Leave to Remain — Spouse & Partner Route
Extend Your Partner-Based Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom
Apply for the Spouse & Partner LTR route through Legate Hub | Specialist Immigration Solicitors
Overview
The Spouse & Partner Leave to Remain (LTR) route enables individuals who currently hold partner-based leave to extend their stay in the UK where the qualifying relationship continues and all route-specific requirements are satisfied. This LTR pathway often forms part of the five-year route to settlement and requires demonstrable, ongoing compliance with financial, accommodation and relationship criteria.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must currently hold valid partner-based leave in the UK (e.g. spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner) at the date of application.
- The relationship with your sponsoring partner must be genuine and subsisting; evidence of ongoing cohabitation, communication and mutual commitment is required.
- The sponsor must be a British citizen, settled person, or have qualifying settled status as required by the route.
- The financial requirement must be met — typically a minimum gross annual income of £29,000 or adequate savings where income is below threshold, with higher thresholds where dependants are included.
- Satisfactory accommodation must be available for the applicant and any dependants without recourse to public funds.
- Applicants must comply with suitability requirements, including absence of serious criminality.
Required Documents Checklist
- Current passport and any previous passports showing UK leave or travel history.
- Evidence of current partner-based leave (current visa vignette or Biometric Residence Permit).
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate, or evidence of durable cohabitation for unmarried partners (joint tenancy, bills, correspondence).
- Financial evidence: payslips, employer letters, bank statements, and savings statements demonstrating the financial requirement is met.
- Proof of adequate accommodation (tenancy, mortgage documents or landlord confirmation).
- Dependent documentation where applicable (birth certificates, adoption papers).
- Evidence of English language competence where required, or evidence of exemption.
- Certified translations of any non-English or Welsh documents.
Application Process
- Step 1 – Pre-Application Assessment: Book a consultation with Legate Hub to confirm route eligibility, review relationship evidence and identify any potential disclosure or suitability issues.
- Step 2 – Document Assembly: Download and complete the Spouse & Partner LTR Checklist from our Document Centre below. Legate Hub prepares and organises a robust evidential bundle tailored to Home Office expectations.
- Step 3 – Online Submission & Biometrics: Legate Hub completes and submits the online application, pays applicable fees (or prepares a fee waiver submission where appropriate), and arranges biometrics where required.
- Step 4 – Case Management & Liaison: We monitor the application, respond to any UKVI enquiries promptly, and provide regular status updates until a decision is received.
- Step 5 – Decision & Next Steps: On approval, Legate Hub advises on the subsequent route towards settlement (ILR) and any requirements to prepare for future applications.
Typical Processing Timeline
| Service | Typical Timeframe* |
|---|---|
| Standard In-Country LTR Application | Approximately 8 weeks from submission. |
| Priority Service (where available) | Approximately 5 working days (additional fee applies). |
Note: Processing times may vary depending on documentation completeness and Home Office caseload. Prompt and thorough evidence submission reduces risk of delay or refusal.
Apply through Legate Hub – Start Your Spouse & Partner LTR Application
Download Application Forms
- Spouse & Partner LTR Application Checklist (PDF)
- Financial Evidence Template (PDF)
- Relationship Evidence Guide (PDF)
Download the relevant checklists and templates, complete your documents and return them to Legate Hub for legal verification and submission assistance.
Why Choose Legate Hub
Legate Hub specialises in partner-based immigration matters. Our solicitors apply rigorous evidential standards and procedural discipline to maximise approval prospects. We advise on complex evidence strategies, fee waiver sequencing where necessary, and settlement planning to support the pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Book a Consultation
Protect your lawful status and continue your life in the UK. Contact Legate Hub to arrange a Spouse & Partner LTR assessment and begin your application process.