My partner and I need some advice if at all possible please!
We met at the start of the summer in England when my fiance was visiting England on a visitors visa. He is Lebanese and I am British. When the conflict broke out between Hezbollah and Israel in July, he went to the home office and was advised to apply for asylum as he was unable to return home as the airport had been bombed. 1000's of British nationals and other non- Lebanese were evacuated from Lebanon as the war raged.
The Home Office suspended all decision making about asylum claims from residents of Lebanon until approximately a fortnight after the ceasefire which was reached after about 35 days. They then sent him a letter saying his claim had been turned down and that it was now safe to return home.
We became very close during this distressing time and decided quite quickly that we were serious about each other. We moved in together and subsequently were obviously distressed when we received the letter. The situation in Lebanon was still extremely volatile and we were both scared for him to return. We were both frightened that should he return the war might break out again and that it was very dangerous for me to travel there too. It still says on the home office website that British citizens should not travel there as it is too dangerous.
We appealed against the decision and this took us to mid way through December to receive a decision. He was turned down. We have submitted a further appeal but don't really expect it to be succesful - we have just tried to buy some time so that we can work out a plan so that we can be together.
We looked into getting married in England butit seems that a certificate of approvalv will not be issued by the Home Office as even though he is still here legally he does not have leave to remain. It is possible to marry within the Anglican church without applying for a certificate of approval, and we have looked into this... most people we spoke with at the church were very helpful but the vicar who would marry us was suspicious and unfriendly over the phone. He accused us of trying to sneak in to England via a backdoor. After phoning some of his colleagues he called us back and agreed to meet with us to discuss the possibility - that happens tomorrow... We have compiled a photo album and phone bills and letters and all sorts of evidence to prove that we have a genuine relationship but it remains to be seen what he says tomorrow night. I am also very reluctant to get married by someone who doesn't believe in us and doesn't want to do it.
We accept that he will have to go home regardless of whether we marry or not but fear that applying for a visa to return may be impossible after applying for asylum. All of his friends we have spoken to have said how hard it is to get visas out of lebanon, including to Cyprus which is somewhere we could meet and have a civil marriage together.
So what to do...? We so want to be together and are frightened of making a bad decision. He has no bank account or income on returning to Lebanon and little hope of finding work at the moment as the economy has been so badly affected by the war and the huge anti-government demonstrations that are still taking place every day.
We certainly don't want to be parted for a long time but moreover it will be a disaster if he can't return.
In terms of my status, I am in full time employment as a teacher and own my own flat in London where we live together. I can provide evidence of our relationship and my ability to support us both until he can get work when he returns(can he get work???)
If you have any advice or could suggest some options for us it would be greatly appreciated - and if anyone has a magic wand that would be great!
Many thanks
) It's a bit frustrating to think that this might look bad on him and could casts doubts as to his intentions now even though the situation is completely different - what do you reckon? 