Melanie Wong | Immigration Solicitor and UK Visa Expert

EXPERT IMMIGRATION ADVICE UK

MELANIE WONG

Rated Excellent | Melanie Wong Immigration Solicitor

Multi-Award-Winning Service 

Rated Excellent by Clients

Melanie Wong | Immigration Solicitor and UK Visa Expert

EXPERT IMMIGRATION ADVICE UK

MELANIE WONG | IMMIGRATION LAW SOLICITOR

Rated Excellent | Melanie Wong Immigration Solicitor

Multi-Award-Winning Service 

Rated Excellent by Clients


Further Leave to Remain as a Spouse/Partner (FLR M)





Further Leave to Remain

in the UK as a Spouse/Partner



UK Spouse/Partner Visa Extension or Switch


 





Further Leave to Remain in the UK as a Spouse/Partner


UK Spouse/Partner Visa Extension or Switch


Do you need to extend your existing UK Spouse/Partner Visa?


Or are you switching to a Spouse/Partner Visa from another UK Visa Category?


I regularly advise and assist clients with successful FLR M applications and other UK Visa extensions with a High Success Rate!


Find out how my award winning service 

can help you and your partner to settle in the UK Here.


Get a Step-By-Step Manual to make your UK Partner Visa Extension/Switch!

Get a Complete Step-By-Step Manual to make a Successful UK Partner Visa Extension/Switch!

FLR M Step by Step Guide
DOWNLOAD NOW Get the First 2 Sections completely Free Now!

UK Spouse/Partner Visa Extension or Switch
(FLR M - Further Leave to Remain)

Form FLR M | UK Spouse Visa Extension

Do you need to extend your existing Spouse/Partner Visa?


Or are you switching to a Spouse/Partner Visa from another UK Visa Category?


I regularly advise and assist clients with successful FLR M applications and other UK Visa extensions with a 100% Success Rate!



Find out how my award winning service with 100% Success Rate can

help you and your partner to settle in the UK Here.


We pride ourselves in a 100% Success Rate for All Spouse/Partner UK Visa Applications and Extensions we are instructed to take on and fully manage on behalf of our Clients.


Book a Consultation now for detailed Expert Advice

and ensure your Spouse/Partner Visa Extension or Switch is Successful!


Book a Consultation

Get a Step-By-Step Manual to make your UK Partner Visa Extension/Switch!

FLR M Step by Step Guide
DOWNLOAD NOW

What is Form FLR (M)?

Further Leave to Remain (FLR) is an extension to stay in the UK. The application would typically be made to extend an existing visa (for example a Spouse Visa), but there are also instances where an applicant can switch from another valid visa if their circumstances in the UK change. There are different forms of FLR and Form FLR (M) is for family members of a settled person in the UK. 

Form FLR (M) is an application to extend your stay in the UK  for 30 months as a partner or dependent child of someone who is either:

  • A British citizen
  • A person that has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK
  • An EU National with Settled/Pre-Settled Status in the UK (under the EU
  • Settlement Scheme)
  • An Irish National residing in the UK
  • A person with refugee or humanitarian protection immigration status


Eligible applicants includes: spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, same sex partners and children.


Your civil partnership or marriage must be recognised in the UK. For an unmarried partner, you must be able to evidence that you have been in a subsisting relationship (akin to a marriage) for at least 2 years prior to making your application.



Who should Apply for FLR (M)?

If you came to the UK on a spouse/partner visa, a fiance(e) visa and then got married, or came to the UK via a different migration category and qualify as a parther of a British national/Settled person in the UK, you can apply to switch to FLR (M) to extend your stay in the UK.


You would also apply for FLR (M) if you are currently on FLR (M) and not yet eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).


When Can I Apply for FLR (M)?

If you are switching from a different visa category, you can apply for/switch to FLR M at any time before your current visa expires.

If you are applying to extend your existing Spouse/Partner visa, the earliest you can apply to extend is 28 days before your current visa expires. In both cases you will need to complete the application online.


Get a Step-By-Step Manual to make your UK Partner Visa Extension/Switch!

FLR M Step by Step Guide
DOWNLOAD NOW

How Much does an FLR (M) Application Cost?

The current Home Office fee for FLR M is £1,048, and you would also need to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which is currently £1,035.


You also have the option to speed up your application and get a decision as quickly as 1 working day by choosing the super priority service, the fee for which is an additional £1,000. *Please note that this is always subject to availability.


apply for flr m for dependants

Can I include Children on my FLR (M) Application?

Children under the age of 18 can be included in your application. Dependent children over 18, however cannot apply with you unless they were originally granted leave in this category when they were under 18 and do not live an independant life e.g. They have left home, are married and have a family of their own. Note that you must also pay the respective Home Office and IHS fees for each dependent that is also applying.



What is the Processing Time for FLR (M)?

The average processing time to get a decision from the Home Office is 2-3 months (unless you opt for the super priority service as mentioned above).


Delays in your application may occur if you have not provided all the required documents that the Home Office wants to see, or you are required to attend an interview.


What Are the Requirements for FLR (M)?


The Financial requirement

In order to satisfy the financial requirement you must meet a  minimum income threshold of £18,600 (*On 11 April 2024 the income threshold will increase to £29,000 for all spouse/partner entry clearance visas and this will also apply to those who are not already on the partner route and applying to switch to the route from another visa category inside the UK).



This threshold increases to £22,400 where you are applying with a dependant child, and then further increments of £2,400 for each additional child.

You can meet this via your spouse/partner's income from employment or self-employment, or your own income (if you have permission to work in the UK).


You can also meet this with cash savings over £16,000, pensions, maternity allowances or bereavement benefits received in the UK.You are exempt from having to meet the minimum income threshold if your spouse/partner is in receipt of specific benefits or allowances. In which case, you will need to provide evidence of adequate maintenance for you and any dependants.


Accomodation

Additionally, you must also have adequate accommodation for you and any dependants that live with you.


The English language requirement

Unless you resided in a country where English is the primary/dominant language e.g. USA or Australia, you will need to demonstrate you have good knowledge of the the English Language.

This can be met by having a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English and recognised by UK NARIC otherwise you will need to take an English Language Test.


These are the primary requirements but there are many other elements for a successful FLR (M) application. There is whole host of information you must provide, and the type of supporting documents you and your sponsor must include, will depend on you and your partner's own circumstances.

It is not a cheap visa application to make, and any mistakes could be costly and stressful should your application be refused as a result.

Related Articles
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If you have any concerns about meeting the requirements, or submitting the correct documents to support your application,

Contact Us now for expert advice and full peace of mind that your application will be successful.



Want your Application to be completely managed by a FLR M Specialist?


* Get Expert Advice and Support to submit your FLR M Application.


* Get Full Guidance on Satisfying all of the Requirements and ensuring you have the correct Supporting Documents.


* Have your Application processed Quickly and Efficiently.


* Ensures your Application has the Highest Chance of Success.


Get Full Legal Representation

Service Rated Excellent by Clients

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Related Articles
Switching to the UK Partner Route from another Visa Category
By Melanie Wong 07 Feb, 2024
This article explains how individuals on another Visa Category in the UK can switch to the UK Spouse or Partner category and when they are eligible to do so.
Can I Stay in the UK If I get Married?
By Melanie Wong 22 Oct, 2023
Find out what visa options to stay in the UK you have if you get married to a British/Settled Person while you are in the UK
Supporting Documents for FLR M
By Melanie Wong 05 Jun, 2023
Learn more about the supporting documents you need to submit for a successful FLR M application.
documents for spouse visa extension
By Melanie Wong 31 May, 2023
find out what supporting documents you to extend your spouse visa uk extension
Show More

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much are the fees for FLR M?

    The current fee for a FLR M application is £1,048. This is ONLY refundable if the applicant has not attended their biometric appointment. Otherwise, the fee is non-refundable. In most cases, this can be paid online. It can also be paid at the visa centre on the biometric appointment date.

  • Is the visa fee for FLR M refundable if the application is refused?

    No, the fee is non-refundable if the application is refused.

  • What other fees do I also need to consider?

    As well as the visa fees, there is also the Immigration Health Surcharge (I.H.S) fee, which is a mandatory fee. This enables the Applicant to access the NHS. The current fee is £1,035 for every year of the visa. As the visa is valid for 30 months, the total fee is £2,587.50. This fee is only payable online, and only after the application form has been submitted.


    If the Applicant is a national or a resident of a country that is not exempt from meeting the English language test requirement, then another fee to bear in mind is for the Applicant to pass the IELTS test or obtain a letter from UK NARIC in order to meet the English language test requirement. The fee for which can cost from £150.

  • How long does the application process take? My spouse and I would like it to be finished in a month, is that possible?

    On average, the UKVI can take between 2-3 months to make a decision on a Spouse Visa application. Complex cases (such as those that have been previously refused, or those with adverse immigration history in the UK),  may take longer. The actual time it takes depends on a case-by-case basis.


    Applicants can also opt to pay an additional fee to the UKVI for their application to be expedited as quickly as 1 working day. This is called the Priority Visa Service (PVS) and is an additional fee of £1,000. This is payable online.

  • What is the Priority Visa Service? (PVS)

    The PVS is an additional service available for those who would like to receive a decision sooner than 2-3 months. You can fast track your application to get a decision as quickly as within 1 working day, if the PVS is paid.

  • How soon can you get our application ready?

    My average turnaround time is 2-3 weeks. This is usually if the Applicant and the Sponsor have all their documents ready. (See question below on what supporting documents are required).


    If time is of the essence, and clients would like to have their application and supporting documents submitted within a week, or within less than 2 weeks, I can also accommodate this, although I will charge an additional fee on top of my usual fees. The additional fees will be communicated with you from the outset and agreed upon by all of us before any work is commenced.

  • What are the supporting documents required for a Spouse Visa?

    There are many documents involved for the FLR M application. Once I am instructed, I tailor-make a list of documents for each of my clients. Not all cases are the same and everyone's circumstances are different, which means that the type of documents you submit to the UKVI will depend on your circumstances. It is not a case of "one-size, fits all."


    As with all applications made to the UKVI, the QUALITY of the documents trumps the QUANTITY of the documents submitted. In almost all cases for spouse visa applications, the Applicant and/or the Sponsor are not interviewed, and even when they are, this is usually part of the UKVI's decision-making process. 


    Therefore, the onus is ALWAYS on the Applicants and their Sponsors to submit their relevant documents to the UKVI as part of the application process. The UKVI will base their decision on these documents. 


    It is also important to bear in mind that the UKVI do not chase up the Applicants and the Sponsors for their documents. It is only in certain circumstances that they will do so, for instance, to ask for a bank statement if this is part of a sequence of bank statements. For example, the Sponsor submitted bank statements for January until December 2018, but the bank statement for July 2018 is missing. In this case, the UKVI MAY ask for the July 2018 bank statement.


    However, in my experience, the UKVI do NOT ask for documents and they are not legally bound to do so, either.


    This is why the supporting documents are vital to the Applicant's application. Your future life in the UK effectively depends on these.


    I also offer a documents-checking service where I will review your documents and advice you on these before you submit them to the UKVI. If you also want your application reviewed before you submit it, I can also check this (in addtion to the supporting documents). This service is available for those who do not wish to instruct a solicitor for a full-service (handle the entire application process on their behalf). This offers peace of mind knowing that you have done your utmost to ensure that your application has a high chance of succeeding, so this service can (and has proved to) be priceless.

  • What happens if the application gets refused?

    My aim is to do everything possible to avoid the refusal of any application. I am invested in all of my clients' cases and endeavour to ensure that the Applicant receives a positive decision from their first attempt.


    That being said, I do not work for the UKVI and cannot influence their decision. There will be some instances where the UKVI will refuse the application. When this occurs, the Applicant is usually given the right of appeal.

  • Is there a deadline to appeal a Spouse Visa Refusal?

    The Applicant has 28 days from the date of the decision to submit the Notice of Appeal form to the Immigration Asylum Chambers (IAC), which will then be placed at the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) in the UK. The appeal can either be an oral hearing, or a paper hearing. I always advise on having an oral hearing as this gives the Sponsor, and/or their legal representatives (if the Sponsor is unable to attend), the opportunity to present their case effectively to an Immigration Judge. A paper hearing does not provide such an opportunity because the IJ's decision will be based solely on the documents presented to them by the UKVI and the Applicant and Sponsor.

  • When will we get a decision on an appeal?

    The disadvantage of appealing is that it can take up to a year before a hearing (oral or paper) is listed by the FTT. In between that, the UKVI should review their decision, however, this is not always a guarantee, and in some cases, the UKVI will simply wait for the appeal to proceed, even if their prospects of success is low. 


    Another disadvantage is the costs involved especially if you would like a legal representative to advise and assist you with your appeal. The costs can start from £2,500 and upwards, depending on the complexity of each case.


    Many Applicants are deterred by the time and costs involved in appealing, and so choose instead to submit a fresh application, which they can do whenever they are ready to proceed.


    Nevertheless, in some instances, it may be advisable to appeal against the decision. This will, as always, depend on the reasons for the refusal of the application.

  • I have heard about the financial requirement for a spouse visa but I don't understand it. What is this requirement and do we need to satisfy this?

    The financial requirement is only one of the requirements for a Spouse Visa, but is also one of the most important ones to meet. Most of the rejected Spouse Visa applications were refused by the UKVI because the Financial Requirement was not met.


    There are many categories within the Financial Requirement itself, which can make it complex. In essence, if the Sponsor is working, they must show that they are earning at least £18,600 gross per annum (i.e. salary before tax is deducted). This is called the minimum income threshold. The threshold is increased if there are also dependent children applying at the same time (i.e. children aged under 18, and who are not British nationals/EU Nationals, or do not have Indefinite Leave to Remain/Enter in the UK).


    I will be covering the different categories in further detail in a dedicated section of my website soon.

  • What if I earn less than the minimum income threshold?

    In some instances, the UKVI will accept other types of income (for instance non-employment income such as rental income), to add with the Applicant and/or Sponsor's salary from their employment. This area requires  detailed advice and will depend on your circumstances. Please contact me, Melanie Wong, on 0203 302 6864, or info@immigrationadvicelondon.co.uk for a free initial chat.

  • Can I still get FLR M if I don’t meet the financial requirements?

    Yes, and this will depend on the applicant and/or Sponsor's individual circumstances. For instance, if they have a cash savings of at least £62,500, and/or they are in receipt of certain welfare benefits.


    This requires detailed advice and will depend on your circumstances. Please contact me, Melanie Wong, on 0203 302 6864, or info@immigrationadvicelondon.co.uk for a free initial chat.

  • I am in the UK on a Student/Tier 2 (ICT/General)/Tier 1 visa. Can I switch to a Spouse Visa?

    Yes.  If you marry/become civil partners with a British national or settled person, you would be eligible to switch from your current visa and apply for leave to remain as a spouse of a person present and settled in the UK (FLR M). For peace of mind, please call me on 0203 302 6864 for a free initial chat to discuss your case further. 

  • What happens if my relationship ends?

    If your marriage breaks down while you have leave to enter/remain in the UK as a spouse, i.e. during the 5-year period, your leave may be curtailed (shortened) by the Home Office, and you will receive a notification from the Home Office confirming this. This usually happens if the applicant's Sponsor informs the Home Office that the marriage has broken down.


    For example, if your current leave does not expire until December 2021, but your relationship breaks down and you separate from your spouse in July 2021, and the Home Office is made aware of the breakdown of your marriage, the Home Office can shorten the validity of the visa from December 2021, to August or September 2021, i.e. at least 60 days.


    Even if this does not happen, when you are eligible to apply for an extension or ILR, you may not be eligible to do so since you are no longer with your spouse/Sponsor.


    There are exceptions to this, and this will include if the marriage breaks down because of domestic violence, for instance. In such cases, it would be advisable for the applicant to obtain legal advice as to what, if any, you can do to regularise your stay in the UK.


    Please contact me, Melanie, on 0203 302 6864, for a free initial chat to discuss your case, or send me an email: info@immigrationadvicelondon.co.uk. 

  • I am a British citizen and separated from my wife. I am in a new relationship with a someone who is on another visa category in the UK, and we would like to get married. Can she switch to FLR M?

    You will first need to obtain your final divorce certificate (or Decree Absolute if you are both domiciled in the UK) before your new partner can apply to join you in the UK. This is a requirement under the Relationship Requirement rule. It states that any previous relationships (of the Applicant and the Sponsor) must have permanently broken down before an application for a Partner visa is submitted.


    Once this is obtained, you can then get married/become civil partners and she would be eligible to apply to switch to FLR M from her exisitng visa category. Please call me, Melanie on 0203 302 6864, for a free initial chat to discuss your case, or send me an email: info@immigrationadvicelondon.co.uk.

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