Apply for Further Leave to Remain as a Partner or a Child in the UK

For couples living in the United Kingdom under the partner route, applicants are initially granted a limited period of stay, usually 2 years and 6 months. To continue living with your partner in the UK beyond this period, you must apply for Further Leave to Remain on the Family Route, known as the FLR(M) application. Applying for Further Leave to Remain is a mandatory step that leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allowing applicants to permanently settle in the UK after 5 years. In this post, we discuss the FLR(M) application process, the requirements under the Immigration Rules, the most challenging criteria, and what happens after an extension is granted.

Who Can Use the FLR(M) Application Form?

The FLR(M) application form is used for several scenarios where a partner requires continued or extended leave to remain in the UK. This includes:

• First extension after an initial grant as a partner or civil partner: This is also known as a Spouse Visa Extension, where you entered the UK on a spouse/partner visa (or as a fiancé(e)/proposed civil partner) and now need to extend your stay for another 2.5 years.
• First application after an initial grant as fiancé(e) or a proposed civil partner: where you entered the UK to get married and now wish to switch to a Spouse Visa.
• First application as a partner from within the UK: where you are switching to a spouse/partner visa from a different visa. For instance, you’re in the UK on a student or work visa, married to a British citizen, and now wish to stay as a spouse.
• Delayed initial entry to the UK: you had a spouse/partner visa but didn’t enter the UK for over 3 months after it was issued, meaning you won’t accumulate the required 5 years before your visa expires. An FLR(M) extension covers the shortfall so you can reach ILR eligibility. 
• Additional extension where ILR requirements have not yet been met: for example, to pass the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK (KoLL) tests. If you haven’t yet passed the Life in the UK test or met the higher English level needed for settlement, you can extend your stay until you do.
• Fiancé(e) visa holders who have not yet married: if you came on a 6-month fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa and, due to personal circumstances, have not married or entered a civil partnership within that time, you can apply for an FLR(M) to stay longer and complete the marriage before switching to the 5-year partner route. 
• Any other reason: any situation not covered above where you believe a partner visa extension is needed. In such cases, you would provide details in the application.

In essence, FLR(M) ensures that couples can remain together lawfully in the UK until they meet settlement eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements for FLR(M) Application

To qualify for FLR(M), the Immigration Rules set out precise conditions under Appendix FM. Applicants must meet requirements relating to relationship, immigration status, finances, accommodation, and English language. 

Relationship Requirements

• Both applicant and partner must be aged 18 or over.
• The partner must be one of the following:
  • a British citizen in the UK;
  • present and settled in the UK (holding ILR or permanent residence);
  • in the UK with limited leave under Appendix EU
• The couple must have met in person and must not fall within a prohibited family relationship.
• The relationship must be genuine and subsisting.
• If married or in a civil partnership, it must be legally valid.
• Any previous relationships must have permanently broken down.
• The couple must intend to live together permanently in the UK, and evidence of cohabitation since the last grant of leave must be provided.
• If applying after a fiancé(e) visa where marriage has not yet taken place, there must be a good reason for delay and evidence that the marriage will occur within six months.

Financial Requirements

The financial requirement, otherwise known as the Minimum Income Requirement, depends on when the applicant first entered the partner route.

• For applications on or after 11 April 2024:
  • Minimum gross annual income of £29,000, OR
  • Cash savings of at least £16,000, plus 2.5 times the shortfall from the income threshold, OR
  • Exemption if the partner receives certain disability-related benefits (adequate maintenance must be shown instead).
    
• For applicants who entered the route before 11 April 2024 (transitional rules):
  • Minimum gross annual income of £18,600, plus:
    • £3,800 for the first child, and
    • £2,400 for each additional child; OR
  • Savings of £16,000 plus 2.5 times the income shortfall.
  • The requirement is capped at £29,000, even where multiple children increase the calculated figure. 

Only specified sources of income may be counted, such as salaried or self-employment, pensions, certain allowances, or qualifying savings.

For many families, the financial requirement is the most difficult to satisfy. Caseworker guidance is strict: only specified income and savings are counted, and precise documentary evidence must be provided as specified under Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules. 

For salaried employment, this usually means six months of payslips, corresponding bank statements, and a detailed employer letter. For savings, six months of bank statements proving continuous holding of funds is essential. Refusals often arise from incomplete or non-compliant evidence rather than genuine financial insufficiency. Applicants should take particular care to ensure every required document is included and properly formatted. Professional assistance can be invaluable in this area.

Accommodation Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate that they will live in adequate accommodation in the UK without recourse to public funds. Accommodation will not qualify if it is overcrowded or breaches public health standards. Evidence may include tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, or letters from property owners.

Applicants living with parents may satisfy the accommodation requirement for FLR M, provided the accommodation is adequate, as third-party support for accommodation is acceptable.

English Language Requirement

• For the first FLR(M) extension, applicants must show English language ability at A2 level CEFR in speaking and listening (an increase from A1 required at entry).
• Evidence may include a valid test from an approved provider, a recognised academic degree taught in English, or nationality of a majority English-speaking country.
• Exemptions apply for those aged 65 or over, those with serious medical conditions, or in exceptional circumstances.

Applicants may pass a higher level of test to demonstrate their English language proficiency. 

FLR (M) Dependants 

To apply for FLR (M) as a child, you must meet one of the following criteria:

Your parent has been granted leave to enter or remain as a partner or parent of a person who:

• Is present and settled in the UK
• Has pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Has a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa
• You are applying to remain in the UK with a person who has been granted leave to remain based on their family or private life in the UK
• There are compelling reasons to stay in the UK, and suitable arrangements have been made for your care

You must also still comply with all of the original eligibility criteria set out when you first applied for your visa. For example, if you’re under 18 and were born outside of the UK, you must not be married or in a civil partnership, and you must not lead an independent life.

FLR(M) Application Processing Times

FLR(M) applications should usually be submitted before the expiry of your current visa, ideally within the 28 days leading up to that date. 

The Home Office advises that standard processing can take up to eight weeks from the date of your biometric appointment. For those who require a faster decision, a super priority service is available, which in most cases provides a decision by the next working day. 

It is important to note that once an application is pending, you must remain in the UK until a decision is issued, as travelling abroad will result in your application being treated as withdrawn.

Applying for ILR After FLR(M)

Once an applicant has completed 5 years on the partner route (typically one initial grant and one FLR(M) extension), they may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) using form SET(M), to settle in the UK. In addition to continuing to meet relationship, financial, and accommodation requirements, ILR applicants must also:

• Meet a higher English language requirement at B1 CEFR.
• Pass the Life in the UK Test.

ILR removes time limits and immigration restrictions, allowing the applicant to settle permanently.

British Citizenship After ILR

Following ILR, applicants may be eligible to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation.

• If married to a British citizen, applicants may apply immediately after ILR if they have lived in the UK for at least three years.
• If not married to a British citizen, applicants usually must hold ILR for 12 months before applying.

Citizenship brings the security of a British passport and full rights as a UK national.

How Whytecroft Ford Can Help

At Whytecroft Ford, we understand that the FLR(M) application is often stressful for families. The stakes are high – a refusal could separate partners or force difficult choices. Our specialist immigration team provides:

• Detailed eligibility assessments.
• Tailored document checklists.
• Preparation of supporting evidence and cover letters.
• Management of the online application and biometric process.
• Ongoing support for ILR and citizenship stages.

By instructing Whytecroft Ford, applicants benefit from the expertise of advisers who practise UK immigration exclusively, ensuring precise, up-to-date, and practical guidance.

Contact our team on 0208 757 5751 our use our contact form to speak with a member of our immigration team.

Frequently Asked Questions