If you hold a UK Spouse Visa, Civil Partner Visa or Unmarried Partner Visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing five years on the Partner route. The SET(M) ILR application is the form you will need for this process.
This application is made using Form SET(M) and is commonly referred to as SET(M) ILR.
Indefinite Leave to Remain allows you to live and work in the United Kingdom without immigration time limits and is usually the final step before applying for British citizenship.
SET(M) ILR applications are governed by Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, and applicants must meet strict requirements relating to residence, finances, relationship evidence and English language ability.
This guide explains:
• SET(M) ILR eligibility requirements
• The five-year partner visa route
• Financial requirements
• Residence and absence rules
• Required documents
• Common refusal risks
• The path to British citizenship
Based on 1058+ Reviews on Trustpilot & Google
SET(M) is the application form used to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK under the Partner Visa route. It is used by partners of British citizens or settled persons who have completed 5 years of residence in the UK on a qualifying Partner Visa.
Applicants typically reach this stage after holding:
Once approved, Indefinite Leave to Remain removes immigration time limits, allowing the applicant to live and work in the United Kingdom without restriction.
Applications are assessed under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, which governs family migration routes for partners of British citizens and settled persons.
👉 Appendix FM Explained
/insights/appendix-fm-explained/
Most applicants reach SET(M) Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing the full UK Partner Visa pathway:
Understanding the full immigration pathway can help ensure applications are submitted at the correct stage and with the correct documentation.
👉 UK Partner Visa Overview
👉 UK Spouse Visa
👉 UK Spouse Visa Extension
Most partners qualify for settlement through the standard 5-year route.
This route normally consists of:
Stage 1 – Initial Partner Visa
Granted for 30 months.
Stage 2 – Partner Visa Extension
Granted for a further 30 months.
Stage 3 – Settlement Application (SET(M))
Applicants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing a total of 5 years.
The five-year settlement route applies to partners on:
You can find more visa-specific information on these categories of UK Partner Visa here:
To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain under SET(M), applicants must normally demonstrate that:
Applicants can usually submit their SET(M) application within 28 days before completing the five-year qualifying period.
Applying too early may result in refusal.
Applicants must normally demonstrate that they continue to meet the Partner Visa financial requirement when applying for settlement.
Most applicants must show:
• minimum income of £29,000 per year
OR
• £88,500 in cash savings held for at least 6 months
OR
• a permitted combination of income and savings.
Financial evidence must comply with the specified document requirements set out in Appendix FM-SE.
Many SET(M) refusals occur because financial documents do not strictly follow these rules.
👉 Partner Visa Financial Requirement Explained
/insights/partner-visa-financial-requirement-explained/
👉 Category A vs Category B Income
/insights/category-a-vs-category-b-income/
👉 Cash Savings Calculation
/insights/cash-savings-calculation-partner-visa/
👉 Appendix FM Specified Documents Guide
/insights/appendix-fm-financial-evidence-specified-documents/
SET(M) applicants must demonstrate that their relationship remains genuine and subsisting and that they continue living together permanently in the UK.
Typical evidence may include:
Unlike some other settlement routes, there is no strict maximum absence limit, but extended periods outside the UK may be examined carefully by the Home Office.
Applicants must pass the Life in the UK Test before applying for settlement.
The test measures knowledge of:
The test must be taken at an approved test centre in the United Kingdom.
Applicants receive a reference number, which must be included in the SET(M) application.
👉 Life in the UK Test Guide
/insights/life-in-the-uk-test-guide/
If you want expert advice about the options available to you or if you are preparing your application and want access to First Migration's knowledge and experience, this is the service for you.
If you want to prepare your own application, why not take advantage of our Document and Application Review Service. Our specialist team can ensure your application is correctly prepared and all supporting documents meet the requirements for your application to be approved.
Our Full Consultancy Service is for clients looking for an end to end service where we take care of the full application process. We'll provide document lists and templates, complete the application forms and take care of everything else for you.
Our Priority Consultancy Service provides you with all the benefits of the Full Consultancy Service plus we will prepare and submit your application within 48 working hours of receiving all the supporting documents for your application.
Applicants must demonstrate English language ability at the B1 level or higher when applying for settlement.
This requirement can normally be satisfied through:
English language evidence must come from an approved test provider recognised by the Home Office.
Although many SET(M) applications are successful, refusals can occur where requirements are not fully satisfied.
Common refusal reasons include:
If refused, applicants may submit a new application correcting the issues identified by the Home Office.
Many clients choose First Migration for our history of excellent service and track record of success. However, we feel our greatest strength, and what makes us truly unique, is our small dedicated team that offers a truly personalised service. We genuinely love what we do, and our team relishes making a difference to the lives of our clients.
Once Indefinite Leave to Remain is granted, the applicant becomes settled in the UK.
This means they can:
Many applicants later choose to apply for British citizenship.
For many applicants, Indefinite Leave to Remain under SET(M) is the final immigration step before applying for British citizenship.
After obtaining settlement (ILR), many partners of British citizens later apply for naturalisation once they meet the residence and good character requirements.
👉 British Citizenship Application Guide
SET(M) applications require careful preparation of financial evidence and relationship documentation.
Common errors include:
Professional preparation helps reduce the risk of refusal and delays.
Our services include:
For more information about our fees or to contact us:
SET(M) is the application form used to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the UK Partner Visa route. It allows partners of British citizens or settled persons to obtain permanent residence after completing five years in the UK on a Spouse Visa, Civil Partner Visa or Unmarried Partner Visa.
Most applicants can apply for SET(M) within 28 days before completing five years on the Partner Visa route. This usually follows an initial 30-month visa and a 30-month Partner Visa extension. Applying too early can result in refusal because the qualifying period has not been completed.
Yes. Most SET(M) applicants must pass the Life in the UK Test before submitting their settlement application. The test measures knowledge of British history, culture and institutions and must be taken at an approved test centre in the United Kingdom.
Applicants must normally demonstrate English language ability at B1 level or higher when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the Partner Visa route. This requirement can be satisfied through an approved Secure English Language Test, a recognised degree taught in English, or a nationality exemption.
Yes. Most applicants must continue to meet the Partner Visa financial requirement when applying for SET(M). This typically means demonstrating an annual income of at least £29,000, sufficient cash savings (£34,600 OR £46,500), or a permitted combination of income and savings, supported by specified documents.
Yes. SET(M) applications can be refused if the requirements of Appendix FM are not satisfied. Common reasons for refusal include incorrect financial evidence, failure to pass the Life in the UK Test, doubts about the genuineness of the relationship, or immigration history issues under Part 9 of the Immigration Rules.
Yes. A successful SET(M) application grants Indefinite Leave to Remain, which is permanent residence in the UK. Once granted, there are no immigration time limits on the applicant’s stay, and they may live and work in the United Kingdom without restriction.
Yes. Most applicants become eligible to apply for British citizenship after holding Indefinite Leave to Remain for 12 months. However, spouses of British citizens may be able to apply immediately after receiving ILR, provided they meet the residence and good character requirements.
Keep up to date with the latest news, insights and events
