Applying for a spouse/partner visa (further leave to remain) from inside the UK

To be eligible for a spouse/partner further leave to remain (FLRm), the applicant must be the husband, wife, unmarried (de facto) or civil partner of a UK citizen or legal permanent resident. Same sex partners can also apply whether or not they are in a civil partnership; all rules governing whether a relationship is durable and subsisting are the same for all relationships, whether recognised through a legal ceremony or not. The applicant must be physically in the UK when the application is made and this must predate the expiry of any existing permission to stay. Although the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) guidelines state that there is a 28-day grace period, it is advisable to apply for further leave to remain under the partnership policy before the expiry date of the current visa.

FLR(M) basic eligibility requirements  

In some circumstances, a partnership or marriage-based further leave to remain (FLRm) application will not be allowed depending on the applicant’s immigration status in the UK. If the permission to stay period on the original visa was less than six months (with the exception of fiancee or proposed civil partner visas issued under the settlement category) an extension application cannot be made inside the UK. This also applies to those in possession of a six-month visitor visa or any other short term temporary visa. Anyone in breach of UK Immigration Rules will not be allowed to apply for further leave to remain, although overstays of less than 28 days are usually eligible to switch into the spousal or partner visa category without leaving the country.

Currently, there are two routes for those wishing to obtain settlement in the UK. The five-year route will be the one suitable for the majority of applicants and the requirements are outlined below. The 10-year route will be necessary for those who fail to meet certain requirements for eligibility, but who have special circumstances which make them otherwise eligible. In either case, applicants who fail to meet the requirements will not be awarded a visa and refunds on fees are not given. It is recommended therefore that the rules pertaining to any extension application are read carefully and followed diligently.

There are a number of requirements that must be met before a spouse or partner of a British citizen or UK legal permanent resident is granted further leave to remain (FLRm). Both partners must be aged 18 or over on the date of application. The applicant’s partner must be a British Citizen or, if not, must be present and settled in the UK – in other words, has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

There are certain UK laws which forbid marriage between certain close relatives and these laws must be followed before any visa can be granted. In the case of arranged marriages, the two partners must have met each other in person and the relationship must be genuine and subsisting. The word subsisting in this context is the legal meaning, that it is ‘remaining in effect’. In the case of people already married or in a civil partnership, this must be valid under UK law. If no marriage or civil ceremony has taken place, the two parties must have been in a relationship considered the equivalent of marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before the date of application (de facto partners). With a few specific exceptions (certain polygamous relationships, for example) any previous relationships must have irretrievably broken down. There must be an intention between the partners that they will be living together permanently in the UK. There are also specific English language and financial requirements which apply to all foreign nationals wishing to extend their stay in the UK.

If the applicant is able to meet all the requirements above, permission may be granted for them to live in the UK initially for 30 months with an option to apply for another extension to complete their five-year probationary period in the UK to qualify for settlement (indefinite leave to remain or ILR).

Application process

Applications can be made by post or in person. Applying in person is subject to a higher fee but it does have the advantage that the applicant is given an answer on the same day. Postal applications can take up to six months to process and this must be taken into account when applying. The date of an application is very important as it is the day from which all calculations begin. When applying in person, the date is the day upon which the applicant attended a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) public enquiry office. Postal applications are dated from the date on which the application is received.

Applications for a spouse/partner FLR visa can only be made from inside the UK. If an applicant needs to travel abroad, care should be taken that they return before the current permission to stay expires. If re-entry is not possible because of expiry of permission, no application to extend will be possible and the application will need to be made from abroad. Different rules will then apply in this case.

Evidential requirements

There are very specific requirements that an applicant needs to be aware of before a spouse/partner FLR(M) will be granted. Both the applicant and their sponsor must demonstrate that their relationship is genuine and subsisting and not one of ‘convenience’. The partners will need to prove that they are in a current long-term relationship, living together and sharing financial responsibilities. Typical documents which can be used to show this are joint mortgage or tenancy agreements, a joint bank account, or utility bills bearing both names. It will be necessary to show that both partners have visited the other’s home country and, where appropriate, they have met the other’s family and that there are longstanding plans to live together in the UK. Arranged marriages do present a slightly different situation but it must be possible to prove that both parties are consenting partners in the marriage and that they both agree with any plans made by their families in regard to it.

Additional investigations

There are certain circumstances in which it might become necessary for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to make extra investigations into whether the marriage or partnership is genuine. While the investigations are underway, the visa decision will be put on hold. Registry Offices in the UK occasionally have reason to believe that a marriage is a sham, and should that be the case, an investigation is always undertaken. The same applies if there is reason to suspect that one of the partners in the relationship is being forced into the application or if they have previously been found to be participating in a sham or forced marriage. Family history is also taken into account and anyone who has a sibling who has been forced into marriage may be investigated. People who have been in previous relationships requiring a UK marriage or partner visa which have broken down quickly are likely to find that applications are subject to extra investigation, as will those who have been sponsored, or been a sponsor to other people themselves, after the apparent start of the current relationship.

Other than suspicions that the marriage might not be genuine, there are also other circumstances which may potentially trigger further investigation. If either partner appears through learning difficulty or other impairment to be unable to consent to the marriage, partnership or relationship, an investigation will be made. This also applies to any situation in which either partner appears to be subject to restrictions such as being unable to leave the house or not being given proper financial freedoms. Sometimes it is the case that money has changed hands to make one partner’s consent to the marriage or partnership and this is clearly not allowed, unless it is a dowry required by the culture of one or both partners.

Occasionally, it is suspected that the partnership is not genuine because the two people concerned do not seem to know much about each other or their cultures. It is likely that anyone who doesn’t have reasonable personal knowledge of the other person will be investigated further. This includes details such as birthday and details of childhood or current employment, but could cover any aspect of life. There must be a joint language (not necessarily English) in which both can communicate and there also needs to be firm and unanimous plans for living arrangements in the UK. Without cost being an issue, a cursory or non-existent ceremony or celebration of the marriage or partnership may result in further investigation, as will a failure to live together sharing a home (unless through work or studying needs) or financial arrangements. An automatic investigation may also be required if the applicant has been previously refused a UK visa or permission to enter or stay in another category.

Financial requirements

Since July 2012 there have been financial rules in place which must be met by anyone applying for a UK marriage or partner visa or settlement. These threshold earnings can be met through a variety of ways, but the sum itself is not subject to negotiation. The sponsoring partner must have an income of at least £18,600. This increases to £22,400 if there is also a child involved. All subsequent children add a further £2,400 to the sum required. Documentary proof will be needed that the income is being received, although if the sponsor is in receipt of UK disability or carer’s allowance, this threshold does not have to be met. Instead, a sponsor must meet certain maintenance requirements and prove satisfactorily that they can support their partner and children without recourse to additional public funds.

The income required to meet the threshold can come from a variety of different sources or a mixture of sources, but cannot be accepted if it is below the minimum amount. If the applicant is in the UK on a visa that allows them to work, and employed or self-employed at the time of application, their income can be counted towards the threshold. The income from the sponsor can be from employment or self-employment. Pensions, either state or private, can also be taken into account as can maternity and bereavement benefits, if received in the UK. Cash savings are taken into account but the amount varies, depending on circumstances.

Accommodation requirements

Apart from any financial threshold requirements there is also a necessity to prove that suitable accommodation is available for the applicant, partner and any dependent children. The accommodation must not be overcrowded. There is no actual problem with living with extended family members as long as this does not result in overcrowding. There are guidelines as to what constitutes overcrowding, much of the calculation being based on floor area, but essentially the ‘rule’ is two people in a one roomed dwelling, three in a home with two rooms, five in a three-roomed home and 7.5 in a four roomed house or flat. The ‘half’ is possible because children between one and ten years of age count as half. Babies count as zero. Homes above five rooms – counting all rooms except bathrooms – can have two people per room. This is not a definitive rule, but will be used to make a quick calculation before looking into the situation in more depth when other issues such as number of bathrooms will be considered.

English language requirement

Any non-EEA/EU citizens wishing to apply to enter or remain in the UK as a spouse or partner must meet the English language requirement. There are some people who will be able to show their knowledge of English without taking the test, such as applicants who have a degree or equivalent qualification in any subject, as long as the teaching was all in English. Applicants from majority English speaking countries, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), are also not required to take the English language test. There are also other reasons why some people may be exempt from having to pass the test. If an application is made by someone over 65 or someone who has a physical or mental impairment which would make passing the test difficult, the test is waived. There is also consideration given to anyone who can show exceptional compassionate circumstances which would prevent them from meeting the minimum English language requirement.

Suitability requirements

There are certain circumstances which will result in any application for a spouse/partner FLR(M) being refused. Because there are no refunds available for any unsuccessful applications, applicants are urged to check carefully before applying if they feel they may not meet one or more of the requirements. Many of these exclusion conditions hinge on whether an applicant is considered unsuitable for reasons of character, and especially in the case of those whom the Home Secretary has decided should be excluded in the public interest. This can be for various reasons, including personal conduct, association with others or because the applicant has been sentenced to more than 12 months in prison. Anyone currently under a deportation order at the time of application will be automatically refused leave to remain. Any applicant who has failed to attend an interview that has been arranged or has failed to provide information, including medical reports, will be refused. Medical reasons which preclude admission to the UK will also result in refusal – this includes an active TB infection. Anyone who has lied on an application or has falsified documents or withheld information will not have their application accepted. Unpaid fines or charges, specifically NHS charges of more than £1000 will result in refusal. There are specific maintenance and accommodation undertakings which are occasionally requested by UKBA and failure to comply with these requests will mean that the applicant will have their visa request turned down.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

A letter is sent within a few days of receipt of an application and after this the validity will be checked; if there is a problem the applicant will be contacted in writing as soon as possible. If everything is in order, a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will be issued. Since 2008 this has replaced the visa label/vignette which was placed in the applicant’s passport. For those applying in person, the permit will be sent by post within seven days of the application being accepted. For postal FLR(M) applications, the permit and any permits for dependent children will be sent within seven days of the letter of approval.

The Biometric Residence Permit will carry details of fingerprints and a photograph of the face which will be used as identification of the holder. It also carries details of date and place of birth and address as well as the holder’s name, immigration status and entitlement to remain and work in the UK. Applicants are advised to take great care of this important official document. Change of address or circumstances must be reported and any loss or theft must also be reported immediately. Failure to do so may result in a fine of £1000 and/or curtailment of right to remain.

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