The UK Home Office has been receiving thousands of applications everyday from people applying on the basis of their relationship. The only relationship that has a strong chance of success (in my experience) are those relationships with these 3 types of people:
- British citizens
- Permanent Residents
- EU nationals (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden)
It is a must to prove that a relationship is genuine in any application to remain in the UK. The burden to prove that a relationship is durable and loving is upon the applicant. There are no specific rules to do it but these tips below will help:
You should also bring evidence that demonstrates you have a genuine and continuing relationship with your partner.
Examples include:
- Evidence of shared accommodation (example: lease agreements, rental receipts, mortgage documents, council rate notices, utility bills)
- Evidence of joint financial obligations (example: insurance policies, joint bank account statements)
- Letters addressed to you and your spouse individually or together at your common address covering the period you have lived together;
- If you have recently married, marriage certificate, photographs of the wedding, the wedding invitation, cards from other people, bills for the wedding;
- Any other item which you consider demonstrates a genuine and continuing relationship (example: evidence of holidays taken together (such as photos and tickets) or shared interests or activities). No videos or CDs please.
- Telephone calls by highlighting all your call logs on itemised billing.
- Letter of supports from family and friends to confirm that your relationship is authentic and you’re not just friends doing someone a “favour”
- Letter from your partner with details of how, when, where you first met
- Your personal statement about your whole immigration history and why you wanted to stay on the basis of your relationship
The Home Office Caseworker (decision-maker) knows if an application is made poorly, cluttered and rushed. Being organised and well-prepared application strengthens its merits. No wrong spelling, wrong grammar, wrong forms, and wrong details. These things mess up the application and lose the credibility of the applicant entirely. Your statement must be plausible and consistent.
Remember that your letter will become your sort of “speaker” in the front of the decision-maker so it is important that you are diligent, accurate and that your statements are plausible (believable), consistent and structured.
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Don Magsino MBA is an Immigration Lawyer in the United Kingdom. Stanford Law is accredited by the Law Society in England and Wales. Registered with the OISC on Level 3. Mobile 07446 888377 / 0207 316 3027. Office: 239 Kensington HIgh Street London, W8 6SN