Your partner and children may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain. If they’re eligible, they can apply either: as part of your application if you’re leaving the armed forces and settling separately if you’re still serving, settled already or a British citizen Eligibility Your partner and children may be eligible if you either: have been discharged in the past 2 years are currently in the UK armed forces and have at least 5 years service You must either be: applying to settle in the UK already settled, or a British citizen There are different rules if you’re a former Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran . Your partner must have been in the UK for 5 years with permission as your partner on your visa. Postings outside the UK can be included in the 5 years. Financial requirements You must prove you and your partner intend to live together and have a combined income of at least £23,496 per year. You will not need to prove you have this money if you or your partner get certain disability benefits or Carer’s Allowance, but you’ll need to adequately accommodate and support yourselves and any dependants. Read the guidance on the financial requirements . Knowledge of life and language Your partner must: pass the Life in the UK Test meet the English language requirements Eligibility for children Children under 18 can apply if you’re still serving in the armed forces, a British citizen, settled or settling as ex-armed forces and one of the following applies: their other parent is either serving in the armed forces or settling as ex-armed forces their other parent is applying or has applied to settle as your partner you have sole responsibility or their other parent has died there are serious and compelling reasons why the child should be allowed to stay in the UK They must also: have previously been given permission to stay in the UK as your child not be married, in a civil partnership or leading an independent life be going to live with you and be supported by you without using public funds Your child’s application may be refused for other reasons, for example their previous immigration history. Read more about why applications can be refused . Children 18 and over Your child 18 or over may be eligible to settle if they were given permission to be in the UK as your child when they were under 18. They must meet the same eligibility as a dependent child under 18. They may also need to: pass the Life in the UK Test meet the English language requirements Your child must apply separately if they’re over 18. If you’re the partner or child of someone who died and was in the armed forces You can apply if they died while they were either: serving in the armed forces applying to settle as a former member of the armed forces

If you’re in the UK, you must apply online . Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. If you’re outside the UK, download and fill in form VAF AF . Send your completed form to the address on the form. You apply a different way if you’re the partner of a member of the UK armed forces and you’ve experienced domestic violence . Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Gurkhas and Hong Kong military unit veterans

You can apply if you left one of the following before 1 July 1997: the Brigade of Gurkhas the Hong Kong Military Service Corps of the British Army the Hong Kong Squadron of the Royal Navy You must have served for at least 4 years. Your partner and any children under 18 can also apply. If you’re the widow or child of a former Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran, you can apply if your husband met the criteria. How to apply You can either: apply using an online or paper form - which one you use depends on whether you’re in the UK apply in person, if you’re in Nepal To apply in person, go to the Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu. UK Visa Application Centre 284 Nagpokhari Sadak Opp. East Royal Palace Gate Near Lazimpat Kathmandu You do not need to make an appointment. Application Centre Telephone: +977 1445 2311 Telephone: +977 1442 8123 Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm for application submissions Monday to Friday, 2pm to 5pm for passport collection

Indefinite leave to remain (armed forces)

Eligibility and fees

You may be able apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’re leaving or have left the UK armed forces.

Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

You must usually both:

be leaving the armed forces or have left in the past 2 years
have served for a minimum of 4 years

There’s no minimum time you need to have served for if you’ve been medically discharged for an injury or illness that happened as a result of your service.

There are different rules if you’re a former Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran.

If you’re not eligible based on your time in the armed forces, there are other ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

When to apply

You can send your application up to 18 weeks before you leave the armed forces (‘are discharged’).

You must send it within 2 years from the date you’re discharged.

Family members

Your partner or child may be able to apply if you’re currently in the armed forces or have left in the past 2 years.

If you’re the partner or child of someone who died and was in the armed forces, you might also be able to apply.

Check the rules for applying as a partner or child.

Fees and how long it takes

It costs £2,885 for each person applying. You’ll each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

You can include your partner and children on the same application form, if they’re eligible.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months if you apply using the standard service.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

When you do not have to pay a fee

You will not have to pay any fees if at least one of the following is true:

you served for a minimum of 6 years before leaving the armed forces
you’ve been medically discharged for an injury or illness that happened as a result of your service

When family members may not have to pay the fee

If you’re the partner or child of a veteran, you may not have to pay the fee if they:

died while they were serving in the armed forces
died while applying to settle as a former member of the armed forces
were a former Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran

You’ll need to provide evidence showing one of the following:

you do not have a place to live and cannot afford one
you have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
you have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Evidence can include bank statements, payslips and utility bills.

You may be able to use the same evidence for multiple applicants if you’re applying at the same time.

Any family members applying with you will still need to pay the application fee.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you pay extra to use the ‘super priority service’ you can get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday
2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Indefinite leave to remain (armed forces)

Eligibility and fees

When to apply

Family members

Fees and how long it takes

When you do not have to pay a fee

When family members may not have to pay the fee

Get a faster decision on your application

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Indefinite leave to remain (armed forces)

Eligibility and fees

When to apply

Family members

Fees and how long it takes

When you do not have to pay a fee

When family members may not have to pay the fee

Get a faster decision on your application

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK