Do age differences between spouses affect a visa decision?

[stuart911]

Hi, I am a UK citizen by birth and both my Ukrainian girlfriend and I meet all the usual visa criteria. Although Ukraine citizens seem to have special difficulty in coming to the UK, we were successful in obtaining a visitor's visa last year during which time she visited 3 times. I visit her every 2 months for 1 month and we live together there in a rented flat.

Although we are soon to get married in Ukraine and then wish to apply for a marriage visa, I am mindful of the huge age gap between us (26 years), not a problem to either of us but I wondered if this might be a stumbling block to obtaining the visa. Obviously this would not be openly admitted by the authorities but does anyone have any experience of where a large age difference has resulted in a negative outcome?

Thanks for your help.

[Lucapooka]

There is nothing in the rules that prevents this. But it would be extreme wishful thinking to suggest that a big age gap would not be examined closely for evidence of a genuine relationship.

[stuart911]

Thanks Lucapooka for your quick response. Makes sense. I'm confident we can establish there has been a genuine relationship for the last 4 years.