UK Spouse Visa — Relationship Statement (Appendix FM)
UKVI / Appendix FM · Last reviewed 2026-06-07 · Download PDF
UKVI evaluates spouse, fiancé(e), and unmarried-partner visa applications against the "genuine and subsisting relationship" standard in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. A clear, chronological relationship statement provides the caseworker with a narrative that ties your supporting evidence together.
Template
Relationship Statement in Support of UK Spouse / Fiancé(e) / Unmarried Partner Visa Application
Applicant: [APPLICANT FULL NAME]
Date of Birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Nationality: [NATIONALITY]
GWF / UAN Reference: [GWF OR UAN NUMBER FROM ONLINE APPLICATION]
Sponsor: [SPONSOR FULL NAME]
Date of Birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Nationality / Immigration Status: [BRITISH CITIZEN / SETTLED PERSON / EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME / OTHER]
Date of Statement: [DD/MM/YYYY]
We, [APPLICANT FULL NAME] and [SPONSOR FULL NAME], submit this joint statement in support of the above visa application. We confirm that our relationship is genuine and subsisting, that we intend to live together permanently in the United Kingdom, and that the information contained in this statement and the accompanying evidence is true to the best of our knowledge.
1. How we met
We first met on [DATE] in [LOCATION]. [DESCRIBE THE CONTEXT — e.g. introduction by mutual friends, work, university, online dating platform name, family event].
[OUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF EACH OTHER — 2-3 sentences in our own words.]
Following our first meeting, we began [HOW WE STAYED IN CONTACT — e.g. exchanging WhatsApp messages, calling regularly, meeting in person every weekend] and our relationship developed into [DESCRIBE THE PROGRESSION].
2. Our relationship timeline
- [MONTH YEAR]: First met (see Exhibit [X])
- [MONTH YEAR]: Began dating exclusively
- [MONTH YEAR]: First met [APPLICANT'S / SPONSOR'S] family
- [MONTH YEAR]: First trip together to [LOCATION] — see Exhibit [X] (boarding passes, photos)
- [MONTH YEAR]: Moved in together / engaged / married at [LOCATION] — see Exhibit [X] (lease, ring receipt, marriage certificate)
- [MONTH YEAR — most recent]: [CURRENT STATUS — e.g. continuously residing together, jointly raising children, planning UK relocation]
3. How we communicate
Since [DATE], we have been in continuous communication through [PLATFORMS — e.g. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, voice calls, video calls]. We typically communicate [FREQUENCY — e.g. multiple times daily, with video calls every evening].
Enclosed as Exhibit [X] is a chronological appendix of [NUMBER] pages of representative communication between us, covering the period from [START DATE] to [END DATE]. The chat log preserves timestamps and sender names. Voice-note durations and video-call frequency are included in the same appendix.
4. In-person meetings and shared time
We have met in person on [NUMBER] occasions between [START YEAR] and [END YEAR]. The most significant in-person periods are documented in the enclosed exhibits:
- [DATE RANGE] in [LOCATION] — see Exhibit [X] (boarding passes, hotel receipts, photos)
- [DATE RANGE] in [LOCATION] — see Exhibit [X]
- [DATE RANGE] in [LOCATION] — see Exhibit [X]
5. Our families and shared life
[APPLICANT FULL NAME] has met [SPONSOR'S] family on [NUMBER] occasions, most recently on [DATE]. [SPONSOR FULL NAME] has met [APPLICANT'S] family on [NUMBER] occasions, most recently on [DATE]. Photographs documenting these family meetings are enclosed as Exhibit [X].
Our families are aware of and supportive of our relationship and our plan to live together in the United Kingdom. Letters of support from [NAME(S) OF FAMILY MEMBER(S)] are enclosed as Exhibit [X].
6. Our plans in the United Kingdom
On grant of this visa, we intend to live together at [INTENDED UK ADDRESS]. The accommodation is [OWNED BY SPONSOR / RENTED BY SPONSOR / FAMILY-OWNED / OTHER] and is suitable for both of us without recourse to public funds. Evidence of accommodation is enclosed as Exhibit [X].
[SPONSOR] is employed as [JOB TITLE] at [EMPLOYER] earning £[GROSS ANNUAL SALARY] per year, which meets the minimum income requirement under Appendix FM. Payslips, employment letter, and bank statements are enclosed as Exhibit [X].
Our long-term plans include [SHORT-TERM — e.g. relocating applicant's career, language classes if applicable] and [LONG-TERM — e.g. purchasing a home in the UK, applying for indefinite leave to remain, raising children].
7. Confirmation
We confirm that this relationship is genuine and subsisting, that we intend to live together permanently in the United Kingdom, and that we meet the relationship and financial requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. We have provided full and accurate information in this application and in the supporting evidence enclosed.
Signed,
___________________________________
[APPLICANT FULL NAME], Applicant
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
___________________________________
[SPONSOR FULL NAME], Sponsor
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
When to use this statement
Submit this relationship statement with any spouse, fiancé(e), or unmarried-partner application made under Appendix FM of the UK Immigration Rules — including the out-of-country VAF4A application, the in-country switch FLR(M), and the further-leave FLR(M) extension at 2.5 years.
The statement is not a UKVI-mandated form but is widely used. It provides the caseworker with a chronological narrative that ties together your relationship evidence — chat logs, photographs, travel records, joint financial documents — into a coherent story.
How UKVI evaluates "genuine and subsisting"
UKVI caseworkers assess the relationship against the following factors set out in published guidance (Appendix FM Section 1.7):
- How and when the couple met, and the development of the relationship since
- Frequency and content of communication
- Number, length, and nature of in-person meetings
- Whether the couple has lived together, and if so for how long
- Whether either party has children with the other or with previous partners
- Whether the couple has shared finances or joint assets
- The intentions of the couple regarding their life together going forward
Tips for writing the statement
- Write in plain English, in the first person plural ("we"). Avoid legal jargon.
- Be specific about dates, locations, and people. Vague statements like "we have been together for several years" are less persuasive than "we began dating in March 2024."
- Number your exhibits and reference them inline so the caseworker can find the supporting evidence as they read.
- Both parties should sign and date the statement. A joint signed statement is treated as stronger evidence than a single-signed one.
- Keep the statement to 3-5 pages. Caseworkers process dozens of applications daily and reward clarity.
- Do not exaggerate or fabricate. The relationship will be cross-checked against the supporting documents — inconsistencies are the most common refusal trigger.
What to enclose alongside the statement
- Chat-log appendix (WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, etc.) with preserved timestamps. UKVI explicitly accepts electronic communications under Appendix FM.
- Photographs of the couple together, with families, at events, and in different locations. Include dates and locations as captions.
- Boarding passes, hotel receipts, and passport entry stamps documenting in-person meetings.
- Joint financial evidence — joint bank account statements, joint utility bills, joint tenancy agreement, money transfer receipts.
- Sponsor's financial documents proving the income threshold (currently £29,000 per year, rising in stages) — payslips, employment letter, P60, 6 months of bank statements.
- Accommodation evidence — tenancy agreement or property deed for the intended UK residence.
- English-language test certificate for the applicant (CEFR A1 for initial Spouse Visa, exemptions apply).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Appendix 2 relationship statement mandatory?
There is no specific "Appendix 2" form mandated by UKVI for the relationship statement — the term is loosely used by attorneys and applicants to mean the relationship statement submitted alongside the online application. While not strictly required, every successful spouse-visa application includes some form of relationship statement; caseworkers expect it. The online application itself asks several relationship questions, but the statement provides the narrative depth those answers cannot.
Can we submit one statement instead of two separate ones?
Yes. A joint statement signed by both the applicant and the sponsor is the most common format and is generally treated as the strongest form of relationship evidence. Some applications also include shorter individual statements from each party in addition to the joint statement, particularly where one party has details to add that are personal to them (e.g., the sponsor's career plans in the UK or the applicant's English-language journey).
How long should the statement be?
Three to five pages is the practical range. Caseworkers process dozens of applications per day and reward clarity. A 20-page statement is no more persuasive than a 4-page one — what matters is internal consistency, specificity about dates and locations, and cross-references to numbered exhibits. Keep the statement focused; save lengthy supporting detail for the exhibits.
Should the statement be notarized or apostilled?
No. UKVI does not require notarization or apostille of the relationship statement itself. The statement is a signed declaration. Notarization is needed only for documents UKVI specifically asks for in notarized form (rare in spouse-visa applications). The supporting civil documents — birth certificate, marriage certificate — may need translation and authentication depending on the country of issue.
Can I use WhatsApp messages as evidence with this statement?
Yes. Appendix FM guidance explicitly accepts "electronic communications" including WhatsApp, voice notes, and video-call records as evidence of an ongoing relationship. The statement should reference the chat-log appendix by exhibit number, summarize the frequency and depth of communication, and let the supporting log speak for itself. PartnerProof formats the chat appendix with preserved timestamps in a UKVI-friendly layout.
Official sources
Free to use without attribution. Not legal advice. PartnerProof — document-formatting tool for immigration applications.