FLR (M): Further Leave to Remain for Spouse or Child

Any UK visa is subject to timely extension, and this is something that visa holders shall take care of in advance. One of such extension options is Further Leave to Remain (FLR) and, more specifically, its (M) version. Let us discuss what FLR (M) form is, what its main requirements, and how to apply for the visa extension using this form.

What does FLR (M) mean?

FLR comes in three modifications, depending on the sponsor’s visa type. FLR (M) is designed for dependent family members of UK residents. The majority of applicants under this visa extension route are family visa holders, especially those who have a Spouse Visa.

FLR (M) visa allows extending your British visa for another 30 months for you, your partner, and your children. In some cases it can be requested also by those who hold a family visa but are switching from another visa category due to changed circumstances.

FLR (M) is used for joining a British partner or child only and is not designed for applying to settle in Great Britain.

Applications shall be submitted online on the Gov.uk website. You can apply only if you are currently within the country on a valid family visa.

What are the requirements for FLR (M)?

To be eligible for the inclusion in the FLR (M) form, a person shall be a spouse, a civil / unmarried partner, fiancé(e) / proposed civil partner, same-sex partner or child of the visa holder. The sponsor, in their turn, can be any of the following:

British or Irish citizen;
Settled person who lives in the UK on the grounds of the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR);
Holder of a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa;
Refugee or person under humanitarian protection in the UK.

If you apply as a spouse or partner, you shall prove that your relationship lasts for at least two years and is genuine (that is, akin to marriage, and both partners intend to live together permanently). If no marriage certificate is available, the Home Office may require additional proof that you keep a house with your partner (e.g., utility bills, joint home mortgage, etc.). If your relationship has changed over the validity of your initial spouse visa (for example, you officially got married or entered into a civil partnership), you shall provide the relevant fresh details that did not hold when you first applied for the British visa.

Children can be included in the form only if they are aged below 18 and do not lead an independent life. Besides, they shall not be married or in a civil partnership and shall have no children of their own. Besides, there shall be compelling reasons for their staying within the UK, and their resident parent shall have adequate housing conditions and shall make necessary arrangements for taking care of the child.

Another FLR (M) requirement is the financial one. Those who apply as spouses or partners shall overcome the minimum joint annual salary threshold (at least £29,000). For families with children this requirement is even stricter (£3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for every additional kid). However, your source of income shall not necessarily be employment or self-employment. This amount can come from cash savings, pensions, property rentals or dividends.

Finally, applicants from non English-speaking countries shall meet the language requirement. This can be done by either having a universally recognized academic degree taught in English or passing an approved English language test (speaking and listening). The minimum acceptable level is A2.

Normally, these requirements present no difficulties since applicants and their family members should have already fulfilled them when applying for their initial British visa. However, the rules change on an annual basis. For instance, the financial requirement was increased on April 1, 2024 and is likely to be further increased to £38,700 in early 2025. As for the language requirement, the minimum level for the initial visa is A1 but for visa extensions it shall be at least A2, so applicants have to provide a fresh proof of their English language command anyway.

FLR (M) extension document checklist

To apply for FLR (M), the following documents shall be produced:

Passport or other valid travel ID;
Biometric residence permit;
Prove of your relationship with your spouse, partner or parent;
Police clearance certificate;
Proof of the sponsor’s citizenship or settled status;
National insurance number;
Proof of meeting the financial and language requirements;
Photographs of all applicants, including small children;

In case the documents are provided not in English, they must be accompanied with a certified translation. Generally speaking, the more documents you provide, the higher is the probability of a positive outcome. Besides, the exhaustive set of documents means that no additional inquiries will be made by the immigration authorities, which can reduce the application processing times.

When can I apply for FLR (M)?

Applications shall be submitted before your current visa expires but not earlier than one month prior to the expiry date. Otherwise you may have to apply for two extensions instead of one in order to meet the FLR (M) 5-year route towards your future ILR.

Your current visa will be valid for the entire application processing period. Even if the expiry date comes, your residence permit will continue to be valid since you are awaiting the Home Office’s decision.

What is the FLR (M) processing time?

Normally, applications are processed within 2-3 months. In case of urgency you may be invited to order a super priority processing service which is offered for an extra charge (£1000). It allows obtaining the decision within two working days.

How much does it cost?

FLR (M) visa fees are £1,258 excluding the mandatory health surcharge which is £2,587,50 for adult applicants. Note that some other additional fees may apply depending on your country of origin and other personal circumstances.

How can we help?

Sterling Law is a reputable legal firm with a profound experience in settling various immigration matters. Family visas are one of our key activities, so we are ready to help you and your family members apply for FLR (M).

By contacting us, you get the following indisputable advantages:

Qualified immigration advisors;
Professional legal consultations;
Tailor-made approach and in-depth study of your personal situation;
Personal manager’s assistance throughout the entire application process.

If you need to know more about the UK Spouse Visa extension form, call Sterling Law. You may rest assured that your FLR (M) application will go exactly as planned and with minimum time investment and efforts.