rejected? What does a person do in that case??

Well, I guess we could wait till the last minute to apply for the FLR(M) form, just before my work permit expires in Sept.2007. Then we would have been living together for two years (although all I would have are pay stubs to show I was here at this address for the first year and some.) Would that be an option?

But, yes, what happens if you've been living together less than two years when you apply for FLR(M)? what happens if the FLR(M) is rejected? I have to leave and then what??

[Kayalami]

The immigration rules require only an applicant for further leave to remain as the unmarried partner (of same or opposite sex) of a person present and settled in the UK to show evidence of a subsisting relationship akin to marriage of at least 2 years. This is by way of documentation such as joint bank statements etc. This requirement does not apply to those who are spouses (as you will be) or civil partners so you are ok.