Preparing to Apply FLR (M) in Sept 2017

[z3phyrr]

Hi,

I have gone through the Guidance Notes and several posts regarding applying for the FRL(M) but there are several questions relating to my situation that I am unable to find answers to.

Background of my case:

I am Malaysian in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend since three years ago (we met in Malaysia in 2013). He is a UK citizen and resident, self employed, earning above GBP18,600. I am employed in Malaysia, live there and in September 2015 started a one year postgraduate degree in the UK. I live with my boyfriend in this time (12 months). We plan to apply for the FLR(M) in Sept 2017, in order to collect documentation necessary and fulfil the 24 months cohabitation requirement. Thus far I am on the utility bills, I have my bank statement, NHS letters and university correspondence sent to my boyfriend's house. We will request for my name to be on the Council tax beginning 2017 (as I was a student before, my name does not appear on the Council Tax). There is no lease agreement as he owns the house, and student visa holders are not able to have bank accounts other than students', so we were not able to have a joint account. We will nevertheless try get one since my studies ended.

The challenge is, my studies has now ended and I am leaving the UK for Malaysia - back to tender my resignation and make other necessary preparation to come live in the UK. I have an 18 year old daughter that will remain in Malaysia. The correspondences will continue coming to my boyfriend's house during my time back in Malaysia. I will be in the UK again in December 2016 (for three weeks), and after that, I will be back to Malaysia, for about 6 months.

These are my questions:

i) Should I apply for the FLR(M) from outside the UK (online, from Malaysia?) or should I apply from within the UK? Is this allowed? (in which case I would enter as a tourist and apply as a tourist (Malaysians do not need a visa to enter the UK, and can stay for three months)

ii) With regard to the income/financial requirement --> this means it is my boyfriend that will provide the documentation required, even if I am the applicant? Is this covered by him filling in the "sponsor" form?

iii) There will be a gap in the 24 months cohabitation period --> how long can I stay outside of the UK? Will my passport be scrutinised in the application process? However, I can only stay for a maximum of three months at a time in the UK anyway, and while this gap is unavoidable, I can reduce the duration of me being outside the UK.

So far these are my initial questions based on my readings. I know there is more to come, but I thank any replies in advance. I know marriage would be the easier route, but having been married once, I prefer not to do it again. Unless of course it is unavoidable.

Regards,
z3phyrr