Unmarried partner — 2-year cohabitation requirement (Appendix FM)

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."