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Guide · Updated October 2026
Unmarried Partner Visa without living together: how we got approved
We're Sara (Spanish) and Lee (British). We applied for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa without ever having lived together, and it was approved in September 2026, 18 working days after biometrics. This is exactly how we approached it.
By Sara & Lee · Not legal advice
Short answer
In our case, yes, it was possible. What the caseworker needs to see is a genuine, stable relationship akin to marriage. If you haven't lived together, explain clearly why, and prove the relationship in other ways. Every application is assessed individually, so always check the current rules on GOV.UK.
Our situation
We met in London in December 2022, when Sara was there on an English course. She then went back to Spain to finish her degree and later moved to Madrid for work, while Lee has lived and worked in London for 10 years. For almost four years we went back and forth between London, Asturias and Madrid.
Explain why you haven't lived together
This was the key part of our application. We didn't hide it: we explained it directly in the sponsor's cover letter and in the applicant's personal statement.
Sara had to finish her degree in Spain. After that we looked into a work visa for her, but after Brexit it's very hard to get sponsored as a recent graduate. We were apart for practical reasons, not because the relationship wasn't serious, and we said exactly that.
If there's a reason you couldn't live together, such as studies, work or immigration rules, don't leave the caseworker to guess. Say it clearly and back it up.
How we proved the relationship
Our focus was always to show that we were there for each other at the important moments, often with our families and friends there too. This is the evidence we sent:
- Event log: a timeline of our relationship with the key dates, from our first date to the application.
- Photo timeline: photos of us together over the years, on trips and at family events.
- Flights from both of us: showing that the visits went both ways.
- Daily chats: showing constant contact while we were apart.
- Letters from family and friends who know us as a couple.
Some moments from our event log
- December 2022: first date in London.
- April 2023: first trip together, to Rhodes, and Lee's first visit to Asturias.
- December 2023: Christmas with Lee's family in the North of England.
- March 2024: Sara's graduation, with her family.
- May 2025: Lee came over to help Sara move to Madrid.
- July 2026: we celebrated Spain winning the World Cup together in Madrid.
Where you'll live if you've never lived together
You also have to show you'll have adequate accommodation in the UK. We didn't want to sign an expensive London rental before knowing whether the visa would be approved, and Lee's house share didn't allow a second person in the room.
So we said we'd live at first with Lee's mum and stepdad. We included a letter from the landlords confirming we could live there, and a property report showing there was enough space for everyone. More about our accommodation.
How we organised it all
We sent 29 documents grouped into 6 folders, with a master index at the start so the caseworker could find everything quickly. The relationship evidence went in its own folder, in date order.
If you want to know what it all cost and how long each step took, we've put our real costs and dates on the home page.
Use the exact bundle we sent.
Our templates have the same structure, letters and order, with our details removed so you can add yours. All of it for €52.32, instead of the €1,000+ we spent on solicitors.
We're not solicitors and this guide isn't legal advice. It's our own experience. The rules change, so always check GOV.UK and, if your case is complex, speak to a professional.