Question about unmarried partner visa

[samchinaboss]

Hello

My girlfriend (who is british) and I plan to apply for the unmarried partner visa at some point next year. We have been in a relationship for 5 years and living together for nearly 4 years now.

I am currently studying and hold a student visa.(I am about to start second year). I have recently received an internship offer in Germany(related to my study) for 6 month. Although this is going to run into term time, it has been approved by the university where I study.

My concern is, how will these time I will spend outside of UK impact on our unmarried partner visa application? Will the caseworker consider this against immigration rules? I still intend to have London as my permanent base, and also intend to come back every other weekend. I just couldn't find any information regarding to this on UKBA website.

Can someone help me?

Many thanks

[anniecc]

Will your internship be complete by the time you submit the application?

[samchinaboss]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it will be. I plan to make the application 3-4 month after the internship.

[anniecc]

In that case I don't think you will have a problem. The requirement for the unmarried partner visa is two years continuous cohabitation leading up to the application date. Short periods of separation are ok - I've heard people suggest that six months is the maximum but I'm not aware of any UKBA guidance that states that specifically.

It will be important that you demonstrate in your application that you have stayed in contact with your partner while in Germany. You should include evidence of your frequent visits to the UK (e.g. boarding passes), as well as email, phone or Skype records showing contact. You should also include a cover letter explaining the reason why you were temporarily absent from the UK, backed up by evidence e.g. the internship invitation letter or letter from your UK university.

It also won't hurt to show evidence that you have been living together for more than the two year minimum e.g. if you have a tenancy or mortgage agreement in both your names that goes back more than two years. Remember that the six pieces of evidence over two years is a minimum requirement.