Sponsoring For Uk Settlement

[skinnymilinky]

The more I think about these visa applications the more I confuse myself!! I am trying to get a settlement visa for my unmarried partner. We have been living together for the past nearly 3 years in Thailand but have returned to the UK on holiday for 3 months for me only to get myself a good job and we now want to stay. We have now been here 6 months with me working and Ton holidaying! (well cooking me dinner and cleaning the house!!)

We have never spent any time apart since we first met but Ton is returning to Thailand in Nov and is hoping to apply for a settlement visa when he returns. Do you think this will be too soon after being in england? I am going back in Jan to hopefully come back to the UK with him in about March. All our evidence of us being together is from Thailand, we've never been apart!

I can get all the sponsorship info but I don't know if a letter from me is sufficient or if I need to fill out a Sponsorship undertaking form SU07/01. I have been on the UK website which maybe is what is confusing me!! I can support him in the UK as I have for the past 6 months we have been here.

When I need to get things certified, I assume that this is by a Justice of the Peace, I can't get a colleague to certify? I am a Nurse by the way.

Am I just confusing things?!! Should this not all be simple, when all that any of us want is to just be together?!!

Any more advice would be great!

[paully]

Am I just confusing things?!! Should this not all be simple, when all that any of us want is to just be together?!!

A letter from you - or even adding comments on the 'additional information in support' page - should be enough if you give sufficient detail. His application should be okay if all the supporting documents are in order. You are allowed to change plans!

[7by7]

For an unmarried partner there is usually no need for the sponsor to complete form SU07/01. However, I would recommend that you do write a sponsor's letter briefly outlining the history of your relationship and your plans for the future.

The time he has spent in the UK as a visitor does count toward the 2 years living together in a relationship akin to marriage that is required. There is no reason why he cannot apply immediately upon his return to Thailand.

There is no need to have anything certified unless you are supplying photocopies instead of originals. Obviously you will be supplying a photocopy of your passport as you will need the original for when you travel. Remember to copy the ID page and every page that has a visa or entry/exit stamp on it; I would recommend copying the blank pages as well so that the ECO knows they are blank. Any photocopies should be certified; you can do this simply by writing "I certify that this is a true copy of....." on each page of the copy and signing it; although many people suggest that you get a solicitor to do it.

Most of the information you need has already been provided to you here, but feel free to ask any further questions you need. One request, though; could you please ask them in this thread rather than starting a new thread each time?

The procedure is relatively simple, particularly when compared to the US; though I accept that it can be confusing for a first timer who may not know where to look for the information. Unfortunately it is the activities of criminals who have in the past made false applications to enter the UK for reasons other than that stated means that genuine applicants like your partner have an increasing number of hoops to jump through.