From Tier 2 ICT to Unmarried Partner

Hello,

Any help with my questions is greatly appreciated.

I am a US citizen who relocated to the UK on 3rd May 2011 on a 2yr Tier 2 ICT visa. I renewed my visa in May 2013 for an addtional 2yrs which is due to expire in May 2015 and am currently going through the process to renew it for my final year (5th) of Tier 2 eligibility expiring in May 2016, after which I will not be able to renew the ICT without going through the cooling off period. I met my girlfriend shortly before renewing my visa in 2013; we are still together and quite serious so I am planning on applying for an Unmarried Partner visa to extend my stay past May 2016.

My GF is an Italian citizen who has been living & working in the UK for the past 9 years. We began living together in July 2013, but I did not officially move out of my flat until October 2013. To stay in the UK past the expiry of my Tier 2 ICT 5 year limit I plan on applying for an Unmarried Partner visa.

My understanding is that I need to be able to document two years of continuous co-habitation. My question is what types of documents can I use to provide as proof? My GF owns her flat, so there is no rental agreement and her name has remained on all of the bills. Basically, there are few official documents linking my name to her address. Are shipping/billing receipts (airline tickets, packages, etc.) and bank statements sufficient? We did open a joint bank account together in September 2013. Would signed/notarized letters from my former flatmates indicating I moved out in July 2013 be helpful?

Also, please confirm my understanding is correct and I am able to switch from a Tier 2 ICT to an Unmarried Partner visa while remaining in country and continuing to be employed in my present position.

Many Thanks,
Tom

you'll need to apply for an EEA Family permit rather than a visa under the Immigration Rules.

https://www.gov.uk/family-permit/overview

As an unmarried partner proof of 2 years cohabitation will be required, you'll just have to collect whatever documents you have, the joint bank account giving the same address for both of you is good in this regard

Also read:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ily-permit