UK Settlement Family Life Route - Suitability, Eligibility and Application

This is a route for individuals who have valid permission to stay in the UK (United Kingdom) as a partner or parent (or have had a combination of both) under Immigration Rules Appendix FM – Family Life, and who are eligible to settle here after a qualifying period of 10 years.

Individuals may also be able to count time with permission on other routes towards counting the 10-year qualifying period, provided they meet certain conditions. 

Alternatively, partners (spouse/civil partners), parents, and their dependent children may qualify for settlement based on 10-year Long Residence in the UK, under Immigration Rules - Paragraphs 276A to 276D or 298.

Where a partner or parent is applying to settle in the UK on this route, their dependent children may also qualify for settlement under these Rules.

Children who are born in the UK with a parent settled in the UK will be British citizens by birth. Children born in the UK can also become British citizens through registration routes before their parent is settled: 

• Once a parent of the child is granted a settlement; or 

• If the child lives in the UK for their life’s first 10 years. 

Other children may also be able to apply for registration as a British citizen at the discretion of the Home Secretary.

Eligible immigration route combination

Eligible immigration route combinations comprise entry clearance to the UK or permission granted as partners, parents, or children under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM, alongside permission granted under private life routes before June 2022 and periods of leave granted through the Human Rights Convention - Article 8. However, these combinations require at least one year of continuous residence under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM family routes in the UK and exclude people who did not enter the UK through regular means and hence did not subsequently get regularization of their status.

The framework of allowing a combination of immigration routes recognizes the fact that many families experience multiple relationship types during extended UK residence periods, for example, individuals initially enter the UK as partners and later become parents, or those whose private life circumstances evolve to include family relationships. This approach for families ensures that people with legitimate family-based residence in the UK can count all residence toward satisfying the 10-year settlement family life requirement rather than penalizing families for the natural progression of their relationships or their changing personal circumstances.

The following combination types are permitted to satisfy the 10-year continuous residence requirement.

• Partner + Parent (At least 1 year Appendix FM residence)

• Family + Private Life (At least 1 year Appendix FM residence)

• Article 8 combination (At least 1 year Appendix FM residence)

Validity requirements for the settlement family life (as partner or parent)

An individual applying for settlement on the basis of a 10-year qualifying period must apply online using the UK government's official website gov.uk using the specified application form “Settlement as a partner or parent.”.

An application for settlement must satisfy all the following criteria:

(a) Applicant must have paid any fee; and

(b) The applicant must have enrolled their biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph) when required; and

(c) Applicant must have established their identity and nationality by providing a passport or other valid travel document; and

(d) The applicant must be in the UK when they apply.

The applicant who is seeking settlement in the UK must have, or have last been granted permission as a partner or parent under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM.

An application that fails to satisfy all the validity criteria for settlement may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability Requirements for settlement family life (as partner or parent)

The Home Office will assess whether an applicant is suitable to be granted settlement. This involves checking whether they have any criminal convictions, outstanding debts to the NHS or the Home Office, or have breached any UK immigration laws.

If the applicant has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas that resulted in a custodial sentence of at least 12 months, their application for settlement under this route will be refused. For a sentence to imprisonment for less than 12 months, the applicant must have completed a qualifying period of 10 years in the UK with a valid permission, and the applicant must have spent at least 5 years with such permission since their sentence ended. 

Other suitability grounds for refusal include the applicant being involved in a sham marriage or sham civil partnership, breach of immigration laws (except that where Appendix FM - Paragraph 39E applies), using deception in previous applications, or providing false documents. 

If any of these apply, an applicant may still be eligible for the settlement if they have completed a qualifying period of 10 years in the UK with a valid permission, and have spent at least 5 years with such permission after the date of the first permission, after the suitability ground came to the attention of the decision maker.

Introduction of ‘Part Suitability’ 

So far, suitability rules were different for applications under Appendix FM as opposed to Part 9 – Grounds for Refusals, which applied to other UK immigration routes. 

However, effective from 11 November 2025, a new section called ‘Part Suitability’ is going to replace Part 9 - Grounds for Refusal, which serves as the central reference point for all suitability-based visa refusal and cancellation grounds.

The provisions of Part Suitability will now also apply to Appendix FM.  

After the change, Appendix FM - Paragraph 39E, which sets out exceptions for individuals overstaying their visa, has now been moved into the newly introduced ‘Part Suitability’ under a dedicated section titled “Exceptions for overstayers”. This ensures that overstaying exceptions for applications under the Appendix will be considered within the wider suitability framework. 

Eligibility requirements for settlement family life (as partner or parent)

1.Continuous residence requirement

The applicant must satisfy the continuous residence criteria as set out in Immigration Rules - Appendix Continuous Residence for the qualifying period.

The applicant must have spent time for a continuous qualifying period of 10 years with a valid permission in the UK under the following (or any combination of the following):

(a) Entry clearance to the UK or permission as a partner or parent under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM (except for permission as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner); or

(b) Permission described in the grant letter from the Home Office as “family permission as a partner” or “family permission as a parent”; or

(c) Permission on the private life route under Immigration Rules - paragraph 276ADE or 276BE (2) before 20 June 2022 or Immigration Rules - Appendix Private Life; or

(d) Entry clearance to the UK or permission as a child of someone with limited leave as a partner or parent under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM; or

(e) Permission granted outside the immigration rules as a parent, partner, child, or because of private life based on the Human Rights Convention - Article 8.

A person can also meet the 10-year qualifying period requirement by counting time spent on any other immigration route that allows the applicant to qualify for settlement, provided the applicant:

1. Did not enter the UK illegally; and

2. Has had permission as a partner (if they are applying as a partner) or parent (if they are applying as a parent) under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM for one year or more.

2. English language requirement

Unless exempt, the applicant must show English language ability in speaking and listening to at least level B1of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

The applicant must show they meet the knowledge of the English language requirement as specified in Immigration Rules - Appendix English Language.

3. Knowledge of life in the United Kingdom (UK) requirement

Unless exempt, the applicant must satisfy the Knowledge of Life in the UK criteria for settlement, on the basis of a 10-year qualifying period, as set out in Immigration Rules - Appendix KOL UK. 

4. Relationship requirement for settlement as a partner

The applicant must be the partner of someone who is:

(a) A British living in the UK; or

(b) Present as well as settled in the UK; or

(c) Applying to settle at the same time as the applicant.

The requirements of Immigration Rules - Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

The applicant must have had permission on the basis of their relationship with their current partner for one year or more.

5. Relationship requirement for settlement as a parent

The applicant must have, or have last had, permission as a parent of a child under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM (whether or not the child is under 18 when the parent applies for settlement).

The person applying for settlement must be the parent of a child who is:

(a) A British citizen living in the UK; or

(b) Present as well as settled in the UK; or

(c) Applying to settle at the same time as the applicant.

If the child is under 18 at the date of application, the person applying as a parent must have:

(a) Sole parental responsibility for the child; or

(b) The child must normally live with the applicant; or

(c) The applicant must have direct access (in person) to the child, as agreed with the other parent or carer with whom the child normally lives, or as ordered by a court in the UK.

The applicant must demonstrate that they are taking an active role and intend to continue to take an active role in the child’s upbringing.

Decision on an application for settlement family life as a partner or parent

Decision on an application for the settlement of family life as a partner or parent

If the Home Office is satisfied that the applicant satisfies all the suitability and eligibility criteria for settlement as a partner or parent on the basis of a qualifying period of 10 years, they will grant settlement to the applicant.

If, on the other hand, the applicant fails to meet the requirements for an application for settlement, but the decision maker believes the applicant is likely to satisfy all the suitability and eligibility criteria for permission to stay as a partner or parent under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM in the UK, the application will not be rejected, but will be varied by the Secretary of State (UK) to an application for permission to stay on that route.

The Home Office will refuse the application for settlement if they are not satisfied that the applicant satisfies all the suitability and eligibility criteria for settlement or permission to stay. 

Victims of domestic abuse

Where a person holds permission as a partner of someone who is a British citizen or is present as well as settled in the UK, and the relationship has broken down because of domestic abuse, the applicant may be able to qualify for settlement in the UK as a victim of domestic abuse under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM.

Where the UK partner has died

Where a person holds permission as a partner and their partner, who is a British citizen or is present as well as settled in the UK, has died, the applicant may be able to qualify for settlement in the UK as a bereaved partner under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM.

Settlement family life as the child of a partner or parent 

A person applying for settlement as a child based on 10 years of residence in the UK needs to satisfy the relevant validity, suitability, and eligibility criteria.

Validity requirements for the settlement family life (as a child)

An individual applying for settlement on the basis of a 10-year qualifying period must apply online using the UK government's official website gov.uk using the specified application form “Settlement as a Child (including a child aged over 18 already in the UK as a dependent)”.

An application for settlement must satisfy all the following criteria:

(a) Applicant must have paid any fee; and

(b) The applicant must have enrolled their biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph) when required; and

(c) Applicant must have established their identity and nationality by providing a passport or other valid travel document; and

(d) The applicant must be in the UK when they apply.

(e) The applicant must be applying as the child of someone who:

(i) Has submitted a valid application for settlement in the UK as a partner or parent on the basis of a 10-year qualifying period, and that application is yet to be decided; or

(ii) Is settled in the UK or has become a British citizen, providing the person had permission as a partner or parent on the basis of a 10-year qualifying period when that person settled.

The applicant seeking settlement in the UK must have, or have last had, permission as a dependent child (except where they were born in the UK).

An application that fails to satisfy all the validity criteria for settlement may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability Requirements for settlement family life (as a child of a partner or parent)

The Home Office will assess whether an applicant is suitable to be granted settlement. This involves checking whether they have any criminal convictions, outstanding debts to the NHS or the Home Office, or have breached any UK immigration laws.

If the applicant has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas that resulted in a custodial sentence of at least 12 months, their application for settlement under this route will be refused. For a sentence to imprisonment for less than 12 months, the applicant must have completed a qualifying period of 10 years in the UK with a valid permission, and the applicant must have spent at least 5 years with such permission since their sentence ended. 

Other suitability grounds for refusal include the applicant being involved in a sham marriage or sham civil partnership, breach of immigration laws (except that where Appendix FM - Paragraph 39E applies), using deception in previous applications, or providing false documents. 

If any of these apply, an applicant may still be eligible for the settlement if they have completed a qualifying period of 10 years in the UK with a valid permission, and have spent at least 5 years with such permission after the date of the first permission, after the suitability ground came to the attention of the decision maker. 

Eligibility Requirements for settlement family life (as a child of a partner or parent)

1. Relationship requirement

The applicant must be the child of a person where one of the following applies:

(a) Child's parent is, at the same time, being granted settlement as a partner or parent on the basis of a qualifying period of 10 years; or

(b) Child's parent is settled or has become a British citizen, providing the parent had permission as a partner or parent on the basis of a qualifying period of 10 years when they settled.

If a person is applying as a child, their other parent must be being granted settlement at the same time, or be a British citizen or settled, unless:

(a) The first parent is the applicant’s sole surviving parent; or

(b) The first parent has sole responsibility for the applicant’s upbringing; or

(c) The Home Office - decision maker is satisfied that serious and compelling reasons exist due to which the applicant should be granted settlement.

2. Age requirement

The applicant must be under 18 when they apply, unless they were last granted permission as the dependent child of their parent(s).

If the applicant is 16 or over when they apply, they must not be leading an independent life.

3. Care requirement

If the applicant is under 18 when they apply for settlement, suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation must be there in the UK, and the arrangement must comply with relevant UK law.

4. English language requirement

Unless exempt (for example, where the applicant child is under 18), the applicant must show English language ability in speaking and listening to at least level B1of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

The applicant must show they meet the knowledge of the English language requirement as specified in Immigration Rules - Appendix English Language.

5. Knowledge of life in the United Kingdom requirement

Unless exempt (for example, where the applicant child is under 18), the applicant must satisfy the Knowledge of Life in the UK criteria for settlement, on the basis of a 10-year qualifying period, as set out in Immigration Rules - Appendix KOL UK. 

Decision on an application for settlement family life as a child

If the Home Office is satisfied that the applicant satisfies all the suitability and eligibility criteria for settlement as a partner or parent on the basis of a qualifying period of 10 years, they will grant settlement to the applicant.

If, on the other hand, the applicant fails to meet the requirements for an application for settlement, but the decision maker believes the applicant is likely to satisfy all the suitability and eligibility criteria for permission to stay as a child of someone with limited leave as a partner or parent under Immigration Rules - Appendix FM in the UK, or the applicant qualifies under Appendix FM - Paragraph GEN 3.2 the application for settlement will be varied by the Secretary of State (UK) to an application for permission to stay on that route.

The Home Office will refuse the application for settlement if they are not satisfied that the applicant satisfies all the suitability and eligibility criteria for settlement or permission to stay.