Unmarried Partner Visa Changes?

[nipper88]

Hi all,

My partner and I have been trying to seek a graduate job for her that will sponsor her so she can get a Tier 2 visa, but it's not been too fruitful so far. So we are considering the unmarried partner visa instead and after having a look at the UKBA website today I notice there have been some changes since 8th July. Is it true?!

The requirement list does not include 'must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years' any more and instead seems to have added minimum financial requirements (£18,600 per year income or savings). Is this really the case?!

By the end of this year we'll have been living together in the UK for 1 year 2 months, even though that does extend to over 18 months if we include our time together abroad in Turkey. But if they have now removed this requirement then we only need to meet the income requirement.

Please say I have not duped myself!!

Thanks in advance.

[Lucapooka]

The various ways to qualify as a partner are defined under the immigration rules:

Definitions
GEN.1.2. For the purposes of this Appendix "partner" means-
(i) the applicant's spouse;
(ii) the applicant's civil partner;
(iii) the applicant's fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner; or
(iv) a person who has been living with the applicant in a relationship akin to a marriage or civil partnership for at least two years prior to the date of application,

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/polic ... s/general/

Similar enquiry

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... ht=general

[nipper88]

Hmm right, how disheartening

We do not have any official documentation proving we were living together in Turkey, only for our time in the UK which is under 2 years. Would they still consider us on a verbal basis that we were living together in Turkey? Or would, even with proof, it being in Turkey mean it would not be considered at all?

So assuming the worst and that the UKBA will not accept 1 year 2 months in the UK and more in Turkey on a verbal basis, the only options we have are:

1. Continue looking for Tier 2 work sponsors
2. Apply for a fiance visa to get an extra 6 months
3. Marry and get a marriage visa


For no.2, do we HAVE to marry within those 6 months? If not will they expel my partner? Unfortunately 6 months added on to our 1 year 2 months is still SLIGHTLY sort of 2 full years, but could we still in theory apply for unmarried partner visa after that 6 months and we don't get married or would that simply not be allowed?

Edit: (for Tier 2 visas, I don't get why there are loads of vacancies saying they are Tier 2 sponsors but only offer 15 hours per week which is well under the 20k per year required to even apply for Tier 2???)

[Lucapooka]

No. 2 is only relevant to a person who is outside the UK and wishes to enter the UK, marry, and settle. You can't apply for leave to remain as a fiancee!

[nipper88]

No. 2 is only relevant to a person who is outside the UK and wishes to enter the UK, marry, and settle. You can't apply for leave to remain as a fiancee!

Oh right!

I have posted my Tier 2 question here: http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 063#671063

[nipper88]

I was rung up by this company: http://www.spammer.com/default.aspx? ... fault.aspx (uk visa buraeu, visabureau dot com)

The guy discussed some points with me regarding me and my partner and asked questions like do you have any photographic evidence of your relationship stretching back, or written correspondence between you both? I told him we lived together for a while in Turkey before coming to the UK but we had no proof since everything was cash in hand. Even adding that time onto our current time together in the UK though does not quite make 2 years, but he still said it is not hopeless because discretion is often employed. Apparently officials can tell the difference between people trying to pull a fast one and people with genuine relationships and reasons to stay in the UK and that discretion is often used to weigh up each claim on its apparent merits. This has made me much more hopeful as the 2 year thing is evidently not 100% set in stone (photo proof of our relationship etc).

BUT I want to ask about this company. He rang me up after I left a query with them and he was very helpful and knowledgeable. He will get back to me with more details after having spoken with his manager regarding our particular circumstances, however why would they offer this advice for free? Is there going to be some obligation to use them as an intermediary to apply for a partner visa? Any hidden charges hence the giving of hope? Can't see anything on their site...

Advice appreciated!