Unmarried Partner Visa application

[LiamR88]

Good morning everyone,

Me and my girlfriend (US resident) are hoping to apply for the Umarried Partner Visa within the next 6 months and I am hoping to get some information on if the main requirements for it have been covered by us thus far, I will outline it in detail (but as shorthand as I can, to make it easy to scroll through.

Met - May 2017 in USA, began relationship in July 2017 on second visit. 2017 also contained a visit in Sep, Oct and Dec.

2018 - Joint signing of lease and major utilities in the USA (7 total) visits including large amounts of time in March, June, September, November.

2019 - Still joint signed utilities/lease, large length visits throughout the year again.

Lengthy evidence of conversation, pictures, travel ect

Financial requirements - I have £68000 savings, £62500 as a cash gift (documented) from my Mum which will at the time of application have been in my savings for 7 months.

I own a home outright in the UK with no mortgage, I have my land registry documents, currently there is a tenant renting 1 room, it is a 3 bedroom home.

So far does this seem acceptable, I have a feeling the grey area may fall under the '2 years akin to marriage' as we have had time apart, but do have joint evidence of bills ect.

I hope that wasn't too convoluted, I tried to shorten as much as possible for you.

Any help/input/anything would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Liam (& Jess too)

[geoeng]

So far does this seem acceptable, I have a feeling the grey area may fall under the '2 years akin to marriage' as we have had time apart, but do have joint evidence of bills ect.

I think you're likely to get opinion here more than an actual definite answer rooted in the immigration rules. The grey area as I see it is less to do with the relationship being akin to marriage and more to do with what constitutes "living together". Despite having evidence of a shared address, whether or not the Home Office would (or should) consider a string of visits as living together is probably debatable. To an extent I suspect this may depend on the basis for which you were allowed to stay in the United States and whether you were there as a visitor (and just staying with your girlfriend) or legally allowed to live there on a visa of some sort. Not trying to discourage you from applying for the unmarried partner visa as the evidence you have may be acceptable to meet the requirement, just throwing in the questions that immediately come to my mind when reading your situation. I believe the guidance linked below is now a little outdated (perhaps someone else has something a bit more current I haven't been able to find), but Section 12. and 13. should provide a bit of an idea of how the Home Office is likely to assess this part of the application:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ners-set05

[geoeng]

It also may be difficult if, during the time between visits you were supposed to be "living together" in the United States, you were also maintaining a residence and/or working in the UK.

[LiamR88]

Thank you for your informative response!

I have not been working when returning to the UK for periods of time, and I guess the reason for maintaining my residence would be because we ultimately see our lives together in the UK and not in the USA.

The way in which I was going to the US would be classed as a visitor, via an ESTA.

I had a feeling there might be an opinion of some ambiguity regarding it.

Would it be worth trying to 'sell' ourselves via any cover letters do you think? I guess it can't hurt.

[CR001]

For an Unmarried Partner visa, the requirement to provided evidence of 'living together in a relationship akin to marriage' with joint financial responsibilities etc is mandatory. There is no discretion on this point. You are not a resident in the US as a visitor.

You cannot 'sell yourselves' to UKVI in a cover letter. You either meet the mandatory requirements or you don't.

[hashim1]

Thank you for your informative response!

I have not been working when returning to the UK for periods of time, and I guess the reason for maintaining my residence would be because we ultimately see our lives together in the UK and not in the USA.

The way in which I was going to the US would be classed as a visitor, via an ESTA.

I had a feeling there might be an opinion of some ambiguity regarding it.

Would it be worth trying to 'sell' ourselves via any cover letters do you think? I guess it can't hurt.

I think it will be easier if you just get married