UK spouse visa question: Recently married outside UK, not lived together for 2 years

[Emita]

Hello,

I’m trying to help my friend apply for a spouse visa for his wife. I’m lucky in that I got my fiancé (now husband) over this year and I’m keen to help my friend.

My friend is Ecuadorean but has been in the UK for over 10 years and has full British citizenship. On a holiday to Ecuador he met his wife. They got married last year in Ecuador. They’ve been living apart with the plan of applying for the visa and living together here in the UK.

From what I understand, for the spouse visa, they need to prove that they’ve been living together for two years - which they’ve not - it seems to be a fundamental requirement with no room for exemption. Also, because they are already recently married, I’m assuming they wouldn’t be able to apply for the fiancé visa.

Is there something I’m missing or are they in an impossible situation because they got married outside of the UK instead of going down the UK fiancé visa route like I did?

Hugely grateful for any advice/ personal experiences that might help.

With best wishes

Emita

[vinny]

Proof of living together for two years is expected only for unmarried couples.

Married couples should prove subsisting marriage.

[lutga]

The main thing I'd say with an out of UK marriage is make sure you get the marriage certificate translated into English by one of the approved translators listed by UK Gov.

[Emita]

Thanks both. That’s really helpful. Hugely appreciated

[Londoner007]

All times spent apart need to be covered to show relationship remained. There will be a need to show continued communication, visits etc within the life span of the relationship up until application date.