Master prompt
Unmarried partner — 2-year cohabitation requirement (Appendix FM)
Unmarried partner route under Appendix FM — for couples who have cohabited 2+ years without marrying.
UKUnmarried partnerCohabitationAppendix FMIndia-specific
Appendix FM Partner route permits unmarried partners who have cohabited 2+ years as if married. This is critical for couples who cannot or have chosen not to marry — including inter-religious couples, LGBT+ couples, or couples where marriage is delayed. For [CLIENT_NAME] (unmarried partner of [SPONSOR_NAME]) with cohabitation from [COHABITATION_START]: §1 — UNMARRIED PARTNER ELIGIBILITY (120-150 words) Appendix FM E-LTRP.1.7 / E-ECP.1.7 (Unmarried Partner): ▪ Relationship "akin to marriage" — committed + exclusive ▪ 2 years continuous cohabitation immediately prior to application ▪ "Continuous" = living together as a couple ▪ Brief separations (work, family emergency, travel) acceptable ▪ NOT acceptable: separation > 6 months (typically interpreted as 6 months but evidence-dependent) Acceptable demonstrations of "akin to marriage": ▪ Shared finances (joint bank accounts, joint financial decisions) ▪ Shared accommodation (joint tenancy / property deeds) ▪ Shared social life (mutual friends, family events together) ▪ Shared responsibility for household + children (if any) ▪ Mutual support during illness, crisis ▪ Common future plans (children, retirement, residence) §2 — 2-YEAR COHABITATION EVIDENCE (180-200 words) Critical documentation: A. Property documents: ▪ Joint tenancy agreement spanning 2+ years ▪ Property deed (joint or one partner's name with the other listed as occupant) ▪ Council tax statements addressed to both ▪ Property maintenance records B. Financial documents: ▪ Joint bank account statements (24+ months) ▪ Joint utility bills (electricity, gas, water, internet) addressed to both ▪ Joint credit card statements ▪ Joint insurance policies (life, contents, vehicle) C. Address evidence at single location: ▪ Utility bills addressed to both at same address ▪ Voter registration at same address ▪ Driving licence registration at same address ▪ Doctor's registration at same address D. Communication + life evidence: ▪ Photos throughout 2+ years (10-30+) ▪ Joint travel (boarding passes, hotel bookings) ▪ Joint social media accounts / posts ▪ Wedding-style anniversaries celebrated ▪ Letters / cards exchanged ▪ Children together (birth certificates listing both as parents) E. Witness evidence: ▪ Letters from friends + family confirming relationship duration ▪ Letters from employers / landlords ▪ Affidavits from witnesses §3 — INDIAN-CONTEXT CONSIDERATIONS (150-180 words) Indian couples in unmarried partner relationships face unique scrutiny: (a) Religious / cultural barriers: ▪ Inter-religious couples (Hindu-Muslim) where family opposes marriage ▪ Inter-caste couples facing family / community pressure ▪ LGBT+ couples (India decriminalised but social acceptance limited) (b) Geographic considerations: ▪ Cohabitation in India may be at family home or rented apartment ▪ Cohabitation in UK during sponsor's time abroad (c) Documentation challenges: ▪ Joint property in India: less common; rental more typical ▪ Joint financial accounts: Indian banks have specific rules for unmarried couples ▪ Address proof: utility bills often in landlord's name (d) Cultural context evidence: ▪ Cultural context affidavits from family / community members ▪ Religious/cultural acceptance documentation ▪ Reasons for delayed / no marriage For [CULTURAL_CONTEXT]: provide specific context if applicable. UKVI considers Indian cultural realities in family case assessments. §4 — DRAFTING THE RELATIONSHIP NARRATIVE (200-250 words) Personal Statement / Narrative for unmarried partner application: "RELATIONSHIP NARRATIVE — UNMARRIED PARTNER APPLICATION I, [CLIENT_NAME], have been in a continuous relationship with [SPONSOR_NAME] since [DATE], having cohabited as an unmarried couple from [COHABITATION_START] to date. A. HOW WE MET [Detail meeting circumstances]: ▪ Date, location, context ▪ Initial dating period ▪ Decision to commit B. WHY WE HAVE NOT MARRIED [CULTURAL_CONTEXT or other reasons]: ▪ Personal beliefs / non-religious approach to relationships ▪ Family / cultural barriers ▪ Inter-religious considerations ▪ LGBT+ relationship in pre-decriminalisation period ▪ Other compelling reasons C. COHABITATION HISTORY From [COHABITATION_START] to [DATE]: ▪ [Location of cohabitation] ▪ [Living arrangement — joint tenancy, owned, family home] ▪ [Continuous nature; brief separations for work/family] ▪ [Specific milestones] D. SHARED LIFE ▪ Joint financial: [shared accounts, expenses] ▪ Joint social: [mutual friends, family integration] ▪ Joint responsibilities: [household, children if any] ▪ Joint future plans: [career, residence, family] E. COMMITMENT We are committed to each other and intend to continue our relationship indefinitely. We: ▪ Have integrated families / mutual support networks ▪ Make joint financial decisions ▪ Plan our future together ▪ Live as if married in all material respects F. DECISION TO RELOCATE TO UK The application for UK partner visa reflects our intention to: ▪ Continue cohabitation in UK ▪ Build long-term life together with sponsor in UK ▪ Eventually settle (ILR) and consider British citizenship [Signature, Date]" §5 — FINANCIAL + ACCOMMODATION + ENGLISH (60-80 words) Same as Spouse route: ▪ Minimum income GBP 29,000 (sponsor); + GBP 3,800 per child ▪ Accommodation adequate, without public funds ▪ English at A1 CEFR (degree-in-English or SELT) ▪ Maintenance for duration For Indian applicants: similar evidence as Spouse application (sponsor's income, UK accommodation, English). §6 — APPLICATION FEES + PROCESSING (60-80 words) Same as Spouse: ▪ Application fee: GBP 1,846 (outside UK) / GBP 1,048 (inside UK) [VERIFY] ▪ IHS: GBP 1,035/year × 2.5 years = GBP 2,587.50 ▪ Standard processing: 12-24 weeks outside UK ▪ Priority: 5 working days; Super Priority: next working day Visa duration: ▪ 30 months initially ▪ Extension to 5 years total ▪ Then ILR after 5 years §7 — APPENDIX FM TRACKING REQUIREMENTS (60-80 words) Once on unmarried partner visa: ▪ Continue cohabitation evidence ▪ At 30-month extension: similar evidence required ▪ At ILR (5 years): more rigorous evidence required (relationship continues genuine + subsisting) ▪ Children: ILR for children alongside parents ▪ Path to British Citizenship after 12 months ILR End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Unmarried partner applications require comprehensive 2-year cohabitation evidence. Indian cultural / religious context may justify why marriage has not occurred — document specifically. UKVI scrutinises unmarried partner cases more carefully than married — strong evidence essential."
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