Family Visas
If you came to the UK as the partner of a British citizen or settled person, and that relationship has broken down because of domestic abuse, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in your own right. You do not have to stay in an abusive relationship to keep your immigration status. We handle these applications with care, confidentiality, and urgency.
At a glance
Your status is your own
You do not have to remain with an abusive partner to keep the chance of settled status
Who it is for
Those whose relationship with a British or settled partner broke down because of domestic abuse
Support with fees
A fee waiver may be available if you cannot afford the Home Office fee. Ask us and we will help you apply
If you are in immediate danger, please contact the police on 999. Support is also available at any time through the free, confidential 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Your immigration status does not have to keep you in an unsafe situation.
This route, known as SET DV, allows a person who came to the UK as the partner of a British citizen or settled person to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain where the relationship has ended because of domestic abuse. It exists precisely so that people are not forced to choose between their safety and their immigration status. We will explain your options clearly and handle everything with discretion.
Each case is different and we treat yours sensitively, but applications on this route generally consider the following.
Your previous leave
You normally need to have last been granted leave as the partner of a British citizen or settled person. We check your immigration history to confirm this route is open to you.
That abuse caused the breakdown
You need to show the relationship broke down permanently because of domestic abuse. Abuse is not only physical, it includes emotional, psychological, financial, and controlling or coercive behaviour. We help you gather supportive evidence sensitively.
Supporting evidence
Evidence can take many forms, including reports to the police or other authorities, medical records, letters from support organisations or refuges, or a personal statement. You do not need every type, and we work with what you have.
Help if you cannot afford the fee
If you cannot afford the Home Office application fee, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver on the grounds of affordability. We can help you with this so cost is not a barrier to safety.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. For confidential support at any time, the free National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The information on this page is a general guide, correct as at June 2026, not advice on your case, and everything you tell us is treated in strict confidence.
You can speak to us in confidence, at your own pace. We will listen, explain your options, and tell you whether this route is open to you, with no pressure.
We help you put together supportive evidence in a way that does not add to your distress, working with whatever you already have and advising on what else may help.
We prepare the SET DV application and your personal statement, and deal with any fee waiver, so your case is presented clearly and fully.
We submit the application, deal with the Home Office on your behalf, and keep you informed and supported until a decision is made.
Where a fee waiver does not apply, the Home Office application fee and any related costs are paid separately and are not included in our fee. We will explain the likely costs to you clearly before you decide to go ahead.
Your enquiry and your application are handled confidentially. We understand safety is your first concern and we will discuss how to manage your application with that in mind. If you are worried about your safety, please tell us, and if you are in immediate danger call 999.
Yes. Many people who experience abuse never report it to the police. Evidence can take many forms, including medical records, letters from support organisations or refuges, and your own account. We work with what you have and advise on what else may help.
You may be able to apply for a fee waiver if you cannot afford the Home Office fee. We can help you with the fee waiver application so that cost does not stand between you and your safety.
No. Domestic abuse includes emotional, psychological, financial, and controlling or coercive behaviour, not only physical violence. If your relationship broke down because of any of these, this route may be open to you.
