Key Takeaways
- FLR stands for Further Leave to Remain. Despite the name, it is not a separate visa, it is the application you make to extend the permission you already hold.
- The most common forms are FLR(M), for partners and family under the immigration rules, and FLR(FP), for family and private life under Article 8.
- Extensions are usually granted for 30 months at a time and count towards settlement, on either a five-year or a ten-year route.
- From April 2026 the application fee is £1,407, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year, so the cost adds up quickly.
If you have been told you need to apply for an “FLR visa”, you would be forgiven for being confused, because strictly speaking there is no such thing. FLR is one of those pieces of immigration shorthand that gets used so often people assume it is a visa in its own right. It is not, and understanding what it actually is takes a lot of the worry out of the process.
For anyone whose current permission to stay is running down, this matters a great deal. Get the timing or the form wrong and you can fall out of status, which causes real problems. Get it right and you simply carry on with your life in the UK.
This guide explains what Further Leave to Remain really is, the main types, what it costs, and how it fits into the path to settling here. If you want advice on your own application, Osbourne Pinner offers a free 30-minute consultation with an immigration solicitor.
So what is an FLR, really?
FLR stands for Further Leave to Remain. It is the application you make to extend permission you already have, so you can keep living in the UK once your current leave is about to expire. It is not a new or different visa, it is a continuation of your existing route. People call it an “FLR visa” out of habit, but what you are really doing is asking the Home Office for more time on the basis you already qualify under.
The main FLR forms
There is more than one FLR form, and the right one depends on why you are in the UK. The two you will hear about most are:
FLR(M) is for extending your stay as the partner, spouse or child of a British citizen or someone with settled status, under the family rules. It is the most common form, granted in 30-month blocks, and forms part of the route to settlement for family members. If this is you, our UK spouse visa page covers the requirements in detail.
FLR(FP) is for family and private life applications based on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is used where someone cannot meet the standard family rules but refusing them would breach their right to family or private life, for example a parent of a British child, or someone with long residence here. There are also other forms, such as FLR(IR) for certain other categories, but FLR(M) and FLR(FP) cover the majority of cases.
The five-year and ten-year routes to settlement
FLR is rarely a one-off. Most people go through several extensions before they can apply to settle. Which route you are on makes a big difference. Those who meet the family rules in full are usually on a five-year route, with two 30-month extensions before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Those relying on private life or who cannot meet the full requirements are often placed on a ten-year route, meaning more extensions and a longer wait. The rules on settlement have been under review and the qualifying periods have been changing, so it is worth confirming your current position before you plan around a particular timeline.
How much does an FLR cost?
This is where people get a shock. From 8 April 2026 the application fee is £1,407 for the FLR forms, and on top of that you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is £1,035 for each year of leave granted for adults. For a typical 30-month FLR(M) extension, that works out at around £4,000 once the fee and surcharge are combined. If you are extending as a family, each person applies and pays separately, so it is worth budgeting for the whole household well in advance. You can check the current Immigration Health Surcharge on GOV.UK.
When and how to apply
You apply online, and then usually attend an appointment to give your biometric information. The single most important rule is to apply before your current leave expires. Do that, and a protection known as section 3C leave keeps your existing status, and your right to work, in place while the Home Office makes its decision, even if that runs past your original expiry date. Miss the deadline and you can become an overstayer, which is exactly the situation to avoid. You can start a family route application through the GOV.UK family visa pages.
What if your circumstances change?
Life does not always run to the immigration rules. If you are on FLR(M) and your relationship breaks down, you will usually no longer qualify on that basis, and you may need to switch to a different route such as FLR(FP), for example if you are the parent of a British child. It is not automatic and the timing can be tricky, so advice matters. Our guide on what happens to your spouse visa if you get divorced explains the options.
Can you work or travel while it is being decided?
As long as you applied before your leave expired, section 3C leave keeps your existing conditions running while you wait, so if you were allowed to work, you can carry on working. Travel is the trickier part. Leaving the UK while an in-country FLR application is pending will usually be treated as withdrawing it, which can undo everything. As a rule, do not travel abroad until you have your decision, and if travel is unavoidable, take advice first. We look at this in our guide on travelling while your UK visa is being processed.
Why FLR applications get refused
Most refusals come down to avoidable things rather than the merits of the case. The financial requirement on partner routes trips up a lot of people, as does incomplete or inconsistent evidence, gaps in continuous residence, or simply applying on the wrong form. Because the fees are so high and a refusal can leave you without status, it pays to get the evidence in order before you submit rather than hoping to fix problems later. This is the single biggest reason people ask a solicitor to check an FLR application before it goes in.
FLR and settling in the UK
The point of all these extensions is to reach indefinite leave to remain, the status that lets you stay permanently without further applications. Each successful FLR keeps you on that path, provided you keep meeting the requirements and do not break your continuous residence. It is worth understanding the benefits of indefinite leave to remain early, so you know what you are working towards and can keep the right records along the way.
Speak to an Immigration Solicitor About Further Leave to Remain
An FLR application is not just a formality. The wrong form, a missed deadline or a gap in your evidence can put your status at risk, and the fees are too high to get it wrong twice. Good advice keeps your stay on track.
At Osbourne Pinner, our immigration solicitors can advise on the right FLR route for you, prepare your application, and make sure it is submitted in time and with the evidence it needs.
Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We always recommend speaking to a qualified solicitor for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
We offer a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your situation. You can speak with us via video call or visit our offices in Harrow, Canary Wharf, Piccadilly Circus or Manchester. To arrange your consultation, call 0203 983 5080, email [email protected] or complete the form below.
