Extend Your UK Visa: Your Comprehensive Guide to Further Leave to Remain (FLR) Extensions
​Are you currently residing in the UK under a first grant of LTE (Leave to Enter) and looking to extend your stay and need help to understand what documents are needed for FLR extension? Were here to help you understand the process for a UK visa extension which is crucial for ensuring your continued lawful residence. Understanding the intricacies of extending your FLR visa, particularly focusing on spouse visa extension UK, partner visa extension UK, and other family visa extension UK routes. With the recent introduction of the E-visa UK immigration system, staying up to date about the latest regulations is more important than ever.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
What is the difference between 1st FLR and Further Leave to Remain?
Extension visa applications are the mechanism through which non-British or Irish citizens can extend their permission to stay in the United Kingdom. Think of it as renewing your right to live in the country upon the expiry of your current visa. If you are on LTE (Leave to Enter) and you visa is due to expire soon, this means you are approaching the end of your initial grant of Leave to Remain and need to apply to extend FLR visa.
What Was a BRP Card?
Until recently, your immigration status and the conditions of your stay were evidenced by a Biometric Residence Permit, a physical ID document. This card was often referred to as an LTR document, as it was issued upon receiving Further Leave to Remain. However, significant changes are now in effect.
How does the E-visa System affect FLR extensions?
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From January 1st, 2025, the UK has transitioned to an E-visa system, understanding the e-visa for visa extensions is important as it replaces physical ID cards. Your visa information is now securely stored online and linked to your passport. You can access your immigration status details through an online account using your personal information.
This BRP replacement system means you will no longer receive a physical card when you extend your visa. Instead, your right to remain will be digitally recorded and can be used to demonstrate your immigration status to employers, government departments, and other organisations.
Who Needs to Apply for Further Leave to Remain?
If you initially entered the UK on a spouse visa in the UK, as an unmarried partner, or as a family member of a British citizen, an Irish citizen, or someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you will typically be granted an initial period of FLR. To continue living in the UK beyond this period, you must apply to extend your Further Leave to Remain.
This applies to individuals on Spouse visa extension UK and Partner visa extension UK routes, as well as their dependent family members seeking a family visa extension UK.
Section Bar:
Section 2: What you need to demonstrate
Section 3: Appendix FM Requirements
To successfully extend FLR visa, you will need to meet several key requirements. These are in place to ensure that you continue to meet the conditions under which your initial visa was granted.
* Genuine and Subsisting Relationship: For spouse visa extension UK and partner visa extension UK, you must demonstrate that your relationship with your partner is genuine and ongoing.
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* Financial Stability: You must prove that you can financially support yourselves and any dependents without relying on public funds. This is a critical aspect governed by Appendix FM.
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* Compliance with Immigration Rules: You must continue to meet the specific requirements outlined in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules relevant to your visa category.
Generally, after completing a continuous period of five years in the UK under a spouse visa, partner visa, or as a dependent, you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settled status. This grants you the permanent right to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions.
Therefore, successfully extending your FLR visa is a crucial step towards achieving permanent residency in the UK.
In Simple Terms: The Further Leave to Remain Application Process
Your initial UK visa grants you permission to stay for a specific duration. As this period nears its end, if you wish to remain in the UK, you must apply for an extension – Further Leave to Remain. Your digital visa record (E-visa) serves as proof of your continued right to stay. After residing in the UK for a qualifying period (typically 5 years) and demonstrating your ability to be self-sufficient, you may be eligible for permanent settlement (ILR).
What evidence do I need to extend my Leave to Remain?
Before submitting your application to extend your FLR visa, it is essential to ensure you meet all the necessary eligibility requirements. Failure to do so can result in your application being refused.
* Age Requirement: Both the applicant and their spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner must be over the age of 18.
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* Can I include dependent children in my FLR extension application: When including child dependents in your application, they must have been granted a visa before turning 18 upon their initial entry to the UK. They must also not have formed an independent family life outside your household.
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* Parents of Dependents: If you are in the UK as a Parent or Partner under Appendix FM and are including child dependents, your UK partner (the child's other parent) must also be the child's second parent and continue to hold sole responsibility for their upbringing.
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* Prohibited Relationships: The applicant and their partner must not be in a prohibited relationship.
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* Meeting in Person (Initial Applications): If you are applying for the first time for a spouse visa or partner visa, you must have met your partner in person. This requirement typically does not apply to extension applications.
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* Legal Recognition of Relationship (Initial Applications): For first-time spouse visa applications, your marriage must be legally recognised in the UK. For long-term partners (applying for the first time), you must have been in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years. These conditions must continue to be met for spouse visa extension UK and partner visa extension UK.
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* Genuine and Subsisting Relationship: As a key requirement for renewing your UK spouse visa or partner visa, you must provide compelling evidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. Learn more about proving a genuine relationship for FLR extension.
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* Cohabitation and Intention to Live Permanently: You and your partner must continue to live together in the UK with a clear intention to remain together permanently.
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* Dissolution of Previous Relationships: If either you or your partner have been previously married or in a civil partnership, you must provide evidence that these relationships have permanently broken down.
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* What is the Financial Requirement for FLR extension under Appendix FM: You and any dependents must meet the specific financial requirements for FLR extension as detailed under Appendix FM.
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* What are the Adequate maintenance requirements for FLR extension: If your sponsor has long-term health conditions and receives social benefits relating to those health conditions you may be awarded an exemption under Appendix FM.
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* Adequate Accommodation: You must have adequate accommodation for yourself and any dependents without needing to rely on public funds. Find out how to demonstrate adequate accommodation for FLR extension below.
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* SELT English Test: If you are over 18 years old and English is not your native language, you will likely need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level. Understand the English language test for Leave to Remain extension.
What You Need to Demonstrate for Your Visa Extension
Beyond the general eligibility, you will need to provide specific evidence depending on your circumstances. Here are some key areas you will need to demonstrate:
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Child of a Parent in a UK Partner Relationship
The relationship to a child dependent can be demonstrated in one of three ways:
* The UK Partner (sponsor) is the biological parent of the child.
* The child is being sponsored by the UK Partner, and the child's other parent continues to hold sole responsibility for their upbringing.
* Refusing the child's family visa extension UK would be undesirable due to serious and compelling reasons concerning the child's welfare and needs.
Child Not Leading an Independent Private Life
At the time of your application, any child dependents must not be living an independent private life or have started their own family life. This means they should not be married, in a civil partnership, engaged, or in a relationship akin to marriage. If a child dependent has formed such a relationship, they would need to apply for a visa in their own right.
Applicant Not in a Prohibited Relationship
This means that you and your partner cannot be directly related.
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Requirement to Have Met in Person (If Applicable)
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While typically for initial applications, be prepared to reiterate the circumstances of how you met your partner and the development of your relationship if requested.
Marriage in the UK
For spouse visa extension UK, your marriage must be legally valid and recognised in the UK. If you married in the UK, you will typically need to provide your marriage certificate.
Marriage Outside the UK
A marriage that took place outside the UK will be recognised if it was formally recognised in the country where it occurred and complied with the legal requirements of that country. Additionally, there must be no legal impediment in either person’s country of domicile at the time of the marriage that would prevent its recognition in the UK, and any previous marriages must have been permanently dissolved.
Unmarried Partnerships in the UK
To extend FLR visa as an unmarried partner, you must demonstrate that you have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for a minimum of 24 months. This is usually evidenced through cohabitation.
Unmarried Partnerships Outside the UK
If your long-term partnership began outside the UK, you will need to demonstrate that you have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least 24 months prior to your initial entry to the UK, typically through evidence of cohabitation.
How to Prove a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship for FLR Extension?
Demonstrating that your relationship is genuine and continuing is paramount for a successful spouse visa extension UK or partner visa extension UK. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) assesses each case individually, considering all submitted evidence. Factors they may consider include:
* The duration of your relationship.
* Whether you currently live together or have lived together in the past.
* Whether you have children together (biological, adopted, or step-children) and share parental responsibility.
* Whether you share financial responsibilities (e.g., joint bank accounts, shared bills).
* Evidence of visits to each other's home countries.
* Evidence of meeting each other's families.
* Plans you have made or discussed for your future together in the UK.
If UKVI has any doubts about the genuineness of your relationship, they will likely scrutinise your application more closely.
Intention to Live Permanently in the UK
For your Leave to Remain extension to be granted, UKVI will need to be satisfied that you and your partner intend to continue living together permanently in the UK.
Previous Relationships Must Be Permanently Dissolved
If either you or your partner have been previously married or in a civil partnership, you must provide official documentation (e.g., divorce certificates, decree absolutes) to prove that these relationships have legally ended. For divorces obtained outside the UK, you must provide evidence equivalent to a UK decree absolute that is legally valid in the relevant country.
Accommodation Requirements for UK Family Visa Extension
Whether you are applying for a spouse visa extension UK, partner visa extension UK, or as a family dependent, you must provide evidence that you have adequate accommodation for yourself and any dependents applying with you. This accommodation must be owned or occupied exclusively by you and must not require access to public funds.
What SELT Test is required for FLR Extension
If English is not your native language and you are over 18 years old at the time of application, you will generally need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level. The specific level depends on the stage of your visa journey:
* SELT Level A1: Required for initial entry clearance on a spouse visa in the UK.
* SELT Level A2: Typically required for FLR extensions under the family routes.
* SELT Level B1: Required for Settlement (ILR) and Permanent Residence applications.
Ensure you take the correct level of SELT for your FLR extension application.
Appendix FM Financial Requirements for FLR Extension
Meeting the financial requirement for FLR extension under Appendix FM is a critical aspect of your application. There are different ways to meet this requirement, including through income from employment, non-employment income, cash savings, and pensions. For family visa extension UK, you may be able to rely on joint household income if you have permission to work or your partner meets specific criteria for an exemption.
Meeting Financial Requirements Through 'Adequate Maintenance'
If your UK partner receives certain long-term illness or disability benefits or allowances from the Department of Work & Pensions, you may be eligible to apply under the "adequate maintenance" requirements of Appendix FM. In such cases, you will need to provide evidence of these benefits rather than meeting the standard minimum income threshold.
Benefits that may qualify for "adequate maintenance" include:
* Carer’s Allowance
* Disability Living Allowance
* Severe Disablement Allowance
* Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
* Attendance Allowance
* Personal Independence Payment
* Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
* Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement, or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
* Police Injury Pension
If you meet the financial requirements through "adequate maintenance," this will likely continue to apply for subsequent visa applications
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How Our Immigration Advisor Can Assist You with Your FLR Extension
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How can an immigration adviser help with FLR extensions? Our immigration advisor comes into his own when helping clients navigate the complexities of UK immigration, particularly when it comes to extending your FLR visa, which can be a challenging process. Our experienced immigration advisor, Marc Gibson, specialises in providing comprehensive support to foreign national parents and their dependents seeking to extend their stay and settle in the UK with their UK partners.
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Marc has a proven track record of successfully assisting numerous UK citizens and settled individuals in sponsoring their foreign partners through the preparation and submission of successful FLR visa applications, both for the main applicant and their family dependents. His expertise covers a wide range of circumstances and ensures that each application is handled with meticulous attention to detail.
We offer a range of services tailored to your specific needs:
* **Immigration Consultation:**
If you require a thorough understanding of the relevant Immigration Rules and how they apply to your individual situation, Marc can provide clear and reliable advice during a consultation. This will help you understand your eligibility and the steps involved in extending your FLR visa.
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* **Professional Application Checking Service:**
If you have prepared your FLR extension application yourself but would like the peace of mind that comes with expert review, Marc can professionally check your application and supporting documents before submission. This service helps identify potential issues and ensures that your application is as strong as possible.
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* **Full Representation Service:**
For those who prefer comprehensive support throughout the entire process, our representation service offers end-to-end assistance. Marc will guide you through every stage, from gathering the necessary documents and completing the application forms to preparing detailed representations to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and submitting the application on your behalf.
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The financial requirements under Appendix FM are often cited as a particularly intricate aspect of UK Spouse visa and FLR extension applications. The documentary evidence required to demonstrate that you meet these requirements can be extensive and complex. Our immigration advisor possesses in-depth knowledge of Appendix FM and specialises in assisting married applicants, as well as unmarried partners, with even the most complex financial circumstances to prepare and submit successful extension applications.
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Marc Gibson is committed to providing a friendly, approachable, and professional service to all clients. He understands the importance of clear and reliable immigration advice and is dedicated to meeting your individual needs throughout the process of your FLR visa and securing your continued stay in the UK. Contact us today to discuss how Marc can help you achieve your immigration goals.
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MYG LTD - Immigration
79 Winchester Street
Salisbury
SP1 1HS​
