FLR M Visa 2026 Guidance: Spouse Visa Extensions/Renewals & First-Time In-Country Partner Visa Applications

Check that the FLR(M) visa is right for you and your partner 

What is an FLR (M) visa?

#1 The FLR(M) visa lets the applicant stay in the UK with their partner for 30 months.

It is a partner visa application made from inside the UK, meant for those already here on a long-term visa, fiancé(e) visa, or proposed civil partnership visa.

If the applicant doesn’t hold a long-term UK visa, they must apply from outside the UK — see our UK Spouse visa 2026 guidance.

For those unsure whether an in-country application is possible, see our article Out of Country or In-Country UK Spouse or Partner Visa Application?

#2 An FLR M visa allows the applicant to work in the UK.

However, those applying from a UK fiancé(e) or proposed civil partnership visa cannot work until their FLR(M) application is approved.

#3 An FLR M visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and later British Citizenship.

Most applicants need two FLR(M) grants to complete the five-year route to ILR.

See our article The Route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for UK Spouse & Partner Visas in 2026 article for more detail.

#4 The FLR(M) visa does not allow access to public funds such as benefits, tax credits, or housing support.

‘Public funds’ are defined in paragraph 6 of the Immigration Rules and include:

• Attendance allowance;
• Carer’s allowance;
• Child tax credit;
• Council tax benefit;
• Council tax reduction.
• Disability living allowance;
• Housing benefit;
• Income support;
• Jobseeker’s allowance;
• Personal Independence Payment;
• Severe disablement allowance;
• State pension credit; and
• Working tax credit.

Who can apply for an FLR M visa?

In addition to satisfying the requirements discussed in this article, the applicant (the person applying) will need to be in a relationship with:

• A British or Irish citizen;
• A person who has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Permanent Residency under EU law;
• A person who has been granted Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme;
• A person from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (& started living in the UK before 1 January 2021);
• A person who is in the UK with refugee leave or with humanitarian protection; or
• A person in the UK with permission as a Stateless person.

In addition to this, the relationship must fall within one of the following to apply for an FLR(M) visa:

• Married partners (including those who were recently granted a UK fiance visa);
• Civil partners (including those who were recently granted a proposed UK civil partnership visa)
• Unmarried partners (those who have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before submitting the FLR(M) online application).
• Fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners who have been unable to get married during the validity period of their 6-month fiancé(e) or proposed civil partnership visa but intend to do so within the next 6 months. For such fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners, the FLR(M) application will only result in a 6-month visa being issued.

Therefore, the main types of FLR(M) visa applicants are:

#1 Those who first received a partner visa after applying from outside the UK.

This includes same-sex couples and unmarried partners.

For those applying from abroad as unmarried partners, see our UK unmarried partner visa 2026 guidance.

#2 Those already in the UK on a non-partner visa who wish to switch to the partner visa category without leaving the country.

To apply from inside the UK, the applicant must not be:

• In the UK as a visitor;
• In the UK on a visa valid for 6 months or less (unless on a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa); or
• In breach of immigration law.

Therefore, eligible applicants commonly hold:

• Tier 1 visas
• Tier 2 & Skilled worker visas
• Tier 4 & long-term Student or Graduate visas
• Tier 5 visas, including those on a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visas valid for over 6 months

This list is not exhaustive.

#3 Those extending a previous FLR(M) visa.

#4 Those who entered the UK on a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa and now wish to stay for another 30 months.

How much will an FLR M visa cost?

#1 Home Office fee: £1,407. 

This is the fee paid to the Home Office to process the application.

See our detailed guide for a full breakdown of the FLR(M) spouse visa extension fees and costs in 2026.

#2 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £2,587.50.

This mandatory charge gives applicants access to the NHS during their visa period.

#3 Legal fees: £1,000 – £3,000+. 

We typically charge a fixed fee of £2,700 (including VAT where applicable) for full legal representation.

This service is handled by our small team consisting of Ed Lowe, Wendy Foy, and Matthew French — all former Home Office employees.

#4 Super priority service: £1,000. 

This optional service usually provides a decision the next working day after the visa appointment.

The £500 priority service is currently unavailable for FLR(M) applications.

How long will an FLR M visa take?

#1 Gathering the required documents can take time — often more than expected, especially financial evidence. Plan well ahead.

#2 Once submitted, the Home Office usually takes up to 8 weeks to process an FLR(M) application.

Applicants won’t become overstayers if they apply before their current visa expires, as Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 protects their status during processing.

Read the FLR M ‘Suitability’ requirements

It is uncommon for suitability requirements to directly affect an application.

However, it is crucial to confirm that none of the following issues apply to your application.

Know when to submit the application

Timing is crucial. Submitting too early or too late can lead to refusal and unnecessary costs.

#1 The FLR(M) application must be submitted before the current visa expires.

Not all applicants can apply in the UK.

For example, those on a visitor visa must return to their home country or country of legal residence to apply. In that case, see our Out-of-Country Guide here.

#2 For applicants on a partner visa or non-fiancé(e) partner visa, the application should typically be made no more than 28 days before the current visa expires.

Applying too early can force a third, unnecessary FLR(M) application to complete the five-year qualifying period.

See our guide When to Submit a UK Spouse or Partner Visa Application? (2026) for more detail.

#3 For applicants in the UK on a UK fiancé(e) visa or on another type of visa (such as a Skilled Worker visa), the application can be made at any time before the current visa expires.

However, those on a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partnership visa should only apply after the marriage or civil partnership has taken place.

Time on these visas does not count toward the five-year ILR period.

Make sure that you meet these FLR M relationship requirements

#1 The applicant and sponsor must have met in person.

#2 Both must be at least 18 years old on the date of the application.

#3 Both must intend to live permanently in the UK together. 

#4 The sponsor must be one of the following:

• A British or Irish Citizen; or
• ‘Present’ and ‘Settled’ in the UK; or
• Someone who has been granted Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme; or
• Someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (& started living in the UK before 1 January 2021); or
• In the UK with refugee leave or with humanitarian protection; or
• Someone who has been granted limited leave as a worker or business person under Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay; or
• Someone in the UK with permission as a Stateless person.

#5 The applicant and sponsor must not be in a relationship that is prohibited.

#6 The relationship between the applicant and sponsor must be ‘genuine’ and ‘subsisting’.

A Home Office caseworker will assess this based on all evidence provided.

Further explanation can be found in our YouTube video above.

#7 The relationship must meet the Immigration Rules definition of a partner:

• Married partners
• Civil partners
• Unmarried partners who have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before applying.

#8 Any previous legally recognised relationships of the applicant and sponsor must have ended permanently. 

Unless an exception applies, proof of this, such as a decree absolute or foreign equivalent, must be provided.

Make sure that you meet the English language requirement for FLR M visas in 2026

#1 Where the applicant is from any of the following countries, they will just need to include their passport to satisfy the English language requirement:

• Antigua and Barbuda;
• Australia;
• the Bahamas;
• Barbados;
• Belize;
• The British Overseas Territories;
• Canada;
• Dominica;
• Grenada;
• Guyana;
• Jamaica;
• Malta;
• New Zealand;
• St Kitts and Nevis;
• St Lucia;
• St Vincent and the Grenadines;
• Trinidad and Tobago; or
• the United States of America.

The reason for this is that applicants will be deemed to be a national of a Home Office-designated majority English-speaking country.

#2 Where any of the following apply, an applicant will NOT have to take the English language test:

i) If the applicant is 65 years or over at the date of application; OR

ii) If the applicant has a disability (either physical or mental) that stops them from taking the English language test; OR

iii) If the applicant has exceptional & compassionate circumstances that stop them from satisfying the English language requirement. Please note that this is a rather high threshold and you should be careful relying on this.

To qualify for the disability exemption, the applicant must request it in their application and submit valid medical evidence.

This evidence must:

• Be provided by a qualified medical practitioner specialising in the relevant field; and
• Clearly outline the physical or mental condition that justifies the exemption.

Each request is evaluated individually on a case-by-case basis.

#3 Where an applicant has an academic English-taught degree, Master’s degree or PhD from a UK university inside the UK, this degree certificate will satisfy the English language requirement.

#4 Where an applicant has an equivalent to a Bachelor’s, Master’s degree or PhD that was taught in English outside the UK, this can be used to satisfy the English language requirement.

However, unlike degrees that were obtained from UK universities in the UK (discussed at #3 above), you will also need to accompany this with documentation from Ecctis (previously UK NARIC).

That said, most partners prefer to take the English language test rather than undergo the Ecctis process.

#5 If none of the above applies, the applicant must pass an approved English language test.

The test must be on the list of Home Office Approved Secure English language tests (SELT) in 2026.

First-time partner visa applications

For partners who are applying for leave to remain for the first time as a married, civil or unmarried partner, the test must be at least A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Spouse visa extensions

For partners who have already been granted a UK visa as a partner and are extending it after 2.5 years, the test must be at least A2 level.

Fiancé(e) -> FLR(M) visa applications

For married partners who are currently in the UK on a fiancé(e) visa and are applying for an FLR(M) visa, the same English language test (at A1 level or above) can be used – you do not have to sit another English language test for this application.

Gather the documents relating to the FLR M accommodation requirement  

The documents that you will need to submit to meet the FLR(M) accommodation requirement will depend on you and your partner’s accommodation circumstances.

It is important to note the following three things regarding the accommodation requirement:

i) You should provide evidence that you have a legal right to reside in the accommodation that you choose to rely on.

ii) The accommodation must be ‘adequate’.

Accommodation will not be adequate here if it is either ‘overcrowded’ (as defined by the Housing Act 1985) or if it does not meet public health & safety regulations.

iii) The accommodation cannot be prospective. In other words, you must show (by submitting supporting documents) that accommodation has already been arranged before the application is submitted.

Make sure that you satisfy the FLR M financial requirements in 2026

Three key points to note: 

i) Applicants can usually use their own income to meet the financial requirement. The exception is for those on a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partnership visa — their income cannot be counted.

ii) The applicant does not need to meet the requirement alone. The sponsor’s income alone can satisfy it, and vice versa.

iii) In most cases, the applicant and sponsor’s incomes can be combined. However, as explained in our detailed guide here, some income types cannot be combined.

There are five main considerations:

#1 What is the required total gross annual income amount that needs to be evidenced?   

i) The adequate maintenance test will apply if the sponsor receives one of the following:

• Adult Disability Payment;
• Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme;
• Attendance Allowance;
• Carer’s Allowance;
• Child Disability Payment;
• Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme;
• Disability Living Allowance;
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit;
• Personal Independence Payment;
• Police Injury Pension; or
• Severe Disablement Allowance.

In short, the adequate maintenance test usually requires far less income than the standard threshold.

When this test applies, applicants do not need to meet the £18,600 or £29,000 minimum income rule.

As a result, points ii), iii), and iv) below will not apply.

See our full discussion of the adequate maintenance test here. here.

ii) First-time partner visa applications.

The minimum income threshold is based on the rate in effect when the application is submitted.

At present, the threshold is £29,000.

As discussed here, this figure remains while the government reviews the Migration Advisory Committee’s June 2025 recommendations.

iii) Partner visa extensions or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications where the first partner visa application was submitted before 11 April 2024.

If the first application as a fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, or partner was made before 11 April 2024 — and the applicant was granted permission on the five-year route — the minimum income threshold is £18,600.

This increases by:

• £3,800 for the first applying child; and
• £2,400 for each additional child – up to a maximum threshold of £29,000.

iv) Partner visa extensions or ILR applications where the first partner visa was submitted on or after 11 April 2024

The current guidance states that the minimum income threshold is £29,000, regardless of any dependent children.

#2 What sources of income can be included in the financial requirement? 

The financial requirement can be met through the following income sources:

You can also include certain “non-employment” income under Category C

This includes:

• Property rental income;
• Income from investments, stocks and shares, trust funds or bonds;
• Maintenance payments from former partners;
• Ongoing royalty payments, insurance payments and payments from a structured legal settlement;
• Undergraduate or postgraduate maintenance stipends or grants;
• Payments under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the Armed Forces Attributable Benefits Scheme & War Pensions Scheme;
• Interest from savings;
• UK Maternity Allowance;
• Widowed Parent’s Allowance;
• Bereavement Allowance and Bereavement Payment.

#3 What is the relevant period that the above amount needs to be earned? 

This depends on type of income relied on. 

#4 How do the Home Office calculate the gross annual income?

#5 UK spouse visa financial documents checklist 2026

The financial documents that you are required to submit depend entirely on how you meet the financial requirement.

Not only does the source of income determine the required documents, but certain peculiarities can completely change the documentation that the Home Office state that you ‘must’ submit.

“How do I find out what documents I need to include?”

Two main Home Office documents in particular must be read.

Reading these documents will not only tell you what financial documents you need to submit, but it will also tell you the rules that apply to each of these financial documents.

Since the main cause of partner visa refusals is not including the correct financial documents, but the financial documents not complying with specific supporting document rules, it is incredibly important that you read Appendix FM-SE, Family Migration: Appendix FM and Appendix HM Armed Forces Minimum income requirement & Family Migration: Appendix FM and Adult Dependent Relative – Adequate maintenance and accommodation (if the adequate maintenance test applies) in detail.

What is Family Migration: Appendix FM and Appendix HM Armed Forces Minimum income requirement?

Family Migration: Appendix FM and Appendix HM Armed Forces Minimum income requirement is a document published by the Home Office that discusses the financial requirement as it applies to FLR(M) applications (as well as out of country spouse visa applications).

This is where you will want to start because it is phrased in much more understandable language when compared to Appendix FM-SE.

This document will discuss two important aspects of the financial requirement:

1. Financial documents that should be submitted; and
2. Specific rules regarding financial documentation.

Where the information in this document is different to Appendix FM-SE, it is the rules in Appendix FM-SE that will be apply.

What is Appendix FM-SE?

Appendix FM-SE is part of the Immigration Rules, which is why what is said here will override any inconsistencies between this and Family Migration: Appendix FM and Appendix HM Armed Forces Minimum income requirement

This is the most important material that discusses the financial requirements of FLR(M) visas that partners are expected to read.

Similarly to Family Migration: Appendix FM and Appendix HM Armed Forces Minimum income requirement, Appendix FM-SE talks about:

1. Financial documents that should be submitted; and
2. Specific rules regarding financial documentation.

What is Family Migration: Appendix FM and Adult Dependent Relative – Adequate maintenance and accommodation?

With regards to the financial requirement, Family Migration: Appendix FM and Adult Dependent Relative – Adequate maintenance and accommodation is only relevant to your application if the UK partner receives one of the following benefits:

• Adult Disability Payment.
• Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
• Attendance Allowance.
• Carer’s Allowance.
• Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme.
• Child Disability Payment.
• Disability Living Allowance.
• Severe Disablement Allowance.
• Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit.
• Personal Independence Payment.
• Police Injury Pension.

This is because, where one of the benefits is received, the minimum income threshold of £18,600/£29,000 no longer applies and instead the relevant test is the ‘adequate maintenance’ test.

Category A employment income

As previously mentioned, Category A is for employment income which has been held for longer than 6 months from an employer that is not a specified limited company.

The following are mandatory documents for each source of employment income relied on (whether that is from current or previous employment within the 12 months before applying):

i) Pay slips covering the 6 months immediately prior to the date of application – which is the date the online application is submitted.

ii) If the payslips are not formal, a letter from the employer, on the employer’s headed paper and signed by a senior official, confirming the pay slips are authentic.

iii) Personal bank statements, dating back 6 months before the date of application.

iv) A letter from the employer confirming the person’s employment and gross annual salary, length of employment, the period over which they have been or were paid the level of salary relied upon in the application, and the type of employment, whether that is permanent, fixed-term contract or agency. Because of these requirements, it can be important for the letters to be quite specific.

v) If the person is a director of a UK limited company employer, evidence that the company is not a specified limited company.

The following are not mandatory (although they may be requested by the Home Office caseworker if not submitted in the first instance):

i) An employment contract;

ii) A p60 covering the 6 months before submitting the application.

Please also note that there is also additional flexibility regarding the period the documents must cover for those who are in receipt, or have been in receipt, of maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay within the 6 months before applying. We discuss this here.

Furthermore, when employment income is combined with self-employment or specified limited company income, the relevant period for the documents changes from the 6 months leading up to the application submission to the relevant self-employment or specified limited company period.

Category B employment income

The following are mandatory documents for each source of employment income relied on:

i) Pay slips covering any period of salaried employment in the period of 12 months before the date of application – which is the date the online application is submitted.

ii) If the payslips are not formal, a letter from the employer, on the employer’s headed paper and signed by a senior official, confirming the pay slips are authentic.

iii) Personal bank statements covering the same period as the payslips.

iv) A letter from the employer confirming the person’s employment and gross annual salary, length of employment, the period over which they have been or were paid the level of salary relied upon in the application, and the type of employment, whether that is permanent, fixed-term contract or agency. Because of these requirements, it can be important for the letters to be quite specific.

v) If the person is a director of a UK limited company employer, evidence that the company is not a specified limited company.

The following are not mandatory (although they may be requested by the Home Office caseworker if not submitted in the first instance):

i) An employment contract;

ii) A p60 covering the relevant period relied on.

Please note that, when employment income is combined with self-employment or specified limited company income, the relevant period for the documents changes to match the relevant self-employment or specified limited company period.

It’s also important to stress again that employment income not received at the time the application is submitted cannot be combined with self-employment or specified limited company income.

Category C non-employment income

The required documents for the many sources of different Category C non-employment income are outlined in paragraph 10 of Appendix FM-SE.

Category D cash savings

It is mandatory to provide the following two documents:

i) Personal bank or savings statements showing at least the level of cash savings relied upon in the application has been held in an account or accounts in the name(s) of the applicant, sponsor, or the applicant and sponsor jointly throughout the required period (the 6 months before submitting the application unless one of the specific provisions applies).

ii) A declaration regarding the source or sources of the cash savings.

Additional documents are required where one of the specific provisions applies (i.e., where there has been a sale of property or investments, stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds within the 6 months before applying).

We discuss this further in the video at the top of this page.

Category E pension income

It is mandatory to provide the following two documents:

i) The Department for Work and Pensions (in respect of the Basic State Pension and the Additional or Second State Pension) or other government department or agency, including the Veterans Agency, an overseas pension authority, or a pension company.

This official documentation must confirm the pension entitlement and amount.

If there have recently been any cash withdrawals from the pension, the official documentation confirming the pension entitlement and amount must reflect the current pension income that is being received when you submit the online application.

ii) At least one personal bank statement in the 12-month period prior to the date of application showing payment of the pension into the person’s account.

Category F self-employment income as a sole trader, partner or franchise

The required documents are set out in paragraph 7 of Appendix FM-SE here.

Category F specified limited company income

The required documents are set out in paragraph 9 of Appendix FM-SE here.

Write supporting letters for your FLR (M) visa

We generally recommend that supporting letters are included in FLR(M) applications.

They serve two key purposes:

i) They give a clear overview of how the requirements are met, making the Home Office caseworker’s job easier.

ii) They allow you to explain and expand on details from your FLR(M) form.

In these letters, you can describe:

• How the financial requirement is met
• How the accommodation requirement is met
• How the relationship requirement is met
• The development of your relationship
• Any clarifications that you’d like to make regarding your answers in the online application form.

Start completing the online FLR M application form

The latest online FLR(M) application form will be found under the headings ‘How to apply’->’In the UK’ on this page here. 

Make sure you submit the right supporting documents – The FLR M document checklist for 2026

The online application system will provide a list of documents as you progress — which is often helpful.

However, many partners make a major mistake: submitting only the listed documents without reading Family Migration: Appendix FM and Appendix HM Armed Forces Minimum income requirement and Appendix FM-SE.

Skipping these sections is a serious and unnecessary risk for two reasons:

Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge is a mandatory fee (i.e. this must be paid) and amounts to £2,587.50.

Submit (& pay) for the FLR M application

The FLR M application is submitted by paying the Home Office fee on the FLR M application website.

After payment has been made, you will then be sent to the TLS website which will allow you to book your appointment to attend the visa centre in person.

At this visa centre appointment, you will provide your biometric information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need any help?

We hope you found our guide helpful.

As an Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) regulated UK immigration law firm specialising in UK partner visas, we are well placed to help.

If you would like us to help you with your application from start to finish, we offer a full legal representation service.

Our full legal representation service is offered by Ed Lowe, Matthew French and Wendy Foy. All three have worked in the heart of the Home Office for many years.

Since we are also unique in that we only offer services relating to UK partner visas, we are extremely well placed to help our clients in the most efficient way possible.