thanks steve.r, thanks gwapito, thanks stevie c...

I'm so glad to have found this website... it's really informative and can be entertaining as well by just reading the threads. Anyway, yeah i do hope i will get the "right" visa next time. Our case is a bit unusual... What i am applying for is an "extension to stay in the UK as the "unmarried" partner of a person present and settled in the UK... yup, it's not the usual "fiancee visa"... hmmm, can't even begin to explain why we're opting for such other than it's what me and my partner agreed (FYI, both of us are free to marry). Personally, im not bothered if he marries me or not - one thing i know, i just want to be with him - full stop! On the other hand, my partner is a person of a very good financial standing and since pre-nuptial agreements are not yet part of the English written law and that is his personal reason for not wanting to get married. That is totally understandable and I respect his decision. I have no doubts with his intentions towards me and he's proven himself in the last four years that he's totally committed to me and im the same with him. (will have to continue later coz he's just arrived! )