Helllo Everyone,

I have spent the morning going through this great website but I feel my question is a lot more specific then the general information I have found.

Greg-British Citzen
Sam-Canadian

I currently lived in England with Greg. I have lived here since May 2004 but applied for my working holiday maker visa in March 2004. I came to England in May and therfore lost 2 months on my visa

Now I am researching how to extend my visa. I planed to apply for an unmarried visa four weeks before my expiry date( March 11 2006) because we have lived together since I have moved here so we have a joint bank account, bills, and are both employed. We had discussed the other options ( engagement/marriage) but feel we have both made alot of life decisions to be together al ready and would want these things when we are ready not when or because my visa is expiring.

When I phoned the Home Office I was informed because I didn't come till May we will in total only be leaving together for 22 months instead of 24 ( 2 years that are required) therefore I would have to apply for a vistor visa to stay(for 2 months) and not leave the country then apply in May for an unmarried visa.

I was hoping for:
a) To speak to someone on the site who has actually gone through the unmarried visa application and process? Does the 2 months matter? Should we apply anyway?

My gut reaction is the Home Office does not negotiate. If so what is our best direction. Is engagement/marriage/ and unmarried visa our only option? ( work visa isn't an option even though I am employed I work for the Council)

Any advice would be helpful.

Sam & Greg