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A useful guide to the Further Leave to Remain application
People often ask what the differences are between Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and Further Leave to Remain (FLR).
Whilst ILR allows you to remain in the UK permanently, FLR allows holders of certain visas to extend their leave to remain in the UK beyond what their original visa allowed them to. However, FLR can lead to ILR in the future.
There are several different types of Further Leave to Remain, which depend on the reasons you want to extend your right to remain.
You must still be in the UK, and your visa must be near its expiry date before you can apply for Further Leave to Remain.
We will guide you through all of the different types of Further Leave to Remain application, and how you can meet the requirements of the one that applies to you.
Table of Contents
What to know before starting your Further Leave to Remain application (IR)
This version of FLR is for those who hold certain visas and want to extend their leave to remain in the UK.
To apply, you will need to use the Government’s webpage on applying for permission to stay in the UK. Here, you will see different visa categories to find out which visas are eligible for the online Further Leave to Remain (IR) application.
The eligible categories are:
- Visitor Visa
- Ancestry Visa
- Domestic Worker in a Private Household (only if the visa was issued before 6 April 2012)
- Domestic Worker who is a victim of slavery or human trafficking (must apply within 28 days of getting confirmation that you are a victim)
- Parent of a Child Student
- Dependant of a person who has limited leave to enter or remain in the UK (varies based on the person you are dependent on)
- Civilian employee of military organisations or a contractor or their dependants (e.g employed in the UK by NATO or a company contracted by NATO)
- Serving member of non-UK armed forces subject to immigration control, or their dependants (also known as Course F)
- Dependant of a member of a non-UK armed force not subjected to immigration control
- Representative of an Overseas Business
S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa holders can apply for FLR, but they cannot apply online. For more information, you can visit the Government’s webpage on the S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa.
Supporting documents you will need to apply
As part of your application, you will need to supply certain documents and proof. These include:
- Passport
- Full birth certificate
- Proof of relationship (if you are a dependant or have children as part of your application)
- Financial evidence to show you have sufficient funds; for example bank statements or pay slips
- Information about criminal convictions you may have
- Proof of onward travel to show you will not overstay (if you are extending a Visitor Visa)
What to know before starting your Further Leave to Remain application (M)
FLR (M) is for those who are wanting to extend their leave to remain as a spouse, child or other family member of people who hold certain statuses in the UK.
These statuses include:
- British citizenship
- Settled person through Indefinite Leave to Remain
- A pre-settled person under the EU Settlement Scheme
- An individual in the UK who has refugee leave or humanitarian protection
- Someone who has leave as a businessperson or as a Turkish ECAA worker
How to apply for FLR (M) as a parent
Your child must meet certain criteria for you to be able to apply for ILR as a parent.
The two criteria for your child are that they are either:
- Under 18 when you apply
- Under 18 when you were first granted leave to remain or entry clearance and will still be depending on you
One of the following must also apply to your child:
- Your child must be a British citizen
- They must have settled status
- Have pre-settled status from the EUSS
- If your child has lived continuously in the UK for 7 years before your application was made and they plan on staying
How to apply for FLR (M) as a child
Children can apply for FLR (M) if:
- Your parent was granted leave to remain or enter as the partner of someone who has settled in the UK, partner of someone pre-settled on the EUSS, has leave as a Turkish ECAA worker, leave as a business person in Britain, or is stateless but has permission to be in the UK
- Your parent has already been granted leave to remain or enter as the parent of a British child, a child who is settled, has pre-settled status, or lived in the UK for 7 years
- A person who has been granted leave to remain as a result of their private or family life in the UK, and you are applying to stay with them
- Finally, if arrangements have been made for your care in the UK and you have reasons to remain
Supporting documents you will need to apply
- Passport
- Evidence that you meet the financial requirements
- Proof of your relationship; for example, a birth certificate or a marriage certificate
- Proof you are still with your partner and that you live together (if applicable)
- Details of any past criminal convictions
- Proof that you have met the English language requirements; for example, an academic degree
To apply, you will need to use the Government’s webpage for Family Routes to apply for FLR (M).
What to know before starting your Further Leave to Remain application (FP)
Further Leave to Remain (FP) is for those who want to extend their leave to remain in the UK on the basis of their family life.
You can apply if you are on the following routes:
- Family life as a partner (10-year route)
- Family life as a parent (5-year and 10-year routes)
- Dependent child of a person who is applying for, or has, limited leave to remain or enter in the UK (10-year route, not under the points-based system or UK Ancestry)
- Private life in the UK (10-year route)
- Leave outside the rules as a result of family or private life
Supporting documents you will need to apply
As part of your application, you will be required to provide several supporting documents.
These documents are:
- Passport
- Copies of photo page, as well as any past visas or entry stamps in your passport
- Information of any past immigration applications
- Details of past criminal convictions (if applicable)
- Partner’s details, as well any details about anyone they support with money, and any past marriages or civil partnerships they have had, plus evidence of divorce
- Proof you are still with your partner and live together (if applicable); this can include utility bills or council tax bills
Finally, if you want to apply, you will have to use the Government’s online FLR (FP) application form.
Other forms of FLR
There are several other types that we have not covered here, as they are generally for more specific circumstances.
For example, FLR (AF) is for those who have been discharged from HM’s Armed Forces, but want to extend their stay.
Whilst we have not discussed the other types here, we can still help you with applications for the other forms of FLR.
The other types of FLR are:
- FLR (HRO)
- FLR (LR)
- FLR (AF)
- FLR (DL)
- FLR (S)
- FLR (P)
What fees are involved?
Depending on what FLR you are applying for, there will be different fees involved. Some applications may be free, whilst some may not be free.
Generally though, you will likely have to pay £1,048 for the types of FLR that have fees.
Additionally, it is likely that you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is separate from the application fee. The fee is currently £1035.
How we can help
Our team of legal experts can be on hand to assist you with all of your immigration needs. They can guide you through what you need to do to ensure your FLR application has the highest chances of success.
Throughout your application process, you will have a dedicated member of the team acting as your point of contact for any questions you may have.
You can book a free 10-minute consultation where you can discuss your case with a member of the immigration team. Following this, you can then have a paid 30-minute or 1-hour consultation.
Get in touch with us today if you need our assistance.
Ready for assistance?
If you have any questions, or want to book an appointment with one of our legal experts, contact Woodcock Law today. Call us on +44 (0)20 7712 1705 or email info@woodcocklaw.co.uk.
