Completing application form FLR(M)

This page gives general guidance on completing application form FLR(M) to extend your permission to stay (leave to remain) in the United Kingdom as the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner of a permanent resident.

You can download the application form and a detailed guide from the right side of this page. You should read the guide before you complete the form. You should also read the photo guidance on the right side of this page for details of the type of photograph that we will accept.

You will need to pay a fee when you apply. We will not refund your fee if we refuse your application or if you withdraw it.

Section 10 of the application form gives details of the documents you need to send to support your application. You should send the original documents, not copies. In exceptional circumstances, we may accept a photocopy that is certified as an accurate copy by the body or authority that issued the original or by a notary. You must include a letter explaining why you are providing a certified copy rather than the original document.

You should use application form FLR(M) if you already have temporary permission to stay in the United Kingdom (limited leave to remain) as the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner of a permanent resident.

You must be in the United Kingdom to apply. For information on getting initial permission to come to the United Kingdom in this category, see Can I live in the United Kingdom? To extend your stay in this category, you will need to show that you still meet the requirements for the category.

If you have lived here for two years in this category, are still in the same marriage, civil partnership or relationship, and plan to continue living together permanently, you may apply towards the end of the two-year period to live here permanently. See Applying for settlement in the United Kingdom for details.

You can use one form for a joint application by you and any children aged under 18, if they are applying as your dependants. Children over 18 must apply separately, using application form FLR(O) - see Completing application form FLR(O).

You must apply before the end of your authorised stay in the United Kingdom.

You can post your application to us, or apply in person at one of our public enquiry offices. To apply in person, you need to make an appointment in advance. Applying in person is a same-day service, available at a premium fee, and is only suitable for straightforward applications that will not require further enquiries.

If you apply in person, both parties should attend the public enquiry office. If this is not possible, the settled spouse (permanent resident) must provide a letter stating that they support the marriage application. The letter must be signed and dated, with a daytime telephone number where they can be contacted if necessary.

We cannot tell in advance how long it will take to decide your postal application, so you should not make non-urgent travel plans until we have returned your passport and identity card (see below) to you. However, our current target times for deciding applications show how quickly we aim to make a decision.

You must fill in the form in block capitals using a black pen. Please enter all dates as dd-mm-yyyy (for example, 29-04-2000).

Identity cards for foreign nationals

On 25 November 2008, under The Immigration (Biometric Registration) Regulations 2008, compulsory identity cards were introduced for some foreign nationals applying for permission to remain in the United Kingdom. The cards are a form of biometric immigration document.

Everyone applying in the categories covered by form FLR(M) must apply for an identity card. Over the next few years, identity cards will be extended to other types of immigration application.

For more information about compulsory identity cards for foreign nationals extending their stay as a husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner, and for dependants on these applications, see the page on the compulsory identity card.

For more general information on identity cards for foreign nationals, why we are introducing them and how we are doing this, see the page on identity cards for foreign nationals.

Applications made at a public enquiry office

If you are applying in person at any of our public enquiry offices, you will be required to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) as part of your application. This will be done on the day of your arranged appointment.

All dependants included in your application will also need to provide their biometrics. A photograph will be taken of all applicants, and fingerprints will be taken of applicants aged six or over. If an applicant or dependant is aged under 16, the biometric registration process must take place in the presence of an adult who is the child's parent or guardian or a person who takes responsibility for the child during that time. You must give us the name of this adult when you make your appointment, and this must be the same person who is named in section 5 of the application form.

You will not have to pay an additional fee when you attend the appointment. If your application for further leave to remain is successful, your identity card will be sent to you by post within three to five days. Identity cards cannot be issued on the same day. You cannot enquire about undelivered cards in person at our public enquiry offices or biometric enrolment centres.

Postal applications

If you are applying by post, you will also have to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) as part of your application. When we receive your application, we will ask you to book an appointment at one of our seven enrolment centres (Croydon, Sheffield, Liverpool, Solihull, Glasgow, Cardiff and Armagh).

You will be sent a warning letter if you do not book an appointment, and your application will be rejected if you subsequently fail to meet the requirement to provide your biometrics. You will also be sent a warning letter if you book an appointment but fail to attend or refuse to provide your biometrics, and your application will subsequently be rejected if you do not comply with the biometric requirement.

For further information on what happens if you fail to provide your biometrics, please see the code of practice page.

All dependants included in your application will need to provide their biometrics. A photograph will be taken of all applicants, and fingerprints will be taken of applicants aged six or over. If an applicant or dependant is aged under 16, the biometric registration process must take place in the presence of an adult who is the child's parent or guardian or a person who takes responsibility for the child during that time. You must give us the name of this adult when you make your appointment, and this must be the same person who is named in section 5 of the application form.

If your application for further leave to remain is successful, your identity card will be sent to you by secure delivery post within three to five days. If you have not received your card within seven days of the date on your decision letter, please call 0300 123 2412.

More information

For further details of the biometric immigration document and answers to questions you may have when attending your appointment, you should read the FLR(M) guidance notes and the page Identity cards for foreign nationals. These can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

Permission to stay in the United Kingdom temporarily, for the length of time stated on your visa.A legal relationship that can be registered by two people of the same sex and that gives the couple legal recognition for their relationship. In a range of legal matters, civil partners are treated the same as opposite-sex partners who are married.Someone who depends on you financially, such as a husband, wife, partner, or child.A notary is also known as a notary public. A notary is a public official who is legally authorised to witness the signing of documents and perform other formal duties.