Understanding the Spouse Visa ??

[Chris_Lloyd]

Hi Everyone,

My girlfriend is American and I am a British citizen. I’m a little confused with what the difference between a Marriage Visa and Spouse Visa. We would ideally like to live together in the UK before we even think about getting married. Online I’ve read that you can apply for a spouse visa if you have been together for at least two years? This seems too easy. Does this mean since we’ve been together for two years we can get the spouse visa without even thinking about marriage?

[CR001]

For an unmarried partner visa you must have rock solid evidence of living together in a relationship akin to marriage with evidence of joint financial responsibilities. These visas are heavily scrutinised and the two year cohabitation and evidence is mandatory.

Simply being in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship is not sufficient.

Thought she had an Italian citizenship route??

eea-route-applications/us-citizen-entry ... l#p1640008