Canadian & UK Unmarried Partners living in Australia wanting to move to UK

[ipstarshin]

My Canadian partner and I (british citizen) met in Thailand in 2002, lived there for 2 years then moved to Australia on my work related temporary 457 4 year visa, with my partner as my defacto partner. We have renewed the 457 visa 3 times and are about to do so again. We had a child in July 2014.

We now want to move to the UK later this year.

We’d like to know if it is possible to apply for the UK unmarried partner visa for my Canadian partner whilst both residing in Australia. Naturally we want to avoid splitting our family up for any amount of time.

We’d also like to know if her savings account in her name in Canada can be used for the $62,500 savings requirement.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Casa]

Providing you have sufficient documented evidence to show that you have been living together in a relationship 'akin to marriage' you can apply as unmarried partners.

However, to meet the financial requirement you have the following options:
1. Show that you (as the sponsor) have been earning the equivalent of £18,600 outside of the UK for the 12 month period prior to submitting the Spouse visa application
AND
You have a confirmed offer of employment in the UK to start within 3 months of arrival, again meeting the minimum income level of £18,600 p.a.

2. Qualify with savings alone, which will require £62,500 (equivalent) which has been held in an accessible account for at least 6 months, unless your funds are from a property sale with no 6 month requirement.

3. Return to the UK ahead of your wife and once you have been earning £18,600 p.a (pro rata) for 6 months you can submit the application for your husband to join you.

[ipstarshin]

Thanks for your quick reply and appreciate you're help.

So my Canadian partner does not have to be in Canada to apply (and me in UK)?

Also with regards to the savings, the accessible account does not have to be mine right?

[vinny]

See also Where to apply: ECB05

I think the savings should belong to you or your partner or both.