Application types
Do I need a visa?
This page tells you which form you need to complete if you wish to apply
for an extension of your stay in the United Kingdom (we call this further leave to remain).
Form FLR(M)
Form FLR(M) is the form for applications for further leave to remain by married and unmarried partners. Complete form FLR(M) if you are a husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner. You should read Completing application form FLR(M).
Form FLR(O)
Form FLR(O) is the form for many other types of application for further leave to remain. You should complete form FLR(O) if you are a:
- visitor (to apply for permission to extend your stay for up to a total of six months);
- visitor undergoing private medical treatment;
- postgraduate doctor or dentist;
- au pair;
- representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation;
- private servant in a diplomatic household;
- a domestic worker in a private household;
- overseas government employee;
- minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order;
- visiting religious worker or religious worker in a non-pastoral role;
- airport-based operational staff of an overseas-owned airline;
- person with United Kingdom ancestry;
- writer, composer or artist;
- overseas qualified nurse or midwife;
- dependant of member of HM Forces who is exempt from immigration control;
- person who is in the United Kingdom for other purposes or reasons not covered by other application forms (this does not include asylum).
You should read Completing application form FLR(O).
Form HPDL
Form HPDL is for applications for further leave to remain by people who have been given humanitarian protection or discretionary leave to remain. You should complete form HPDL if you were refused asylum but given:
- exceptional leave to remain for a period of less than four years, or for separate periods making four years in all;
- discretionary leave to remain; or
- humanitarian protection.
You should read Completing application form HPDL.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is my immigration status while my application is being decided?
If you make an application before your authorised stay ends, your existing immigration status will continue until your application is decided, even if the decision is not made until after the end of your permitted stay. If your existing visa or other permission to stay here allows you to work, you can continue to do so until your case is decided.
See also
News & updates
Terms explained
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Discretionary leave to remain
Permission to stay in the United Kingdom for reasons that are exceptional. This is sometimes given to someone who does not qualify for asylum but whom we believe should be allowed to stay for other reasons.
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Exceptional leave to enter or remain
Permission to stay in the United Kingdom for reasons that are exceptional. This type of permission is no longer given, but was sometimes given in the past to someone who does not qualify for asylum but whom we believe should be allowed to stay for other reasons.
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Further leave to remain
An extension of your existing permission to stay in the United Kingdom for a specified length of time.
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Humanitarian protection
Protection given to someone under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is not the same as asylum, which may be given only to those who are fleeing persecution, under the terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. We may give humanitarian protection to someone whom we believe does not qualify for asylum if we think there are humanitarian reasons for allowing that person to stay in the United Kingdom.
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Indefinite leave to remain
Indefinite leave to remain (often known as ILR) is permission to stay permanently (settle) in the United Kingdom, free from immigration control.
Contact
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Visa services
Visa services, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH. If you are outside the United Kingdom you should contact you nearest British diplomatic post.