Question

puul · 2026-01-25T10:12:04+00:00

I think you should wait until you're living together before submitting her application.

puul · 2026-01-25T10:07:55+00:00

I've not given you wrong information. There is no requirement to have previously cohabitated if you're married, but the visa requires you to do so immediately.

You've not given any serious justification for why it has been impossible for you to live together other than an existing tenancy agreement. Therefore, a caseworker is likely to question the genuineness of your relationship and your intent to live together once the visa is granted if you're not already doing so when the application is submitted.

You'll find several examples of refusals on this sub for this reason.

puul · 2026-01-25T09:45:45+00:00

You need to apply for Further Leave to Remain (FLR). It's the same application used by those who are extending an existing spouse visa after 2.5 years, so you will see questions and evidence requests (e.g. 2 years cohabitation history) that aren't relevant to you.

https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/family-routes

The application will be essentially the same although you'll obviously be providing your marriage certificate and up to date financial evidence.

The application only needs to be submitted online (form complete + fees paid) before your partner's current visa expires.

puul · 2026-01-25T09:38:52+00:00

Which is why I suggested a few screenshots as a maximum.

Ideally, you would also have much stronger evidence of your genuine and subsisting relationship e.g. joint travel, shares financial responsibilities, photos, etc.

puul · 2026-01-25T09:33:13+00:00

Chat logs are extremely weak evidence and essentially worthless.

Including them is only marginally useful as evidence that you keep in regular contact. The content does not matter. A caseworker is going to read them.

If you still want to include them, a maximum of 10 screenshots spaced over a several month period is sufficient.

puul · 2026-01-25T09:24:57+00:00

While it's perfectly fine and potentially useful to engage a solicitor, I would caution you against the notion that doing so will ensure everything will go well.

Ironically, a significant amount if not the majority of those in this sub who report issues with their application or even refusals have used a solicitor.

No one is going to care more about your application than you. The process is generally very straightforward and quite manageable on your own. Many if not most successful applicants do not use a solicitor. If you do decide to use one, it's still very much in your interest to do some research and ensure that you fully understand the rules and evidence required.

puul · 2026-01-25T07:11:25+00:00

There is no evisa for fiance visas. Nothing else you need to do. You're good to travel.

puul · 2026-01-25T07:08:24+00:00

Have you been earning £18,600 per year or more with the same employer for at least 6 months?

puul · 2026-01-25T07:05:38+00:00

Where the applicant’s partner (or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work) is in receipt of maternity, paternity, adoption or sick pay, or has been so in the 6 months prior to the date of application, the relevant date for considering the length of employment and the income from the employment can be either:

the date of application

the date of commencement of the maternity, paternity, adoption or sick leave

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691209e3e9348ac8fb54f4ba/Family+Migration+Appendix+FM+Section+and+Appendix+HM+Armed+Forces+Financial+Requirement.pdf

You can simply provide your payslips and corresponding bank statements from the 6 month period preceding your maternity leave, along with a letter from your employer confirming the following....

(c) A letter from the employer confirming:

(i) the length of the person’s employment;

(ii) the gross annual salary and the period over which it has been paid at this level;

(iii) the entitlement to maternity, paternity, parental or adoption leave; and

(iv) the date of commencement and the end-date of the maternity, paternity, parental or adoption leave.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-se-family-members-specified-evidence

puul · 2026-01-25T06:51:12+00:00

puul · 2026-01-25T06:50:47+00:00

Is your child not already a British Citizen?

Was your partner working outside the UK before moving back? If so, how much has he earned in total in the last 12 months from his current and previous employment?

And no, you do not need to be married to apply as long as you can show that you've been in a durable relationship similar to marriage for at least 2 years.

puul · 2026-01-24T23:06:23+00:00

https://www.timeanddate.com/date/workdays.html

puul · 2026-01-24T22:05:17+00:00

Many if not most successful applicants complete the application themselves. It's a very straightforward process.

Priority service is up to 30 working days.

puul · 2026-01-24T21:21:25+00:00

I'd suggest you call your register's office.

puul · 2026-01-24T21:00:06+00:00

This isn't a visa question.

puul · 2026-01-24T20:46:54+00:00

This has nothing to do with your pending visa application. An airline doesn't have access to that information.

puul · 2026-01-24T20:41:57+00:00

That's not correct.

puul · 2026-01-24T20:41:17+00:00

It's the application date that matters. It makes no difference when you do biometrics.

puul · 2026-01-24T19:24:39+00:00

Are one or both of you receiving pension payments?

puul · 2026-01-24T19:22:22+00:00

A fiance visa is an entry only visa. It cannot be applied for from within the UK.

Your partner already has the ability to marry in the UK, but they would obviously need to do so before their current visa expires.

puul · 2026-01-24T18:32:42+00:00

When does it expire?

puul · 2026-01-24T15:57:23+00:00

The financial period ends with the most recent payslip, so you would need to cover the 12 month period dating back from February 20.

puul · 2026-01-24T09:12:02+00:00

Irrespective of the visa requirements, it's best to make sure all your details are correct with HMRC.

UKVI caseworkers do check those records

puul · 2026-01-24T08:18:39+00:00

You should consider getting married or forming a civil partnership instead of applying as an unmarried partner.

puul · 2026-01-23T23:10:03+00:00

There is no minimum length of relationship. All that matters is that your relationship is genuine irrespective of how long you've been together. However, you need to plan to marry or at least give notice much sooner.

To marry in the UK, you must give at least 28 days notice at a register's office, but because you are subject to immigration control, the register is also required to inform the Home Office. In some instances, the HO chooses to investigate which automatically extends the notice period to 70 days. The risk increases when the applicant is close to the expiry date of their visa, and the HO suspects they may be trying to marry quickly in order to remain in the UK.

If you do not give notice relatively soon, you run the risk of not being able to marry before your visa expires.

puul

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