unmarried partner visa: no proof of living together abroad

[travelerzee]

Hello,

My partner (British) and i (South African) have been together for more than 3 years and have been living/ travelling together for more than 2 years. We met in Korea and lived together for a year there. However, being English teachers, our accommodation was paid for by our employer (we worked at the same school). All the utility bills, accounts etc were in the schools name.
when we finished our contract there, we travelled together for for about 2 months (have proof of this) and stayed with my family in SA for a month. During this time I was granted a Tier 1 visa (exp 10/2012).

we came to the UK in August 2010. In September 2010 we were both offered a job on a cruise ship (out of Southampton). We applied as a couple and lived in the same cabin. Obviously we dont have any bills/ accounts as proof of this.

So my question is, would we be able to apply for an unmarried partner visa if we can get written proof from our previous employers that we cohabited in accommodation which they provided?

(I know I am asking WAY in advance, but i thought it may be best to start preparing early )

thanks a mill!!

[travelerzee]

can anyone help? seniors?

[Casa]

You'll need to submit evidence of a relationship 'akin to marriage' which sets it apart from being just 'boyfriend and girlfriend'. You may struggle to do this if you can't show joint commitments one would expect to see in a marriage. Joint finances, tenancy agreement or mortagage, shared bills etc. Unmarried Partner Visa applications come under considerable scrutiny. The ECO may take the opinion that two friends (even though of opposite gender) could share teachers' accomodation, go on holiday together and share a cabin while working on the same cruise ship.
What evidence to show you've been living as you would if you were married could you submit for the full 24 months?
I'm assuming you're both over 21.

[travelerzee]

thanks for the response!

We are both over 21. We have a had a joint account since sept 2010. and signed a tenancy agreement in April 2011. We have a letter from our employer in Korea stating that we were in a relationship.

We also have flight details of our travels over the past 2 years.

would we have a chance?

[Casa]

It would be wise to have a legal advisor run through the documents before you submit the application. If the first real evidence is a joint bank account from Sep 2010 apart from a letter from the employer at the college confirming you were a 'couple' before then, your application may be weak on documented proof.

[travelerzee]

thank you so much for your help! really appreciate it!!