For most UK spouse and partner visa applications, the relationship requirement is where applicants feel the most exposed. It is also where many otherwise well-prepared cases come unstuck — not because the relationship is not genuine, but because the evidence does not prove it in a way that matches how caseworkers assess credibility.
Garth Coates Solicitors sees a consistent pattern across spouse, civil partner and unmarried partner routes: successful applications rarely rely on a single “big” document. They succeed because the evidence paints a coherent, verifiable picture of 2 people building a life together — and because the bundle is organised so a decision-maker can understand it quickly.
What caseworkers are really looking for
Relationship evidence is not a social media scrapbook. Caseworkers generally look for 3 things:
- Identity and status: Who are the parties and what is their immigration position?
- Genuineness: Is the relationship real and ongoing?
- Living arrangements and commitment: Do the facts show a shared life, shared responsibilities, and a stable intention to live together in the UK?
The required “shape” of evidence can differ depending on whether the couple is married/civil partners or applying as unmarried partners (where cohabitation evidence is often critical). Garth Coates’ UK Family Visas page summarises the kinds of proof that typically support these applications.
The relationship evidence that usually works
1) Cohabitation evidence (where it applies)
If the couple has lived together, proof of shared address over time is one of the strongest credibility anchors — especially for unmarried partners. What tends to work best is a spread of documents across the relevant period, showing both names linked to the same address.
Examples that often carry weight:
- Tenancy agreements or mortgage statements (plus evidence they were actually lived in)
- Council tax letters
- Utility bills and broadband statements
- Bank statements showing the address for each partner
The key is not the “perfect” document — it is the pattern: consistent names, consistent address, and consistent dates.
2) Joint finances and shared responsibilities
Joint bank accounts are helpful, but not essential. What matters is showing that the couple shares real-world responsibilities in a way that can be verified.
Strong examples include:
- Joint tenancy/mortgage
- Shared bills (or evidence of paying household costs)
- Insurance policies naming each other
- Evidence of sending money for household support (where relevant)
- Evidence of childcare responsibilities (if applicable)
This is also where many cases become easier when the evidence is presented alongside a short explanation of “who pays what and why”.
3) Marriage/civil partnership evidence (plus context)
A marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate is important, but it is rarely enough on its own. Caseworkers often want to see that the relationship is not purely formal.
Helpful supporting items:
- Evidence of time spent together before and after marriage
- Proof of contact during any periods apart
- Evidence of families knowing about the relationship (where culturally relevant)
4) Communication evidence that shows continuity, not intensity
Messages and call logs can be useful, but they are best used selectively. A clean sample across time (rather than 300 pages of chat) usually tells a clearer story.
What works:
- A few snapshots per month or quarter (depending on the timeline)
- Messages that show normal life: plans, travel, family, finances, living arrangements
- Call logs that demonstrate ongoing contact if the couple lived apart
5) Travel evidence and time spent together
Travel bookings, entry stamps (if applicable), hotel bookings, photos tied to travel dates, and itineraries can support a narrative — especially for couples who spent time long-distance.
A simple, dated travel timeline (1 page) paired with supporting documents often lands better than a folder of unlabelled PDFs.
Evidence that often gets ignored (or treated as weak)
A common frustration is “We sent loads — why didn’t they accept it?” Usually, it is not that the Home Office ignored everything. It is that certain evidence types are easy to stage, hard to verify, or poorly tied to a timeline.
1) Hundreds of photos with no dates or context
Photos help, but volume does not equal credibility. Undated images, screenshots, and selfies without any supporting context rarely move the needle.
If photos are included, they are stronger when:
- They are captioned with date/location
- They show the couple with friends/family at identifiable events
- They align with travel evidence and other documents
2) Social media posts and “relationship status” screenshots
Social media can support a case, but it is rarely decisive. Caseworkers tend to value documents that can be independently verified (official letters, financial records, consistent address history) more heavily than curated online content.
3) Overwhelming chat logs with no structure
A 600-page WhatsApp export is more likely to be skimmed than read. If the most relevant evidence is buried, it may effectively not exist. Samples, indexed and explained, are generally more persuasive.
4) Letters from friends and family without supporting proof
Witness statements can help, but they are not a substitute for documentary evidence. If included, they are best used to explain context (e.g., cultural arrangements, periods of separation, how the relationship developed) — backed up by objective records.
How to present relationship evidence so it actually helps
This is where many applications transform from “probably fine” to “clearly approvable”.
1) Build a timeline first, then attach evidence to it
A strong approach is:
- 1 page relationship timeline (how you met, milestones, cohabitation dates, trips, marriage/civil partnership date, plans)
- Evidence grouped by category (cohabitation, finances, travel, communication)
- Each document labelled so it answers a specific point on the timeline
2) Make it easy to verify names, dates and addresses
Caseworkers are trained to spot inconsistencies. Common issues include:
- Different spellings of names across documents
- Old addresses used on newer statements
- Gaps in cohabitation evidence with no explanation
Where there is a genuine reason, it should be explained clearly (for example, temporary living arrangements, cultural reasons, or delays in being added to bills).
3) Quality beats quantity
A tight bundle that proves the essentials is usually stronger than an enormous upload that mixes strong and weak material together.
4) Address any “red flags” proactively
Certain situations are not fatal, but they need careful handling:
- Large age gaps
- Short courtships
- Long-distance relationships
- Previous marriages
- Limited cohabitation due to work, study or family responsibilities
These factors are not automatic refusal points. But if the evidence does not explain them, the Home Office may draw its own conclusions.
If the Home Office is not satisfied: refusals and next steps
Where relationship evidence is considered insufficient, spouse and partner visas can be refused on genuineness grounds. Garth Coates’ UK Visa Refusals page outlines how refusal reasons can be assessed and challenged, and when different remedies may be appropriate.
In more complex cases — or where a refusal needs to be challenged — formal options may include appeal rights and judicial review routes, which the firm covers under Appeals and Judicial Review.
For couples thinking longer-term, it can also help to understand how a partner route can feed into settlement and nationality options over time, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) and later British citizenship applications.
A spouse visa relationship bundle should feel like a clear story backed by verifiable proof — not a pile of attachments. When it is prepared properly, it can reduce delays, minimise credibility concerns, and make it easier for a caseworker to grant the application with confidence.
For tailored advice on what evidence best fits a couple’s circumstances — whether applying as a spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner — contact Garth Coates Solicitors via their Contact page. For transparency on scope and costs, see Services & Fees.
Ready to move forward with your UK immigration plans? Garth Coates Solicitors can guide you at every step — from eligibility checks and document preparation to submission and follow-up. If you’re launching a business, our uk start up visa team can help you build a strong application. Need support with work routes? Speak to a trusted skilled worker visa solicitor today. We also advise on the uk self sponsorship visa for entrepreneurs seeking more control. Studying in the UK? Our student visa solicitors are here to help — contact us now for tailored advice.
