From 3 August 2026, a partner applying under Appendix FM may receive shorter permission where their sponsor has 30 months’ permission based on protection status. Instead of the usual maximum of 33 months for entry clearance or 30 months for permission to stay, the partner’s permission ends on the sponsor’s expiry date.
Do not assume that submitting before 3 August protects an undecided application. The saving provision in Statement of Changes HC 259 does not cover the Appendix FM amendments. A pending case decided after commencement may therefore be considered under the amended rules.
What it costs
The application fee does not reduce because the grant is shorter. However, the Immigration Health Surcharge is calculated by the length of permission, so a shorter grant may reduce the initial surcharge while bringing another application fee and surcharge forward.
| Stage | Application fee | Immigration Health Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Partner application from outside the UK | £2,064 | £1,035 per year, calculated by visa length |
| Partner extension or switch inside the UK | £1,407 | £1,035 per year, calculated by visa length |
| Indefinite leave to remain | £3,226 | Not payable |
The current figures appear in the Home Office fees table. Check the surcharge generated during the application.
Practical steps before submitting
Confirm the sponsor’s exact status, grant date and expiry date. The rule applies where the sponsor has 30 months’ permission based on protection status, not merely because they previously claimed asylum.
Budget for an earlier extension. Keep evidence of income, savings, employment and accommodation within the required periods. Missing, inconsistent or out-of-date documents can cause an otherwise credible application to fail.
The minimum income requirement remains £29,000 for most new partner applications. Where cash savings alone are used, the usual figure is £88,500 held for at least six months, subject to the detailed rules. Applicants who first entered the partner route before 11 April 2024 and remain with the same partner usually continue under the earlier £18,600 threshold.
The ordinary five-year qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain in the UK remains, but settlement is not automatic. A partner normally needs their sponsor to be settled or applying to settle and must meet the remaining requirements. Where that is not possible, another extension may be required. The long residence settlement route may be relevant after 10 years of qualifying lawful residence.
After settlement, naturalisation as a British citizen is usually possible after 12 months, or without that waiting period when married to a British citizen, provided all requirements are met.
Sponsors on other routes
This change does not govern dependants on work or ancestry routes. Different rules apply to sponsored employment, including how a Certificate of Sponsorship works. Business owners may explore the self sponsorship option, while eligible Commonwealth citizens can consider UK Ancestry visa applications.
Speak to our immigration advisers in Bromley for advice on timing, evidence, fees and the likely length of permission before submitting carefully.