Evidence of being in an akin to marriage relationship

[custardtart]

Hi,

My partner is Russian and I am British.

We have been together for three years and for two of those years we have been living together.

This summer her post study work visa will expire and we will be looking to apply for the unmarried partner visa.

We have been living in a self contained flat in a university halls of residence for the past two years. Because of this we do not have any bills. Therefore, our documentation consists of:

2 years worth of joint bank statements. (Approx 24 statements)

Two accommodation contracts (with both of our names on).

Our driving licenses

One joint annual travel insurance certificate. (it has our names and address on).

I'm struggling to come up with any more documentation. I would be grateful if anybody could give us some advice on other types of documentation. We have over six months left until we need to apply so I have plenty of time to come up with other documentation. I was thinking of buying a car and getting joint car insurance. I don't want to have to do this unless it is completely necessary though.

Any advice would be much appreciated,

Thanks,

M

[Lucapooka]

We can't see inside your apartment so I would suggest you provide literally anything in your possession that links you both to the same address over the two years.

Buying a car today will show that you bought a car with her today, but not that you have lived akin to marriage for the past two years.

[custardtart]

Thank you for the reply,

Are you talking about photographic evidence? Of the apartment? Holidays together?

We travel a lot so we have many flight itineraries.

Is this what you are talking about?

[Lucapooka]

Yes, that's also useful but photos of you both on vacation may only imply that you went on vacation together rather than you live together permanently.

[geriatrix]

Read note 9 in the FLR(M) form.

[custardtart]

Thank you all for your replies,

I have done a lot of research on this for the past 2 years in preparation. In that research I have already come across note 9 and the problem I have with it is as follows:

Letters from: HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Work and Pensions, DVLA and TV Licensing are addressed to one person only and not the both of us.

And letters or other documents from your GP, a hospital or other local health service about medical treatments, appointments, home visits or other medical matters. Do not apply to us as we book our appointments over the internet.

Finally, the rest of the list is unatainable as we live in a university halls of residence.

Hence, my first question. Is there any other documentation that you think may be accepted / any tips.

[custardtart]

Looking at it from another angle:

We have:

Bank statements covering a two year period,

Tenancy agreements covering a two year period,

My partners police registration form with the date she moved in to the address.

DVLA letters with the address our driving license was issued to.

One TV license dated (12/10/2012) Addressed to her

Do you think this is enough/should we be worried?

Joint travel insurance

The Warden of the hall and the hall management are willing to write a letter to say that the two of us have lived together for two years.



Thanks in advance,

M

[Lucapooka]

Hence, my first question. Is there any other documentation that you think may be accepted / any tips.

I would suggest you provide literally anything in your possession that links you both to the same address over the two years.

By this I mean in the absence of official instruments, junk mail or anything with a name and address.

[custardtart]

Thank you for your help,

I suppose no matter what evidence we have we are going to be worried until the visa arrives.

Thanks,

M

[Fishgirl]

Do you have letters of support from friends/family that could state that they believe you are living together in a loving relationship.

What about birthday and christmas addressed to you both?

[custardtart]

Do you have letters of support from friends/family that could state that they believe you are living together in a loving relationship.

What about birthday and christmas addressed to you both?

Thank you for your reply,

Although I haven't asked family members to write anything yet (As I will be applying in approx 6 months) this would be very easy for me to get hold of. Also, my best friend is a Fireman (Which I think is a good source) and another friend of mine is a Professor at my University (Another good source). Do letters from family and friends carry any weight?

In general, is this visa a relatively 'easy' visa to obtain i.e if you have the evidence and the money will you get it?

Thanks,

M

[Greenie]

If you meet the maintenance requirements then the hardest things about this application is showing you have lived together for two years in a relationship akin to marriage. Letters from those you have mentioned may help. How many bedrooms in th self contained flat? Is it specifically for a couple?

[custardtart]

If you meet the maintenance requirements then the hardest things about this application is showing you have lived together for two years in a relationship akin to marriage. Letters from those you have mentioned may help. How many bedrooms in th self contained flat? Is it specifically for a couple?

Thank you for the reply.

I work as a resident tutor at my University (This means I live in a self contained flat on the university grounds). Because of this my contract states that I have paid extra money for my partner to live with me (This is to cover the cost of extra food) I think this will look really good on the application. The contract also names my partner. The self contained flat has only one bedroom, the accommodation office (Who write the contracts) are willing to write a letter confirming this. I also have an email from them from two years ago saying that they have ordered a new double bed (This may help with the application?).

I am very worried about applying for this visa, I read the forums a lot and I haven't found many examples of people getting it. Even when they apply for the married partner visa! I suppose that is because people look on here for help when their application is rejected?

[Greenie]

Yes people tend to post when they have been refused or to ask for advice on an application and not update when granted. Yes applications by a married applicant are also refused usually if insufficient evidence is supplied to show the marriage is genuine and subsisting. It sounds like you enough documents but it is difficult for anyone to say anything with certainly when they don't have sight of the documents and the application as a whole.

[Fishgirl]

I recently had success with marriage visa

By the time I had searched through this and other forums I ended up with a huge folder full of evidence for everything. So I have faith that if you have nothing to hide and provide as much evidence as you can you will be fine.

Good luck!