Settlement — family life

This route is for a person who has permission to stay as a partner or parent (or has had a combination of the two) under Appendix FM, and who is eligible to settle in the UK after a qualifying period of 10 years.

Dependent children of a partner or parent who is applying to settle on this route may also qualify for settlement under these Rules.

SETF 7.1. The applicant must be the partner of a person who is one of the following: (a) a British citizen who is living in the UK; or (b) present and settled in the UK; or (c) applying for settlement at the same time as the applicant.

SETF 8.2. The applicant must be the parent of a child who: (a) is a British citizen and living in the UK; or (b) is present and settled in the UK; or (c) is applying for settlement at the same time as the applicant.

SETF 7.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

SETF 7.3. The applicant must have had permission based on their relationship with their current partner for at least one year.

SETF 8.3. If the child (C) at SETF 8.1. is under 18 at the date of application, the applicant must have:

(a) sole parental responsibility; or (b) C must normally live with the applicant; or (c) the applicant must have direct access (in person) to C, as agreed with the parent or carer with whom C normally lives or as ordered by a court in the UK.

SET 8.4. The applicant must show that they are taking, and intend to continue to take, an active role in the child’s upbringing.

SETF 14.1. If the applicant is under the age of 18 on the date of application, there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK, which must comply with relevant UK law.

SETF 1.1. A person who is applying for settlement must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form “Settlement as a partner or parent.”.

SETF 3.1. The applicant must have spent a continuous qualifying period in the UK of 10 years with permission under the following (or any combination of the following):

SETF 3.2. If the applicant does not meet SETF 3.1, the 10-year qualifying period can be met by also counting time on any other route that includes rules allowing an applicant to qualify for settlement, if the applicant: (a) did not enter the UK illegally; and (b) has had permission as a partner (if applying as a partner) or parent (if applying as a parent) under Appendix FM for at least one year.

SETF 4.1. The applicant must have met the continuous residence requirement as set out in Appendix Continuous Residence for the qualifying period.

(a) Where the date of application is before 26 March 2027, the applicant must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1; or

(b) Where the date of application is on or after 26 March 2027, the applicant must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B2.

SETF 6.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must meet the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as set out in Appendix KOL UK.

SETF 9.1. If the decision maker is satisfied all the suitability and eligibility requirements for settlement as a partner or parent based on a qualifying period of 10 years are met the applicant will be granted settlement.

the application will not be refused, but will be varied by the Secretary of State to an application for permission to stay

Children born in the UK where a parent is settled in the UK will be British citizens by birth. There are registration routes for British Citizenship for children born in the UK before their parent is settled