Spouse Visa to ILR: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Overview: the spouse/partner route to ILR

The spouse or partner visa (formally known as the "Family visa — partner") is one of the most common routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. If you are married to, in a civil partnership with, or in a long-term relationship with a British citizen or a person with settled status in the UK, this route allows you to live and work in the UK and eventually apply for permanent settlement.

The standard route to ILR on a spouse visa takes 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. During this time, you hold two consecutive grants of leave: an initial visa and one extension. After completing the 5-year qualifying period, you apply for ILR using the SET(M) form — "Settlement: family life — partner."

There is also a 10-year route for applicants who do not meet all of the requirements for the 5-year route (for example, if the financial requirement is not met in full). The 10-year route leads to ILR after 10 years of continuous lawful residence, using a different application form. This guide focuses primarily on the standard 5-year route, as it is the path most spouse visa holders follow.

ILR, also known as settled status or permanent residence, removes the restrictions of your visa. Once granted, you no longer need to meet the financial requirement, you can access public funds, and you gain full NHS access without paying the Immigration Health Surcharge. It is also a prerequisite for applying for British citizenship through naturalisation.

The rules are set out in the GOV.UK settlement guidance for family visas and Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. This guide distils the key points into plain language, but always check the latest official guidance or consult an immigration adviser for your specific situation.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for ILR as a spouse or partner, you must meet all of the following requirements at the time you submit your SET(M) application:

1. Five years of continuous residence

You must have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on the partner route. This means holding an initial spouse/partner visa followed by one extension (FLR(M)), with no breaks in your lawful residence.

2. Financial requirement

You must continue to meet the minimum income threshold at the time of your ILR application. The financial requirement has increased significantly — see the dedicated section below for current thresholds and how to meet them.

3. Genuine and subsisting relationship

You must demonstrate that your relationship with your British or settled partner is genuine and continuing. The Home Office will assess whether you are still living together and in a genuine relationship at the time of your ILR application. You will need evidence such as joint financial accounts, shared bills, correspondence addressed to both of you at the same address, and photographs together over the qualifying period.

4. English language at B1 level

For ILR, you must demonstrate English language ability at CEFR level B1 or above. This is a higher requirement than the initial visa (A1) or extension (A2). You can satisfy this by passing an approved SELT test at B1 level, holding a degree taught or researched in English, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country.

5. Life in the UK test

You must have passed the official Life in the UK test before submitting your ILR application. The test is a 24-question multiple-choice exam with a pass mark of 75% (18 out of 24). There are exemptions for applicants aged 65 or over, or those with certain physical or mental conditions.

6. Absence limit not exceeded

You must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying period. This is the same absence rule that applies to all ILR routes.

7. No criminal convictions

You must meet the good character requirement. Unspent criminal convictions, immigration offences, or deception in previous applications can result in refusal.

Summary of requirements

The 5-year route timeline

The spouse/partner route to ILR consists of three stages. Understanding each stage and its requirements helps you plan ahead and avoid mistakes that could delay your settlement.

Stage 1: initial spouse/partner visa (33 months)

Your journey begins with the initial visa, which is granted for 2 years and 9 months (33 months). If you are applying from outside the UK, you receive a 30-day visa vignette in your passport and must enter the UK within that window. You then collect your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit), which is valid for the full 33-month period.

During this stage, you can work in the UK without restriction. You must continue to live with your partner and maintain the financial requirement. Start logging your trips abroad immediately — even short trips count towards the 180-day absence limit.

Stage 2: FLR(M) extension (30 months)

Before your initial visa expires, you must apply for an extension using the FLR(M) form ("Further Leave to Remain — Marriage/Civil partnership/Partner"). This extension is granted for 2 years and 6 months (30 months).

At this stage, you must demonstrate that your relationship is still genuine and subsisting. You need to meet the financial requirement again and pass an English language test at A2 level (or higher). You will also pay the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) for the extension period.

It is critical to submit your FLR(M) application before your initial visa expires. If your visa lapses before you apply, you may become an overstayer, which can jeopardise your entire route to settlement.

Stage 3: ILR application using SET(M)

After completing 5 years of continuous residence (initial visa + extension), you are eligible to apply for ILR. The application is made using the SET(M) form. You can submit your application up to 28 days before the 5-year qualifying period ends.

At ILR stage, the English language requirement increases to B1 level. You must also have passed the Life in the UK test. The financial requirement must still be met.

Timeline at a glance

Financial requirement

The financial requirement is one of the most scrutinised aspects of the spouse visa route. You must prove that you and your partner have enough income to support yourselves (and any dependants) without relying on public funds.

Minimum income threshold

As of 2024, the minimum income requirement for a spouse/partner visa was raised to £29,000 per year. This applies to new applications and is being phased in for extensions and ILR applications. The threshold was previously £18,600 for many years. Check the latest GOV.UK guidance for the threshold that applies to your specific application, as transitional arrangements may apply depending on when your initial visa was granted.

If you have dependent children, the threshold increases: an additional £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each subsequent child.

How to meet the financial requirement

There are several ways to meet the minimum income threshold:

• Employment income: Salaried or non-salaried employment of you, your partner, or both combined. You need to show at least 6 months of payslips and bank statements. If you have been in your current job for less than 12 months, the annualised salary must meet the threshold. If longer than 12 months, the income over the preceding 12 months must meet or exceed the threshold.
• Self-employment income: Net profit from self-employment over the last full financial year (or an average of the last two financial years). You will need your Self Assessment tax return and evidence of income.
• Cash savings: Savings of £16,000 or more (above a threshold of £16,000) held for at least 6 months can be used to make up a shortfall in income. The formula is: the amount of savings above £16,000 must cover 2.5 times the shortfall between your income and the minimum threshold.
• Pension income: State or private pension received by either applicant or sponsor.
• Non-employment income: Rental income from property, dividends, and other regular income sources (excluding benefits/public funds).
• Combination: You can combine sources. For example, employment income from your partner plus your own part-time work plus cash savings.

Whose income counts?

Both the applicant (the visa holder) and the sponsor (the British/settled partner) can contribute income towards the financial requirement. Most commonly, the sponsor's employment income forms the primary source, but income from the applicant's own employment in the UK is also counted. If the applicant is working outside the UK, only certain types of overseas income are eligible.

Common pitfall: income gaps

If either partner changes jobs, has a period of unemployment, or takes unpaid leave, this can create gaps in the income evidence that make it harder to meet the threshold. The Home Office reviews income over the 12 months preceding your application, so any gap within that window is problematic. Plan job changes carefully and ensure continuous income coverage.

Absence rules

The absence rules for the spouse visa route are the same as for all ILR routes: you must not be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying period.

How the rolling window works

The Home Office does not check one fixed 12-month block. Instead, every possible 12-month window across your 5-year qualifying period is assessed. This means trips at the end of one year and the start of the next can both fall within the same window. Clustering trips together is the most common way people accidentally breach the rule.

How departure and arrival days are counted

The day you leave the UK is counted as a day of absence. The day you return is counted as a day of presence. For example, if you fly out on 1 March and fly back on 15 March, you have 14 absence days (1 March through 14 March inclusive). This counting method is consistent across all ILR routes.

Late entry gap

If you applied for your spouse visa from outside the UK, the gap between your visa start date and your actual entry counts as absence. If your visa started on 1 January but you arrived on 20 January, those 19 days are immediately deducted from your 180-day allowance for the first 12-month window. Enter the UK as soon as possible after your visa vignette is issued.

Planning trips safely

Over a 5-year period, 180 days per 12-month window gives you roughly 2.5 weeks of travel per month — which sounds generous until you factor in family visits, emergencies, and holidays. Many spouse visa holders have family overseas and travel frequently. Use our ILR Absence Calculator to check your absence status before booking any trip. You can also read our detailed guide to the ILR absence rules for a full explanation of how rolling windows work.

English language requirement

The English language requirement increases at each stage of the spouse visa route. This progressive approach means you need to plan ahead and potentially take multiple tests.

Accepted tests

You must take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. The two main providers are:

• IELTS for UKVI (Life Skills): The most popular option. The A1, A2, and B1 versions are specifically designed for UK immigration purposes. The Life Skills test covers speaking and listening only. Costs approximately £150 per attempt.
• Trinity College London (GESE): Graded Examinations in Spoken English. Another accepted provider for immigration purposes.

Exemptions

You do not need to take an English language test if you:

• Are a national of a majority English-speaking country (includes the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, and others — see the full Home Office list)
• Hold a degree that was taught or researched in English (with NARIC confirmation)
• Are aged 65 or over at the date of application
• Have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement (with medical evidence)

Planning tip

If you took an A2 SELT for your FLR(M) extension, you will need to book and pass a B1 level test before your ILR application. Do this well in advance — test centres can have waiting lists, and if you fail you will need time to retake. Most people pass the B1 Life Skills test first time, but do not leave it until the last minute.

Life in the UK test

The Life in the UK test is a mandatory requirement for ILR (and later, for naturalisation). It is a computer-based test covering British values, history, traditions, and everyday life.

Key facts

• Format: 24 multiple-choice questions, 45 minutes
• Pass mark: 75% (18 out of 24 correct)
• Cost: £50 per attempt
• Booking: Online at the official GOV.UK booking page
• Results: You receive your result immediately after the test. If you pass, you get a unique reference number that you include in your ILR application.
• Retakes: You can retake the test as many times as needed, with a minimum 7-day gap between attempts.

When to take it

There is no time limit on when you take the test relative to your ILR application — a pass certificate does not expire. Most people take it 6 to 12 months before they plan to apply for ILR, giving them a buffer in case they need to retake. We recommend taking it during year 4 of your qualifying period.

How to prepare

The test is based on the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. Study the handbook and practise with mock tests. Our Life in the UK Practice Quiz has 1,000 practice questions covering all 5 chapters of the handbook, with three test modes including timed mock exams that replicate the real test format.

Exemptions

You are exempt from the Life in the UK test if you are aged 65 or over, or if you have a long-term physical or mental condition that means you cannot reasonably be expected to take the test (supported by medical evidence).

Application form SET(M)

The SET(M) form — Settlement: family life as a partner of a person present and settled in the UK — is the application form used to apply for ILR on the spouse/partner route. It is completed and submitted online via GOV.UK.

What the form covers

The SET(M) application is extensive. It covers:

• Personal details: Your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport details
• Immigration history: Your visa history in the UK, including all previous applications
• Relationship details: When you met your partner, when you married or entered a civil partnership, evidence of cohabitation
• Accommodation: Where you and your partner live, whether you own or rent, whether the property is adequate for your family
• Financial details: Income and employment details for both you and your partner
• Travel history: Every trip outside the UK during your qualifying period, with dates of departure and return
• English language: How you meet the B1 requirement
• Life in the UK test: Your pass certificate reference number
• Character questions: Criminal convictions, pending charges, civil judgments, immigration breaches
• Dependant children: Details of any children included in the application

How to submit

The SET(M) application is submitted online. After completing the form and paying the fees, you book a biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) centre. At the appointment, your fingerprints and photograph are taken, and you upload your supporting documents via the online portal. You can also submit physical documents if needed.

Timing your application

You can submit SET(M) up to 28 days before completing your 5-year qualifying period. Do not submit earlier than this, as the application will be rejected. Use the ILR Eligibility Calculator to find your exact earliest application date.

Required documents

The evidence you submit with your SET(M) application is crucial. Insufficient or disorganised evidence is one of the most common causes of delays and refusals. Prepare everything well in advance.

Essential documents

• Valid passport: Your current passport and any previous passports covering the qualifying period (for stamp evidence and travel history verification).
• Current BRP: Your Biometric Residence Permit must be valid at the time of application.
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate: The original certificate (or a certified translation if not in English).
• Evidence of genuine relationship: This is where many applicants fall short. You need a substantial body of evidence including:
  • Joint bank account statements or evidence of shared finances
  • Joint tenancy agreement or mortgage in both names
  • Utility bills, council tax bills, or broadband bills in both names
  • Correspondence (official letters, government documents) addressed to both partners at the same address
  • Photographs together throughout the qualifying period (clearly showing different occasions and dates)
  • Evidence of shared responsibilities (insurance policies, emergency contacts, etc.)
• Financial evidence: Payslips (at least 6 months, ideally 12), P60 certificates, employer letter confirming job title and salary, bank statements showing salary deposits, and any other income evidence (self-employment accounts, rental income, savings).
• English language certificate: Your B1 SELT certificate, or evidence of exemption (degree certificate, passport from a majority English-speaking country).
• Life in the UK test pass: The unique reference number from your pass notification.
• Travel history evidence: Passport stamps, boarding passes, flight bookings, and bank statements showing foreign transactions. If you used eGates (which do not stamp your passport), you may need to request entry/exit data from the Home Office.

Documents checklist at a glance

Use our ILR Document Checklist to track your document preparation progress and ensure nothing is missed.

Costs

The spouse visa route to ILR is one of the most expensive immigration routes in the UK. Here is a breakdown of the fees at the ILR stage (SET(M) application), as well as the cumulative costs over the full 5-year journey.

SET(M) application fees

Minimum ILR application cost

For a standard self-filed SET(M) application, expect to pay approximately £2,065 (application fee + biometrics + Life in UK test + English test). With priority processing and a lawyer, the total can reach £4,000 or more.

Cumulative costs over the 5-year route

The ILR application is just the final stage. Over the full 5-year journey, you will also have paid for the initial visa application, the FLR(M) extension, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and multiple English language tests. The total cumulative cost is substantial:

These figures are approximate and subject to change. The IHS rate is currently £1,035 per year. Once you have ILR, you no longer pay the IHS — you have full NHS access as a settled person. Use our UK Visa Cost Calculator for personalised cost estimates.

Common mistakes

Many spouse visa ILR applications are refused or delayed due to avoidable errors. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Insufficient evidence of genuine relationship

This is the single most common reason for SET(M) refusals. Submitting a few photographs and a joint bank statement is not enough. The Home Office expects a comprehensive body of evidence spanning the full qualifying period: joint financial commitments, shared correspondence, photos from different occasions over the years, and evidence that you are building a life together. Start collecting evidence from day one of your visa — do not wait until your ILR application.

2. Exceeding the 180-day absence limit

Spouse visa holders with family overseas are particularly at risk of breaching the absence rule. Extended visits home, combined with holidays and emergencies, can push you over the 180-day limit in a rolling 12-month window. Track every trip from the start and check your status before booking travel. Use our ILR Absence Calculator for automatic rolling window checks.

3. Not meeting the increased English language requirement

Many applicants pass the A2 test for their FLR(M) extension and forget that ILR requires B1. If you do not book and pass a B1 test before submitting your SET(M) application, it will be refused. Allow time for booking, preparation, and potential retakes.

4. Financial requirement gaps

If your sponsor changed jobs, took time off, or had a salary reduction during the 12 months before your application, the income evidence may show a gap. The Home Office examines income closely. Ensure continuous employment and income coverage, and if there are gaps, consider whether savings can make up the shortfall.

5. Missing the application deadline

Your FLR(M) extension visa has an expiry date. You must submit your SET(M) application before it expires. If your visa lapses before you apply, you become an overstayer, which can derail your entire case. Set reminders well in advance and submit with time to spare.

6. Incorrect or incomplete form

Mistakes on the SET(M) form — wrong dates, missing travel entries, incorrect financial figures — can lead to delays or refusals. Double-check every section, especially your travel history (cross-reference against passport stamps and flight records) and financial details. If in doubt, have an immigration adviser review your application before submission.

After ILR: path to citizenship

Once your SET(M) application is approved, you have Indefinite Leave to Remain — permanent residence in the UK. Here is what changes and what comes next.

What ILR gives you

• No visa restrictions: You can work for any employer, become self-employed, or stop working. No financial requirement, no sponsor needed.
• Access to public funds: You become eligible for Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, and other welfare benefits if needed.
• Full NHS access: No more Immigration Health Surcharge payments.
• Right to study: No restrictions on courses. You may be eligible for home fee status and student finance.

Path to British citizenship

Spouse visa holders who obtain ILR have a particularly favourable path to citizenship. If you are married to (or in a civil partnership with) a British citizen, you can apply for naturalisation after holding ILR for just 12 months. The naturalisation requirement for spouses of British citizens is 3 years of residence (rather than the standard 5 years), but since you already have 5 years from the ILR route, you typically become eligible 12 months after receiving ILR.

Naturalisation has its own absence rules: no more than 270 days absent in the 3 years before your citizenship application (for spouses of British citizens), and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months. See our guide to naturalisation requirements for the full details.

ILR can be lost

One important caveat: ILR lapses if you leave the UK for more than 2 continuous years. If you spend more than 2 years abroad, you would need to apply for a Returning Resident visa to come back. If you plan to apply for citizenship, it is generally advisable to do so as soon as you are eligible, as citizenship cannot be lost in the same way.

How ILR Tracker helps

The spouse visa to ILR journey spans 5 years and involves managing trips, finances, documents, English tests, and relationship evidence. ILR Tracker was built to help you stay on top of all of it.

Absence tracking with rolling windows

Log your trips and ILR Tracker automatically checks every rolling 12-month window across your qualifying period. You see exactly how many absence days you have used, which windows are at risk, and how many safe travel days remain. No more guesswork or spreadsheet formulas.

Eligibility date calculator

Enter your visa start date and see your exact ILR eligibility date, including the 28-day early application window. It accounts for late entry gaps and COVID-19 Exceptional Assurance periods.

Document checklist and readiness score

The Application Planner provides a document checklist specifically tailored to the spouse/partner route. Track which documents you have gathered and get a readiness score based on eligibility, documents, tests, and financial preparation.

Financial planning

See a clear breakdown of all costs involved in your ILR application and the full 5-year route. Plan your savings so there are no surprises when application day arrives.

Free tools to get started

You do not need an account to try our free calculators:

• ILR Eligibility Calculator — Find out when you can apply for ILR based on your visa start date and trip history.
• ILR Absence Calculator — Check your absence days across every rolling 12-month window instantly.
• ILR Document Checklist — See exactly what documents you need for your spouse visa ILR application.
• Life in the UK Practice Quiz — 1,000 practice questions to prepare for the Life in the UK test.

For ongoing tracking with saved trip history, trip import from calendars and spreadsheets, financial planning, and application readiness scoring, create a free ILR Tracker account.