Making the first step to emmigrating

[Mr_Ev]

Hello, essentially I find myself in a bit of a problematic situation. I met a girl from Venezuala (23 years old) here visiting her family on a six month visitors visa and have been seeing her since then. She's a degree qualified civil engineer (which I understand is an underpopulated field) and speaks perfect English as well as having visited the UK many times over the years, so I have little doubt about her ability to pass any sort of test related to English or life in England.

I am British born and hold a full UK passport, earn double the minimum £18,600 sponsorship requirement as well as own a three bedroom detached house which I assume would meet the minimum accommodation requirements, and would be more than happy to sponsor her under an unmarried spouse visa (or if it was necessary then even a fiance visa).

The only issue, as I see it, standing in the way of her emmigrating, would be the initial visa and fulfilling the 2 year requirement for a "genuine and subsisiting" relationship, i.e. having lived together for two years. How would this be achieved given she would be limited to spending a maximum of six months per year in the UK? Financially it would not be an issue as I would be capable of supporting her for any period of time she was here, but how can you live with someone for two years if they can only spend six months at a time here?

Unless I am missing something she would need to first obtain a working visa before transitioning to another type of visa once appropriate.

Is anybody able to offer any advice on this? I am really hoping that the chances of us having a long term future are not dependent on whether or not she can find a job (or more importantly an employer willing to sponsor her) while she's here as the chances of that appear slim, and frustratingly irrelevant given my income is more than sufficient to support her.

I hope somebody can help!

[Damanisshallo]

First read through this. which should answer most of your questions.

[Mr_Ev]

First read through this. which should answer most of your questions.

Ah, thank you very much for the info. As I read that the living together for two years criterion only needs to be met should there not be a binding legal commitment in place, or pending (i.e. marriage).

I would still be grateful if anybody else had anything to offer, but that was very helpful and much appreciated.