Appendix FM UK 2026: Spouse & Partner Visa Rules

Section A: What is Appendix FM?

Appendix FM sets out the requirements for certain family members applying to join or remain with a relative in the UK who is a British citizen, a person with settled status, or certain other categories such as refugees, people with humanitarian protection or some individuals with status under the EU Settlement Scheme or as stateless persons.

“FM” stands for “Family Members,” and the appendix covers a wide range of family-based relationships, including spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, parents of British or settled children, dependent children and those applying in connection with the adult dependent relative route. It forms part of the main body of the Immigration Rules and is supplemented by Appendix FM-SE (Specified Evidence) and the exceptional circumstances provisions sometimes referred to as Appendix FM EXC, which codify how caseworkers should assess claims involving Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

In practice, Appendix FM acts as the central framework for family migration to the UK. It clarifies who qualifies as a partner or parent, how relationship evidence should be presented, and what level of financial footing is required to support a family without public funds. It also explains when an applicant may be moved onto the five-year route, when the ten-year route applies and how Article 8 considerations influence outcomes for families who do not meet every rule but for whom separation would be disproportionate.

The appendix covers the full range of requirements: relationship authenticity, minimum income, English-language ability, accommodation, suitability and, where relevant, care needs for adult dependants. These requirements must be evidenced within the visa application and submission to the Home Office. It also contains exceptional circumstances provisions that allow the Home Office to grant or extend leave if refusal would cause unjustifiably harsh consequences in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Appendix FM governs three main pathways under the family rules:

• Five-Year Route: For applicants who meet all of the standard eligibility requirements, including financial, English language and relationship criteria. This route usually leads to indefinite leave to remain after five years of continuous residence, now decided under Appendix Settlement Family Life.
• Ten-Year Route: For applicants who do not meet all the requirements of the five-year route but who may qualify for leave to remain based on their established family or private life in the UK. Permission on this route can, in due course, lead to settlement under Appendix Settlement Family Life after a longer period of residence.
• Exceptional Circumstances: Where refusal of an application would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences in breach of Article 8 (right to respect for family and private life), the Home Office may grant leave outside the standard rules. These cases are considered under the exceptional circumstances provisions within Appendix FM, often referred to in practice as Appendix FM EXC.

Successful applicants receive limited leave that can be extended and may ultimately lead to indefinite leave to remain, usually under Appendix Settlement Family Life.

Understanding Appendix FM also requires awareness of the wider rule framework that supports it. Appendix FM-SE sets out mandatory documentation, Appendix Finance governs how income and savings are assessed, Appendix English Language and Appendix KOL UK set out the integration requirements and Appendix Continuous Residence determines the absence limits for those progressing to settlement. Settlement applications themselves are now made under Appendix Settlement Family Life. These interlinked appendices sit around Appendix FM and form the complete legal structure for family migration.

Section B: Who does Appendix FM Apply to?

Appendix FM applies to individuals who wish to enter or remain in the UK based on a qualifying family relationship with a person who has the appropriate immigration status to act as their sponsor. The applicant must be related to, or in a genuine relationship with, the sponsor in one of the specific categories defined under the Immigration Rules.

The specific rules relating to eligibility vary depending on the nature of your relationship to the family member in the UK. It is not enough to rely on a general idea of “family.” The category under which you apply needs to match the factual position, because UKVI will assess the application strictly against the requirements for that specific route.

1. Qualifying Relationships

The family-based routes within Appendix FM and the closely linked family appendices cover a range of relationships. Applicants may qualify if they are:

• A spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e), or unmarried partner of the sponsor
• A parent of a child who is either a British citizen, settled in the UK, or has lived in the UK for at least seven years
• A dependent child applying to join or remain with a parent or parents in the UK
• An adult dependent relative of the sponsor (e.g. a parent, grandparent, or adult sibling or child requiring long-term personal care) applying under the separate Appendix Adult Dependent Relative
• A former partner whose qualifying relationship has broken down due to domestic abuse and who may qualify for indefinite leave to remain under the Victim of Domestic Abuse rules

Each relationship type is subject to different evidential and eligibility requirements, which must be satisfied in full unless exceptional circumstances apply. Applying under the wrong category, for example using the partner route where the facts only meet the parent route, can result in refusal even where the underlying family life is genuine.

Not all family-based applications fall under Appendix FM. Refugee family reunion is governed by its own appendix, and dependants of workers, students or other temporary routes apply under the appendix that governs that main route. Where there is any doubt about whether a relationship falls within Appendix FM or another part of the rules, care is needed at the planning stage, as UKVI will not normally correct a miscategorised application.

2. Who can be a Sponsor?

A sponsor is the person in the UK with whom the applicant has the qualifying family relationship. The sponsor must meet specific immigration status requirements to be eligible to support the application under Appendix FM.

A sponsor must fall into one of the following categories:

• A British citizen
• A person settled in the UK (i.e. holds indefinite leave to remain or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme)
• A person in the UK with refugee status or humanitarian protection
• A person with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, provided the family relationship existed before the end of the Brexit transition period
• A person with settled status as a victim of domestic abuse under the EU Settlement Scheme (SSVDA)

In more specialised cases, other sponsors can be relevant to the wider family framework, such as certain stateless persons and some individuals with historic ECAA rights, but those categories often fall under separate appendices or dedicated rules. Where a sponsor has an unusual or legacy status, the correct basis for any family application needs to be checked against the most recent guidance rather than assumed to fall within Appendix FM.

Applicants cannot rely on a sponsor who has limited leave in another immigration category (such as a Skilled Worker) unless they are applying under a different appendix. The sponsor’s status must be clearly documented and fall within the categories allowed under Appendix FM.

Applicants must also demonstrate that their relationship with the sponsor is genuine, subsisting, and, where required, meets the cohabitation or dependency criteria. UKVI will consider both the sponsor’s status and the quality of the relationship together, and weaknesses in either can undermine the application even where the other elements are strong.

Section C: Appendix FM Categories

Appendix FM sets out a number of distinct visa categories based on different family relationships. Each category has its own eligibility rules, evidential standards and route to settlement. Understanding which category applies is essential before preparing an application. Below is an overview of the key family visa categories governed by Appendix FM and closely linked family appendices.

Choosing the wrong category is a common source of refusal. UKVI assesses each application against strict criteria for that route, so a case that is viable under the parent route may fail if it is incorrectly presented as a partner application, and vice versa. Care at the outset in matching the factual circumstances to the correct family category is therefore as important as meeting the documentary requirements.

1. Appendix FM Partner Route

Under Appendix FM, individuals may apply for a family visa on the basis of a genuine and subsisting relationship with a qualifying partner. The definition of “partner” includes a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner. The specific visa route and grant of leave will depend on the type of relationship at the date of application.

There are two main timelines:

• Fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner: If the applicant is not yet married or in a civil partnership but intends to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK, they may apply for a 6-month entry clearance visa. This visa allows entry for the purpose of marriage or civil partnership only and does not permit employment. Once the marriage or civil partnership has taken place, the applicant must apply for leave to remain under the standard partner route.
• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner: If the applicant is already married, in a civil partnership, or has cohabited with their partner in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years, they may apply for a family visa valid for 30 months if applying in-country or 33 months if applying from overseas. This leave can be extended and ultimately lead to indefinite leave to remain after five years (or ten years in some cases).

Appendix FM applies equally to same-sex and heterosexual relationships. Applicants in same-sex marriages, civil partnerships or unmarried partnerships are subject to the same eligibility, evidential and suitability requirements. The Home Office will assess the relationship based on its genuineness and subsistence, regardless of the applicants’ gender or sexual orientation.

To qualify under any of these routes, the relationship must be genuine and continuing, and both parties must intend to live together permanently in the UK. Any previous relationships must have ended permanently. The marriage or civil partnership must be legally recognised in the UK, and for unmarried partners, cohabitation must be evidenced for at least two years prior to the application.

For partners, the key practical issues are usually proof of cohabitation, financial requirement and the history of the relationship. Short gaps in cohabitation, periods spent living apart for work or study and informal financial arrangements can all raise questions if they are not clearly explained and evidenced. The rules do not require a particular relationship pattern, but they do expect the application to present a coherent picture of shared life that stands up to scrutiny.

2. Appendix FM Parent Route

The parent route is available where the applicant is the parent of a child who is either a British citizen, or settled in the UK, or has lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years if the application is for leave to remain.

The applicant must demonstrate they have either sole parental responsibility, shared responsibility where the child normally lives with them, or in cases where the child lives with another parent, direct in-person access and an active role in the child’s upbringing.

The applicant must also be aged 18 or over, and the child must be under 18 at the date of application, unless continuing dependency is shown.

This route may be used by parents who do not qualify as partners but maintain a meaningful and ongoing role in their child’s life.

In practice, UKVI looks closely at where the child normally lives, the pattern of contact and who makes the key decisions about schooling, health and welfare. Orders from the family court, parenting plans and independent evidence from schools or professionals often carry more weight than informal statements. Parents need to show that their presence in the UK is in the child’s best interests and that their role cannot be maintained from abroad through visits or remote contact.

3. Appendix FM Child Route

A child may apply to enter or remain in the UK under Appendix FM if one or both parents are present and settled, or being granted entry or leave under the family rules. The child must:

• Be under the age of 18 at the date of application
• Not be married or in a civil partnership
• Not have formed an independent family unit or be leading an independent life

The sponsoring parent(s) must demonstrate the capacity to support and accommodate the child without recourse to public funds. In certain cases, children over 18 may continue to be treated as dependants if they remain financially and emotionally dependent and have not formed independent lives.

For children, the evidence often overlaps with the parent’s application but still needs to stand on its own merits. UKVI will consider who is responsible for the child’s day-to-day care, whether there is any safeguarding concern and whether the proposed arrangements in the UK are stable. It is common for evidential gaps to appear where older teenagers are partly independent, so additional explanation may be needed to show that they still rely on the family unit.

4. Adult Dependent Relative Route

The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) route is the most restrictive of the UK’s family routes. The detailed rules now sit in Appendix Adult Dependent Relative, which is closely linked to Appendix FM but operates under its own appendix.

It allows close family members of a qualifying sponsor in the UK, such as a parent, grandparent, adult child, or adult sibling, to apply for a visa only if they require long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks due to age, illness or disability.

Applicants must show that the care they require is either unavailable or unaffordable in their country of residence.

The evidential burden is high, and the route is generally restricted to rare and severe care cases, resulting in a consistently low grant rate.

Applications must also be made from outside the UK unless exceptional circumstances apply.

ADR visas are granted with indefinite leave to enter but do not permit switching from within the UK in standard cases.

In practice, ADR applications usually stand or fall on the quality of the medical and care evidence. UKVI expects detailed reports explaining why the relative cannot manage without daily personal care, why that care cannot reasonably be provided in the home country and how the sponsor will provide or fund the care in the UK. General statements of preference for UK healthcare or proximity to family members are not enough and often lead to refusal.

5. Victims of Domestic Abuse

UK immigration law also provides a route for individuals who were previously in a qualifying relationship but whose partnership has broken down permanently due to domestic abuse. The old Domestic Violence Indefinite Leave to Remain (DVILR) provisions within Appendix FM have been replaced by the dedicated Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse (VDA).

Applicants must provide evidence that the abuse occurred during their relationship with a British citizen, settled person, person with refugee status or another qualifying partner, and that the abuse was the reason for the relationship breakdown. Acceptable forms of evidence include medical reports, police documentation, and third-party letters from professionals such as social workers or support organisations.

Applicants on this route are exempt from meeting the standard financial and English language requirements. Successful applicants are granted indefinite leave to remain, even if they have not completed five years of residence in the UK.

For survivors, the immediate concern is safety and immigration security. The VDA route is designed so that a person is not forced to remain in an abusive relationship to protect their status. However, evidential expectations are high, and UKVI often looks for corroboration from more than one source. Early advice can help survivors preserve useful evidence and avoid gaps that may be difficult to address later.

Section D: Appendix FM Requirements

Appendix FM sets out the requirements that family visa applicants have to satisfy before the Home Office will grant permission to enter or remain in the UK. These rules cover the relationship, finances, English language ability, accommodation and suitability of both the applicant and the sponsor. Each requirement carries its own evidential burden and the Home Office expects every element to be proven with evidence rather than explanation alone.

1. Financial Requirement

The financial requirement is one of the most important and strictly assessed parts of a family visa application, particularly for partners applying under the five-year route. Applicants under Appendix FM have to demonstrate that they meet the required financial threshold to support themselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds. The rules focus primarily on the partner route, although financial capacity and adequate maintenance are also relevant in child and Adult Dependent Relative applications through linked appendices.

For applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the minimum gross annual income that needs to be evidenced for a partner applying under Appendix FM is £29,000, whether the application includes children or not.

Transitional rules preserve the previous £18,600 threshold (plus child add-ons) for partners who were already on the five-year family route prior to 11 April 2024. The child add-ons for non-British dependent children are £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child. These transitional provisions apply only to individuals continuing on the same route and do not apply to new applicants.

Child dependants no longer trigger an additional salary requirement for applications made on or after 11 April 2024.

Income can be shown through a range of specified sources including salaried employment, self-employment, specified savings or a combination of income and savings. The rules for evidencing income are detailed in Appendix FM-SE, and documents have to be provided exactly as specified. In some cases, Appendix Finance will also apply to how funds are held and calculated. Different evidential “categories” exist for employed and self-employed applicants, company directors and those relying on non-employment or pension income, so choosing the correct category is a key step before collating documents.

Where applicants do not meet the income threshold through earnings alone, it is also possible to use cash savings of £88,500 or more (as of the current multiplier of 2.5 times the shortfall, plus base level). Savings must be held for at least six consecutive months prior to the application date. Large deposits shortly before the six-month period usually need explaining and are often disregarded if they come from loans or recycled funds.

For many families, the financial rules also determine whether a case is granted on the five-year route or moved to the ten-year route where Article 8 is engaged. Even where leave is granted under exceptional circumstances, weaknesses around income and evidence can push an applicant into the longer route to settlement, so financial planning is a strategic issue rather than just a documentary exercise.

a. Financial Requirement Exemptions

Applicants may be exempt from the minimum income threshold if their sponsor is in receipt of a qualifying disability-related benefit. These include:

• Carer’s Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance

In these cases, applicants must instead meet the adequate maintenance test, which assesses whether the household income (after housing costs) is sufficient to meet or exceed the level of Income Support.

Adequate maintenance calculations can be technical. Housing costs, council tax and the correct Income Support applicable amount for the household all need to be factored in, and the figures should be set out clearly so a caseworker can follow the calculation. Where the sponsor receives both earnings and a qualifying benefit, there can be a choice between relying on the £29,000 threshold or adequate maintenance, so it is often worth modelling both approaches before deciding how to present the case.

2. Exceptional Circumstances

If the applicant cannot meet the standard financial requirement, and refusal of the application would lead to unjustifiably harsh consequences, the Home Office may grant or extend leave under the exceptional circumstances provisions within Appendix FM, often referred to in practice as Appendix FM EXC. This section codifies the approach to assessing Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to family and private life) in family visa cases.

The decision-maker has to consider whether strict application of the rules would breach Article 8 and whether alternative sources of support—such as third-party financial assistance or temporary hardship—should be taken into account. This route is discretionary and requires detailed supporting evidence.

In financial cases, third-party support and informal arrangements are normally disregarded under the standard rules, but they can be relevant to an exceptional circumstances assessment where unjustifiably harsh consequences are in play. Evidence from relatives, community organisations or employers can therefore become important where a family falls short of the MIR but would face severe hardship or separation if refused. Applicants are strongly advised to seek legal advice where they believe exceptional circumstances may apply. The burden of proof is on the applicant to demonstrate that their circumstances justify departure from the standard rules.

3. English Language Requirement

The ability to speak and understand English is fundamental to successful integration into British society. It gives migrants the means to participate in British life, helping them to find work, allowing them to support their children’s education and enabling them to fulfil their potential.

Applicants have to meet the English language requirement if they are applying under Appendix FM as a partner or parent. The requirement does not apply to applications under the child or adult dependent relative routes.

For initial applications as a partner or parent, the required level of English is CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening. For extension applications, the requirement rises to CEFR level A2. For indefinite leave to remain (ILR), applicants must meet level B1.

Where applicable, you will need to provide evidence of one of the following:

• You are a national of a majority English-speaking country listed in Immigration Rules Appendix English Language.
• You have an academic qualification taught in English that is recognised as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD.
• You have passed an approved English language test in speaking and listening.

To satisfy the English language requirement by way of a test or qualification, applicants can rely on:

• A Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate from an approved provider. Current providers include IELTS for UKVI, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert International ESOL, PSI Skills for English and Trinity College London (for in-country tests only).
• A degree qualification that was taught or researched in English and is recognised as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree. Where the qualification was awarded outside the UK, applicants must provide confirmation from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC).
• Proof of nationality from a majority English-speaking country listed in Appendix English Language of the Immigration Rules. These include countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others.

However, under Appendix FM, you will be exempt from the English language requirement if at the date of application you are aged 65 or over, or you have a physical or mental disability which prevents you from meeting the requirement, or there are exceptional circumstances that prevent you from being able to meet the requirement prior to entry to the UK.

In practical terms, the English requirement often becomes more of a planning issue than a legal one. Applicants need to ensure they book a SELT with enough time to receive the certificate before submitting their application, and that the test centre and test type appear on the current list of approved options. Test results have a validity period, so relying on an older certificate can cause problems if it has expired or if the provider has been removed from the approved list since the test was taken.

For applicants using a degree to meet the requirement, delays often arise where Ecctis confirmation is requested too late or where the original degree certificate is missing and replacements need to be ordered from the awarding institution. Where there is any uncertainty about whether a particular qualification or test will be accepted, it is usually safer to obtain a fresh SELT that clearly meets the Appendix English Language criteria rather than risk refusal on a technical point.

At ILR stage, the step up to B1 and the Life in the UK test can catch families by surprise, especially if they have concentrated only on financial and residence issues. Building in time to prepare for and pass the required test before the ILR application window opens helps avoid last minute extensions or gaps in status caused by not being ready to evidence English and knowledge of life in the UK when needed.

4. Accommodation Requirement

Appendix FM requires applicants to demonstrate that they will have suitable accommodation in the UK without the need for public funds.

The Home Office will assess whether the proposed accommodation is owned or legally occupied by the sponsor or applicant. It must continue to be available for the full duration of the applicant’s stay, be sufficient to house the applicant and any dependants without breaching statutory overcrowding limits and not result in a public health risk, e.g. damp or unsafe conditions. Living arrangements cannot lead to overcrowding under the Housing Act 1985 and accommodation must also not contravene public health regulations.

The accommodation must be capable of housing the applicant, sponsor and any children or other dependants included in the application. The Home Office may refuse the application if the living conditions are inadequate or if the applicant would be required to rely on public housing or support.

Supporting evidence could include tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, property inspection reports and letters from landlords or housing providers confirming availability and size.

If the sponsor does not own the property, consent from the landlord or property owner is usually required.

In practice, the accommodation requirement often turns on detail rather than headline facts. A tenancy agreement or mortgage statement will usually be expected, but where the family will be living with relatives or friends, UKVI also looks for a clear written consent letter and, frequently, a property inspection report confirming that the property will not be overcrowded once the applicant arrives. Where there are already several occupants, a simple assertion that there is “enough room” is unlikely to be persuasive without independent confirmation.

The rules do not prevent families from living in rented accommodation or in shared properties, but they do require that the number of people and configuration of rooms comply with the statutory overcrowding rules. Sponsors who plan to move shortly after the visa is granted should explain this and show that the interim arrangement still meets the standard. Where housing arrangements are informal or in flux, it is sensible to lock down the evidence before applying so that the caseworker can see clearly where the family will live and why that housing is suitable for the period of leave sought.

5. Suitability Requirements

In addition to meeting eligibility and evidential rules, applicants also have to satisfy the suitability requirements set out in Appendix FM and in Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules. Under these provisions, applicants are assessed as to their personal conduct, history or other circumstances that may render them unsuitable to enter or remain in the UK.

Suitability criteria apply to all family-based visa applications under Appendix FM, whether for entry clearance or leave to remain. Some grounds, such as serious criminality or deception, will lead to a mandatory refusal, while others give the Home Office discretion depending on the facts of the case. The same framework also applies at settlement stage, so issues that UKVI overlooks or exercises discretion on for an initial grant can still block indefinite leave to remain later if they have not been resolved.

Applicants are expected to disclose any relevant convictions or immigration breaches and provide supporting evidence if mitigation is to be considered. Sponsors may also be subject to suitability checks, particularly where they have a history of abusive relationships or safeguarding concerns.

Common grounds for suitability refusal can include:

• Previous criminal convictions in the UK or abroad
• Involvement in terrorism, war crimes or serious international crimes
• Providing false information or documents to the Home Office (deception)
• Failure to comply with immigration conditions in the past, including overstaying
• Outstanding NHS debt or unpaid litigation costs
• Poor conduct or associations deemed contrary to the public good

Suitability decisions are often evidence-driven. For criminality, UKVI looks at the length and type of sentence, how long ago the offence occurred and whether there is a pattern of offending. For immigration history, previous overstaying, illegal working or breaches of conditions can all carry weight, even if they happened some time ago, particularly where they were deliberate rather than the result of an error. NHS debt and litigation costs are treated seriously at settlement stage, so resolving those liabilities in advance of an ILR application is important.

Where there is a potential suitability issue, a bare disclosure is rarely enough. Applicants should provide supporting documents, context and evidence of rehabilitation or change in circumstances so that any discretion that exists under Part Suitability can be exercised in their favour. A refusal based on suitability grounds can have a lasting impact on future applications, so it is usually better to address difficult facts directly and coherently rather than hoping they will not be picked up.

Section E: How to Make an Appendix FM Application

Applications for a family visa are made online, either from outside the UK, known as ‘entry clearance‘ or, in some cases, from within the UK, known as ‘leave to remain‘.

Entry clearance is required where the applicant is applying to enter the UK as a family member for the first time, which would apply to spouses, partners, parents or dependants applying from overseas.

In-country applications are for individuals already in the UK who are eligible to switch into the family route, such as those here on a different long-term visa or those extending their existing family visa. Applicants who are in the UK as visitors, short-term students or on immigration bail are not permitted to switch and must leave the UK to apply for entry clearance.

All applications under Appendix FM must include evidence that demonstrates the applicant meets the relevant eligibility and suitability criteria. Depending on your circumstances, the required documents may include:

• Passports or travel documents for the applicant and sponsor
• Proof of the relationship (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, photographs, communication records, cohabitation evidence)
• Evidence of income (e.g. payslips, bank statements, tax documents) or qualifying benefits
• Evidence of accommodation (e.g. tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, housing inspection report)
• English language qualifications or exemptions
• Criminal record certificates (for entry clearance in certain categories)
• Signed declarations and consent forms where applicable

All documents must be submitted in the correct format, translated into English or Welsh if necessary, and dated within the specified periods set out in Appendix FM-SE.

Failure to provide the correct evidence may result in refusal of the application.

In practical terms, the process often involves three stages: completing the online form, paying the fee and IHS, then booking and attending a biometric appointment where supporting documents are uploaded or scanned. Problems usually arise where answers in the form do not match the documents, or where the online evidence upload is incomplete or inconsistent with what is taken to the appointment. Taking time to map the evidence against each rule before starting the form helps avoid last minute amendments and gaps that can undermine the application.

The standard Home Office application fee for family visas under Appendix FM (partner, parent or child applications) is £1,321 for in-country applications or £1,938 for entry clearance applications. Fees for Adult Dependent Relative applications are higher and fall under Appendix Adult Dependent Relative.

In both cases, applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), currently £1,035 per year of leave for adults or £776 per year for children, payable in full at the time of application.

The combined cost of the visa fee and IHS means that errors can be expensive. Families should factor in the full cost for all applicants across the life of the route, including future extensions and ILR, and consider how changes to income or family size might affect the affordability of later applications. Where finances are tight, it is usually better to delay and submit a strong application once all requirements are clearly met than to risk refusal and a further round of fees.

Applicants may be able to pay for optional priority services, but only where available. You will be advised when applying if fast-tracked processing is available to you. The priority service for processing in 5 working days costs an additional £500, while the super priority service for a next working day decision is a £1,000 additional fee.

Processing times vary depending on location and service level. Standard processing for in-country applications takes up to 8 weeks, while entry clearance applications usually take up to 12 weeks. Applicants using the Super Priority service may receive a decision in 24 hours after biometric enrolment.

Applications are made online via the GOV.UK platform, and applicants will be required to attend a biometric appointment at a UKVCAS service point (in-country) or a visa application centre (overseas). Once biometric data has been provided, the application enters the decision stage.

Delays often occur where biometric appointments are booked late, where documents are uploaded after the appointment rather than beforehand, or where additional checks are triggered by security or previous immigration history. Applicants who are working or studying in the UK should also consider the impact of processing times on travel plans and ensure they do not book trips while an in-country application is pending.

Applicants should not travel outside the UK while a leave-to-remain application is pending, as this will automatically withdraw the application. Entry clearance applicants must wait for a visa decision before travelling to the UK.

Section F: Common Appendix FM Application Errors to Avoid

Despite the high volume of family visa applications submitted under Appendix FM each year, a significant number are refused due to what are often avoidable errors. The rules assume that applicants will provide a complete and internally consistent bundle of evidence. Where there are gaps, contradictions or missing documents, caseworkers are entitled to refuse without giving an opportunity to correct the mistake.

1. Inadequate Evidence

One of the most common reasons for refusal is a failure to provide sufficient or appropriate supporting evidence. Each element of the application—relationship status, income, accommodation, immigration history—must be clearly supported by documentation. The Home Office does not accept explanations in place of required evidence and is not obliged to request missing documents before refusing an application.

For example, if a couple claim to have cohabited for two years as unmarried partners, but fail to provide adequate evidence of joint residence (such as tenancy agreements, joint bills or correspondence addressed to the same property), the application is likely to be refused. Similarly, if a sponsor claims to meet the financial requirement but fails to provide the correct number of payslips, bank statements or employment letters in the format required by Appendix FM-SE, the application may be rejected as invalid or refused on evidential grounds.

Inadequate evidence is not just about quantity. Caseworkers look for a clear narrative supported by documents that fit together logically. Sending large amounts of unorganised material, or leaving key points to be explained in a covering letter without matching documents, increases the risk that the caseworker will miss or discount important aspects of the case. A document checklist mapped directly to the rules is usually the safest approach.

2. Relationship Not Proven

Family visas rely heavily on demonstrating a genuine and subsisting relationship. The Home Office will refuse applications where there is doubt about the authenticity of the relationship, especially in cases involving marriages formed shortly before the application, significant age differences, or a lack of personal or financial integration.

Spouses and partners must provide evidence that the relationship is ongoing and genuine. This may include photographs, travel history, call logs, messages, joint financial arrangements and other documentation reflecting an ongoing shared life. Marriages or civil partnerships of convenience, or relationships not recognised in UK law, will not qualify. Where the applicant is a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, they must also show credible plans to marry or register their partnership within six months of arrival in the UK.

Failure to demonstrate an ongoing emotional and practical connection to the sponsor, especially for overseas applications where cohabitation is not possible, can result in refusal even if the legal relationship exists.

From a practical perspective, relationship evidence often fails where couples assume that a marriage certificate or birth certificate is enough. UKVI expects to see how the relationship operates day to day. Long breaks in contact, limited visits, or an absence of shared financial commitments can all raise red flags if not explained. Cultural norms around living arrangements or financial independence can be taken into account, but only if they are clearly set out with supporting evidence.

3. Income Documents Non-Compliant

The financial requirement under Appendix FM is one of the most tightly controlled aspects of the application. Documents must comply exactly with the formats and timeframes set out in Appendix FM-SE. Failure to do so, even by a small margin, can result in automatic refusal.

Examples include:

• Submitting fewer than six months of payslips when six are required
• Providing bank statements that do not show salary deposits
• Including employment letters that are not signed or dated, or fail to confirm start date, salary or type of employment
• Using savings that have not been held for the full six-month period

Even where an applicant clearly meets the financial requirement in substance, non-compliance with the specified evidence rules will lead to refusal unless exceptional circumstances apply.

The most frequent problems arise from mixing evidential categories, relying on fluctuating income without clear averaging, or overlooking gaps in employment and bank records. Caseworkers check that the payslips line up with the bank deposits, that employer letters confirm exactly what the rules require and that savings figures have been held for long enough and come from acceptable sources. Any inconsistencies between the form, the documents and the sponsor’s wider financial profile can cause doubt and lead to refusal, even where the headline salary is above the threshold.

Section G: Family Visa to ILR

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the final stage of the immigration process for many family members applying under Appendix FM. It grants permanent residence in the UK, allowing individuals to live, work and study without further immigration restrictions. ILR is also a mandatory prerequisite for those intending to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation.

To qualify for ILR, individuals have to meet strict requirements relating to their length of UK residence, conduct, integration and family circumstances.

ILR is typically available to individuals on the five-year route once they have completed 60 months (five years) of continuous lawful residence in the UK under Appendix FM as a partner or parent. Settlement decisions for both the five-year and ten-year family routes are now made under Appendix Settlement Family Life.

Those on the ten-year route, usually granted where the applicant could not meet all of the standard requirements but has an established family or private life in the UK, may qualify for ILR after ten years of continuous residence under Appendix Settlement Family Life.

The five-year route is designed for applicants who meet all of the standard Appendix FM requirements from the outset, including financial, English language and relationship criteria. It effectively allows faster progression to settlement and is commonly used by spouses, civil partners and parents of British children.

This is compared to the ten-year route, which applies where applicants do not meet one or more of the standard requirements but can demonstrate that refusal would breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to respect for family and private life). Although applicants on this route wait longer to settle, they are permitted to live and work in the UK under limited leave during this period.

Switching from the ten-year to the five-year route is possible in some cases if the applicant later meets the full requirements.

If you do intend to apply for ILR, planning and timing will be important. You have to apply before your current leave expires to avoid becoming an overstayer. Note also that individuals who have switched between the five-year and ten-year routes may need to wait longer to qualify, unless they have met the requirements to switch formally onto the five-year path.

You also have to have continued to meet the suitability grounds during your time in the UK to avoid an ILR refusal.

In practice, ILR strategy often starts several years before the application date. Families need to think about how changes in employment, periods living abroad, relationship difficulties or criminal or financial issues might affect their settlement prospects. A refusal at ILR stage can be particularly disruptive because it comes after a long period of building a life in the UK and usually involves higher sunk costs in visa fees and IHS.

To qualify for ILR, applicants must have maintained continuous residence in the UK throughout the qualifying period. Continuous residence is assessed under Appendix Continuous Residence, which allows up to 180 days’ absence in any rolling 12-month period unless the absence falls within a permitted category. Applicants should review their travel history carefully to ensure they remain within the limits.

Any period spent in the UK in breach of immigration conditions may break continuity, and time spent on temporary or visitor visas does not count towards ILR under the family rules.

For family migrants who have spent time on other long-term routes before switching into Appendix FM, it is important to understand that the Settlement Family Life rules focus on time spent with family-life permission, not time spent in the UK in general, unless a separate long residence route is available. Attempts to combine fragmented periods of leave without checking which appendix applies can lead to incorrect assumptions about when ILR is due.

Applicants are advised to keep detailed records of all travel and ensure they meet both the absence and lawful residence requirements before applying for ILR. Failure to meet these conditions may lead to refusal or a further period of limited leave before settlement is possible.

In the event that you have lived in the UK for a number of years and decide to apply for indefinite leave to remain, as a partner or a parent of a family member in the UK you may also be required to demonstrate a commitment to respect the laws, values and traditions of the UK. The ability to communicate in English and have knowledge of life in the UK forms an integral part of this commitment. This is known as the KoLL requirement.

Unless you are exempt by reason of age or otherwise, you can satisfy these requirements by passing a ‘Life in the UK’ test at an approved test centre or proving your knowledge of English at CEFR level B1 or higher, for example via a Secure English Language Test (SELT) or a recognised degree taught in English.

From a practical perspective, many ILR applications are delayed not by residence issues but by late preparation for KoLL. Test availability, result times and the need to retake failed exams can all compress the application window if planning starts too late. Families should treat KoLL as a parallel track to financial and residence planning so that when the five or ten-year point arrives, they have the required test results ready and can proceed directly to settlement without needing an extra period of limited leave.

Section H: Need assistance?

DavidsonMorris are experienced in all aspects of UK immigration, including family visa applications involving Appendix FM. If you have any queries or require guidance, contact our immigration specialists.

Section I: Appendix FM FAQs

Who can sponsor a family application under Appendix FM?

A sponsor can be a British citizen, a person settled in the UK (including holders of indefinite leave to remain or settled status), a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection, or certain EUSS status holders such as pre-settled status where the family relationship existed before the end of the Brexit transition period or a person with settled status as a victim of domestic abuse (SSVDA). In some niche categories, such as recognised stateless persons, other rules or appendices may apply, so the correct route needs checking against the latest guidance.

Do partners and children now meet the same income threshold?

For new partner applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the £29,000 minimum income requirement applies whether or not dependent children are included. Transitional rules preserve the older £18,600 threshold plus child add-ons for families who were already on the five-year route before 11 April 2024 and are continuing on that route.

Is there any way to rely on lower earnings?

If the sponsor receives a qualifying disability-related benefit, the family can rely on the adequate maintenance test instead of the £29,000 income threshold. In some cases where refusal would produce unjustifiably harsh consequences, the exceptional circumstances provisions within Appendix FM (often called Appendix FM EXC) allow UKVI to consider alternative sources of support, such as savings or third-party assistance, although this is a discretionary and evidence-heavy route.

Do unmarried partners qualify?

Unmarried partners can apply under Appendix FM provided they have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or a civil partnership for at least two consecutive years immediately before the application and meet the other eligibility requirements. UKVI expects to see strong evidence of cohabitation and an ongoing shared life, not just a short period of living together before the application.

Can a child over eighteen be included as a dependant?

Children who turn eighteen do not usually remain eligible under the standard child route, unless they still form part of the family unit, remain financially and emotionally dependent and have not established an independent life. In many cases, older children need to move onto their own route, so early planning is important as they approach eighteen.

What English test is accepted for partners?

Partners generally need to show English at level A1 for their first application, A2 for an extension and B1 for settlement. This is usually done by passing an approved Secure English Language Test in speaking and listening, such as IELTS for UKVI, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert, PSI Skills for English or Trinity College London, unless they qualify through nationality or a recognised English-taught degree.

How long does a parent route application take?

For applications made inside the UK, the Home Office service standard is up to eight weeks, while entry clearance applications from overseas are usually decided within twelve weeks. Complex cases, for example those involving disputed sole responsibility or safeguarding issues, can take longer where additional checks are needed.

Can victims of domestic abuse apply without meeting the income rules?

Yes. Under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse (VDA), eligible applicants whose relationship with a British, settled or other qualifying partner has broken down due to domestic abuse can apply for settlement without meeting the financial or English language requirements. The focus is on proving the abuse and the link between the abuse and the relationship breakdown rather than on ongoing income levels.

Does Appendix FM lead to settlement?

Yes. Partners and parents on the five-year route can normally apply for indefinite leave to remain after sixty months, and those on the ten-year family or private life route may qualify after ten years, with both pathways now decided under Appendix Settlement Family Life. Continuous residence limits, suitability checks and the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements all apply, so careful planning over the full length of the route is important.

Section J: Glossary

Section K: Additional Resources & Links