FLR Solicitors London — Further Leave to Remain Applications

If your UK visa is due to expire and you’re not yet eligible to settle, you need to apply for Further Leave to Remain (FLR) before your current permission runs out. Adam Bernard Solicitors’ immigration team prepares and submits FLR(M), FLR(FP) and human rights extension applications for clients across London and the UK, with priority options available where the Home Office offers them.

Getting this application right matters: submit it correctly and on time, and your existing leave continues automatically under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 while the Home Office decides. Get it wrong — a missed document, a financial requirement miscalculated, an application filed a day late — and you risk becoming an overstayer, with consequences for a future settlement or citizenship application.

Which FLR route applies to you

FLR isn’t a single visa — it’s a family of extension routes, each with different eligibility rules. Choosing the wrong one, or missing evidence a route requires, is the most common cause of refusal.

FLR(M) — Partner/spouse route. For spouses, civil partners or unmarried partners of a British citizen or someone settled in the UK, extending on the 5-year partner route. Read our full guide to the Spouse Visa Extension process.

FLR(FP) — Family and private life route. Covers partner applications on the 10-year route, parents of a British or settled child, and adults or children relying on long residence or private life in the UK. See our dedicated pages on the Partner Visa FLR(FP) Application, Parent of a British Child Visa, and Child-Based Applications.

Switching between the 5-year and 10-year routes. If your circumstances change mid-route, you may be able to switch rather than start again — see Switching from 10 Year to 5 Year Route.

FLR(HRO) and FLR(IR) — Human rights and other Immigration Rules routes. For applicants extending on human rights grounds outside the partner/parent categories, or under other specific Immigration Rules provisions. Speak to our team for a route assessment.

Not sure which applies to you? Our full FLR application guide breaks down each route’s eligibility criteria in detail — or call us on 0207 100 2525 and we’ll assess your circumstances directly.

What an FLR application costs in 2026

Following the Home Office’s fee update on 8 April 2026, the application fee for most FLR routes is £1,407 per person — this applies to the main applicant and each dependant included in the application. On top of this, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is payable upfront in full: £1,035 per adult per year (£776 for under-18s), which comes to £2,587.50 for a standard 30-month (2.5-year) grant. Home Office fees are non-refundable if your application is refused, so getting the application right the first time matters.

If you cannot afford these fees, a fee waiver may be available for FLR(FP), human rights and discretionary leave applications — we can assess your eligibility as part of your consultation.

(Home Office fees change with little notice — figures above are current as of the 8 April 2026 fee update; we confirm the exact amount for your route before you apply.)

How long does an FLR application take?

Standard processing for an in-country FLR application is typically up to 8 weeks, though more complex FLR(FP) or human rights cases can take longer. If your circumstances are urgent, the Home Office offers paid priority services:

• Priority Service — a decision within 5 working days
• Super Priority Service — a decision by the end of the next working day

While your application is pending, your existing leave continues under Section 3C, so you remain lawfully in the UK — provided you applied before your previous visa expired and you don’t travel abroad while the application is pending.

Why instruct Adam Bernard Solicitors for your FLR application

• SRA-regulated immigration solicitors, listed on the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor directory
• Offices in High Holborn (Central London) and Upton Park (East London), with 24/7 phone contact and free video consultations via Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp or Skype
• Experience across all FLR routes — partner, parent, child and human rights extensions — not just the most common category
• Support with priority and super priority applications where speed matters
• Clear, upfront advice on fees, fee waivers and your realistic prospects before you commit