In order to be granted leave to enter, or remain in, the UK, an unmarried partner is required to produce evidence that s/he has lived with her/his sponsor in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for the previous two years. Short breaks of up to six months apart are acceptable if good reason can be shown, for example, a work commitment or a relative's care needs. Evidence, for example, visits and letters, must show that the relationship continued throughout any such break. Evidence of cohabitation may include:-
records of a joint commitment, for example, a joint bank account or mortgage agreement
birth records of any children of the couple
correspondence which links the couple to the same address
any official record of the joint address, for example, a medical record or record of a joint benefit claim.