Appendix FM & UK Family Visa Applications: How to Apply
Planning to bring your family to the UK? The financial requirement has increased from £18,600 to £29,000 as of April 2024, with Labour pausing further increases pending a review of the entire system. With refusal rates affecting thousands of families annually, understanding Appendix FM requirements has never been more critical.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Appendix FM applications, from navigating the new income thresholds to avoiding costly mistakes that lead to separation from loved ones.
What is Appendix FM and Why Does It Matter for Your Family?
Appendix FM is the UK Immigration Rules section that governs family-based visa applications. It replaced previous family immigration routes and now serves as the primary pathway for bringing family members to the UK.
Think of Appendix FM as your family's roadmap to UK settlement. It covers spouses, partners, children and parents who want to join British citizens or settled persons in the UK.
The Two Main Routes Under Appendix FM
Five-Year Route: The fastest path to settlement if you meet all the rules requirements including financial, English language, and relationship criteria. If you are on this route, you should qualify for indefinite leave to remain after five years.
Ten-Year Route: For families who don't meet all standard requirements but where a refusal would be a breach of Article 8 ECHR. This route requires longer residence before settlement but still allows you to live and work in the UK.
Struggling to determine which route applies to your family?
Who Can Apply Under Appendix FM? Understanding Eligibility
What Family Relationships Qualify for Appendix FM?
Partners: This includes spouses, civil partners, fiancé(e)s, and unmarried partners who have a long-lasting relationship, for at least two years.
Parents: If you're the parent of a British or settled child, or a child who has lived in the UK for seven continuous years, you may qualify under the parent route.
Children: Children under 18 can join their parents in the UK. In exceptional circumstances, children over 18 may qualify if they cannot lead independent lives due to specific circumstances.
Domestic Abuse Survivors: The Domestic Abuse Indefinite Leave to Remain route provides protection for those whose relationships ended due to abuse, and it is regulated by a different set of rules.
Who Can Sponsor Your Appendix FM Application?
Your sponsor must fall into one of these categories:
- British citizens
- Persons with indefinite leave to remain
- EU Settlement Scheme settled status holders
- Refugees or those with humanitarian protection
- Pre-settled status holders
Important: People on temporary visas like Skilled Worker visas cannot typically sponsor family members under Appendix FM, and a different set of rules apply to them.
How Much Money Do You Need for Appendix FM Applications?
Current Financial Requirements for 2025
The minimum income threshold is £29,000 gross per year for all new partner applications. Transitional arrangements protect existing applicants who were already on the five-year route before April 11, 2024. They can continue using the old £18,600 threshold plus child add-ons of £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child.
Alternative Ways to Meet the Financial Requirement
Savings Option: You can use cash savings of £88,500 or more, held for at least six consecutive months by you and/or your partner instead of meeting the income requirement through earnings alone.
Combined Income and Savings: In some cases, you can mix employment income with savings using the formula: Required savings = 2.5 × (shortfall below £29,000) + £16,000 base amount.
Self-Employment or company directors: Self-employed sponsors can use their business income, but must provide comprehensive financial records including tax returns and accountant statements.
When Are You Exempt from Financial Requirements?
Disability-related benefits can exempt you from the standard financial test. If your sponsor receives Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or Attendance Allowance, you'll be assessed under the "adequate maintenance" test instead.
Exceptional circumstances under Appendix FM you may also apply if you don’t meet some of the requirements, including the financial one. These cases are more complex and involve an assessment of the family’s human rights.
What English Language Requirements Apply to Family Visas?
Language Levels Required at Each Stage
Initial Applications: You need CEFR Level A1 in speaking and listening for your first family visa application as a partner or parent.
Extension Applications: When extending your family visa, you must demonstrate CEFR Level A2 English proficiency.
Settlement Applications: For indefinite leave to remain, you'll need CEFR Level B1 English alongside the Life in the UK test.
How Can You Prove Your English Language Ability?
Secure English Language Tests (SELT) from approved providers like IELTS for UKVI, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI, or LanguageCert International ESOL are the most common method.
Academic Qualifications taught in English and equivalent to a UK bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree also satisfy the requirement. You'll need confirmation from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for overseas qualifications.
Nationality Exemptions apply if you're from a majority English-speaking country listed in Appendix English Language, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
When Are You Exempt from English Language Requirements?
You don't need to prove English language ability if you're:
- Aged 65 or over at the application date
- Under 18 at the application date
- Have a physical or mental disability preventing you from meeting the requirement
- Face exceptional circumstances that prevent testing before UK entry
What Documents Do You Need for Appendix FM Applications?
Essential Relationship Evidence
For Spouses/Civil Partners: Marriage or civil partnership certificates, photographs together, evidence of joint finances, correspondence showing the same address, and communication records.
For Unmarried Partners: Comprehensive evidence of two years' cohabitation including joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, bank statements, and official correspondence to the same address. In the absence of cohabitation, alternative evidence to prove that the relationship is durable can be provided, such as photos, personal statements, evidence of trips taken together, evidence of any shared financial responsibilities and so on.
For Parents: Birth certificates showing your relationship to the child, evidence of parental responsibility, contact arrangements if the child lives elsewhere, and proof of your active role in their upbringing.
Financial Documentation Requirements
Employment Evidence: Six months of payslips, employment contract or letter confirming salary and start date, and six months of corresponding bank statements showing salary deposits.
Self-Employment Evidence: Tax returns for the most recent financial year, accountant's statements, business bank statements, and evidence of ongoing contracts or income.
Savings Evidence: Bank statements covering six consecutive months, evidence of the source of savings, and statements from all accounts where savings are held.
Accommodation and Suitability Evidence
Accommodation: Tenancy agreements or mortgage statements, property description, landlord consent letters, and evidence the property meets overcrowding standards.
Criminal Record Certificates: Required for entry clearance applications from many countries, covering any country where you've lived for 12+ months since age 18.
NHS Debt Clearance: Evidence you've paid any outstanding NHS charges from previous UK visits.
How Much Do Appendix FM Applications Cost in 2025?
Current Application Fees
| Application Type | In-Country Fee | Entry Clearance Fee | IHS (2.5 Years) | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Adult | £1,321 | £1,938 | £2,587.50 | £3,908.50 - £4,525.50 |
| Adult + Child | £2,642 | £3,876 | £4,527.50* | £7,169.50 - £8,403.50 |
*£2,587.50 (adult) + £1,940 (child)
Standard Application Fees
- In-Country Applications: £1,321 per person
- Entry Clearance Applications: £1,938 per person
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Adults: £1,035 per year (typically £2,587.50 for a 2.5-year visa) Children/Students: £776 per year (typically £1,940 for a 2.5-year visa)
Note: Family visas are typically granted for 33 months (entry clearance) or 30 months (in-country applications)
Total Cost Examples
Single Adult Application (Entry Clearance): £4,525.50 (£1,938 fee + £2,587.50 IHS)
Single Adult Application (In-Country): £3,908.50 (£1,321 fee + £2,587.50 IHS)
Family of Four (2 adults, 2 children, Entry Clearance): £16,807 (£7,752 fees + £9,055 IHS)
- Fees: £1,938 × 4 = £7,752
- IHS: (£2,587.50 × 2 adults) + (£1,940 × 2 children) = £9,055
Family of Four (2 adults, 2 children, In-Country): £14,369.50 (£5,284 fees + £9,055 IHS)
- Fees: £1,321 × 4 = £5,284
- IHS: Same as above = £9,055
Priority Processing Options
Priority Service (5 working days): Additional £500 Super Priority Service (next working day): Additional £1,000
These services are only available for certain application types and locations.
What Are the Most Common Appendix FM Application Mistakes?
Inadequate Relationship Evidence
The Problem: Many couples fail to provide sufficient evidence of their genuine and subsisting relationship, particularly for unmarried partner applications.
The Solution: Create a comprehensive timeline showing your relationship development with supporting documents for each major milestone.
Financial Documentation Errors
The Problem: Submitting incorrect formats or timeframes for financial evidence. Even minor discrepancies can lead to a refusal.
The Solution: Follow Appendix FM-SE requirements exactly. Provide employment letters on company letterhead, ensure payslips cover the correct period, and include corresponding bank statements.
Application Timing Issues
The Problem: Applying too early (before meeting requirements) or too late (after current leave expires) creates unnecessary complications.
The Solution: Plan your application timeline carefully, considering processing times and ensuring you meet all requirements before submission.
At MGBe Legal, we suggest a consultation around 7 months before your extension application is due, to ensure a good planning strategy and sufficient time to execute it.
Poor Document Quality
The Problem: Blurry photographs, uncertified translations, or expired documents can result in a refusal.
The Solution: Use certified translation services for foreign documents, provide clear copies, and ensure all documents are current and valid.
How Long Does the Appendix FM Process Take?
Standard Processing Times
In-Country Applications: Up to 8 weeks from biometric appointment Entry Clearance Applications: Up to 12 weeks from biometric appointment
Factors That May Delay Your Application
Complex Relationship History: Previous marriages, long periods apart, or significant age differences may trigger additional scrutiny.
Financial Complexity: Self-employment income, multiple income sources, or alternative financial arrangements often require longer assessment.
Document Quality Issues: Poor translations, missing documents, or unclear evidence can halt processing while the Home Office requests clarification/verifies the documents conducting internal checks.
Biometric Appointments and Document Submission
In-Country Applicants: Attend visa centre service points for biometric enrollment and document scanning.
Overseas Applicants: Visit visa application centres in your country for biometrics and document submission.
Important: Don't travel outside the UK while an in-country application is pending, as this automatically withdraws your application.
What Happens After Appendix FM Approval?
Your Initial Leave Period
Entry Clearance: Usually granted for 33 months (2 years and 9 months) Leave to Remain: Usually granted for 30 months (2 years and 6 months)
Extension Requirements
Before your initial leave expires, you'll need to extend your family visa. Requirements include:
- Continued relationship with your sponsor
- Meeting English language requirements (CEFR Level A2)
- Continued financial compliance
- No significant criminal convictions or immigration breaches
Path to Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Five-Year Route: Apply for ILR after completing 60 months (5 years) of continuous lawful residence.
Ten-Year Route: Apply for ILR after 120 months (10 years) of continuous lawful residence.
Continuous Residence Rules: You cannot be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying residence period.
Knowledge of Life in the UK (KoLL) Requirements
For ILR applications, you must demonstrate:
- English language ability at CEFR Level B1
- Knowledge of life in the UK by passing the official test
- Good character and continued compliance with immigration rules
Secure Your Family's Future in the UK
Appendix FM offers multiple pathways for families to reunite in the UK, but success requires careful preparation and expert guidance. With the current £29,000 financial threshold and evolving requirements, professional support isn't just helpful—it's essential.
At MGBe Legal, we're committed to helping families navigate the complexities of UK immigration law with confidence. Our comprehensive approach combines legal expertise with genuine care for your family's wellbeing and future.
