Application for partnership visa, whats the chance??

Hi,

I know there have been many questions on this subject already but urgently want to know what chance my boyfriend and I have in getting our patnership visa excepted. I am English(28 ) and boyfirend Brazilian(26).

Sorry this is going to be lengthy!

A little history - we have lived together for over 2 years but only for a couple of months in England before we travelled overseas together. We have joint flight documents, have huge amouts of photos, joint ownership records of a van in New Zealand, a joint bank account while in N.Z, a rental agreement for a few months. The problem is that we moved around alot in 2 years, travelling through many different countries and so its hard to prove 'living as man and wife', obviously did not hold onto guest house receipts! It depends how you see 'living man and wife', because while travelling together we nearly spent 24/7 together for 2 years just not in a fixed abode (more than most married couples do!)

My boyfriend is now back in Brazil and I am in England. We are intending to apply once I am back in work and show my new work contract as proof of support (should be soon). I have never been unemployed before, have a good degree and good earning potential. Is this enough or should I be in the job for a while before applying? My parents will support us with accomodation and have already written a letter to the effect. My boyfriend also has an offer of employment letter from an employer in England.

The other main issue is that my boyfriend overstayed for a couple of weeks before we left to go travelling. Looking back it was stupid! We went for the best deal on a 'round the world' ticket and intended to apply for an extension on his visa but due to sending his passport away for other visas in asia we didn't have time and didn't stupidly think it mattered too much!

Another issue is that he was in England previously on a 2 student visas. The first year he went to school but the second year he didn't. His Dad died and he moved away from the school that he should have been attending. His English, however, after his stay is of a v.high standard and so did continue to study personally. Will this effect our application?

If we can't get this visa it will mean that for us to be together we will have to return to New Zealand, a country that my boyfriend still has a valid work permit in and that would except me as well. It crazy that it would be easier for us to live in a country that neither of us are citizen in!!

Sorry this is sooooo long winded!! Any advice v.much appreciated, we obviously want to be back together as soon as poss, having not spent any time apart before!!

Others will chime in, I'm sure, but when you boyfriend overstayed, did he get nicked at the airport upon departure? I'm just curious whether the HO even know he overstayed. If not, you're not compelled to "volunteer" any information. Remember, of course, that you oughtn't ever lie.

Hi, Thanks for replying!! No they didn't notice when we left at the airport, so he has no stamp or anything in his passport. But when applying he has to submit his passport and it shows the date he entered the next country. Even though we both have a lot of stamps on our passports i think they might still match it up. Fingers crossed they don't!!