Right of residence granted to an Extended Family Member of EEA National after refusal based on insufficient evidence
21.04.2022
Turkmenistan National has appealed against the decision made to refuse his application for a residence card as an Extended Family Member of European National who is exercising treaty rights in the UK. The client was in unmarried partnership when they applied for a residence card, which was refused on the basis that the client has not provided enough evidence to prove a durable relationship with their partner. Their relationship began and progressed as a long distance relationship due to the client’s return to Turkmenistan. The client has kept in contact on regular basis and continued long distance relationship with their partner. Three years later, the client has returned to the UK and started living together with their partner.
The Home Office had refused the initial application. This was done on the basis that the Applicant has failed to evidence that their relationship with the sponsor was durable, as they failed to submit sufficient evidence to prove they stayed in contact while being in a long distance relationship. Furthermore, the Home Office argued that the evidence the client provided to prove that they started living together was insufficient, as they only provided one gas bill.
Our lawyers appealed against this decision, arguing that the client has submitted a significant body of documents which included different identity documents, payslips of their partner showing that they are exercising their treaty rights in the UK, variety of letters proving cohabitance with the sponsor, such as bank statements, utility bills, phone bills. Also, messages and conversations between the applicant and their partner were submitted together with photographs, proving their relationship.
The Judge was satisfied with the evidence submitted, as it was heard that the client and their partner have started introductions between their family members, showing clear intent to marry. With the consideration of all of the documents submitted and the oral evidence given in court, confirmed the durable nature of their relationship. Consequently, the Judge allowed the appeal, stating that the Appellant is entitled to be issued with a Residence Card.
