How to Prove Your Relationship for a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

Applying for a UK dependent visa for your spouse is a critical process when you are seeking to live together in the UK. One of the most significant parts of the application is proving the genuineness of your relationship. The UK government is stringent about assessing the legitimacy of relationships for immigration purposes, particularly due to concerns over fraudulent marriages or relationships aimed solely at securing a visa. Therefore, providing the right documentation and evidence is crucial to the success of your application.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about proving your relationship for a UK dependent visa for your spouse. We’ll break down the key requirements, the evidence you need to gather, and provide tips to strengthen your application.

1. Understanding the UK Spousal Visa

The UK spouse or partner visa is part of the family visa category, allowing non-UK citizens to join their spouse or partner who is either a British citizen, settled in the UK (i.e., they hold indefinite leave to remain or permanent residency), or someone who has refugee status in the UK. This visa allows the applicant to live, work, and study in the UK.

To qualify for a spouse visa, you must meet several requirements, including financial requirements, English language proficiency, and crucially, evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship.

2. What Does a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship Mean?

The UK government requires that applicants prove they are in a “genuine and subsisting relationship” with their spouse. This means that the marriage or relationship is not simply for immigration purposes, but that you and your spouse or partner are genuinely committed to each other and plan to live together long-term.

The Home Office will assess your relationship by reviewing evidence of the duration of your relationship, whether you live together, and the level of commitment between you.

3. Key Requirements for Proving Your Relationship

To demonstrate the legitimacy of your relationship, you’ll need to provide a variety of documents that show your relationship is genuine. These documents may include:

  • Marriage certificate or civil partnership document (if married or in a civil partnership).
  • Proof of cohabitation (e.g., utility bills, rental agreements).
  • Photographs together.
  • Communications history (messages, emails, phone logs).
  • Joint financial documents (bank accounts, shared bills).
  • Evidence of time spent together (flight tickets, hotel bookings).
  • Affidavits or statements from friends or family confirming the authenticity of your relationship.

4. Documents Required to Prove Your Relationship

Here’s a closer look at the essential documents you need to gather to prove your relationship is genuine and subsisting:

A. Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate

This is the foundational document that proves your legal union. If you’re applying as a spouse, the Home Office will expect to see a valid marriage certificate. If you’re in a civil partnership, the civil partnership document serves the same purpose.

  • Tip: If your marriage or partnership certificate is not in English, you must provide a certified translation along with the original document.

B. Proof of Cohabitation

Living together as a couple is a significant indication of a genuine relationship. To show cohabitation, you can provide:

  • Utility bills or bank statements in both of your names showing the same address.
  • Tenancy agreements or mortgage documents demonstrating that you both live in the same household.
  • Letters from governmental bodies or institutions addressed to both of you at the same address.
  • Tip: If you’ve lived in different locations at any point, be prepared to explain the reasons (e.g., work commitments, visa restrictions) and provide evidence of how you maintained contact during this period.

C. Photographs Together

Photographs of you and your spouse together can help to personalize your application. You should include:

  • Pictures from different periods of your relationship (dating phase, wedding day, holidays, family gatherings).
  • Images that show you with each other’s family members or friends.
  • Tip: Try to avoid staged or formal photos. Candid images that capture everyday life together will help illustrate a natural relationship.

D. Communications History

Showing regular communication between you and your spouse is key if you’ve spent time apart. Include:

  • Chat logs or screenshots of messages (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.).
  • Email exchanges.
  • Phone call logs.
  • Tip: Don’t overwhelm the Home Office with hundreds of pages of chat logs. Choose relevant excerpts from different time periods that reflect your commitment to maintaining contact.

E. Joint Financial Documents

Sharing finances is another strong indicator of a genuine relationship. This can be demonstrated through:

  • Joint bank account statements.
  • Joint bills (utility bills, rent, insurance).
  • Proof of shared expenses (e.g., invoices in both names).
  • Tip: Even if you don’t have a joint bank account, providing evidence that you both contribute to household expenses can strengthen your case.

F. Evidence of Time Spent Together

If you’ve spent time apart due to work, visa restrictions, or other reasons, you need to provide evidence of visits and time spent together. This can include:

  • Flight tickets or boarding passes showing that you’ve traveled to see each other.
  • Hotel bookings.
  • Photographs of the time spent together during visits.
  • Tip: Document any significant travel or visits with supporting evidence like travel itineraries and receipts.

G. Affidavits from Friends and Family

Affidavits or personal statements from close friends and family can serve as additional proof of your relationship. These statements should:

  • Be written by people who know you and your spouse well.
  • Include details about how long they have known you as a couple.
  • Mention any events they’ve witnessed (weddings, holidays, or milestones).
  • Tip: Ensure these statements are genuine and detailed. Affidavits should not sound rehearsed but rather offer a natural account of your relationship from someone’s personal perspective.

5. What the Home Office Looks For

When reviewing your application, the Home Office will evaluate:

  • The length of your relationship. Longer-term relationships are seen as more genuine.
  • The time spent living together. Continuous cohabitation strengthens your case.
  • Ongoing communication during time apart. Maintaining regular contact while apart shows commitment.
  • The overall strength of the evidence provided. The more comprehensive and diverse your evidence, the better.

The Home Office will want to ensure that your relationship is not solely for immigration purposes and that you and your spouse plan to continue living together after receiving the visa.

6. Red Flags That Could Raise Concerns

The Home Office is particularly cautious about relationships that appear to be solely for obtaining a visa. Here are some potential red flags that could jeopardize your application:

  • Short-term relationships: If you got married or entered a relationship very shortly before applying for a visa, you may need extra evidence to prove the authenticity.
  • Lack of time spent together: If you haven’t lived together or spent much time together, you’ll need to explain the reasons and provide alternative evidence.
  • Inconsistent evidence: If there are inconsistencies between the evidence you submit (e.g., different addresses on official documents), you need to clarify and provide supporting details.
  • Tip: Always be honest and transparent in your application. If there are gaps or unusual circumstances, explain them thoroughly in your application to avoid misunderstandings.

7. Preparing Your Application for Submission

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary documents, you’ll need to organize them in a clear and logical order. It’s important to:

  • Label each document clearly.
  • Provide a cover letter or table of contents to guide the Home Office through your evidence.
  • Ensure that all translations are certified, and documents are up-to-date.
  • Tip: A well-organized application not only makes it easier for the caseworker to review your case but also demonstrates your commitment and preparation.

8. Conclusion

Proving the genuineness of your relationship is one of the most crucial aspects of a UK dependent visa application for a spouse. By providing clear and comprehensive evidence—ranging from cohabitation documents to communication history and financial records—you can significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome.

Remember, the Home Office is looking for proof that your relationship is real and that your intent to live together is genuine. By preparing your evidence carefully and addressing any potential red flags, you’ll put yourself in the best position for a successful visa application.

Good luck!