21 Apr Spouse visa: what can you use to show cohabitation?
Under paragraph E-ECP.2.6 and E-LTRP.1.7 of the Immigration Rules, the Home Office must be satisfied that the relationship between the applicant and his/her partner is genuine and subsisting.
What type of evidence of cohabitation should you provide?
The couple will need to submit 12 documents (6 each) of correspondence to show that they have been residing together at the same address for at least the last two years.
The evidence of cohabitation should be addressed in their joint names or in both the applicant’s and his/her partner’s names. Please note that the documents provided must be originals, photocopies are not acceptable.
The documents should be from at least 3 different sources and the dates should be covered over the whole period they are relying on. If the migrant cannot provide enough items in their joint names, they can submit items addressed to each of them individually if the documents show the same address for both the applicant and his/her British sponsor.
Applicants can provide the following documents as the evidence of cohabitation:
- Letters or other documents from government departments or agencies, for example, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), DVLA, TV Licensing;
- Letters or other documents from your GP, a hospital or other local health service about medical treatments, appointments, home visits or other medical matters;
- Bank statements/letters;
- Building society savings books/letters;
- Council tax bills or statements;
- Electricity and/or gas bills or statements;
- Water rates bills or statements;
- Mortgage statements/agreement;
- Tenancy agreement(s);
- Telephone bills or statements.
Contact Our Immigration Team
For expert advice regarding any aspect of the UK visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075.
