Unmarried Partner visa - couple of questions

[gcam032]

Hi All,

I was wondering if someone can clarify a couple of questions I have on the Unmarried Partner Visa application.

My situation is that I'm currently on a Tier 2 but have recently resigned from my job to move to another company. I'm not asking the new company to sponsor me, instead I am applying to switch to an unmarried partner visa to remain and work in the UK.

Can anyone help me with the following based on their previous experience?
1. I'm filling out the FLR(M) form which I'm 99.9% sure is the correct form (based on all of my reading) for those who are currently in the UK and are applying to stay in the UK as an unmarried partner of a British citizen. Can anyone confirm that is correct?

2. Financial requirement. I can prove that I meet this requirement on my own based on legal employment in the UK. Does this mean that I only need to provide this information and accompanying evidence and don't require anything from my partner?

Thanks!

GPC

[CR001]

1. Yes, correct form.

2. Yes, but you need to be in CURRENT and ONGOING employment to meet the requirement. It would have been wiser to switch to unmarried partner visa before resigning.

Do you have 2 years cohabitation documentation?

[Casa]

Hi All,

I was wondering if someone can clarify a couple of questions I have on the Unmarried Partner Visa application.

My situation is that I'm currently on a Tier 2 but have recently resigned from my job to move to another company. I'm not asking the new company to sponsor me, instead I am applying to switch to an unmarried partner visa to remain and work in the UK.

Can anyone help me with the following based on their previous experience?
1. I'm filling out the FLR(M) form which I'm 99.9% sure is the correct form (based on all of my reading) for those who are currently in the UK and are applying to stay in the UK as an unmarried partner of a British citizen. Can anyone confirm that is correct? Correct

2. Financial requirement. I can prove that I meet this requirement on my own based on legal employment in the UK. Does this mean that I only need to provide this information and accompanying evidence and don't require anything from my partner? As you are legally resident in the UK, your income will qualify but it may be wise to submit evidence of joint earnings. This will also partly strengthen the evidence of a genuine unmarried partnership. The case worker will look for proof of 'a relationship akin to marriage', generally with shared finances and bills, joint tenancy or mortgage etc. I'm assuming you have been co-habiting for at least 2 years and have documented evidence to support this?

Thanks!

GPC

Edit: CR001 has made an important point about ongoing employment if you are relying on your earnings alone.

[Casa]

As a further thought, my understanding is that without Tier 2 sponsorship you will be unable to take up your new employment until your unmarried partner visa has been granted.

[gcam032]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses.

I have a letter from my employer stating that I'm currently employed by the company and earning £xx. Also, the letter verifies the payslips by month and value that I'm including. So I believe that should be all fine for the financial.

Yes we have 2 years of cohabitation - joint bank accounts, drivers licence correspondence, bills, individual bank statements, etc... This is the hardest part in our paperless society!

I'm going for my premium service this morning so I will reply later to tie off this post with the results and experience.

Thanks again for your help!

GPC

[gcam032]

Ok to conclude this forum post, the result and experience.

I'm just back from a successful application for the unmarried partner visa FLR(M) at the premium service centre in Croydon.

My situation:
- Lived with my partner for 3 years
- Currently on Tier 2 General after an initial 2 years on Tier 5 YM
- Have already resigned from my sponsored job, currently half way through my notice period.

Supplied:
- Printed out bank statements (not originals). Both HSBC and NatWest do not do certifications, but both of them were happy to provide a letter that just stated names, account information and when the account was opened. This proved to be enough for UKBA as they didn't pull me in for any questions or anything.
- Signed letter from my employer to accompany my 6 months of payslips that said I was currently employed, gave my salary amount and listed each date and amount of the payslips I had submitted to verify their authenticity.
- All other evidence of relationship/accommodation was things like letters from the council, house insurance policies, drivers licences (with address on them), tenancy agreements and a couple of other bits and pieces I could find.

Result:
- Approved without any hassle - everyone there was really nice and apart from the wait it went really smoothly.

Cheers for your help guys,

GPC