FLR M DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST 2026 — EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR UK SPOUSE VISA EXTENSION OR SWITCH
Share this
On this page
What is FLR M?
FLR M stands for Further Leave to Remain under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. It is used to extend a UK spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner visa from inside the UK, and to switch to the partner route from another visa category. This also includes those converting their fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa to a spouse/civil partner visa. Applicants on the 5-year partner route will make one ot two FLR M application/s (a further 2.5 years) before becoming eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under SET M.
At the time of making an application for FLR M, both the applicant and sponsor partner must:
- Be over 18;
- Have met in person;
- Not be related to each other;
- Be/Remain in a genuine and subsisting relationship;
- If either person were previously married/in a civil partnership, the previous marriage/s must have permanently broken down;
- Intend to live together permanently in the UK once the visa is granted
If you are married or civil partners, you must be able to prove that you are in a legal marriage/civil partnership that is recognised in the UK. If not married (applying as an unmarried partner), you must provide evidence that your relationship is akin to a marriage.
The FLR M requirements you must evidence
Every document should evidence at least one of these five requirements:
- Relationship — genuine, subsisting, recognised in UK law
- Financial — you or your sponsor meet the income threshold
- English language — required level of English
- Accommodation — adequate housing in the UK
- Immigration status — current leave valid and eligible to extend
It is important to note as everyone's case is different with many possible variables in the applicant's/sponsor's personal circumstances. Therefore, there is no one size fits all list of specific documents applicants must submit. - Your own set documents must be tailored according to your and/or your partner's situation.
That being said, below are the type of items the UKVI will generally expect applicants to provide for their UK Spouse/Partner Visa application.
Section 1 — Identity documents
- Applicant's current valid passport (all pages)
- Sponsor's current valid passport (bio page and any relevant stamps)
- Applicant's current BRP — front and back
- Screenshot of applicant's eVisa from their UKVI account
- Previous passports — not required unless a specific reason
Section 2 — Relationship & cohabitation
- Marriage / civil partnership certificate (apostilled if issued overseas)
- Relationship photos — 10–20 max, captioned with date, location and who is in them
- Cover letter explaining relationship history and intention to live in the UK
- Continuous cohabitation evidence across the last 2 years (for partner extensions and/or unmarried partners that have lived together)
Section 3 — Financial documents
The Applicant and/or Sponsor must be able to show that they are earning or receiving income from their employment or other sources or else have significant savings, and that this income/savings is sufficient for themselves and their partner for the duration of their visa.
If the Applicant is applying to switch to the partner route from another visa category, the current minimum income requirement they must meet is £29,000 gross per annum.
If the Applicant was originally granted leave as a spouse/partner before 11 April 2024 and they are extending their visa, then the minimum income threshold is £18,600 gross per annum. This threshold increases to £22,400 where you are applying to extend with a dependant child, and then further increments of £2,400 for each additional child you are applying with (up to a maximum threshold of £29,000).
The documents you must provide need to prove the source of income being used to meet the minimum income requirement. For example if the applicant is relying on employment income, they will need to provide payslips, bank statements, a letter from their employer and in some cases employment contract(s).
Income sources that qualify to meet the minimum income threshold are:
- Salary from Employment*;
- Non-employment income e.g. rental income from property;
- Cash savings;
- Pension Income;
- Self-Employment income*;
- Income as a Director and/or Employee of a specified UK Limited company*
*Denotes Income Source can only be met by the Sponsor if the Application is for Entry Clearance. - Unless, the Applicant is already in the UK (with permission to work) and applying to extend their current partner visa / switch to the partner route inside the UK. In which case, they can rely on their own income from any of the above sources to meet the financial requirement.
Exemption from the Financial Requirement
If the sponsor is in receipt of specific benefits or allowances, the applicant is exempt from having to meet the minimum income threshold. These include:
- Disability living allowance
- Severe disablement allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Carers’ allowance
- Attendance allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Industrial injury disablement benefit
- Police Injury Pension
- Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial injury disablement benefit
In this instance, evidence must be submitted to prove that the sponsor has sufficient funds to support them, the applicant and any other dependants without any additional public funds. - The Sponsor's total income and housing costs will be need to be assessed.
Section 4 — English language
Another requirement is evidence of sufficient knowledge of the English Language. Unless you reside in a country where English is the primary/dominant language e.g. USA or Australia, you will need to take an English Language Test which assesses your speaking and listening ability. This must be at a minimum level of A1 (if switching from another visa category) or A2 (if making a partner visa extension).
If you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English and recognised by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC), the English language requirement can also be satisfied.
If the applicant is required to evidence a sufficient level of English Language, they must provide a copy of their Home Office approved English Language Test Certificate or their Degree certificate.
- Approved SELT certificate from a UKVI-approved provider OR
- Degree taught in English + Ecctis Statement of Comparability + transcripts OR
- Passport, if from an exempt nationality
Section 5 — Accommodation
For the accommodation requirement, the documents to be provided will depend on whether the property is owned, rented etc.
| Situation | Documents required |
|---|---|
| Owner-occupied | Land Registry title or mortgage statement |
| Renting privately | Current tenancy agreement |
| Sponsor only on tenancy | Tenancy agreement + landlord permission letter |
| Living with family/friends | Consent letter from owner + copy of their ID |
Section 6 — Other forms & translations
- Declaration Form
- Family Consent Forms
- UKVI Documents Checklist (generated after online submission)
- Certified English translation for any non-English document*
* Any supporting documents that are not in English or Welsh must be translated. This will typically apply to items such as Marriage and Birth Certificates that originate from non-English speaking countries. The Home Office's official rule on this is the following: Each original document must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the Home Office. Each translated document must contain:
- confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- the date of the translation
- the translator's full name and signature
- the translator's contact details
The 5 most common FLR M document mistakes
- Weak or Vague Relationship Evidence
- Using an Invalid English Language Test Certificate
- Bank statements and payslips that don't cover the full 6-month/12-month window
- Documents included from outside the relevant time window
- Not including translations of documents where required
Quick reference checklist
Identity
- Passport (applicant + sponsor), BRP, eVisa screenshot
Relationship
- Certificate, photos, cover letter, cohabitation evidence (*if applicable)
English / Accommodation / Admin
- Language Test certificate / Degree Certificate · tenancy/mortgage · consent forms · translations
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I submit my FLR M application?
You can apply up to 28 days before your current leave expires. Most immigration advisers recommend applying with at least 3 weeks to spare.
Do I need a solicitor to make an FLR M application?
You do not legally need one. A professional document review before you submit is a cost-effective middle ground: you prepare everything and a qualified immigration adviser checks it before it goes to the Home Office.
My application is complex — can I still use the Document Checking Service?
In most cases, yes — including complex financial situations. If you're unsure whether your case is suitable, contact us before ordering.
Related Posts
Share this:
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information and law contained in this article is accurate and current as of the date of publication, we accept no responsibility for its accuracy or for any loss or damages arising from accessing, or the reliance, of this guidance.
Please also note that the information does not represent a complete statement of the Law and does not constitute legal advice.
If you would like specific professional advice about your UK immigration matter, please consider booking a consultation or one of my other legal services.
Making a UK Visa or Settlement application can be a stressful experience, and whilst there is a lot of ‘free’ information online, finding clear expert guidance that is up to date, and in line with your specific requirements can be a daunting task.
If you have any concerns about your case, it is recommended to reach out for advice from a trusted legal professional.
