The United Kingdom provides many pathways for partners and family members of British citizens and individuals who have resided in the UK to get permanent residency. These routes include the Spouse or Civil Partner, Unmarried Partner, Adult Dependent Relative, and Child immigration routes.

What are the main eligibility requirements for Settlement for Partners and Family Members?

In order to be eligible for indefinite leave to remain as a Spouse, Civil Partner, or Unmarried Partner, it is necessary to have been in the UK for a period of 5 years (equivalent to 60 months) as the partner of either a British citizen or a settled individual. In addition, it is necessary for you to meet the stringent financial criteria outlined in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

Unless there is an exemption, you must also fulfil the more stringent English Language criterion for settlement applications and have successfully completed the Life in the UK test.

In order to apply for indefinite leave to enter or remain as an Adult Dependent Relative or Child, it is necessary to prove that you will be sufficiently supported, housed, and taken care of without relying on government assistance. There is no mandatory English language requirement and passing the Life in the UK test is not a prerequisite.

Each family-related settlement category has its own specific eligibility conditions, which are outlined here.

What else do I need to know about Settlement for Partners and Family Members?

If you meet the requirements for settlement or indefinite leave to remain, you will be granted permission to reside in the UK without any limitations on the duration of your stay.

If you are away from the UK for a period exceeding 2 years, your settled status will expire. If your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) has expired, you might want to contemplate applying for a Returning Resident visa to be able to come back to the United Kingdom.

Attaining permanent resident status is crucial for meeting the eligibility criteria for obtaining a British passport, as the process of becoming a British citizen through naturalisation necessitates that the applicant is already established in the UK.

If you are under 18 or over 65 years old, you are exempt from the English language requirement and the Life in the UK test. The Home Office also possesses the authority to exclude individuals from the requirement if it would be impractical to expect them to fulfil that obligation owing to a mental or physical ailment. Additionally, there are several other exemptions that are applicable.