Unmarried partner, EFM RC Success Story & Tips

Hi all

I just received my RC after exactly 5 months. I applied as unmarried partner, had a very smooth experience, was not called for interview, and had no problems whatsoever.

I have seen a few people here in similar circumstances as I was (unmarried parter with Tier 2 visa), and I thought I'd summarise my experience and highlight the main tips I believe make for an unmarried partner application with high chances of succeeding.

The challenge: With no marriage certificate to provide, your specific challenge here is to convince the HO case worker that you are not just two housemates trying to abuse the system.

These are the main tips I would give to anyone wanting to apply as unmarried partners. Ideally:

1. READ AND FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES. This is the single most important piece of advice for anyone, really. Surprised to see how many people don't do this. I would say, not doing this is the most frequent cause for visa refusal so please save yourself a headache and take the time to read through it. https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-uk-resid ... d/overview

2. Start thinking about your application with sufficient time in advance. Besides filling in the application form itself, as unmarried partner there is a number of additional documents you will need to gather, so don't try to do it all in one night. Ideally, allow at least a month to prepare. You might need more time, depending on what documents you might need to procure.

3. REALY UTTERLY IMPORTANT: Have both your names appear on all your bills: Council tax, water, gas & electricity. I know some couples split the bills, but I strongly recommend to unify accounts here. You are applying for a family permit, it shows commitment if you show you are acting as a single unit. Also check that all spelling is correct, and contact the relevant providers now if you need any addition or change in the account holder names.

4. If you do not usually keep paper records of your bills, start collecting and archiving them all now. This is because you will need to provide evidence covering 2 years of cohabitation, so that water bill from 2014, or that old gas bill from 2013 lying at the bottom of the box in the attic, that you would otherwise throw to the bin, could save your life here if it has both your names on it.

5. The HO likes to see couples sharing money. If you do not have one already, open a joint bank account with your partner, and set up to pay your bills with it. Also, set it up to receive paper statements (this will save you printing). Because housemates can also share money, obviously open the account for only the two of you, not naming any other people as account holder. If you do open a new account let at least 6 months pass where you pay bills, so that it doesn't look like you just opened the account for the application! (Hence why you need to think about your application in advance).

6. Ask a few common friends to write and sign letters supporting your application, including their name and address, how long you have been friends with them, and how long they have known both of you as a couple.

7. Select and print a handful of pictures of the two of you. At the back, write your names, and time and place when taken. Select pictures that housemates would not have, like the two of you at a family gathering, or with parents; or the two of you in romantic destinations, dinner dates, etc. Also I think it helps if you send pictures where time or place is obvious and difficult to photoshop in, like an historical event. Among others, I included a picture of my partner and I at the 2012 London Olympics, which made clear we knew each other by 2012. Try to include pictures abroad or in a different city from where you live (to prove common travel), with landmark sights at the back (Brighton Pier, Tower of London, Eiffel tower, etc).

8. If for some reason you cannot gather 6 bills addressed to the both of you, you can supply other pieces of correspondence addressed to the both of you. I advise, in this case, supplying something only a couple would receive, like an invitation to a friend's wedding for you to attend as a couple (all with the envelope showing the address you share and the stamp with the date it was sent). Again, supply something with only your two names on it: a group invitation including another 3 people in the envelope will certainly NOT work.

I would say, if you follow the above you are good to receive your RC as unmarried partner with no problems, as long as you both meet all criteria and supply all mandatory documents as specified in the guidelines.

Happy to answer any questions. See my signature for timeline.

Good luck to all.
Kamoe

To summarise...
Forewarned is forearmed.
Think & plan ahead.
Don't leave HO any 'wriggle room'.

Don't forget unimpeachable documentary supporting evidence of sponsor exercising treaty rights too.

@kamoe, this showcases the forum at its best. Thanks for sharing.

noajthan wrote: Don't forget unimpeachable documentary supporting evidence of sponsor exercising treaty rights too.

Of course!!!
IMPORTANT:The above is only meant to advise on the additional burden of needing to prove you are a couple without a marriage certificate. People will obviously also need to provide all mandatory documents, like evidence of the sponsor exercising treaty rights, which in itself deserves another post. Hence my emphasis on point 1.

noajthan wrote: @kamoe, this showcases the forum at its best. Thanks for sharing.

Happy to share. Hope this serves as general reference whenever any unmarried applicant asks for advice.