Further Leave to Remain (FLR)

There are a wide variety of visas with strict time limits in UK immigration law. When such a visa expires, the foreign national must leave the country or obtain another visa. The law provides for special forms of visa extensions called further leave to remain (FLR). This is a permit that allows foreigners to extend their stay in the country under certain conditions. This gives foreigners the right to live in the country temporarily after the expiry of the original visa. Different categories of these visas have different requirements and grounds for application. This article aims to explain a few common types of applications for further leave to remain that you may need to extend your stay in the UK.

What is an FLR visa?

The FLR visa is an important part of the UK immigration system that enables eligible foreigners to obtain a leave to remain extension so they can extend their stay in the UK. Depending on the circumstances, this status may open the way to permanent residence or UK citizenship.

Types of Further Leave to Remain Applications

When applying for an extension of stay in the UK, it is important to understand the differences between the types of application forms and the requirements for each. This will enable you to determine which form is most suitable for your situation and what steps you need to take to successfully extend your status.

FLR(M) – suitable for those who wish to remain in the UK on the basis of family ties with someone who already has the right to remain or is a British citizen.
FLR(FP) – used for applications based on family circumstances (including vital and extraordinary circumstances) or on the basis of private life in the UK.
FLR(HRO) – for individuals making an application on the basis of human rights, including a threat to life or liberty in the country of origin or a breach of the right to family life.
FLR(DL) – is for people who have already been granted temporary protection or other type of protection in the UK, including those who have been refused asylum but are eligible for discretionary leave to remain.
FLR(IR) – this route can be used by people staying in the UK on work visas, investors, entrepreneurs and other categories of immigrants who do not fall under the previous categories.
FLR (LR) – to extend your residency after ten or more years of lawfully residing in the UK.
FLR (AF) – used to extend the period of residence in the UK as a member of the UK Armed Forces or their dependent.

Choosing the right form and completing the paperwork correctly are key aspects of successfully extending your stay in the UK. Each form has its own unique requirements and criteria that must be carefully reviewed and met.

What is FLR(M)?

This form is essential for people who want to extend their stay in Britain because of family connections with British citizens or individuals granted permanent residency. It is particularly designed for individuals in Britain as a partner (spouse, civil partner) or a dependent child of a British national, those with family ties to someone settled, or a pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The fundamental prerequisites for this application encompass:

Applicants need to provide evidence of their relationship, such as marriage certificates, civil partnership certificates, or birth certificates for children.
Applicants must demonstrate their family’s ability to meet the financial requirements, which may change from time to time based on new legislation.
Evidence of cohabitation in Britain, like a rental agreement or utility bills showing the same address, is necessary for extending a spouse’s visa.
Proof of English proficiency through an approved test is required.
Any criminal records must be disclosed.

Meeting these criteria and successfully applying for further leave to remain as family enables the applicant to extend their UK stay for another 30 months, with the option for further extensions and eventually obtaining indefinite leave to remain.

What is FLR (FP)?

This form is used by applicants based on family circumstances, which include vital and emergency cases.

The main requirements:

Presence of family ties in the UK.
Evidence of exceptional circumstances requiring a stay in the country.
Categories under which applicants fall: family life as a partner or parent, dependent children, private life, and travel outside the rules on the basis of family and private life.

What is FLR (HRO)?

Applications on this form are made on the basis of protection of human rights.

The main requirement is the provision of relevant evidence and documentation to demonstrate a threat to life or liberty in the country of origin or a violation of other human rights.

Use this form to apply online for an extension of stay in the UK for human rights claims and in other ways not covered by other forms.

What is FLR (DL)?

Designed for individuals who have already been granted temporary protection or another type of protection in Great Britain.

If your asylum application has been denied but you’ve received discretionary leave to remain, you may seek either to prolong your stay or to obtain permission for indefinite residency. You will need to provide:

Confirmation of protection status.
Circumstances indicating that the applicant cannot return to their country of origin.

What is FLR (IR)?

The UK attracts many people from all over the world due to its educational opportunities, job offerings and cultural diversity. However, in order to extend your stay in the country, it is sometimes necessary to apply for a visa extension, which is regulated by this form.

The form is used in specific cases where it is necessary to extend the validity of the current visa. It covers categories such as:

Visitors (with some exceptions)
Persons originating in the UK
Domestic workers in private households
Victims of slavery or human trafficking
Parents of a child student
Dependents applying separately from the principal applicant
Eligible civil servants
Military personnel and their dependents (with special conditions)
Representatives of foreign businesses

The requirements for applicants depend on their specific category. However, the general conditions are:

Proof of employment, place of study or sufficient means of residence
Existence of a valid visa subject to renewal
Compliance with all requirements specific to their visa category

When applying for a visa extension, it is crucial to choose the correct form. A mistake could result in refusal and loss of the application fee. FLR(IR) is not suitable for individuals seeking to remain in the UK on the grounds of family life or privacy. Nor should this form be used if the applicant is entitled to an exemption from the fee.

How can we help?

Every detail counts when it comes to extending your stay in the UK, and that’s where Sterling Law comes in. Our lawyers specialize in immigration matters and know the ins and outs of FLR applications. Here are just a few of the benefits you will receive by contacting us:

Professional Document Preparation: Our team will thoroughly prepare and verify all the necessary documents to ensure your application is flawless.
Expert advice: We will make sure you are fully compliant with all the requirements to extend your stay, avoiding common mistakes and oversights.
Representation: Our lawyers will represent your interests at all stages of the application process, ensuring top-level communication with immigration authorities.
Help in difficult cases: Even in the most unusual or complex situations, we will find a solution to maximize your chances of success.

Don’t risk your future in the UK, trust the professionals at Sterling Law to prepare your FLR application. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!