At First Law Solicitors, we represent individuals who have tragically lost their partner while living in the United Kingdom under the Family Route.
If your partner was a British citizen, person settled in the UK, or a refugee or person with humanitarian protection, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) immediately under the Bereaved Partner Route.
Our solicitors combine empathy with technical precision, ensuring that your legal rights and future stability are protected through this deeply personal process.
The Bereaved Partner Route is contained in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
It allows individuals who were the spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of a British or settled person to apply for ILR when that partner dies.
The policy recognises that where a relationship was genuine and subsisting before the partner’s death, the surviving partner should not lose the right to remain in the United Kingdom solely because of that event.
This application can be made as soon as the death occurs; you do not need to complete the remainder of your current visa period.
To qualify for ILR under this route, you must demonstrate the following:
1. Relationship and Immigration Status
You were the spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of a British citizen, person settled in the UK, or someone with refugee or humanitarian protection status at the time of their death.
Your permission to stay must have been granted under Appendix FM or another family route that recognised your relationship.
2. Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
You must provide clear evidence that your relationship with your partner was genuine and continuing until their death.
This may include joint financial records, shared accommodation, correspondence, and statements from friends or family confirming the nature of your partnership.
3. Residence in the United Kingdom
You must be living in the United Kingdom at the time of the application.
There is no minimum residence period required, and you may apply immediately if you were residing together before your partner’s death.
4. No Requirement to Meet Financial or English Language Rules
Unlike the standard five-year partner route, bereaved partners are exempt from the financial requirement and the English language test.
The focus is entirely on the genuineness of the relationship and your residence in the UK.
5. No Ongoing Maintenance or Employment Requirement
The Home Office no longer requires proof of employment, savings, or ongoing income for this category.
The aim is to recognise your right to stability in the UK following the loss of your partner without further financial scrutiny.
Under the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA), all ILR applications are verified digitally.
This ensures accuracy and speed while protecting personal data under the 2026 Digital Identity Framework.
The DUAA enables the Home Office to automatically confirm:
At First Law Solicitors, we prepare DUAA-compliant submissions that anticipate digital verification, ensuring no inconsistencies arise between your documentation and official databases.
All digital evidence is certified with Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), meeting the 2026 compliance standards.
To establish the authenticity of the relationship, we prepare a clear and structured evidence portfolio that may include:
Our solicitors ensure every piece of evidence meets Home Office evidential standards and aligns with the digital data held under the DUAA system.
Applicants under this category are not subject to the 180-day absence rule.
The critical requirement is that you were living in the UK at the time of your partner’s death and continue to intend to make the UK your permanent home.
Once ILR is granted, you are free from immigration control, with the right to work, study, and access public funds.
After obtaining ILR, you may apply for British citizenship once you meet the residence and good character criteria.
Our solicitors handle this transition seamlessly, ensuring that your records under the UKVI digital account remain consistent and that your application for naturalisation reflects your changed personal circumstances with sensitivity and accuracy.
Empathetic Legal Representation
We provide specialist support to bereaved clients with compassion, maintaining full professionalism and confidentiality throughout.
Senior Solicitor Oversight
All applications are supervised by a senior immigration solicitor experienced in complex family and bereavement matters.
Digital Precision under DUAA 2025
Every file we prepare is DUAA-verified and QES-certified, ensuring accuracy in a fully digital Home Office environment.
Long-Term Stability Planning
Our guidance extends beyond the ILR application to citizenship, estate, and inheritance planning, ensuring lasting security.
If your partner was a British citizen or settled in the United Kingdom and you wish to secure your right to remain permanently, contact First Law Solicitors for confidential, compassionate legal support.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a private consultation with an immigration solicitor.
Copyright © 2025. First Law Solicitors. All Rights Reserved
