Partner Conviction Advice

Hi everyone,

I just found this forum accidentally and I am amazed at the information and how everyone is so helpful. I am in quite a situation here and I would really really appreciate if anyone can give any advice on the situation right now.

I recently got accepted into a school in London and I plan to move there from Canada this coming September. I dated my partner for two years now and we lived together for 1 year. We would like him to come with me to London but living together for 1 year does not qualify for a common law relationship. Moreover, we heard that proving a common law relationship is much more difficult now than before. We are a gay couple by the way.

Now he is applying for a working permit by trying to find someone to hire him. If that is successful, he will try to apply for a working visa. I am fairly unfamiliar with the process and if this seems odd to anyone, please let me know.

The biggest problem is that he was convicted 2 years ago and his probation only ended last December. So he is not qualified for a naturalization. The crime is somewhat serious and I am really worried about our relationship. I know he is a really good person because otherwise I wouldn't have stayed with him for two years. But in a situation like this, I know that will count next to nothing.

We are really desperate and I am so stressed out. This has been on my mind every single day and I would really appreciate any advice anyone can provide. If there is details I missed please let me know.

I really appreciate this.

Best,

TT

You say he can't become Naturalised because of his conviction, so what nationality is he?

Second point here is respective of his conviction and nationality.
99% of all countries will reject anyone with a criminal record, if time was spent in jail and in particlarly in a first world country like Canada.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

You could get married and shut up about the conviction and risk immigration finding out and risk rejection of both application or still get married but be honest about the conviction and hope for the best.

Good luck!

He is Canadian. But his family is from Holland. We have checked if he qualified for an EU but we found that he missed the process period by a year.

It really does few like a stream of bad luck. We can't get married because of my family right now.

I do appreciate your advice and I am hoping someone can shed or provide any information so I can best prepare our application. We just have to do our best.

By the way Siggi, do you think he will have trouble getting a working permit or a working visa, or both? Because I thought getting a working permit may be easier because they may not necessarily ask for a record check?

Thank you.

TT

Real pity, you say he can't pick up Dutch nationality.

I would double check that he is not entiled to Dutch Nationality ie if Mother or Father or both are Dutch nationals it should not be a issue and it make your life a whole more simpler in terms of living in the EU.

For a work permit he will need to find a company willing to offer him a contract.

Two year working visa is another story check out this web site www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

What is your citizenship? Are you a British/EU citizen or will you be staying in the UK on a student visa?

Thank you everyone for responding so quickly! I guess at a times like this, it really means a lot to see how everyone is willing to provide and help.

I have dual citizenship. I am Canadian and Chinese so I hold both the Canadian passport and the China passport.

Siggi: I will double check about the Dutch nationality. But I think he checked before and I am pretty sure he said it didn't work.

Thank you for the website, is that where I can learn more about applying for the working visa?