How Does the FLR(M) Application Process Work?
An FLR(M) application involves checking that you still meet the relevant partner route requirements and preparing evidence that supports your position, including:
- Relationship evidence
- Financial documents
- Accommodation information
- Proof of English language ability (where required)
The application is normally completed online from inside the UK. You must use the correct form, pay the applicable Home Office charges and follow UKVI instructions for identity checks or biometrics.
Who Can Apply for FLR(M) in the UK?
Further Leave to Remain covers several types of permission to stay, but FLR(M) is mainly relevant to eligible partners extending or switching into the five-year family route from inside the UK. Applicants may include:
- Spouses
- Civil partners
- Unmarried partners
who meet the relationship requirements in Appendix FM. An unmarried partner must normally show a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership lasting at least two years, although two years of continuous cohabitation is not always required.
People whose circumstances fall outside FLR(M), including some family or private life cases, may need a different application route. Our family and partner visas guidance explains the main relationship-based options before you decide which application applies. For a broader breakdown of the evidence and eligibility involved, see our FLR visa requirements guide.
Which Further Leave to Remain Categories Apply in the UK?
The correct Further Leave to Remain application depends on your existing immigration permission. Three forms commonly discussed are:
- FLR(M): Used for eligible partner and certain dependent child applications under Appendix FM. It is commonly relevant to people extending a UK spouse visa or another qualifying partner route. Applicants needing route-specific information can also read our dedicated spouse visa extension guidance.
- FLR(IR): Used for certain applications for permission to stay under the Immigration Rules where another specified form does not apply. The requirements come from the underlying immigration category, so applicants should not choose FLR(IR) solely because they need more time in the UK. Applicants relying on long lawful residence can review our long residence route guidance.
- FLR(FP): Used for specified family life and private life applications. Some cases may also involve a human rights immigration application, which can require different evidence and legal arguments from a standard FLR(M) extension.
For the underlying family route, see our UK spouse visa guidance.
Who Can Extend a Partner or Spouse Visa Using FLR(M)?
To extend under FLR(M) as a partner, you must meet the relevant Appendix FM requirements and be applying from inside the UK. Your partner will normally need to fall within one of the following categories:
- British or Irish citizen
- A person settled in the UK, including someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain
- A qualifying person with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- A person with protection status, where the family route provisions apply
You must also continue to meet the relationship requirements. For an unmarried partner, the relationship must normally have been similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. Two years of continuous cohabitation is not always required where the relationship can otherwise be evidenced.
The application may also require financial, accommodation and English language evidence. Applicants extending an existing spouse route can review the separate spouse visa extension page, while those in a durable relationship can read our unmarried partner visa guidance. Applicants approaching the end of their first partner grant may also find our guide to a spouse visa extension after 2.5 years useful.
Types of FLR Applications in the UK
| No | FLR Type | Purpose | Settlement Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | FLR(M) | Partner and qualifying dependent child applications | May lead to settlement on a qualifying family route |
| 02 | FLR(FP) | Family life or private life applications | May lead to settlement depending on the family or private life route |
| 03 | FLR(IR) | Certain other routes under the Immigration Rules | Depends on the underlying immigration category |
| 04 | FLR(HRO) | Human rights claims, leave outside the Rules and certain other cases | Depends on the basis and type of permission granted |
| 05 | FLR(DL) | Extension of qualifying Discretionary Leave | May lead to settlement in eligible cases, depending on the grant history and applicable policy |
| 06 | FLR(LR) | Further permission based on long residence | Can lead to ILR where long-residence settlement requirements are met |
| 07 | FLR(AF) | HM Armed Forces members and qualifying dependants | May lead to settlement where the relevant Armed Forces requirements are met |
These application forms remain listed by UKVI for the relevant Further Leave to Remain categories.
When and Where Should You Apply for FLR(M)?
An FLR(M) application is normally made online from inside the UK before your current permission expires. You will need to provide information about yourself, your partner or sponsor and any dependent children included in the application.
Before submitting, check that you are using the correct current route and that the information in the form matches your supporting evidence. If a valid application is made before existing leave expires, section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 may extend that leave while the application is pending, subject to the statutory conditions.
Can You Apply for an FLR(M) Extension from Outside the UK?
No. FLR(M) is an in-country application for permission to stay. If you are outside the UK, you will normally need to use the relevant entry clearance route instead of applying for an FLR(M) extension.
Can You Travel While an FLR(M) Application Is Pending?
You should not travel outside the Common Travel Area while an in-country FLR(M) application is pending. UKVI treats a permission-to-stay application as withdrawn if the applicant leaves before a decision is made.
How Long Does an FLR(M) Application Take in 2026?
For an in-country partner or spouse application meeting the minimum income and English language requirements, the current published processing time is around 8 weeks. A faster decision service may be available for some eligible applications, depending on the route and availability.
What English Language Level Is Required for an FLR(M) Extension?
The English language requirement for an FLR(M) extension depends on how you met the requirement in your previous family visa application and whether an exemption applies.
If you first met the requirement by passing an approved Secure English Language Test at CEFR level A1, you will normally need to show at least A2 in speaking and listening when extending after 2.5 years. This is the higher level generally required for a partner extension on the five-year route.
If you previously passed an approved test at A2, B1 or a higher level, you may be able to rely on that result again, provided the qualification remains accepted and the certificate has not been withdrawn by the provider.
Other applicants may meet the requirement through an eligible academic qualification taught in English or another accepted method under the Immigration Rules. Nationality, age, disability and other exemptions can also apply depending on the circumstances.
Evidence used for the first application should therefore be checked rather than automatically retaking a test. Axis Solicitors can explain which English language evidence is relevant to your circumstances and whether an exemption may apply before you submit your FLR(M) application.
What Does an FLR(M) Extension Cost in 2026?
The FLR visa fee depends on the type of Further Leave to Remain application and whether additional services are used. .
| No | Item | Current Fee / Position |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Application fee | £1,407 per applicant for many in-country family and other leave-to-remain applications. Route-specific exceptions can apply. |
| 02 | Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Normally £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for applicants under 18. For a typical 2.5-year FLR(M) grant, this is £2,587.50 for an adult or £1,940 for a child. |
| 03 | Biometrics | No separate Home Office biometric enrolment fee for providing fingerprints and a photograph in the UK. Optional commercial appointment services can carry additional charges. |
| 04 | Priority service | £500 in addition to the application fee where the particular route is eligible. The five-working-day Priority service is not currently available for in-country Family visa applications, including the standard partner family route. |
| 05 | Super Priority service | £1,000 in addition to the application fee where available and eligible. In-country Family visa applications can currently qualify through an eligible UKVCAS appointment. |
Home Office charges can change, and some family, private life, human rights or discretionary leave applicants may qualify for a fee waiver. Applicants facing financial difficulty can also read our UK visa fee waiver guidance before making a Further Leave to Remain application.
What Requirements Apply to Children Included in FLR(M)?
A child included in a family route application must meet the relevant Appendix FM requirements and provide evidence showing their relationship to the parent or parents in the UK.
The child may need to show that:
- Their parent has, or is applying for, permission as a partner or parent.
- The relevant parent is British or Irish.
- The relevant parent is settled in the UK.
- The relevant parent otherwise has qualifying immigration status.
- The child is applying to remain with a parent who has limited family route permission.
- The child meets the relevant age and dependency requirements.
- The child’s family circumstances satisfy the requirements of the applicable route.
Where only one parent is involved, additional evidence about parental responsibility or the child’s circumstances may be needed.
Axis Solicitors can provide legal advice on the child requirements and supporting evidence before an application is submitted.
Which Supporting Documents Are Needed for an FLR(M) Application?
The documents required for FLR(M) depend on the facts of the application. Evidence that is not in English or Welsh will normally need a compliant certified translation.
- Current passport or accepted travel document
- Evidence of current immigration status, including eVisa details where relevant
- Previous passports or immigration records where they are relevant
- Evidence of the sponsor’s British, Irish, settled or other qualifying status
- Marriage, civil partnership or durable relationship evidence
- Accommodation evidence where required
- English language evidence or proof of an exemption
- Financial evidence such as payslips, bank statements or self-employment records
- Documents for any dependent children included in the application
Because missing or inconsistent evidence can affect an immigration application, our UK visa document checking service can provide an additional legal review before submission.
FLR Processing Time in the UK
The FLR processing time varies according to the application route and whether UKVI offers a faster decision service for that category.
| No | Service | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | A partner or spouse application made inside the UK that meets the financial and English language requirements is currently processed in around 8 weeks. Partner applications relying on private life and parent applications currently take around 12 months, although these routes do not have a formal service standard. |
| 02 | Priority | Normally within 5 working days where the particular immigration route is eligible. This service is not available for every FLR application, and the current Home Office eligibility table does not offer five-working-day Priority processing for in-country Family visa applications. |
| 03 | Super Priority | Usually by the end of the next working day where the route is eligible. Where the relevant identity step is completed at a weekend or bank holiday, a decision can usually take 2 working days. Availability is limited and depends on the application type and how identity is verified. |
Processing can take longer where UKVI needs further evidence, additional checks or more information before deciding an FLR application in the UK. Applicants should therefore treat published times as guidance rather than a guaranteed decision date.
What Are the Practical Benefits of an FLR(M) Extension?
An FLR(M) extension allows an eligible partner to continue living in the UK under the family route while progressing towards longer-term plans.
- Extended stay: A standard partner extension can provide up to 30 further months.
- Right to work: Partner permission normally allows employment or self-employment.
- Right to study: Study is normally permitted under partner leave.
- Healthcare access: The Immigration Health Surcharge provides access to NHS services.
- Family continuity: It allows qualifying partners and children to continue their family life in the UK.
- Settlement pathway: Time on the five-year partner route can count towards ILR.
Applicants nearing settlement can review the ILR eligibility criteria before automatically applying for another extension.
What Financial and Accommodation Requirements Apply to FLR(M)?
FLR(M) Minimum Income Requirement
- Newer partner-route applicants normally need £29,000 annual income.
- Eligible pre-2024 applicants may remain under the £18,600 transitional threshold.
- Check the correct threshold before making a Further Leave to Remain application.
Financial Requirements for Dependent Children
- The current £29,000 threshold has no additional child element.
- Transitional rules may add £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child.
- Transitional calculations are capped at £29,000.
Permitted Income and Financial Evidence
- Employment, self-employment, pensions, other income and savings may qualify.
- Financial evidence must meet Appendix FM-SE requirements.
- Documents must cover the correct period for an FLR application UK.
Exemptions and Adequate Maintenance Rules
- Certain disability or carer benefits may exempt sponsors from the income threshold.
- Eligible applicants must instead meet the adequate maintenance requirement.
- See our financial requirements for a UK family visa for details.
FLR(M) Accommodation Requirements
- Suitable accommodation must be available for the family.
- The property must not be unlawfully overcrowded.
- See our spouse visa extension guidance for related FLR(M) requirements.
What Are the Practical Benefits of an FLR(M) Extension?
When submitting your FLR (M) form, you will need to provide the following supporting documents. If any of the following documents are not in English or Welsh, provide a certified translation.
- Current passport or valid travel ID
- Copies of previous passports including photo page and visa stamps.
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if applicable.
- Proof of sponsor’s immigration status in the UK.
- Proof of relationship with your spouse, partner, or parent.
- Details of criminal convictions.
- National insurance number.
- Language requirement evidence, like a valid test certificate.
- Financial requirement evidence such as bank statements or payslips.
If you need further assistance, Axis Solicitors can guide you through the documentation process, ensuring that your application is comprehensive and accurate.
How Can Axis Solicitors Advise on an FLR(M) Application?
Reviewing Your FLR(M) Supporting Documents
- Identify the evidence relevant to your FLR(M) route
- Review documents for consistency with the application and Immigration Rules
- Explain gaps or issues that may need attention
Legal Guidance Before You Submit Your Application
- Explain the applicable requirements and application route
- Review the information you intend to provide
- Advise on timing, fees and supporting evidence
Advice While UKVI Considers Your FLR(M) Application
- Explain requests for further information where legal advice is needed
- Clarify section 3C leave where it applies
- Advise on whether an immigration appeal, fresh application, Administrative Review or judicial review may be relevant following an adverse decision
Planning Your Immigration Position After FLR(M)
- Explain how further partner leave can fit into a settlement route
- Review when Indefinite Leave to Remain may become relevant and whether you meet the ILR eligibility criteria
- Discuss later options such as British citizenship by naturalisation where relevant
Your Next Step Before Making an FLR(M) Application
- Arrange a consultation with an immigration solicitor
- Receive tailored advice about the requirements that apply to you
- Decide how to proceed after understanding your legal options
