I and my partner have been in a committed relationship for 19 months now. He is a Canadian citizen while I am a Nigerian who lives in the UK on a visa. I and my partner have known each other since 2011 during undergrad in Nigeria. We got into a committed relationship in January 2024 and it has been long distance. He has visited me 3 times in the UK and we have travelled to other European countries on vacation together since our relationship began. I have tried to visit him in Canada but my visitor visa was refused. We want to build a live together, we want to live together as the distance is so much of a burden but he cannot work here legally and I cannot travel there as the reason for the visitor visa refusal has not changed (no strong family ties outside Canada and my status in my country of residence). We want to apply for spousal sponsorship as conjugal partners but do not know our chances or the evidence to show. We chat and call each other several times daily, we support each other financially and our family and friends are aware of the relationship.
What are the chances of our conjugal partner PR application being approved?
- Thread starter Leesi
- Start date
If he has come to the UK to be with you that many times and have been to trips to Europe then what is your barrier being together. He can go to the UK. You can get married.
We have not been able to live together, which we want to, living together and starting a family is the goal. We cannot start a family with him visiting for weeks. He can only make short visits as he cannot legally work in the UK. The trip is a long one can be draining for one party to constantly make. We both don’t believe in the concept of marriage and do not want to be forced to.
You can try but immigration barriers are same sex relationship, for example, who are living in a country where it is illegal. Not believing in the concept of marriage or having draining trips are not really reasons. You need to show that you have been together a long time, cannot see each other, marry and he supports you. You are in the UK so chances are low but go for it. Get a good immigration lawyer.
Thanks. Sounds like our chances are really low though I can prove we have been together for a long time and that he supports me. I can prove that he cannot live here with me and neither have I been able to live there with him due to immigration barriers. Our lives are interdependent. We can’t meet the common law criteria if we can’t live together.
So he can come to the UK on a working holiday visa and work for up to 2 years. You have no immigration barriers to becoming common law. He can move to the UK with no issues and work. No need to just visit. IRCC will take this into account if you apply conjugal because he can move to the UK and be with you.
https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility
Thanks a lot for this. This seems like another option to explore, hopefully he is open to leaving his good job to search for a job here lol.
I’ll definitely drop an update
It just makes a case of conjugal very difficult because you can be together. There are no immigration barriers. Saying he doesn't want to move to the UK is not a reason because then shows IRCC that you are not in a serious relationship and not willing to do whatever it takes to be together.
You have a point there, if there is a way we can live together here, that invalidates the immigration barriers.
You have no immigration barriers to being together if he is eligible for working holiday visa. He can move to the UK instead of you going to Canada. You can start a family in the UK and become common law.
You don't have to 'believe in the concept' to get married (whatever that even means). It's a legal relationship - you enter into a type of contract.
In this context, you are getting married to demonstrate you're in a relationship for immigration purposes - that's all.
Or do you also not believe in 'demonstrating' to the authorities that you're in a relationship? In which case, you really shouldn't present any evidence you're common law, either.
This 'belief' of yours is preventing you and your partner being together. Get married and apply, you'll be done in 6-12 months.