age limit

[petsyl]

hiiii

I am 23yrs old and I have been living in the UK for 5yrs as a student. My partner is only 21yrs old, he holds EU passport and IRL in the UK. We have been together for 3 years but we have only started living together for few months. We are able to support ourselves without depending on any public fund as both of us are working part-time.

I have completed my study and my visa is coming to end in the next two months. I have checked and failed under HSMP scheme. I have also read the unmarried partner visa section but it does not apply for us as we have not fulfiled the requirement to live together for more than 2 yrs. I am wondering if there is any regulations with age limit/restriction to help us, because married is not a solution here since both of us are too young.

I would be grateful if you can give us any suggestions so I can stay in the UK with him.

S

[John]

married is not a solution here since both of us are too young

No one on this Board wrote the immigration rules but it needs to be appreciated that marriage does make life a lot easier as far as visas are concerned. But no one should ever get married just to ease a visa situation.

So you appreciate that marriage would actually make life a lot easier. Your bf is Irish and therefore after marriage you would be able to get an EEA Family Permit to live and work etc in the UK.

In the absence of marriage, OK you say that HSMP is no-go for you. How soon do your studies end? Your student visa ends? Might it be possible for you to get a Work Permit?

[petsyl]

Hi John,

First of all, thank you very much for your reply.

We agree that marriage would help us to solve the visa problem, but we also believe it will come along with many others problems.

I have recently completed my study and my visa is expiring in two months time. It is possible to get a work permit since I have a master degree, but unfortunately I have not found the company that wants to sponsor the work permit. Have you got any suggestions?

I would like to ask you further about the unmarried partner visa. Is there any other way to prove our relationship except living together? We can provide evidences with telephone bills, cards, testimonials from colleagues, friends and families. And on the top of that, we live very close to each other, within 3 miles.

Many thanks
PS

[JAJ]

So you appreciate that marriage would actually make life a lot easier. Your bf is Irish and therefore after marriage you would be able to get an EEA Family Permit to live and work etc in the UK.

If he's Irish - or if he's from another EEA state with ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) - then a regular spouse visa may well be preferable to an EEA Family Permit.

The faster route to UK permanent residence available under a spouse visa (two years vs four) is well worth the extra cost for many (most?) people.

[John]

I have not found the company that wants to sponsor the work permit. Have you got any suggestions?

Sorry, not a very helpful comment but ... keep looking! That really is your only hope of getting a WP.

Is there any other way to prove our relationship except living together?

Sorry, no. The UPV is issued to those living in a relationship as if married. Married couples do not tend to live three miles apart .... they live together! So, in your words, "we have only started living together for few months", you appear to be nowhere close to the two years minimum you need to get UPV.

In the absence of a WP, I can only see marriage as the answer to the visa problem.

[petsyl]

Thank you very much for your advices.

It is my pleasure to be part of this board and I have learned a lot within days from all the posts here.

Many thanks
PS

[Kayalami]

petsyl,

Depending on:

1. Your UK degree - you may be eligible for the Science & Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS) that enbales you to work in the UK for 1 year.

2. Your nationality - it may be possible to apply for a working holiday visa maker - given your lengthy period in the UK as a student there is an inherent risk in this being refused. However I'm aware of many long term students who have been succesful but admittedly they have been from a select list of nationalities and/or socio-economic group.

3. Your finances and educational progress to date - you can apply for postgrad programme and further your studies on another student visa.

The above options give you a longer time to obtain a WP and more crucial see how your relationship progresses without the incessant pressure of 'immigration status' hanging over your heads.

good luck

[petsyl]

Hi Kayalami,

1. My UK degree is Business - not eligible for (SEGS).

2. My nationality - is not under working holiday visa maker list

3. My finances ?? ehm not sure what u r suggesting
My education is postgrad degree (but I have not had any full time job experience, thats why HSMG is not suitable for me).

Thank you for your kindness to give me those suggestions.
PS