illegal immigrant partner

[annamari123]

I am in a relationship with an albanian who has been illegal in this country for 5 yrs. I only met him last yr and he told me his status after a month of knowing each other. I have indefinite to remain here in the UK. We have been together for a year now (though living separately) and I fear that it is getting serious. At the start I had doubts whether to continue seeing him but unfortunately I fell in love. Anyway, how is it possible for us to have a future together here in The UK? I am not Albanian, by the way. I would just like to see our options before we take the next step. Thank you very much.

[Zerubbabel]

What's your own citizenship?

Are you thinking about marriage?

[Jaune08]

At the start I had doubts whether to continue seeing him but unfortunately I fell in love. Anyway, how is it possible for us to have a future together here in The UK? I am not Albanian, by the way. I would just like to see our options before we take the next step. Thank you very much.

Hey annamari123. I want to ask you something based on what you previously wrote: Are you completely sure is a genuine relationship and there's no other reason behind? I know it might sounds harsh, but I'm pointing it out for two reasons: to be sure that you don't have those doubts anymore, and second, that one of the possibilities is getting married and he will rely on your finances in order to stay.

What's your own citizenship?

Are you thinking about marriage?

To these questions, I will also add:
-How has he been financially subsisting in the UK throughout these 5 years?
-Does he have any qualification or can he get a job offer, that makes him eligible to apply for a Tier-2 visa, for example?
-Have you considered to apply for British citizenship first now you have ILR?

Because at the moment with the information given, the only path that seems plausible is getting married (to apply under a fiancé or spouse visa). And that means you will need an annual income of £18,600 to meet the financial requirement.

[annamari123]

He is working and actually earns well. Which is not a good thing though because the HO will not like that.
I earn more than 18k a year in the medical field so I think thats covered. I have been a PR only this year. So I still have one yr left. He told me just recently that he received a letter from HO that he needs to report to them.

[Casa]

You haven't yet answered Zerubbabel's question regarding your current nationality.....

Has he been working with false documents?

[annamari123]

Im a filipino nurse

[annamari123]

He works sort of freelance at times. He has a relative who has a construction company.

[Zerubbabel]

He works sort of freelance at times. He has a relative who has a construction company.

Look, let me share with you my feeling about the entire thing.

I respect you and respect the job you do. I think it wasn't easy for you to relocate from Philippines to Britain, get an exciting job, an ILR... I like your story and ultimately I like you.

Still, when it comes to immigration things, it's important to think with your head rather than with your emotions.

The first thing that springs to mind is: so the guy has been here illegally for a while and he has a network of family support that helps him to get some money. So why do you have to feel that you have to fit somewhere into this equation?

Why not keeping your relationship with him as usual but not trying to get involved in this side of the mater for now?

This relation is fresh I understand. If you tell me you've been with him for 10 years and you have 2 kids together, well, I would be writing something different. But for a new relationship that may or may not be here in 6 months time, I don't see why you want to open a can of worms.

You came to this country legally, you played by the rules, it wasn't easy all the time but now you work for the NHS and have an ILR. Why can't he do the things in order and within the law too? And why after doing your own way by the rules you have to take responsibility of someone who doesn't play by the rules in first place?

Let me tell you what I don't want. Cases like that are very complex and ultimately very expensive. Everything is possible in immigration but you have to be ready to pay the cost. You are not British, you are not EEA. Yourself you are foreign national with an ILR. You can go and fight the Home Office for that guy but think that you can be still fighting in 3 years time with all your credit cards maxed out or you are in debt for a relationship that can end at any point.

Don't get me wrong. When I met my wife, she was illegal. It took me 4 years of cohabitation before taking her to a solicitor and start talking immigration. She has an ILR now and we have been together for more than 11 years and we have a lovely kid.

It can work, but be very very slow before jumping into the grenade. Take your time, take years, before even considering to get involved in this complex issue.

Add to that, even if you get married, there is no automatic and easy solution for your situation. They can still deport him and they can still suggest you go to Albania to live with him if you want to. Even with a British passport they can tell you go with him to his home country.

All the best!

[annamari123]

I guess you are right. Thank you.