Family Members

Appendix FM Applications

Appendix FM Applications in the UK

Appendix FM is a part of the Immigration Rules which regulates applications for family members who intends to reunite or remain together in the UK. It applies to individuals willing to join their spouse, fiancé(e), partner, parents or children.

At MGBe Legal, we handle the intricate conditions of Appendix FM applications. Our team of immigration lawyers provides accurate legal guidance to applicants in the process of documentation, submission, or handling UKVI queries.

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Eligibility for Appendix FM in the UK

Age requirement

Both you and the qualifying person must be over 18 years of age for applications as partners, spouses, or civil partners. If you apply as a parent, your child must be under 18 years old.

Genuine and subsisting relationship

For partners and spouses, the relationship must be genuine and ongoing and both individuals must have a committed and real relationship.

Previous relationships

If you or your partner have been in a previous relationship, it must have been permanently ended.

Children under 18

Children applying for a family visa must be under 18, unmarried, and not leading an independent life and the child of a person living in the UK under a family visa.

Parents of children in the UK

If you are applying as a parent, your child must be under 18 and either a British citizen settled in the UK or have lived in the UK for at least seven years.

Adult dependent relatives

Adult dependent relatives such as parents or adult children may apply if they require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, and are incapable of getting the required care in their home country.

Valid marriage or civil partnership

If applying as a spouse or civil partner, your marriage, or partnership must be legally recognised. For fiancés or proposed civil partners, you must be prepared to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months from your arrival.

Two-year cohabitation requirement for unmarried partners

If you are applying as an unmarried partner, you must have been living together in a relationship similar to a marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before making the appendix FM application or show that your relationship was otherwise durable.

Relationship with a qualifying person

You can only apply under appendix FM if you are closely linked to or in a relationship with a British citizen, a person settled in the UK, an EEA national with settled or pre-settled status, or a person with protection status in the UK. Appendix FM also regulates application for parents of British or settled children. It is possible to apply as a parent if the person is not in a relationship with the other parent of the child, and therefore cannot apply as a partner.

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Requirements for Appendix FM in the UK 

Suitability requirements

When you apply for entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK under appendix FM, you have to show that you are not in breach of immigration rules, have criminal convictions or other issues that might affect your good character.

Financial requirements

Under appendix FM, you must meet specific financial requirements to prove you can support yourself and any dependents without relying on public funds. For partners, your sponsor, the family member in the UK, must have a minimum annual income of £29,000, which may increase depending on the number of dependent children.

There are also provisions for exceptional situations for appendix FM applications. Get help from our expert immigration lawyers in fulfilling the financial requirements.

English language requirement

As an appendix FM applicant, you may need to prove the English language requirement to show your ability to integrate in the UK. By providing an approved English language test at a A1 level or higher, depending whether this is your first application or an extension application, or by holding a relevant degree that was taught in English, you can prove your English language requirement.

There are exemptions for applicants who are under 18 or over the age of 65, have a physical or mental disability that prevents them from meeting the requirement, or come from one of the majorities of English-speaking countries.

Knowledge of life in the UK (KoLL) requirement

If you are applying for indefinite leave to remain as a partner or parent of a family member in the UK, you may also need to show knowledge of life in the UK, as a part of the “Knowledge of Life in the UK” (KoLL) requirement.

Generally, appendix FM applicants need to pass the “Life in the UK” test unless they are exempt.

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Required Documents for Appendix FM in the UK  

  • Bank statements showing receipt of salary.
  • Payslips that are either original or supported by a letter from the employer confirming authenticity.
  • Employer’s letter confirming role, duties and salary.
  • Savings account statements, if relying on cash savings.
  • Marriage or civil partnership certificates as proof of the relationship.
  • Proof of cohabitation, if applicable, such as tenancy agreements or utility bills.
  • Correspondence or photographs showing the genuineness of the relationship.
  • Valid passports or travel documents for identity verification.
  • Official documents for any children, such as birth or adoption certificates.
  • Certified translations of any non-English or non-Welsh documents.
  • If the sponsor is receiving benefits, evidence of adequate maintenance, such as carer’s allowance or disability living allowance.

Process to apply for Appendix FM in the UK

  • Apply online via the official UK government website, whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.
  • Choose the process you want to apply through. The eligibility requirements and information needed will vary.
  • Complete the application form specific to your chosen process.
  • Follow the instructions during the application process to upload the required documents and evidence.
  • Be aware of the various fees that may apply and pay them as instructed during the process.
  • Book and attend the biometric appointment.
  • Wait for the decision from the Home Office.

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    FAQs

    1What is Appendix FM in UK immigration?
    Appendix FM is the section of the UK Immigration Rules that governs family-based visas, covering spouses, partners, children, and parents of British citizens or settled persons.
    2What financial requirements must be met under Appendix FM?
    Sponsors must meet the minimum income threshold (£29,000 as of April 2024) or have sufficient savings to support their family members without recourse to public funds.
    3What evidence is needed to prove relationship under Appendix FM?
    Marriage certificates, civil partnership documents, evidence of cohabitation, joint finances, communication records, and photographs are commonly required to prove genuine relationships.
    4Can Appendix FM applicants apply for settlement?
    Yes, if successful on the five-year route and all criteria are met, applicants can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years in the UK.
    5What are the two main routes under Appendix FM?
    The five-year route for those meeting all criteria, and the ten-year route under human rights grounds (Article 8 ECHR) if requirements are not fully met but refusal would breach the applicant’s rights.