Youth Mobility Visa to Residence Card or Family Permit?

[joelwilks2424]

Hello,

Many thanks for the valuable info I have already received from this community.

I am coming to the end of my Youth Mobility Visa (expires in May) and hoping to extend my time in the UK with my German partner (unmarried). While we have not lived together for quite 2 years I have considerable evidence supporting a durable relationship.

1. From what I understand, once my YMV ends and even if I have submitted my non-EA unmarried residence application I will not be able to work in the UK and I will need to leave the country before the expiration date. From what I've read I would presumably be issued with a 'short' COA. Is this correct?

2. If point 1 is correct. Then I am considering either going home to Australia or somewhere closer to apply for a EEA Family Permit instead. My understanding is that if I was to do this, I would be able to work in the UK a lot sooner given the processing time currently for residence permits. I understand that I still need to do the Residence Card process, but it would mean I wouldn't miss out on six months worth of working. If I am successful in getting the Family Permit, would I be able to work as soon as I come to the UK?

3. Once I have the potential Family Permit, how soon do I need to apply for the residence permit? Say the 6 month Family Permit expired before I had received my residence card, would I be able to keep working given I had submitted the application? Or would I need to stop working at the end of the 6 month period?

4. Any general thoughts on our grounds for being a durable couple over the previous two years: lived together for 14.5 months, plenty of letters addressed to the same address and a couple in joint names. The other 9.5 months living in separate countries however during this period we visited each other a total of 22 times (boarding passes as evidence) and plenty of online conversation screenshot history.

Thank you

[CR001]

You need evidence of at least 2 years cohabitation in a relationship 'akin to marriage' as an unmarried partner.

[secret.simon]

Also see similar thread.

To the mods: Given the frequency of the question on this and similar topics, should there be a sticky thread for "Switching from UK visa to EFM FP/RC: Discussion" or similar topic?