The problem with long distance relationships

[Vay]

Hi there!

I'm in a relationship with a girl in the USA. I live in the UK (naturally). We have met, but obviously haven't been able to cohabit yet. We've dating for just under a year now.

I looked into the unmarried partner visa, and it sounded good....until it said you had to have lived together for 2 years. How is this fair? If someone is moving over to live with their partner, chances are they haven't had a chance to yet?

We are a very dedicated couple. We speak to each other for at least three hours, daily. We arrange to meet as much as we can, but the distance is starting to grate. She is very willing to move over here but the difficulty lies in how troublesome it seems to achieve that. She is not a high skilled worker (a veterinary Technician to be exact), she has no European roots, and getting a student Visa would be worthless as she wants to come here to work?

I'm at a loss at what to do. We both love each other dearly but we don't want to rush into a marriage just to get her over here.

If I could have any help with this, that would be fab.

[mochyn]

Hi there!

I'm in a relationship with a girl in the USA. I live in the UK (naturally). We have met, but obviously haven't been able to cohabit yet. We've dating for just under a year now.

I looked into the unmarried partner visa, and it sounded good....until it said you had to have lived together for 2 years. How is this fair? If someone is moving over to live with their partner, chances are they haven't had a chance to yet?

We are a very dedicated couple. We speak to each other for at least three hours, daily. We arrange to meet as much as we can, but the distance is starting to grate. She is very willing to move over here but the difficulty lies in how troublesome it seems to achieve that. She is not a high skilled worker (a veterinary Technician to be exact), she has no European roots, and getting a student Visa would be worthless as she wants to come here to work?

I'm at a loss at what to do. We both love each other dearly but we don't want to rush into a marriage just to get her over here.

If I could have any help with this, that would be fab.

You could try the fiance route.
It would give you up to 6 months to decide wether you are suited or not

[Casa]

But bear in mind she won't be able to work in the UK on a fiance visa.

[Vay]

Argggh see, that's part of the problem. :< Six months without work is a long time. Do you know if they might at least be able to volunteer while over here? I'm sure we could get the money together to support her through those months, but sitting in a house all day for six months would be rather depressing for her.

Thank you for your help though. We are just in a very difficult situation right now where we don't want to rush marriage, but think we're at the point where living together would be a good test run. It's just hard. :/

[Casa]

Volunteer/charity work even though unpaid is considered work. So no.