Appendix Bereaved Partner

Appendix Bereaved Partner sets out the requirements for non-UK nationals who want to apply for settlement because their UK spouse/civil partner has died. The purpose of the UK bereaved partner visa is to provide stability and compassion to the surviving partner.

The UK recognizes that uprooting the life after a partner’s death can be unfair and traumatic. This category is found in the UK Immigration Rules under Appendix Bereaved Partner. It sits alongside spouse, partner, and other UK family visa routes.

What Is the Bereaved Partner Route?

The Bereaved Partner route allows the non-UK partner of a British citizen or settled person to apply for settlement in the UK when their UK partner has died. Usually, a non- UK citizen in the UK on a UK Family Visa could apply for settlement after living for 5 years continuously in the UK if their UK partner had been alive. The UK bereaved partner visa allows the surviving partner to apply for settlement after their partner's death even if they were in the UK for less than 5 years on the date of application. 

The surviving partner must be in the UK at the time of application unless they were last granted permission as a partner under Appendix HM Armed Forces.

There is an alternative route available for bereaved partners of a Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997. This route is available under Appendix Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veterans discharged before 1 July 1997.

Who Can Apply for a UK Bereaved Partner Visa?

You can apply if:

• You were living in the UK on a UK spouse visa or UK civil partner visa when your UK partner died.
• You partner was an EEA national with status under paragraph EU3 or EU14;
• Your partner held British citizen or held Indefinite leave to remain
• You have valid permission to stay in the UK at the time of application (for example, you hold a spouse visa).

Who cannot apply?

You cannot apply if:

• You never held partner status in the UK under Appendix FM of the rules.
• Your partner was not a British citizen or never held Indefinite leave to remain;
• You are already taking another route that is more suitable (for instance, a parent route).

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet the following requirements.

1. Apply for Entry Clearance -

If you are outside the UK, you must apply for and obtain entry clearance on the Bereaved Partner route before you arrive in the UK.

2. Your Immigration Status -

If you are in the UK on the date of application, you must have or have last been granted permission to stay in the country as a spouse/civil partner, and you were living together in the UK.

• Your deceased partner at the time of their death was one of the following:
• A British citizen
• Settled in the UK
• An EEA national in the UK with pre-settled status
• You should not fall for refusal under Part 9 of the immigration rules;
• Present in the UK and settled here under paragraph 285 or 295E of Part 8 of these rules.
• Your partner was one of the following under Appendix HM Armed Forces or Part 7 (except for permission to stay as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner)

          (i) A British citizen
          (ii) A foreign and Commonwealth citizen who was a serving member of HM forces;
          (iii) A foreign and Commonwealth national who served in the HM Armed Forces and had been discharged and they had applied for or been given permission or settlement in the UK as a foreign and              Commonwealth citizen.

If you are outside the UK on the date of application for a bereaved partner visa, you have or last have been granted permission to stay with your partner under Appendix HM Armed Forces or Part 7 (except for permission to stay as a fiancé (e) or proposed civil partner) where your partner at the time of their death was one of the following:

(i) A British citizen
(ii) A foreign and Commonwealth citizen serving member of HM forces;
(iii) A member of HM Armed Forces who, before they died, had applied for and would have been granted permission to stay or settlement in the UK had they not died, or had already been granted any of these two statuses as a foreign and Commonwealth citizen discharged from HM Armed Forces.

3. Date of Death -

The death must have occurred after you were granted leave as a partner leave. It cannot be before.

4. Application Timing –

Ideally you should apply within 6 months of the death (though discretion may be used for delays).

5. Intention to Remain -

You intend to live in the UK permanently and not rely on public funds.

6. Good Character –

There must not be serious criminal convictions against you or immigration breaches made in the past.

Required Documents

You need to prepare these key documents:

• Your current and any old passports with UK visas.
• Your Biometric Residence Permit if you have one.
• Official copy of your partner’s death certificate.
• Certificate copy of your marriage or civil partnership to prove your relationship with your UK partner.
• Evidence of cohabitation such as joint utility bills, bank statements, and tenancy agreements showing that you lived together.

How to Apply?

1. Complete the Online Form –

Apply online using the UKVI official website gov.uk for family migration, selecting the Bereaved Partner category. This is the form you need to use if you are applying for entry clearance from outside the UK. If you are applying from inside the UK, use the form SET (AF), or SET(O), or SET(F) depending on your and your partner’s status at the time of their death.

2. Upload the Documents –

You need to upload the supporting documents mentioned above.

3. Pay the Fee -

The standard fee is £3,029. You may be eligible for fee waiver if you are unable to afford the fee or paying the fee may result you in being destitute;

4. Book an Appointment –

You need to book an appointment at a UKVCAS (if applying from inside the UK) and at a VAC (if applying from outside the UK).

5. Submit Your Biometric Information –

On the scheduled appointment date enroll your biometric information (fingerprints and photo).

6. Attend Interview (if called) -

Not always required, but be prepared to explain your situation.

7. Wait for the Decision –

Usually you will get a decision within 3 to 6 months from the date of submission of your biometric information. You can apply for priority or super priority service if you want a quicker decision.

8. Receive the Decision -

If the decision maker is satisfied that you meet the suitability and eligibility requirements on the Appendix Bereaved Partner route, your application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

What If Your Bereaved Partner Visa Application is refused?

You can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review if your bereaved partner visa application is refused.

Settlement under Appendix Bereaved Partner

If you are outside the UK, you will be granted entry clearance for settlement and you will be granted settlement if you are in the UK.

How Can We Help?

We guide bereaved partners through every step of their UK settlement application. First, we review your eligibility and explain the rules in clear terms. Then we help you gather and organize all required document such as your partner's death certificate, proof of your marriage or civil partnership, cohabitation records and your partner’s status documents.

We complete and check your online form to avoid mistakes. We book your biometric appointment and prepare you for any interview. If there is more information required by the Home Office, we draft precise responses on your behalf. Throughout the process, we stay by your side, offering support and ensuring your application is as strong as it can be.