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Partner of a British citizen or settled person

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Applying from inside the UK

This section is for the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or a person who is settled here who had applied on or before 8 July 2012 for a visa to come to the UK.

If you had not applied for a visa under this category by that date, please see the main Partners section for the different rules that apply to you.

This page explains how to apply for permission to remain in the UK as the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or a person who is present and settled here, if you are already in the UK in a different immigration category.

Before you apply, you should read the Can you apply? section to ensure that you meet the requirements.

Biometric residence permit

As part of your application, you will need to enrol your fingerprints and facial image (known as 'biometric information') in order to obtain a biometric residence permit. The Biometric information page explains how to do this.

Application form

You must apply using application form FLR(M), which is available as an electronic interactive form. You can download the form and accompanying guidance by following the link on the right side of this page. You must read the guidance before you make your application.

You can submit your application online, and then submit your supporting documents and a printout of the form by post, by courier or in person:

  • Postal and courier applications must be sent to the address given on the application form.
  • To apply in person, you must book an appointment at one of our public enquiry offices. This is a same-day service, available for a premium fee, and is only suitable for straightforward applications.

You can use the form for a joint application by you and any children aged under 18, if they are applying as your dependants. Children over 18 must apply separately.

When should you apply?

You must be in the UK when you make your application, and you must apply before your current permission to stay expires. We encourage you to apply 28 days before the expiry date, but you can choose to apply earlier than this.

The date of your application depends on whether you submit your application form and documents in person, by post or by courier - see 'More information' below.

If you need to travel abroad, you should ensure that you return to the UK before your current permission to stay expires. If you cannot re-enter the UK because your permission has expired, you will not be able to apply to extend your stay as the husband, wife or civil partner of a British citizen or settled person - you will need to apply for a visa in this capacity from abroad.

More information

  • Application fees for extending your stay using form FLR(M)

    Fee if you are applying by post Fee if you are applying in person
    Main applicant £578 £953
    Children aged under 18 (if they are applying at the same time as the main applicant) £433 for each child included on the main applicant's application form £808 for each child included on the main applicant's application form
     Children aged under 18 (if they are applying separately from the main applicant)  £578  £953


  • What is the date of your application? (Applying by post or courier from inside the UK)

    If you send your application form and application fee by post, the date of application is the date of posting. This is decided by the postmark. If the postmark is illegible or missing, the date of postage is taken as being at least 1 day before it is received by us.

    If you send your application form and application fee by courier, the date of application is the date when it is delivered to our payment handling service.
  • What is the date of your application? (Applying in person inside the UK)

    If you are applying in person at one of our public enquiry offices, your application date will be the date when you attend the public enquiry office to make your application and pay your application fee.

Application forms

Application for an extension of stay as the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner of a permanent resident

Choose a different form

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