FLR Visa (Further Leave to Remain)

Overview

The Further Leave to Remain (FLR) visa isn’t a single type of document. Instead, it is a term that captures an enormous variety of visa pathways. All of these application routes are described below. Make sure to choose the right one to avoid problems with your application:

• FLR(M) is for those with family in the UK
• FLR(FP) is applied for on the basis of your private life or family life in the UK
• FLR(HRO) applications are made on human rights grounds
• FLR(DL) is for those with temporary protection status in the UK
• FLR(IR) is for those in the UK on work visas
• FLR(LR) is used to extend your residency after you’ve spent over 10 years in the UK
• FLR(AF) is for members of the armed forces and their dependents

What is FLR(M)?

FLR(M) is the further leave to remain category if you want to use your family connections in the country to extend your stay in the UK. You may be able to use it if you have a close family member who is a British citizen or has permanent residence. This could include a settled person who has used the EU Settlement Scheme. Getting FLR(M) will allow you to remain in the country for a further 30 months, and additional extensions may also be available.

The most common types of relationships for the UK-based individual include their dependent child. Their partner, spouse, or civil partner may also be eligible. UK immigration law recognises same-sex couples.

As an FLR(M) applicant, you will need to show that you are in a genuine relationship with a UK-based individual, such as through a birth or marriage certificate. The UK-based family member will also need to have sufficient funds and accommodation to support you in the UK. To apply based on your spouse or civil partner, you must show that your relationship is genuine, such as with proof that you have been cohabiting in the UK, like a rental agreement or utility bills.

What is FLR(FP)?

Family life further leave to remain applies when there are exceptional circumstances that require you to stay in the UK when you would usually have to return home. It is a pathway to the ten-year route to settlement designed for individuals with such strong ties to the UK that it would be unreasonable to force them to leave. Examples include parents, partners, children, and long-term residents.

To apply for FLR(FP), make sure that one of the following applies to you:

• The partner of a British citizen or settled person and are using the ten-year route to settlement
• A British or a settled child’s parent. You may be using the five or ten-year route to settlement
• The dependent child of a person with limited leave to enter or remain in the UK. This does not apply if the parent is a UK Ancestry or points-based system applicant
• A minor under 18 years old who has lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years, and for legitimate reasons, it would not be reasonable to return home
• Aged 18 to 24 and have spent over half your life in the UK
• You are over 18 and have lived in the UK for over 20 years. There must also be significant problems preventing you from returning home
• Have lived in the UK continuously for 20 years
• Were born in the UK to someone who either has permission to remain in the UK based on their private life, or who is applying for it

What is FLR(HRO)?

The UK allows individuals who need to remain in the country for human rights grounds to do so via this route to further leave to remain. You will need to show extensive evidence, making it clear that returning home would be a threat to your life or liberty, or it would cause your other human rights to be violated.

The following humanitarian and compassionate grounds could make you eligible for FLR(HRO):

• You have a serious illness that could lead to rapid decline if you had to travel home, or if you do not receive adequate treatment in your country of origin
• You are a domestic abuse survivor, and returning to your country of origin would put you at danger of suffering further abuse
• You are the victim of trafficking or exploitation, particularly if you are recovering from trauma or assisting in British authorities’ investigations

Other exceptional circumstances that fall outside of the usual immigration rules may also be eligible. You will need to show that you require protection to avoid harsh consequences.

What is FLR(LR)?

Further Leave to Remain (Long Residence), or FLR(LR), is used by individuals who have completed ten years of continuous and lawful residence in the UK, but can’t yet apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). This could be because you haven’t yet passed the necessary English language test or Life in the UK examination. This FLR visa may also be needed if you recently had a non-custodial criminal conviction.

Once you have FLR(LR), you can usually remain in the UK for an additional two years to deal with the problems preventing you from making a successful indefinite leave to remain application. Please note that you won’t be able to add your dependents to your FLR(LR) application. Instead, they will need to apply for the relevant type of further leave to remain on their own behalf.

What is FLR (DL)?

The Discretionary Leave type of FLR visa, known as FLR(DL), is used by people who made a failed asylum application but were granted discretionary leave to remain. Such individuals will usually have received temporary discretionary leave with a standard validity period of 30 months, which they will want to extend.

Getting FLR(DL) not only stops you from having to return home when the reasons you first attempted to get asylum still exist. It also offers a potential pathway to indefinite leave to remain.

What is FLR (IR)?

FLR(IR) refers to further leave to remain under the immigration rules. You can use it to extend your current visa or switch to another visa category without leaving the country or making a new application.

To make an FLR(IR) application, you must show that your work or study is ongoing, if required for your original visa application, and that you can sustain yourself in the UK. You will also need to show that you have been lawfully living under your visa’s terms and that it is due for renewal.
The types of individuals who could be eligible for FLR(IR) include the following:

• People who originate from the UK
• Domestic workers employed by a private household
• Parent of a Child Student visa holders
• Dependents who applied separately from the principal applicant. If you were added to the principal visa holder’s application, your right to remain in the UK should be automatically renewed when their visa is renewed
• Some types of civil servants
• Victims of human trafficking or slavery
• Foreign business representatives

What is FLR (AF)?

Foreign members of the armed forces and their dependents can use FLR(AF) to extend their stay. Individuals who might apply include serving members of the armed forces who are subject to immigration rules, or their partner, spouse, or dependent child. Individuals with limited leave under armed forces rules could also apply, such as a partner or child on discharge.

Applications for FLR(AF) can be made through the British Government Armed Forces Visa Extension portal.

The exact documentation you need for your FLR application will vary depending on the FLR type you want to apply for.

However, some of the standard documentation you will need to gather includes:

• Valid passport
• Biometric residence permit
• Completed FLR application form
• Initial visa
• Bank statements or pay slips showing that you meet the financial requirement and can support yourself in the UK

• Proof of sufficient English language capabilities according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, such as a language test certificate
• Proof of relationship if you are applying on the basis of your relationship with a UK citizen or resident. This could include a marriage certificate or a birth certificate

Please note that UK Visas and Immigration will usually process documentation only in English or Welsh, so you need to provide certified translations of any documents that are in a different language.

Overview

Give yourself the best possible chance of a successful outcome when you apply for FLR visa by closely following the process described below:

1. Decide on the most relevant type of Further Leave to Remain for your unique circumstances.
2. Gather the documents and evidence required for your FLR visa.
3. Download and complete the application form.
4. Submit your application form and documentation, and pay the FLR application fees.
5. Book and attend a biometrics appointment with your nearest visa application centre. Officials will take your photograph and fingerprints.

Once you have attended the biometrics appointment and paid the FLR visa fee, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will process your application. The exact processing time will depend on the visa type that you applied for.

However, you can expect the FLR visa processing time to be between eight and 12 weeks.

Given the lengthy processing time for Further Leave to Remain (FLR) visas, it is common for an applicant’s original visa to expire before they receive a decision.

UK immigration law will usually allow you to remain in the country until your visa is processed. However, this protection requires you to have made your application before your existing leave to remain in the UK expired.

You can pay extra for priority service to substantially expedite application processing. The standard priority service gives you a decision within five working days and costs £500.

The super priority service costs £1000, but you will get a decision by the end of the next working day. You can also avoid further delays by ensuring your application contains no mistakes.

Applying for FLR from Outside the UK

You will usually have to be in the UK to apply for an FLR visa. That is because your document submission and biometrics appointments will need to be conducted from inside the UK.

Furthermore, you usually also won’t be able to leave the country while your FLR visa is being processed. Doing so could result in your application being withdrawn, threatening your ability to remain in the UK.

FLR is often a stopgap for immigrants as it has a restrictive validity period. You can enjoy better security in the UK through a successful indefinite leave to remain application. This status allows you to live, work, and study in the UK without time restrictions.

The main requirement for ILR applicants is that they have been legally living in the UK for the qualifying period. The exact period will vary depending on your circumstances and the type of FLR visa that you have. Five years of continuous residency is common, but some FLR types require a ten-year residency period.

Typically, you won’t be able to leave the country for more than 180 days within any 12-month period during your qualifying residency. You’ll also need to pass a Life in the UK test as part of the application process, which demonstrates your understanding of British history, traditions, and culture.

FLR is also a pathway to British citizenship via indefinite leave to remain. You can apply to become a British citizen by naturalisation. You can usually apply once you have spent a year as a holder of indefinite leave to remain.

You can apply for citizenship by naturalisation by following the process described below:

1. Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements, including that you have maintained good character in the UK and have achieved the required residency period.
2. Download and complete Form AN.
3. Gather your supporting documents. Examples include a Life in the UK test certificate, your current passport, and any other expired travel documents, and details of two British citizens who will serve as your referees.
4. Submit your application and pay the application fee of £1,709.
5. Book and attend a biometrics appointment.

Once your application is submitted, you will need to wait 6 months for a decision. The Home Office will be in touch via email or post to confirm whether you have been successful. You will then be invited to take part in a citizenship ceremony, where you will swear an oath of allegiance to the King and country.

Finally, you’ll get a naturalisation certificate and be allowed to apply for a British passport.