Family Route Settlement

If you have been living in the UK on a family visa — such as a Spouse, Civil Partner, Unmarried Partner, or Parent visa — you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) through the family route after completing the required qualifying period.

In most cases, the qualifying period is five years of continuous leave on the family route. You must have spent the required time in the UK lawfully and without excessive absences. As a general guide, absences of more than 180 days in any single year of the qualifying period may affect your application.

To apply, you must demonstrate that you continue to meet the requirements of your original visa category — including the financial requirements and English language requirement — and that your relationship remains genuine and subsisting.

You will also need to pass the Life in the UK Test unless you are exempt, and provide evidence of your five years of continuous and lawful residence in the UK.

Settlement through the family route is a significant step. Once granted, ILR allows you to live and work in the UK indefinitely, without time limits or the need for further visa extensions. It also opens the path to applying for British citizenship in due course.

At Terence Ray Solicitors, we carefully review each ILR application to ensure it is complete, accurate, and well-evidenced before submission. Mistakes in settlement applications can be costly and cause significant delays.

Speak to our immigration team today on 020 3367 1430 or at info@trsolicitors.co.uk.