Documents for 'Genuine and subsisting relationship'

Hi all,

Just looking for some feedback on documentation and a couple of questions need answering too for the unmarried partner visa. My girlfriend is the applicant and I'm the sponsor. We will be applying 20-24th March on the premium service. This is a list of what we have:

- Printed (Black and white, no letterhead) and joint-signed tenancy agreement dated March 19th 2012
- Letterheaded letter from letting agency confirming we have both held tenancy there for 2 years, dated 19th March 2014 (Obviously, we're still to get this, but they will provide this). Addressed to both
- Joint bank statements covering whole period from ~January 2012. QUESTION - There is no spending on this account other than transfers to other accounts and rent to letting agency. Anyone have any ideas or views on whether this would matter
- Statements of her account at our address covering March 2012, November 2012, June 2013, November 2013, February 2014 - In relation to previous question, does there need to be any more to this? Reason I ask is because from mid-Dec to end of January she was in London for training for a job, so spending during that time was at places in London. She's now back home in Edinburgh where she works remotely. We plan not to submit information about her job as we don't have adequate documentation for financial requirements (Which is covered by my job/salary) and don't want to mention that month+ away training.
- Letterheaded letters from a Premier League football club (Season ticket holders) stating missed direct debit payments dated Nov 2013 and February 2014. Separate letters on same dates addressed to each
- Seasoncards for aforementioned football club from 2012/2013 and 2013/2014, with names on.
- Aviva mobile phone insurance letter from dates mobile phones registered. Two different letters for two phones. Both letters addressed to both.
- Her mobile phone bills, covering whole period from Jul 2013 to Feb 2014.
- Council Tax bills addressed jointly. The local council (Edinburgh) send these out in black and white though.
- Black and white letter to her from the electoral office dated November 2012 responding to her request for postal vote application

Is all that adequate? Any suggestions?

Seems very thorough.

I'd just add that I'd not use the PEO for UPV, due to the rubber-stampers on duty there - I'd worry they'd struggle with a UPV app and just send it back to the back office to the case workers - ie the 'too hard' pile. Just my opinion though.

Also is she entitled to vote? Small thing but might get picked up if she's not entitled....

Otherwise that's far more than we sent for our UPV, though we didn't use PEO...

We're going premium due to her current visa expiring shortly after that period

StueyT wrote:We're going premium due to her current visa expiring shortly after that period

That won't matter - her existing visa would still be valid under Section 3c while the application is considered.

Cheers, but I think we just want to get it done without all the bother of waiting around, and to have our passports back asap.

If we were to go via the postal route, is she still eligible to work during the application? Also, if for any reason she was rejected how long would she be given to exit the country? Can she work through an appeal process?

StueyT wrote:Cheers, but I think we just want to get it done without all the bother of waiting around, and to have our passports back asap.

If we were to go via the postal route, is she still eligible to work during the application? Also, if for any reason she was rejected how long would she be given to exit the country? Can she work through an appeal process?

Yes, existing leave is treated as ongoing.

I think 28days in the unlikely event of a rejection, your list looks very complete, it's just the PEO's are for easy tickbox applications, UPV's are always scrutinised more deeply, and there is the risk that they'll just effectively send it to the back office where it will be treated as a postal application anyway..

Have a search on the site see if anyone got a UPV from the PEO on the day, I may be unduly scaremongering because I'm a born worrier!

I don't think you need to worry about the period you spent apart when your girlfriend was training - short periods living apart are permitted for the UPV, and a few weeks for a legitimate purpose such as training should be fine. You can explain in a cover letter if you're worried. If your girlfriend is employed I would consider including information about that, even if your own salary is sufficient to meet the financial requirements. If you mention elsewhere in the application that your gf is in employment, then don't provide any supporting evidence, the Home Office will sometimes request this for completeness. Also, if your case is felt to be borderline for any reason, it may help if you can show that you're both gainfully employed.