In these situations, you may qualify to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, or ILR, which would allow you to stay in the UK permanently.
To be eligible, you’ll need to:
Have held a spouse or partner visa based on your relationship with a British citizen, settled person, EU national with pre-settled status, or refugee.
Show that your relationship ended because of domestic abuse.
Apply from within the UK.
What Counts as Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse includes physical violence, emotional and psychological control, financial manipulation, or harassment etc. Evidence of these behaviours, like police reports or medical records, can support your application.
If you need immediate support, the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession offers three months of temporary leave and access to public funds. This allows you time to prepare and submit your ILR application.
Steps to Apply for ILR
Complete the Application Online.
Submit Documents: Include your passport, evidence of the relationship breakdown, and proof of abuse.
Processing typically takes up to six months, during which time you may receive support under the DDVC.
If your ILR application is refused, options include administrative review or judicial review if there’s reason to believe an error was made.