applying for marriage visa. specific question

[Terpe]

hi is it necessary for a couple who have been seeing each other for a year and then get separated for over a year to meet again before applying for a marriage visa? even though we communicate constantly. is there a uk law that says that couple should meet up again?

Firstly, to answer your specific question, there is no UK law stating the couple should meet again prior to a visa application.

There is however a requirement of the Immigration Rules stating that the couple have actually met in person.

Under the new rules there are new objective guidelines that caseworkers will follow.
The purpose of these new guidelines is twofold. Firstly, to minimise the levels of discretion that happened previously and secondly to place a higher level of emphasis on objective evaluation of the genuineness of relationship.

You will need to review and understand the methodology used by UKBA of how they intend to establish whether your relationship with your partner is genuine and subsisting

Follow that link above and then scroll down to the heading "More Information".
Click on the link "Further investigations" and review the details.

Note those reasons for further investigation/scrutiny, such as:-

- where "you and your partner do not live together (unless one of you is working or studying away from home)"

- or there is no evidence that you have ever co-habited since the marriage.

- where "you do not share financial or other domestic responsibilities"

Make no mistake, having physical contact between the couple during the intervening period is a very positive factor.

Genuine relationships are not too difficult to support, but under the plan you outline you will need to provide significant extra evidence to demonstrate a current, genuine and subsisting relationship.

[travina]

Firstly, to answer your specific question, there is no UK law stating the couple should meet again prior to a visa application.

There is however a requirement of the Immigration Rules stating that the couple have actually met in person.

Under the new rules there are new objective guidelines that caseworkers will follow.
The purpose of these new guidelines is twofold. Firstly, to minimise the levels of discretion that happened previously and secondly to place a higher level of emphasis on objective evaluation of the genuineness of relationship.

You will need to review and understand the methodology used by UKBA of how they intend to establish whether your relationship with your partner is genuine and subsisting

Follow that link above and then scroll down to the heading "More Information".
Click on the link "Further investigations" and review the details.

Note those reasons for further investigation/scrutiny, such as:-

- where "you and your partner do not live together (unless one of you is working or studying away from home)"

- or there is no evidence that you have ever co-habited since the marriage.

- where "you do not share financial or other domestic responsibilities"

Make no mistake, having physical contact between the couple during the intervening period is a very positive factor.

Genuine relationships are not too difficult to support, but under the plan you outline you will need to provide significant extra evidence to demonstrate a current, genuine and subsisting relationship.

even if we have little photos together do you think a text messages we had for 1 yr will be enough to prove that we are in a relationship before i left the uk? if ECM wont overturn the decision solely because he didnt come here to visit me, then he will just have to come here then before we would apply again.