~Spouse · Partner · Unmarried Partner · Settlement

ILR After Spouse &
Partner Visa.

Applying for ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa using form SET(M) allows you to secure permanent settlement in the UK after completing 5 years on the family route. At this stage, the Home Office reassesses your application fresh rather than carrying over approvals from your previous extension.

You must provide up-to-date evidence that your relationship remains genuine and subsisting with the same partner, alongside meeting the financial and cohabitation criteria. Learn more about the full requirements for ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa.

Continuous Residence & Absence Calculator

Track your trips outside the UK to ensure you don't breach the 180-day rolling absence limit for ILR.

Check Your Elegibility See Full Requirements

5 years Standard qualifying period

B1 English level (rising to B2 from Mar 2027)

£3,226 Home Office application fee

    STRICT 28-DAY WINDOW
  

You can apply no earlier than 28 days before your 5 years complete. Apply too early and it's refused outright, with no refund. Apply too late and you risk a gap in your lawful status. This date needs calculating precisely, not estimated.

~Requirements

What has to still be true.

Whether you originally entered the UK on a Spouse Visa, an Unmarried Partner Visa, or a Civil Partnership Visa, your pathway to permanent settlement requires careful planning. Selecting the correct case type below ensures your application meets all Home Office guidelines for your current stage.

5 continuous years on the partner route

Must be held under Appendix FM throughout to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, with no overstays or breaches of visa conditions[cite: 13].

Still genuine and subsisting

When applying for partner visa settlement with the same sponsor, the Home Office requires proof of an ongoing shared life[cite: 13].

Financial requirement met again

Reassessed at the stage of your SET(M) application using fresh evidence; savings over £16,000 count in full[cite: 13].

English at B1, Life in the UK test

Required for ILR after spouse visa unless previously evidenced; B1 rises to B2 for applications from 26 March 2027[cite: 13].

Adequate accommodation

Housing suitability is re-checked for your 5-year route settlement to ensure the property remains appropriate and not overcrowded[cite: 13].

No serious suitability issues

To secure an ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa, you must have no serious criminality, deportation orders, or undisclosed breaches[cite: 13].

IF YOU DON'T MEET EVERY REQUIREMENT

A 10-year route exists for applicants who don't fully meet standard criteria for ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa (such as income or English levels), where refusal would be disproportionate. It's a longer path to settlement, but not a dead end. You can also switch from the 10-year to the 5-year route for your SET M Application Requirements as soon as you meet the stricter requirements.

~Exceptional Routes

If the relationship has broken down.

Two settlement routes exist outside the standard 5-year path:

ILR as a Victim of Domestic Violence: If your relationship breaks down due to abuse while on a Spouse Visa, you can apply for permanent settlement immediately.

Bereaved Partner ILR: If your partner passes away during your visa period, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain right away without completing the 5-year requirement

SET(DV)

Domestic Violence Route

If your relationship ended due to domestic abuse before completing the standard path for ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa, you may still qualify to settle independently even though the relationship has broken down.

BEREAVED PARTNER

If Your Sponsor Has Died

Settlement under ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa provisions may be available immediately with no minimum qualifying period, financial, or English requirement under Appendix Bereaved Partner.

ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa

Applying for 5 Year Route to Settlement UK allows family visa holders to secure permanent residence in the UK. Obtaining settlement grants you unrestricted rights to live, work, and study without further visa renewals.

5 Year Route to Settlement UK

Most applicants qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing the 5 Year Route to Settlement UK. This period typically requires 60 continuous months of legal residence across two initial partner visas.

SET M Application Requirements

Meeting all SET M Application Requirements is necessary for a successful settlement application. Essential evidence includes proof of ongoing cohabitation, passing the Life in the UK test, and meeting B1 English language proficiency.

ILR Partner Visa Financial Requirement

Applicants must satisfy the ILR Partner Visa Financial Requirement through salary, self-employment, or cash savings. You must provide 6 months of payslips, bank statements, and an employer letter to prove stable income.

Spouse Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain

Transitioning from a Spouse Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain is the final step before applying for British citizenship. Submitting your application within the 28-day window before your 5-year anniversary ensures a smooth transition to settled status.

~Documents Required

What you'll need to provide.

Passports and current status

Current and previous passports, or your eVisa/UKVI account details required for your ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa application.

Relationship evidence spanning the full 5 years

Documents addressed to both partners across multiple years — not just a snapshot from one point in time.

Financial evidence

Payslips, bank statements, or self-employment accounts covering the periods specified in the Rules to satisfy ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa financial criteria.

Life in the UK test certificate

Pass certificate, unless exempt.

English test certificate

B1 level or above, unless already evidenced for your ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa.

Accommodation evidence

Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement, plus recent utility or council tax bills.

~Our Process

Four steps, start to finish.

01

Timing calculated

We confirm the exact date your 28-day window opens for indefinite leave to remain, so nothing is submitted too early or too late.

02

Evidence compiled

5 years of relationship and financial evidence checked and organized specifically to meet 5-year route settlement criteria.

03

Application submitted

Your adviser submits SET(M) for your partner visa settlement and books your biometric appointment.

04

Settlement granted

We explain your route towards British citizenship, typically available 12 months after securing your ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa.

~Questions

Frequently asked.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION	ANSWER & DETAILS
When should I apply for ILR after partner visa	You can apply for ILR After Partner Visa up to 28 days before completing your continuous 5-year qualifying period under Appendix FM. Applying earlier than the 28-day window can result in an immediate Home Office refusal without a refund.
What form do I use for Indefinite Leave to Remain	You must submit the online SET(M) form when applying for Permenant Residence. This covers individuals completing their 5-year route as a spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for settlement?	No, the Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply to 5 Year Route to Settlement UK applications. Once granted settlement, you receive permanent access to the NHS without paying additional healthcare fees.
Is the financial requirement re-tested for 5 Year Route to Settlement UK?	Yes, financial eligibility is reassessed using current evidence when applying for 5 Year Route to Settlement UK. You must prove you meet the relevant income threshold or hold cash savings above £16,000 to qualify.
What English language level is required for Spouse Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain?	You must demonstrate at least B1 level English under the CEFR framework alongside passing the Life in the UK test for your Spouse Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain (unless exempt).
When can I apply for British Citizenship after securing settlement?	If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply for naturalisation immediately after receiving your ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa. If unmarried, you must wait 12 months after settlement is granted.

~Contact Us

Name

Your Phone Number

Select Service:

Message

--Related Services

Before and after settlement.

CASE TYPE — EXTENSION

Spouse Visa Extension

If you're not yet at the 5-year mark required for ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa.

CASE TYPE — CITIZENSHIP

British Citizenship

Naturalisation once you've held ILR After Spouse & Partner Visa.