Joe,
Many thanks for this. I wasnt aware of the first link so that is really useful. A couple of points about the 2 year cohabitation rule :-
1. In the first link I note that the refusal wording does not say that the 2 years had to be continuous merely that the ECO doesnt believe that the relationship has subsisted for 2 years.
2. The second link I note that the couple should provide evidence of cohabitation in the 2-years preceding the application - note it does not say immediately preceding the application. As I will be going to The Phils in January to do the application we will be living together immediately preceding the application anyway!
In my own case we have 2 years but over a 10 year period. We tried to settle permanently in The Phils and we built a house but it was a financial nightmare and I had to come back to the UK in 2007 to work to make up the loss which I have now done. We have a wealth of evidence to demonstrate that we are, in essence, a family and have lived together in a relationship akin to man and wife.
Any further thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers
Geordie
