Tier 5 to Spouse Visa

[Ally_t]

Hi,

I am an Australian currently on a Tier 5 youth and mobility visa and moved over with my boyfriend who has dual British and Australian citizenship.

My visa ends in June but we would like to apply for a spouse visa. I find the wording quite confusing on the website and when I called for clarification the responses were a bit ambiguous.

What I would like to know is whether it is accurate that I can switch my visa type more than 28 days before my current visa ends?

Also we have lived together in the UK for 20 months
(By the time my visa ends it will be 2 years) but also lived together in Australia prior to this. Between moving over and living in Australia we travelled for an extended period of time. Would this likely fulfill the requirement of having lived together for 2 years?

Any guidance or personal experience would be much appreciated.

[CR001]

My visa ends in June but we would like to apply for a spouse visa.

If you are not married, you apply for an Unmarried Partner visa.

What I would like to know is whether it is accurate that I can switch my visa type more than 28 days before my current visa ends?

You can apply at ANY point once you meet the strict requirements for the Unmarried Partner visa.

Also we have lived together in the UK for 20 months
(By the time my visa ends it will be 2 years) but also lived together in Australia prior to this. Between moving over and living in Australia we travelled for an extended period of time. Would this likely fulfill the requirement of having lived together for 2 years?

You need to provide documentary evidence of living together in a relationship akin to marriage, for 2 years prior to application.

[Ally_t]

That’s very helpful, thank you.