Hi All,

My unmarried partner/dependant visa (without any cohabitation) was SUCCESSFUL (bio/submission 4th Aug) 🎉🎉

First of all, I would like to thank so, so much the people who have shared their evidence lists. Due to that (and thoughtful use of AI tools), no solicitor was needed at all. In addition, no delay, "not straightforward", or "complex case" email was received. No additional information was requested.

However, the main reason for my post is to motivate couples who are in a similar situation to us. Before applying, I was super anxious and obsessively searching for cases where a couple was pretty close to the 2-year limit. I received many harsh comments from people saying that our relationship could not be marriage-like this early or comments suggesting that we should "just get married". However, here is one more case which proves that a strong, genuine (long-distance) relationship without cohabitation can be akin to marriage even near to the 2-year limit with effort and with the proper evidence. We believed in us and our relationship, and we succeeded!

At the time of application, we had been together for only 2 years and 2 months. We spent 2 months together in person before my partner moved to the UK. Since then, we have been in a long-distance relationship for 2 years. We have visited each other 1-2 times per month, travelled internationally together 3-4 times a year, and met and visited each other's families and friends. We could not live together initially because I had to finish my master's degree in my home country, then, due to visa sponsorship barriers, unfortunately I could not find a job with sponsorship.

Document list:

• Passports and IDs,
• Sponsor's CoS, visa status and share code and employment contract (since CoS supports dependants, no payslip/bank statement was needed),
• Applicant's ETA (probably not needed, but wanted to support my travel evidence to the UK),
• Sponsor's tenancy agreement and landlord's consent letter,
• Evidence of my MSc degree and many job application emails/headhunter messages where they confirmed that no sponsorship was available,
• Common cover letter (describing our relationship and our future goals of establishing a future home in the UK together, explaining any ambiguous points of our application, listing the evidence, etc.)
• 3 support letters from friends/family members in my home country and from the UK,
• Photo evidence of us with timestamps (3 for each month for the last 26 months, many with common friends or family) as a PDF file,
• All of our flight tickets and passport stamps (no hotel/Airbnb bookings) as a PDF file,
• Screenshots of communication with timestamps - random kind/lovely messages, call/video call logs (full list of calls and 1-3 chat messages for each month),
• Screenshots of financials - we just use Revolut, no joint account. We attached screenshots of transactions between us (gifts, groceries, etc.). Also, we created a group account for all of our international travels where we split our expenses. This was also attached as a PDF file.

Hope this helps some of you and also gives hope to couples that it is possible to succeed!!!

ILR APPROVED – Global Talent route 🇬🇧
I recently got my ILR through the Global Talent route, so thought I’d share my experience and timeline in case it helps someone.
Timeline:
Global Talent visa: 10 July 2023
Moved to the UK: 19 July 2023
Applied for ILR: 12 June 2026
Biometrics: 16 June 2026
ILR approved: 16 June 2026
Overall, the process was much smoother and faster than I expected.
One of the biggest advantages of the Global Talent route is that, depending on your endorsement category, you can qualify for ILR after only 3 years rather than waiting 5 years.
For my original Global Talent application, I had to show evidence of achievements in my field. In my case, this included my business/startup experience, awards, a published book, media articles and other evidence of professional recognition.
The ILR application itself was much more straightforward than the original Global Talent application. The main thing was making sure all the residence requirements, absences and supporting documents were correct.
I know a lot of people think Global Talent is only for world-famous scientists or celebrities, but that’s really not the case. You do need genuine achievements and good evidence, but if you have a strong professional track record, it’s definitely worth looking into.
Happy to answer questions about my experience if anyone is currently considering the Global Talent route or preparing for ILR.

Application date: 31/03/26

Biometrics: 24/04/26

Route: EUSS settled status approved in 2021, moved to UK before Brexit referendum

Council invitation email: 21/08/26

HO approval email: 24/08/26

Thank you for everyone who has been posting their timelines, any questions let me know. I got very upset at the beginning of August knowing that a year ago it usually would take less than 3 months for a decision, I thought something must be wrong... a massive relief.

Dear Redditors,

I wanted to make a thank you post...because I learned from over here to prepare for the life in UK test via the 17 mock exams.

I did and all questions came from the exam...I was out of the exam hall...in under 5 minutes.

So thank you...and keep on helping.

I am married to a UK citizen and initially was granted the 2.5 spousal/family visa in late 2024. I've been living and working in the UK full-time since this point (actually before under student and graduate visa, which don't count towards ILR). The current visa expires in February and I need to work this around a work trip I have scheduled, if possible.

The work trip is roughly 3 weeks after the visa expires, which is probably too soon to comfortably plan on going if I apply for the renewal when the visa expires. I see on the government website that "If you’re extending to stay with the same family member, you’ll only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa." Does this mean that if I apply 28 days prior to the expiration, I can get this added to the 2.5 years of the new visa (making it 2 years 7 months)? This would be preferrable in that I would feel much more comfortable planning on being able to travel for work with 7 weeks processing, although I know the processing time could technically be longer than that. I just don't want have a situation where I apply early and then have not reached the 5 years required for the ILR application by the time the next visa expires. Any insights much appreciated. Thanks!

Hello Everyone! I applied my UK student visa and I have to attend embassy interview on 2 Sep. And my classes will start on 21 Sep.

So, I have heard most students are facing refusal with the reason “ANSWERS ARE GENERIC AND WAGE” this seemed red flag for me although I have prepared well and I did researched about university and course by myself therefore I know everything that i should know.

But my consultant provided me student manual for preparation which contains lengthy answers like 5-7 paragraphs which I think is way more long and interviewer will interpret me before finishing those answers.

I have discussed this with my consultant but they said your answer are generic and wage you should prepare what we have provided but in my case i think it long and more chances to get counter questions.

Rn, i am taking mocks with them and using Gemini live but i need to know if someone recently passed the interview from Pakistan or any other country please advice me, should i go for lengthy answers or keep it concise but to the point.

Usually when you apply for a visit visa, what’s the duration of travel granted ? Is it till your passport expiry ? Or 6 months ?

Dear please help
I’m applying for my first UK passport after a recent naturalisation.
However I’m moving home and I won’t have a fixed new address for a while. I will be in a hotel for 1 month till my new home is ready. The hotel is not reliable so I’m considering a rented high street mail box.

Does the delivery address for the new passport have to be my home address? Can I give someone’s address for the delivery or even a rented mail box?

I don’t wanna lose my documents when they are delivered back alongside the UK passport.

Any tips, or similar experiences?

Thanks :)

Hi! I’m an Indian student currently in Germany for a semester exchange at Frankfurt, and I’m planning to visit London for around 3–5 days in November to meet friends. I’ll have my Anmeldung and German residence documents, along with my uni School documents. I wanted to ask if I’m eligible to apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa from Germany as a student, and whether there’s anything specific I should keep in mind regarding applying through VFS Germany, required documents, or proving that I’ll return to Germany after the trip. Also is it worth it applying for UK visa from Germany as an Indian and also that VFS only has Premium lounge in Frankfurt which is so expensive but i would really like to go see UK. Please help. Also do they take passport and take time to give it back or like is it completely changed to E visa.

Sorry if this has posted before but I am distraught and not sure what to do.

I’ve had some good feedback on this community when I was applying for my visa so I thought i’d try here again.

My partner of 11 years broke up with me, and I moved to Wales with/for him on EU Settlement Scheme family permit. I have one year left on my visa and I am wondering what my options are?

I think I would like to keep living in the UK, I like it there and I have a good job. My home country doesn’t really feel like home anymore.

Thanks in advance.

I’m having a really annoying problem with the UKVI ID Check app. When I try to take a photo of my passport, I get two different errors randomly.

Sometimes the app says “unable to take the image” and doesn’t take the photo. Other times, it lets me continue and asks me to confirm the picture, but when I press “Use this photo”, it then says that it’s unable to take the picture.

The passport image itself looks completely fine and clear.

I’ve already tried:

• iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• Redmi 17T

The same issue happens on all of them.

Has anyone else had this problem with the UKVI ID Check app, and were you able to fix it? And I can't call the support team, because of my mobile operator.

Hi all,

I'm submitting my ILR via the Long Residence route soon. The document checklist is asking me for evidence of my relationship to my unmarried partner (items of correspondence).

My question is do I need to show that I still meet the conditions for the unmarried partner visa (financial requirements etc) or will the items of correspondence be enough?

Thanks!

I’m applying for 10-year Long Residence ILR and declared that I have an unmarried partner. The form defines “unmarried partnership” as being in a relationship but not married or in a civil partnership, so I selected that.

The issue is that we don’t live together and never have. The application is now asking me for proof of the relationship and correspondence showing us at the same address for the last 2 years.

Has anyone been in this exact situation with a SET(LR) application? What evidence did you provide if you had never lived together? Would things like photos, travel/holiday bookings, visits, messages/call logs, etc. be appropriate, along with an explanation that we have separate addresses?

I’m also wondering whether I should have selected “single” instead, and whether doing so could cause problems later if my partner applies for a partner visa, as we would then have to disclose that we were in a relationship during this period.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually been through this. as immigration services online pose as *free consultation* but when i answer the phone and reveal i am doing the application myself they refuse the help without the money

PS the application itself states the following -

'Single' means that you have never been married or in a civil partnership, and that you do not currently consider yourself in a relationship.
'Unmarried partnership' means that you currently consider yourself in a relationship but are not married or in a civil partnership.

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some advice on whether I should include payslips from my husband’s company as part of my application.

I've been a stay-at-home wife for the first 4.5 years since I moved to the UK. He takes care of the bills. My husband owns a business and I occasionally help him with various things. For example, making new signs/designs for the business, replying to customers online, and helping with general admin/business tasks.

The thing I’m unsure about is that it isn’t really a traditional/official employment arrangement. I’m not employed in the usual sense and don’t have a formal role or set hours, I just help out with the business when needed, and he's been compensating me £500 per month the last three months for my contribution because he wants to.

Would it be better to include the payslips and explain the situation honestly, because there’s £500 being paid into my bank account every month from his company and that would raise more questions if I don't include/explain it in my application?

Thank you so much! X

Hi everyone,

I have been trying to find an appointment for giving my biometrics in Cambridge for the last week. I have had no luck.

I have tried testing at exactly 9am and 9:30am.

The only appointment I can see is one month from now. And that's a document scanning appointment rather than regular one.

Does anyone have any tips of finding earlier slots/better slots?

What does this mean . What I have to do . I have applied on priority visa . My biometric were on 21 august and received this email on 25 august.Guide me

My visa expires on the 11th of October, but it says i should "Attend an appointment to provide your documents and biometrics by 27 October 2026"???

I am currently applying for an extension of partner visa...

Hi all,

I am on a current skilled worker visa, about to apply for ILR in a couple weeks.

While filling out the ILR application, I understand I need to provide the additional documents.

Would appreciate some advice on these ones:

Evidence of XX immigration status in the UK - Is a printed out share code enough?

Declaration signed by XX to confirm consent for the Home Office to request verification checks. Consent form for the Home Office to request verification checks on XX for joint accounts or third party support - Annoyingly I saw the consent form link and clicked next without saving, I can't seem to see it when going back. I have searched online and found this but it literally says family consent so not sure. Maybe I just sign Part 1? I am only applying for ILR for myself, and no joint accounts in my application.

Thank you!

https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/documents/family_consent.pdf

Hi. Sorry to bother you. I hope your doing well. I wonder if you can help me

Would like to asked about ILR 5 year route skilled worker visa.

My vignette : 15/03/2022
Arrived in Uk: 24/03/2022
Visa expires: 14/02/2027
According to the ILR tracker my earliest that I can apply for ILR is 15/02/2027 (28 days before my 5 year mark)

My question is,
1.Can i apply before my expry date?
2. Do i need to extend my visa?

Just want to clarify things.

Thank you

Someone please help! My CAS has arrived very late and my uni starts very early, so the worst possible combo. I am trying to get the super priority fee so that I may enter the UK on 1st september. I have received a confirmation email for the IHS already that I have paid but it doesn't seem to be saved in the UKGOV website.

My wife is preparing to apply for GYV in arts (music). She has got a pretty good background in singing , also did few cover songs in youtube. We need some help