Anyone successfully applied without cohabiting? (Same-sex relationship, UK partner)
I'm trying to understand how strong our case is.
My partner is a UK citizen and a civil servant. We've been together since 2023 and have visited each other multiple times. He has visited India four times, and we've stayed together for 12 to 30 days on each trip.
Our evidence includes:
- Photos and travel records from our trips.
- chats/calls together
- Our families have met, and we've travelled together as families.
- Consistent financial support/shared finances from my partner's side.
- Ongoing communication and proof of our relationship over time.
The one area I'm worried about is cohabitation. We haven't lived together because it wasn't realistically possible due to a combination of factors:
We're in a same-sex relationship, and it wasn't feasible for my partner to relocate to India because of the social and cultural environment.
My partner also has a dependent parent in the UK whom he supports financially and cares for in person.
We don't have joint bank accounts or shared utility bills, as we've never been able to live together. The financial evidence we do have consists of consistent monthly support and transfers from my partner.
I'm wondering how much weight the lack of cohabitation and joint household documents carries when there are genuine reasons why living together wasn't possible.
Has anyone been in a similar situation and had their application approved? I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience.