UK partner visa

lfcmichael

Hi,

I met my partner, who's based abroad, online in 2021. We first met in-person in early 2023 for 3 weeks and have had two lengthy visits since (August to November 2023 and June to November 2024). Come February, we were looking at the possibility of applying for the partner visa, since the relationship needs to be at least 2 years old.

Does anyone have experience of applying for a partner who lives abroad and what sort of evidence can be accepted to prove the relationship? The gov.uk is fairly vague on this, just talking about proving you communicate regularly and/or support each other financially. 

marcia_

lfcmichael said:

Hi,

I met my partner, who's based abroad, online in 2021. We first met in-person in early 2023 for 3 weeks and have had two lengthy visits since (August to November 2023 and June to November 2024). Come February, we were looking at the possibility of applying for the partner visa, since the relationship needs to be at least 2 years old.

Does anyone have experience of applying for a partner who lives abroad and what sort of evidence can be accepted to prove the relationship? The gov.uk is fairly vague on this, just talking about proving you communicate regularly and/or support each other financially. 

 You might struggle with a partner visa if not married or having not lived together and might be better off applying as s fiancée 

Savvy_Sue

And I think you need to get 'proper' advice: note that

It is a criminal offence for a person to provide immigration advice or services in the UK unless their organisation is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner ( OISC ) or is otherwise covered by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-become-a-regulated-immigration-adviser/how-to-become-a-regulated-immigration-adviser

Start with Citizens Advice, they may be able to point you to local regulated services. 

Voyager2002

Unless the law has changed recently, the unmarried partner visa is only available if you can provide documentary evidence that you have lived together for at least two years.

Anyway, the UK visas website spells it all out and tells you exactly what kind of documents you need.

DullGreyGuy

lfcmichael said:

Does anyone have experience of applying for a partner who lives abroad and what sort of evidence can be accepted to prove the relationship? The gov.uk is fairly vague on this, just talking about proving you communicate regularly and/or support each other financially. 

They have to be vague because situations are very different in different countries... some are very patriarchal so wouldn't expect women to appear on bills or mortgages, in some countries the relationship may be illegal (obv mainly same sex relationships). Not everyone has children together etc etc. 

Look at immigration solicitor websites and they recommend printing off all your txts, emails, WhatsApps. Getting phone bills or equivalent showing the 6 calls a day etc. 

If you arent applying for a Financée visa then you need to explain why you haven't lived together. If you do go for a Fiancée visa you must have evidence you will be married within 6 months. 

With the current public sentiment on immigration things arent getting easier. You may have more chance of moving to be with them for a year or two and then trying to return together depending on which country they're from/in

lfcmichael

Savvy_Sue said:

And I think you need to get 'proper' advice: note that

It is a criminal offence for a person to provide immigration advice or services in the UK unless their organisation is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner ( OISC ) or is otherwise covered by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Start with Citizens Advice, they may be able to point you to local regulated services. 

Thanks! I have been trying the CAB, but it's very difficult to get through. I'll keep at it. Useful to know about immigration advice being regulated.

DullGreyGuy

lfcmichael said:

Savvy_Sue said:

And I think you need to get 'proper' advice: note that

It is a criminal offence for a person to provide immigration advice or services in the UK unless their organisation is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner ( OISC ) or is otherwise covered by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Start with Citizens Advice, they may be able to point you to local regulated services. 

Thanks! I have been trying the CAB, but it's very difficult to get through. I'll keep at it. Useful to know about immigration advice being regulated.

https://www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser 

There are mainly two routes... licensed advisor as mentioned by @Savvy_sue or an immigration lawyer who won't be regulated by the OISC but the Law Society.  The above has links to both registers and you can search for someone local. 

tacpot12

lfcmichael said:

Savvy_Sue said:

And I think you need to get 'proper' advice: note that

It is a criminal offence for a person to provide immigration advice or services in the UK unless their organisation is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner ( OISC ) or is otherwise covered by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Start with Citizens Advice, they may be able to point you to local regulated services. 

Thanks! I have been trying the CAB, but it's very difficult to get through. I'll keep at it. Useful to know about immigration advice being regulated.

Have you tried email and/or webchat? Sometimes the different channels can be quieter than the telephone channel. 

Savvy_Sue

lfcmichael said:

Savvy_Sue said:

And I think you need to get 'proper' advice: note that

It is a criminal offence for a person to provide immigration advice or services in the UK unless their organisation is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner ( OISC ) or is otherwise covered by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Start with Citizens Advice, they may be able to point you to local regulated services. 

Thanks! I have been trying the CAB, but it's very difficult to get through. I'll keep at it. Useful to know about immigration advice being regulated.

I was thinking they might have links to the 'proper' routes as helpfully outlined by @Dull@DullGreyGuy

The other possible route is if you can find an adviser presence outside a CAB office - for example, I know here we have CAB advisers going to Warm Spaces to signpost people to sources of help. If it's clear that 'proper' CAB help is needed, then there's a fast track referral process. HOWEVER I don't know how common this is elsewhere, AND I don't know if immigration issues would be something they'd take on in these less formal settings.