Manchester: 0044 161 234 6800 London: 0044 207 046 7185
If you are already in the UK on a partner visa, you may be eligible to apply to extend your permission to stay in the UK and work towards settlement.
To be granted further leave to remain on the basis of your relationship, you will need to meet the specified requirements. These can be broken down into six main categories:
1. Suitability requirements
These requirements relate to your conduct and character. If you have any criminal convictions or previous immigration problems in any country, these will be considered here.
2. Relationship requirements
These requirements will be similar to those which you met for your initial grant of leave as a partner. You will need to provide evidence to confirm that your relationship continues to be genuine and subsisting and that it is your intention to continue living together permanently in the UK.
3. Immigration status requirement
This requirement should be met if you submit your application while lawfully in the UK, i.e. prior to the expiry of your current permission.
4. Financial requirement
To meet this requirement, you must be able to show that you have a specified gross annual income of at least £18,600, or savings totally at least £62,500. The financial requirement can be met in several different ways but the most common way relied on is usually employment. Specific documents will need to be provided to demonstrate that this requirement can be met.
Note there are special rules for people employed in small or family businesses – Latitude’s lawyers have extensive experience with such cases and can provide detailed advice on the documents you require.
Relying on savings or other capital requires a threshold savings amount of £62,500 to have been personally held for at least 6 months preceding the date of your extension application.
5. Accommodation
You must be able to show that there is accommodation available for you and your partner. The accommodation must not be overcrowded and cannot contravene any public health requirements.
6. English language
The minimum level of English required for a partner extension application is Level A2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR). It is important to note this is higher that the A1 test required for your first, visa application. If you are able to complete a Level B1 test at this stage then do so, as you will be able to rely on the same test when applying for settlement.
You will need to provide a range of documents to support your application, including:
You may be able to add your children to your application as your dependant if they are under the age of 18 on the date of the application and they are not leading an independent life. They will also need to meet the suitability and eligibility requirements.
You must make this application before your current visa expires. You can make this application as soon as you have completed your first 30 months of residence in the UK as a partner.
If your extension application is successful, you will be granted further leave to remain for 30 months. After 60 months or 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on this route, you will be eligible to apply for settlement.
To extend your permission to stay from within the UK, £1048 per applicant will be payable. You will also need to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Due to the complicated eligibility requirements that must be met, and evidence which must be provided, it is usually best to speak to specialist immigration lawyers who can assist your efforts and provide you with the best chance of success. Our experienced team at Latitude Law will do their upmost to ensure that your application is successful.
To learn more about how Latitude Law can help you, call our team on 0044 161 234 6800 or complete our contact form and we will get in touch at a time that is convenient for you.
If you need help securing a visa to travel to the UK to join family settled here, the immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are here to help. We can help you through the application process and provide legal advice and guidance on complex matters, such as appeals.
If you need assistance joining parents in the UK, the expert solicitors at Latitude Law can provide assistance to ensure your child visa application goes smoothly.
If you need help securing a visa through the ancestral route, the immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are here to help. We can help you through the application process and provide legal advice and guidance on complex matters, such as appeals.
"Dear Gemma and Victoria, I wanted to thank you for your amazing effort! This is a personal achievement for me as a director of a small SME. It feels great that our firm is now able to sponsor workers and we could only do it with your guidance and professional help"
Mr Maida - Beta Design Consultants
April 2023
“My wife & I wish to thank Gemma and the team at Latitude Law for the professional , supportive and successful service you have provided for us. We are so pleased with all that we have achieved with you and your team. Thank you again.”
Mr & Mrs Williams
April 2023
Deciding to choose Latitude Law firm for my visa application was the best decision my husband made. They first assisted him with his tier-1 Entrepreneur visa which was a success and later my PBS partner-dependent visa.
My first two applications were refused due to lack of relationship evidence as my marriage was fairly new at that time. Similarly we went ahead with the administrative review which again upheld the decision to refuse my application. This painstaking process was two years long which took a toll on my mental health.
By the blessing of God, we came across Mr.Hafejee at Latitude Law. His excellence, determination and guidance helped us at every step of our application. Mr.Hafejee was extremely patient with our countless queries and calmed our anxiety humbly. He is one of the most approachable solicitors we ever came across and is equipped with brilliance in his field of work. He helped me reunite with my husband after 2 years and the credit goes to his hard work behind our application.
My husband and I will always be thankful to Mr.Hafejee and his brilliant team for the wonderful service they provide. They surely are the best in this field and would truly recommend their services to everyone.