Completing application form FLR(M)

This page gives general guidance on completing application form FLR(M) to extend your permission to stay (leave to remain) in the United Kingdom as the husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried or same-sex partner of a permanent resident. You can download the form from the right side of this page.

You should also read the detailed guidance (guide FLR(M), which you can download from the right side of this page) before completing the form. You will need to pay a fee when you make your application. We will not refund your fee if we refuse your application or you withdraw it. You should also read the photo guidance on the right side of this page for details of the type of photographs that we will accept.

Section 10 of the application form gives details of the documents you need to send to support your application. You should send the original documents, not a copy. In exceptional circumstances, we may accept a photocopy that is certified as an accurate copy by the body or authority that issued the original or by a notary. You must include a letter explaining the reasons for providing a certified copy rather than the original document.

You should use application form FLR(M) if you already have temporary permission to stay in the United Kingdom (limited leave to remain) as the husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried or same-sex partner of a permanent resident.

You must be in the United Kingdom to apply. For information on obtaining initial permission to come to the United Kingdom in this category, see Can I live in the United Kingdom? In order to extend your stay in this category, you will need to show that you still meet the requirements for it.

If you have lived here for two years in this category and are still married or in a civil partnership and plan to live together, you may apply to live here permanently towards the end of the two-year period. See Applying for settlement in the United Kingdom for details of how to apply for permanent residence.

You can use one form for a joint application by you and any children aged under 18, if they are applying as your dependants. Children over 18 must apply separately, using application form FLR(O) - see Completing application form FLR(O).

You must apply at least four weeks before the end of your authorised stay in the United Kingdom.

You can post your application to us, or apply in person. See Contact for addresses and details of how to do this. You need to make an appointment in advance to apply in person. It is a same-day service available at a premium fee and is only suitable for straightforward applications that will not require further enquiries.

We cannot tell in advance how long it will take to decide your postal application so you should not make non-urgent travel plans until we have returned your passport to you. However, our current target times for deciding applications show how quickly we aim to make a decision.

You must fill in the form in block capitals using a black pen. Please enter all dates as dd-mm-yyyy, for example 29-04-2000.

Biometric immigration document

From 16 June 2008, all applicants (including those with dependants) applying for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom using application form FLR(M) will also need to complete the new section (7) of the application form which covers biometric immigration documents (this is the legal term for identity cards for foreign nationals). More information about the introduction of the identity cards in November 2008 can be found in the managing our borders section.

Postal applications

If you are applying by post you will only need to apply for a biometric immigration document if you live at an address within the following London postcode areas:

• E1 - 18
• EC1 - 4
• N1 - 22
• NW1 - 11
• SE1 - 28
• SW1 - 20
• W1 - 14
• WC1 - 2.

If you post your application on or before 25 July 2008, when we receive your postal application for your extension we will send you a letter asking you to make an appointment at our public enquiry office in Croydon to enrol your biometrics (have your fingerprints recorded and photograph taken). If you do not book an appointment, we may not accept your application as valid and we will return any fee you have paid. If you book an appointment and fail to attend or refuse to provide your biometrics, your application may be refused.

All dependants included in your application will need to provide their biometrics. This will involve a photograph being taken of all applicants and fingerprints of applicants aged six or over. If an applicant or dependant is aged under 16, the biometric registration process must only take place in the presence of an adult who is the child's parent, guardian or a person who takes responsibility for the child during that time. You must give us the name of this adult when you make your appointment and this must be the same person who is named in section A7.1 of the application form.

You will not have to pay an additional fee when you attend the appointment. If your application to extend your stay is successful, you will still receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport, rather than an identity card.

If you post your application on or after 26 July 2008 you will not need to provide your biometrics.

Applications at Croydon public enquiry office

If you are applying in person at our public enquiry office in Croydon (a premium application) you will also need to apply for a biometric immigration document regardless of your postcode. Your fingerprints will be recorded and photograph taken as part of the application process on the day you attend the public enquiry office.

All dependants included in your application will also need to provide their biometrics. This will involve a photograph being taken of all applicants and fingerprints of applicants aged six or over. If an applicant or dependant is aged under 16, the biometric registration process must only take place in the presence of an adult who is the child's parent, guardian or a person who takes responsibility for the child during that time. You must give us the name of this adult when you make your appointment and this must be the same person who is named in section A7.1 of the application form.

You will not have to pay an additional fee when you attend the appointment. If your application for further leave to remain is successful, you will still receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport rather than an identity card.

The requirement to provide biometrics for premium applications on form FLR(M) will continue until we introduce identity cards for successful applicants on 25 November 2008.

Applications at other public enquiry offices

If you are applying in person at another public enquiry office, you will not need to apply for a biometric immigration document at this stage.

Further information

For further details about the biometric immigration document and questions you may have when attending your appointment, you should read the FLR(M) guidance notes and identity cards for foreign nationals. These can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

Permission to stay in the United Kingdom temporarily, for the length of time stated on your visa.A legal relationship that can be registered by two people of the same sex and that gives the couple legal recognition for their relationship. In a range of legal matters, civil partners are treated the same as opposite-sex partners who are married.Someone who depends on you financially, such as a husband, wife, partner, or child.A notary is also known as a notary public. A notary is a public official who is legally authorised to witness the signing of documents and perform other formal duties.