FLR M Form: Spouse, Partner or Child Extensions

You will need to complete the FLR M form if you want to make an application to extend your stay in the UK on the basis of your family life and relationship to either:

• A British citizen
• A person who is present and settled in the UK with indefinite leave to remain, or
• A person with refugee status or who has been granted humanitarian protection in the UK.

FLR stands for Further Leave to Remain, which means an extension to stay in the UK for 30 months as either:

• Spouse
• Civil partner
• Unmarried partner
• Same-sex partner
• Parent
• Child

The extension application to remain must be made by someone already in the UK who is looking to extend an expiring visa in certain categories, such as a spouse visa, or in some cases, where the person is switching from another category due to a change in circumstances.

An unmarried partner includes anyone who can evidence they have been living in a relationship akin to a marriage or civil partnership for at least two years prior to the date of application for an extension of leave.

You can also apply using the FLR M form to extend your stay as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner in circumstances where you came to the UK with the intention of entering into a marriage or civil partnership but have yet to do so.

Note that this form should not be used to apply to settle in the UK.

 

Who should use the FLR M form?

You can apply to remain in the UK if you and your partner or relative are both over the age of 18, and they satisfy the required immigration status as either a British citizen, indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or have refugee status or humanitarian protection.

Children under the age of 18 can be included in your application using the FLR M form. Dependent children aged 18 or over may not apply with you on this form, unless they were initially granted leave in this category at a time when they were under 18.

When making an application to extend your UK spouse visa you and your spouse/partner must be in the UK and intend to live together permanently. In other words, your relationship must be genuine.

When using the FLR M form you must also meet the following two requirements:

• The financial requirement
• The English language requirement

If you are looking to extend your stay in the UK indefinitely, you cannot use the FLR M form. Applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK requires a different form with different rules and criteria.

The financial requirement

To satisfy the financial requirement you must meet a minimum income threshold. For a partner applying under Appendix FM, without dependent children, the threshold is a gross annual income of at least £18,600 for applications submitted before 11 April 2024. From 11 April 2024, the financial threshold for the UK spouse visa is increasing from £18,600 to £29,000, and will rise again to £38,700 by early 2025.

The minimum salary threshold also increases for every dependent child you have who is not a British or Irish citizen or is not permanently settled in the UK. If you are applying with a dependent child, you must prove an additional £3,800 for the first child, together with an increase of £2,400 for each additional child.

You can meet this financial requirement through either income from the employment or self-employment of your spouse/partner, or your own income where you have permission to work in the UK.

You can also rely on any pension, maternity allowances or bereavement benefits received in the UK, as well as cash savings over £16,000.

You are exempt from meeting the financial requirement in the form of a minimum income threshold if your spouse/partner is in receipt of a specified benefit or allowance. Instead, you will need to provide evidence of adequate maintenance for you and any dependents.

In addition, you must also have adequate accommodation for you and any dependents that live with you.

The English language requirement

Unless you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, for example, Canada or New Zealand, in most cases you will need to demonstrate that you have a good knowledge of the English language.

You can do this by either having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised as being equivalent to a UK bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD or, alternatively, you will need to pass an approved English language test in speaking and listening.

 

How to make an application using FLR M form

You can apply to extend your UK Spouse visa using the FLR M form at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires. In most cases, you will need to complete the application process online.

You (and any children under 18 applying with you) must be in the UK to apply.

As part of the application process, you will be required to provide your personal details, as well as those of any dependent children applying with you.

You will also be required to provide the details of your sponsor and the nature of your relationship with them. Your ‘sponsor’ refers to your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner or same-sex partner.

You will also be required to provide detail of your ability to meet the financial and English language requirement.

To make a valid application, ensure:

• You are using the correct and current version of form FLR M
• That you have paid the correct fee
• You submit photographs of all applicants in the required format
• Complete all relevant sections of the form as required such as section 4 if you and/or your sponsor have any dependent children in the UK
• The relevant declarations in section 14 are signed by you and your partner

Issues with the completed form can result in a delayed or refused application, which may impact your lawful status if your visa expires before a valid application is made.

 

What are the FLR M supporting documents?

You will be required to submit various documents in support of your application for a UK Spouse visa using the FLR M form.

These include your current passport or travel document, any previous passports or travel documents and any valid Biometric Residence Permit. If you have a current grant of leave on a Biometric Residence Permit, you must provide this for your application to be complete and valid.

You will also need to provide proof of your sponsor’s immigration status and your relationship, as well as documentary evidence of your finances and ability to understand and speak English to the required level.

The supporting documents must be originals, or if this is not possible, certified copies may be provided along with an explanation in a covering letter as to why originals could not be submitted. Documents which are not in English must be accompanied by a reliable English translation.

 

How long does it take to process an application using the FLR M form?

Having submitted the FLR M form, a decision to extend your stay in the UK will usually be made within a few weeks, although if your application is complex it may take longer.

Your application could be delayed, for example, if you have not provided all the documentary evidence that the Home Office needs or you are required to attend an interview.

Any criminal history or immigration violations that require careful review may also delay your application, if not result in any extension of stay being denied.

 

How much does it cost to submit an application using the FLR M form?

If you are a single applicant using the FLR M form there is a fee of £1048 to apply from within the UK, with an additional handling fee for enrolling your biometric information. This fee applies for each applicants, such as dependant children, included in your application.

 

Should I apply for a biometric residence permit with the FLR M form?

Everyone applying for an extension of stay in the categories for which form the FLR M form is used must also apply for a Biometric Residence Permit.

As part of your application process a digital photograph will need to be taken of your face, and your fingerprints will need to be scanned. This is known as enrolling your biometric information.

However, you do not have to apply separately for a Biometric Residence Permit as the FLR M form includes an application for a permit.

In the event that your application for an extension of your UK Spouse visa is approved, you will automatically be given a permit containing your biometric information.

 

Need assistance?

If you are currently residing in the UK with your spouse or partner and want to extend your stay, you will need to make an application using the FLR M form. Ensuring you complete all relevant sections fully and accurately, and providing all required supporting documents, will be crucial to making a successful application.

DavidsonMorris is a law firm specialising in UK immigration. We help individuals with all their UK immigration needs, and can guide and support you through any Home Office process, including the application to extend your stay and remain in the UK with your loved ones using form FLR M. If you have a question, please contact us.

 

FLR M FAQs

What is FLR M?

You would use the FLR M form to apply to extend your stay in the UK as a spouse, partner or dependent child of a British citizen or someone with UK ILR. settled person. FLR M stands for Further Leave to Remain in the Marriage category.

What Documents do I need for FLR M?

Among the supporting documents you will need to submit your valid passport, as well as evidence of your UK accommodation, that your relationship is genuine and that you meet the language and financial requirements.

What is the difference between FLR M and FLR FP?

While FLR M relates to marriage, partners and dependent children, FLR FP is for Further Leave to Remain, in the 'F and P' categories, ie based on the Family Life under the Appendix FM or Private Life under the Part 7.

Last updated: 15 February 2024