Akin to marriage evidence query

[Casa]

It's not that we're unsympathetic and to some extent I've played devil's advocate. The ECO will follow the tick box procedure of the Immigration Rules and compassion doesn't play a part. If you're against entering into a marriage on principle, you may have to face the fact that your future together may not lay in the UK.
If you decide to take a chance and submit a UPV application which then fails, you will be closing the door to successfully applying for your partners UK visitor visas after the refusal, due to the declared wish to settle.

Of course I totally understand you are being most helpful

Just needed a little rant today was not directed at any of you in anyway.

We're fairly thick-skinned...especially the Moderators.

[b0d]

We have lived apart now for 1 year, 2 months and counting

This will be your hurdle and likely reason for refusal.

The 2 years cohabitation proof is the 2 years immediately preceding the application for a visa. A bill in her name while she is not living with you won't suffice.

If you marry, then this obstacle of 2 years 'akin to marriage' is not needed.

So I can just marry some unknown under worthless foriegn marriage laws, get them to pay me a nice bribe, sorry dowry and bring them into the UK. Why didnt I think of this before?

Whereas my genuine partner I cannot bring.

Easier to f a k e a relationship than to prove a genuine one.

[Casa]

Certainly not as simple as that. You'll see a myriad of cases throughout the forum where spouse visas have been refused due to the inability to prove a genuine relationship. Even once/if the spouse has been issued with an entry visa, at each extension stage during the 5 year 'probationary' period, evidence has to be submitted that the relationship is subsisting, before permanent settlement will be granted.
Not so easy to f a k e a relationship when a substantial document trail is mandatory, including records of regular contact while apart. Believe me, ECOs are trained to sniff these out from the onset. Unfortunately, many genuine relationships which lack the required proof also fail at the first hurdle.