Australian partner working in UK

Umarried Partner Visa

Unmarried partner visas require at least two years of "living together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership". That's a requirement, not a guideline. 15 months is less than two years, so isn't going to cut it.

You are right to start collecting all the paperwork to show you guys have a life together though. I wish I'd started doing that earlier.

Spouse visas do not have this requirement. You could have met the other half the day before you got married and would qualify for a spouse visa, as long as you meet the other requirements.

So if we get married she will be able to work in the UK, given our current circumstances?

Is there a link to the spouse visa floating around?

Thanks again, Steve

Edited to say no need for the link - it is the same as above, cheers.

My partner and I are currently doing a similar thing, but in reverse. He's British, I'm Australian and at the mo, the only way we can be together is by living in New Zealand.......he was originally on a WHV but now has a work permit.

We're going in as 'de facto spouse', basically because I'm stubborn and refuse to let anyone dictate to me when I should get married!

As someone putting together the paperwork and 'evidence', I highly recommend getting electricity bills, phone bills, internet bills in both of your names. Get joint bank accounts and have statements sent in both names. Have friends and family send letters etc in both names. And keep everything!! We have a file a foot thick of bits of paper addressed to us both.

Also, take your camera with you and get photos of the two of you together during your relationship. At parties, on holidays, with rellos, at weddings and so on and so on.

It's a pain in the arse to fall in love with a foreigner, but I like to think he's worth it!
Good luck