UK Spouse Visa Extension – Further Leave to Remain (FLR(M))
If you are in the UK on a spouse or partner visa that is approaching its expiry date, you must apply for a Further Leave to Remain as a partner (FLR(M)) to continue living and working in the UK lawfully. This extension is the halfway point on the five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
What Is FLR(M)?
FLR(M) stands for Further Leave to Remain (Marriage). It is the formal in-country extension application for spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners of British citizens or people with settled status in the UK.
A successful FLR(M) application grants a further 30 months of leave to remain. After completing five continuous years on the partner route — the initial grant plus the FLR(M) — you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
When to Apply
You must apply before your current visa expires. You can submit your application up to 28 days before your visa expires, but no earlier — applying too early can affect how your five-year qualifying period is calculated.
Do not wait until close to the expiry date. Begin preparing your documents at least three months in advance to allow time to gather evidence and resolve any issues.
Do not travel outside the UK after submitting your application. Leaving the UK while an FLR(M) application is pending may result in it being treated as withdrawn.
Section 3C Leave
If you submit a valid FLR(M) application before your current visa expires, Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 automatically extends your existing leave on its current conditions until a decision is made. This means you can continue to live and work in the UK while the application is being processed, even if the standard processing period extends beyond your visa expiry date.
Section 3C leave does not allow re-entry to the UK. If you leave while it is in force, it ends and you may not be able to return until the application is decided.
If you apply after your visa has expired, you are unlawfully in the UK from the day of expiry onwards. This affects your immigration status, your right to work, and your eligibility for ILR.
Fees
- Home Office application fee: £1,048–£1,407 (fees have varied across 2026 — verify the current figure at GOV.UK before applying)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year × 2.5 years = £2,587.50
- Total minimum cost per applicant: approximately £3,635–£3,995 (depending on the fee applicable at time of application)
Priority service (aiming for 5 working days) and Super Priority service (decision by the next working day, +£1,000) may be available. Note: The standard 5-day priority service for FLR(M) applications has been suspended at various points in 2026. Check current availability with UKVCAS when booking your biometric appointment.
Processing Times
Standard processing time for FLR(M) applications is approximately 8 weeks from the biometric appointment. Complex cases, or those where the Home Office requests further information, can take longer.
Requirements at the Extension Stage
The core requirements mirror those for the initial application, with three key differences:
Financial threshold — The same threshold as your initial application applies: £29,000 for applicants who started the route on or after 11 April 2024; £18,600 under transitional protection for those who first applied before that date. See the spouse visa financial requirement guide for a full breakdown of how each income category works.
Applicant’s income now counts — Unlike the initial application from outside the UK, at the extension stage your own UK income can be combined with the sponsor’s income to meet the threshold. This often makes the financial requirement easier to meet.
English language — A2 level — The English language requirement increases from A1 (initial visa) to A2 level (CEFR) in speaking and listening at the extension stage. If you have already passed an A2 or higher test that was accepted in a previous application, you may not need to retest. Check whether your existing certificate is still valid and accepted.
Relationship evidence — You must continue to demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and subsisting. Evidence of cohabitation is required: typically a minimum of six joint documents, or twelve individual documents, from at least three different sources (for example, a joint bank account, joint utility bills, a joint tenancy agreement).
Accommodation — The property must remain adequate and not overcrowded.
BRP Cards Are No Longer Issued
Physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards expired on 31 December 2024. Your immigration status in 2026 is confirmed digitally through an eVisa. After your FLR(M) is approved, you access and share your status via the UKVI online service. This applies to all applicants.
What We See in Practice
Financial evidence errors are the most common cause of FLR(M) refusals — not because income is genuinely insufficient, but because the evidence is structured incorrectly or the wrong threshold has been applied. Relationship evidence issues are the second most common cause, typically where there is insufficient documentation of cohabitation or where the couple has lived apart for legitimate reasons that are not adequately explained.
How JPS Can Help
We review your eligibility, prepare the FLR(M) application and supporting evidence bundle, and advise on any complications that have arisen since your original application — including changes in income, relationship circumstances, or travel history. Once you have completed five years on the partner route, we can also assist with your ILR application and, after that, British citizenship.
IAA-Regulated Immigration Adviser & Founder, JPS Immigration
Former UK Home Office Immigration Officer & British Diplomatic Service Entry Clearance Officer
22+ years’ experience | BBC News contributor | LinkedIn profile
Immigration rules change frequently — always verify current fees and thresholds on GOV.UK before applying.
Government fees change without notice. Always verify at GOV.UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel while my FLR(M) application is pending?
No. Leaving the UK after submitting the application ends your Section 3C leave and your application may be treated as withdrawn. Do not travel until you have received your new leave.
What if I have changed jobs since my original visa?
A change of employer does not affect eligibility under the partner route, unlike sponsored work visas. You must meet the financial requirement based on your current employment evidence.
What English test do I need for FLR(M)?
An approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR A2 or above in speaking and listening, taken at an approved test centre. Alternatively, if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, or hold a degree taught in English, you may be exempt. Check the current Home Office approved test list before booking.
What happens if I apply too early?
Applying more than 28 days before your expiry date means your new 30-month period begins from the grant date rather than from your previous visa expiry, which can extend the total time before you reach the five-year ILR eligibility date. Apply no earlier than 28 days before expiry.
