Dependent Visa for Fiance

[SGilani]

Hello,

My partner of two and a half years and I just got engaged. We would like to get married in one year's time. However, in the mean time I would like to sponsor my fiance as a dependent (I am here on a Tier 2 Skilled Worker Visa). Can I sponsor my fiance as an unmarried partner?

Our relationship is a bit unconventional. I am Canadian and he is American. We met online and have always lived in different countries. We have made numerous trips to see one another in the last two and a half years (probably over 20 or 25 times). We can provide evidence of email correspondence, pictures, plane ticket confirmations, etc. However, the UK Border Services website says we must provide 'official documentation' such as medical insurance documents, bank account statements, etc as proof of living in a 'marriage-like' relationship - and obviously we don't have any of that because we've never lived in the same country (though I do have examples of him transferring money from his accounts in the US to mine here in the UK).

I will be visiting my fiance at the end of this month and we are happy to be married during that time if that will help facilitate the visa process (we would like for him to have the right to work in the UK). Can anyone suggest whether they think we will be successful under the unmarried partner visa or whether we should just go ahead and get married because sponsoring him as a spouse may be easier.

My employer is an A-listed sponsor and is willing to provide a sponsorship letter and I am thankfully above the required pay-range of £30,000. Between the two of us (my partner and I) we have quite a bit in savings, so the financial component is not a problem.

Thanks.

[CR001]

Unlikely you will be successful for your fiance at this stage. In the eyes of HO, you are currently boyfriend/girlfriend.

Likely more chance of success if you are married.