For a UK family visa, must we have lived together 2 years before the application date, or 2 years before the visa validity date?

I am applying for a family visa for my Ethiopian partner and I to move to the UK.

My partner moved in with me early January 2020. We will submit our application for the visa early October. It will take 3 months to process, so we should hear early January 2022 and so travel mid/late January.

I want to apply on the basis of having lived together 2 years, rather than as a fiancee, so that we get 2.5 years rather than 6 months. Also, we will have a baby mid-March, so don't want to be organizing a wedding, as the fiancee visa requires.

By the time our application is approved, we will have lived together 2 years - Jan 2020-2022. Is there any way we can apply in October, saying by the time we leave for the UK we'll have lived together 2 years? (If we apply January, we won't get approval until April.)

If not, and we enter on a fiancee basis (and so get 6 months), can we switch visa to one based on our living together for 2 years, once in the UK? Or switch to one based on that my partner is mother to a British citizen baby? (Much of the guidance says you have to leave the country and re-enter if your visa is 6 months or less, which seems to include our fiancee visa.)

Huge thanks

visas uk family

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For a UK family visa, must we have lived together 2 years before the application date, or 2 years before the visa validity date? - Smiling ethnic family walking on tree farm road

For a UK family visa, must we have lived together 2 years before the application date, or 2 years before the visa validity date? - African American family gathering around fir tree and hanging toys on branches during Christmas celebration

For a UK family visa, must we have lived together 2 years before the application date, or 2 years before the visa validity date? - Back view of anonymous African American family playing musical instrument in cozy room with decorated Christmas tree

How do you prove your relationship is genuine?

What documents can you use to prove your relationship?

marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.

tenancy agreement, utility bills or council tax bills stating that you live at the same address or pay bills together.

a bank statement from a joint bank account, or stating that you live at the same address.

How long before my UK visa expires can I apply for a new one?

You're allowed to submit a visa application up to two weeks after the expiry date of your previous visa. However, this is only on the basis that you can provide evidence that you missed the original end date for an unavoidable reason.

What is the 2 year route for UK settlement?

Qualifying Periods for Indefinite Leave to RemainQualifying PeriodVisa categories and routes2 or 3 yearsTier 1 (Investor) - accelerated route, depending on the level of investment in the UK.5 years or 4 yearsEligible highly skilled migrant categories.10 YearsILR on long residence basis2 more rows

How long does it take for a UK family visa to be approved?

Applications for family visas may take up to 24 weeks to process. You should get a decision within 24 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or is settled in the UK.

WHICH FAMILY MEMBERS CAN APPLY FOR THE UK FAMILY VISA

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