Appendix FM & UK Family Visa Applications

Appendix FM is a section of the UK Immigration Rules that governs applications to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of family life with a qualifying sponsor.

While it is one of the most commonly used routes for family migration to the UK, Appendix FM also contains some of the most detailed evidential and eligibility requirements. Applicants will therefore need to understand the category they are applying under and ensure they meet the relevant rules before submitting a visa or leave to remain application.

In this guide, we explain the key requirements for making an application to enter or remain in the UK under Appendix FM.

 

Section A: What is Appendix FM?

 

Appendix FM sets out the requirements for certain family members applying to join a relative in the UK who is a British citizen or someone with UK settled status.

“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 adult dependent relatives. It forms part of the main body of the Immigration Rules and is supplemented by Appendix FM-SE (Specified Evidence) and, since 2025, Appendix FM EXC (Exceptional Circumstances), which codifies how caseworkers should assess claims involving Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

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 categories of applications:

 

• Five-Year Route: For applicants who meet all of the standard eligibility requirements, including financial, English language, and relationship criteria. This route leads to indefinite leave to remain after five years of continuous residence.
• 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. This route requires a longer period of residence before settlement is possible.
• 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 now formally considered under Appendix FM EXC.

 

Successful applicants receive limited leave that can be extended and may ultimately lead to indefinite leave to remain.

 

Appendix FM Route	Description
Five-Year Route	For applicants who meet all of the standard eligibility requirements, including financial, English language, and relationship criteria. This route leads to indefinite leave to remain after five years of continuous residence.
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. This route requires a longer period of residence before settlement is possible.
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 now formally considered under Appendix FM EXC.

 

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.

 

1. Qualifying Relationships

 

The family-based categories under Appendix FM 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)
• A former partner who is eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain under the domestic abuse route

 

Each relationship type is subject to different evidential and eligibility requirements, which must be satisfied in full unless exceptional circumstances apply.

 

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 limited leave under the Settled Status for Victims of Domestic Abuse (SSVDA) provisions

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

4. Appendix FM Adult Dependent Relative Route

 

The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) route is the most restrictive of the Appendix FM categories. 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.

 

5. Appendix FM Victims of Domestic Abuse

 

Appendix FM also includes a route for individuals who were previously in a qualifying relationship but whose partnership has broken down permanently due to domestic abuse. This is known as the Domestic Violence Indefinite Leave to Remain (DVILR) route.

Applicants must provide evidence that the abuse occurred during their relationship with a British citizen, settled person, or person with refugee status, 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.

 

Section D: Appendix FM 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.

For applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the minimum gross annual income that must 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 must be provided exactly as specified.

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.

 

1. 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.

 

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 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 must 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.

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.

 

Section E: 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 and is recognised as being equivalent to a UK bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD
• You have passed an approved English language test in speaking and listening.

 

To satisfy the English language requirement, applicants must provide one of the following:

 

• 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.

 

Section F: 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, 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.

 

Section G: Suitability Requirements

 

In addition to meeting eligibility and evidential rules, applicants also have to satisfy the suitability requirements set out in Appendix FM and Part 9 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.

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

 

 

This is a broad area, and applicants are advised to take guidance if concerned about potential issues. Failure to meet the suitability requirements will result in refusal, even if all other eligibility criteria are met. Applicants should take care to disclose their immigration and criminal history honestly and ensure that their accommodation arrangements meet the required standards.

 

Section H: 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 usually not allowed 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.

The standard Home Office application fee for a family visa under Appendix FM is £1,321 for in-country applications or £1,938 for entry clearance applications.

 

Appendix FM Application Yype	Apply outside the UK	Apply in the UK
Cost if joining your partner, parent or child	£1,938	£1,321
Cost for each dependant added to your application	£1,938 each person	£1,321 each person

 

 

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

 

Scenario	Application Type	Visa Application Fee	IHS (2.5 Years)	Total Initial Cost
Single adult	In-country	£1,321	£2,587.50 (£1,035 × 2.5)	£3,908.50
Single adult	Entry clearance	£1,938	£2,587.50	£4,525.50
Adult with one child	In-country	£2,642 (£1,321 × 2)	£4,527.50 (£1,035 + £776) × 2.5	£7,170.00
Adult with one child	Entry clearance	£3,876 (£1,938 × 2)	£4,527.50	£8,403.50
Adult with two children	In-country	£3,963 (£1,321 × 3)	£6,467.50 (£1,035 + £776 + £776) × 2.5	£10,430.50
Adult with two children	Entry clearance	£5,814 (£1,938 × 3)	£6,467.50	£12,281.50

 

 

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.

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.

 

Appendix FM Application	Details
Where to Apply	Entry clearance (outside UK) or leave to remain (inside UK, if eligible)
Standard Application Fee	£1,321 (in-country) or £1,938 (entry clearance)
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	£1,035 per year (typically £2,587.50 for a 2.5-year visa)
Priority Services	£500 (Priority – 5 working days), £1,000 (Super Priority – next working day)
Processing Time	Up to 8 weeks (in-country), up to 12 weeks (entry clearance)
Biometrics Required?	Yes – at UKVCAS (in UK) or visa application centre (overseas)
Travel During Application	Not permitted for in-country applicants – travel withdraws the application
Main Supporting Documents	Passport, relationship evidence, income proof, accommodation evidence, English language evidence
Where to Apply	Online via GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/apply-family-visa

 

 

Section I: 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

Section J: 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. 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 after ten years of continuous residence.

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 must 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 for refusal.

To qualify for ILR, applicants must have maintained continuous residence in the UK throughout the qualifying period. This means that they must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during the relevant five- or ten-year period.

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 Appendix FM.

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.

 

Section K: 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 L: Appendix FM FAQs

 

Who can sponsor a family application under Appendix FM?

A sponsor must be a British citizen, a person settled in the UK (holder of indefinite leave to remain or settled status), a refugee or person with humanitarian protection, or, under the updated rules, the holder of pre-settled status or Settled Status for Victims of Domestic Abuse.

 

Must partners and children now meet the same income threshold?

Since 11 April 2024 the partner threshold of £29,000 covers any dependent children. Transitional rules preserve the older £18,600 + child add-ons calculation for families already on the five-year route before 11 April 2024.

 

Is there any way to rely on lower earnings?

If the sponsor receives a qualifying disability benefit, or if refusal would produce “unjustifiably harsh consequences” under Appendix FM EXC, UKVI may consider alternative funds such as savings or third-party support.

 

Do unmarried partners qualify?

Unmarried partners can apply 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.

 

Can a child over eighteen be included as a dependant?

Only in very limited circumstances. Once a child turns eighteen they must normally switch to an independent route unless they cannot lead an independent life because of disability.

 

What English test is accepted for partners?

You must pass an approved Secure English Language Test in speaking and listening at A1 level for entry and A2 for extension, unless you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or hold a recognised degree taught in English.

 

How long does a parent route application take?

The Home Office service standard is eight weeks for applications made in the UK and twelve weeks for entry-clearance cases, though complex matters involving sole responsibility can take longer.

 

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

The Domestic Abuse Indefinite Leave (DVILR) route allows partners whose qualifying relationship has broken down because of abuse to apply for settlement without meeting the financial or English-language requirements.

 

Does Appendix FM lead to settlement?

Partners and parents on the five-year route may apply for indefinite leave to remain after sixty months, subject to the KoLL (Knowledge of Life in the UK) requirements and continuous-residence limits. Those on the ten-year route can combine lawful residence to reach eligibility once they complete a decade in the UK.

 

Section M: Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Appendix FM	The section of the UK Immigration Rules that sets out the requirements for partners, parents, children and adult dependent relatives applying to enter or remain on the basis of family life.
Sponsor	The British citizen, settled person, refugee, humanitarian-protection holder, pre-settled-status holder or SSVDA holder with whom the applicant has a qualifying family relationship.
Partner	A spouse, civil partner, fiancé/proposed civil partner, or unmarried partner who has lived with the applicant for at least two consecutive years.
Adult Dependent Relative (ADR)	A parent, grandparent, sibling or adult child who, due to age, illness or disability, requires long-term personal care that is unavailable or unaffordable in their country of residence.
Financial Requirement	The minimum gross income a sponsor (or applicant) must show for a partner application: £29,000 since 11 April 2024.
Adequate Maintenance	An alternative test used where the sponsor is in receipt of certain disability-related benefits, requiring evidence that after housing costs the family will have income at or above the Income Support level.
SELT	Secure English Language Test approved by the Home Office (IELTS for UKVI, Pearson PTE, LanguageCert, PSI Skills for English or Trinity ISE).
KoLL	Knowledge of Life in the UK: the combined English-language and Life-in-the-UK test requirement for settlement applications.
Appendix FM EXC	A subsection of Appendix FM that allows UKVI to grant or vary leave where refusal would cause unjustifiably harsh consequences in breach of Article 8 ECHR.
Transitional Provisions	Rules preserving the pre-April 2024 £18,600 + child add-ons calculation for partners who were already on the five-year route before 11 April 2024.
DVILR	Domestic Violence Indefinite Leave to Remain: a settlement route for partners whose relationship has broken down due to domestic abuse.
Continuous Residence	The maximum of 180 days’ absence in any 12-month period permitted when calculating eligibility for indefinite leave to remain.