UK Bereaved Partner Application Guidance: Settlement After the Death of a Partner

Losing a partner is devastating. Where immigration status in the UK has been tied to that relationship, bereavement can also create urgent uncertainty. The Bereaved Partner route exists to prevent a surviving partner from being forced to leave the UK because their sponsoring partner has died. Under Appendix Bereaved Partner, a qualifying applicant can apply for settlement, without waiting to complete a standard five-year qualifying period, and without meeting an English language or Life in the UK requirement for the partner application itself. 

What Is a Bereaved Partner Visa?

Although commonly referred to as a “bereaved partner visa”, this is in substance a settlement route. A successful applicant is granted indefinite leave to remain. The route is governed by Appendix Bereaved Partner of the Immigration Rules. 

For most applicants, the application must be made from within the UK. The main exception concerns certain applicants whose last grant of permission was under Appendix HM Armed Forces, who may in some limited circumstances apply from overseas. 

Who the Bereaved Partner Route Is For?

This route is for an applicant who is a surviving spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner whose last grant of permission was on the basis of their relationship with a British citizen, a person settled in the UK, a relevant EEA national in the UK with pre-settled status under Appendix EU, a person granted leave under the legacy Part 8 partner provisions, or a qualifying member or former member of HM Armed Forces. It also includes an applicant whose last grant of permission was as a Bereaved Partner. 

Permission as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner does not qualify.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for a Bereaved Partner Visa?

A bereaved partner application is not subject to a financial requirement, and there is no requirement to show a minimum period of cohabitation after the partner’s death. The key legal question is whether the applicant falls within Appendix Bereaved Partner and can establish that the relationship was genuine and subsisting immediately before the sponsor’s death.

Entry requirements for the Bereaved Partner route

An applicant applying from outside the UK must obtain entry clearance on the Bereaved Partner route before travelling to the UK. Where Appendix Tuberculosis applies, the applicant must also provide a valid tuberculosis certificate confirming that they do not have active pulmonary tuberculosis. In practice, however, the overseas entry clearance route is limited. It is generally relevant only where the applicant last held permission as the partner of a qualifying member or former member of HM Armed Forces.

Immigration status requirements for a Bereaved Partner in the UK

An applicant applying from within the UK must have, or last have had, permission as a qualifying partner. This includes leave as a partner under Appendix FM, certain legacy Part 8 partner provisions, a previous grant as a Bereaved Partner under Appendix FM, or partner leave under Appendix HM Armed Forces or Part 7.

The relevant sponsor must fall within one of the categories specified by the Rules, including a British citizen, a person settled in the UK, a relevant EEA national with pre-settled status under Appendix EU, or certain qualifying members or former members of HM Armed Forces. Leave as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner does not satisfy this requirement.

Immigration status requirements for a Bereaved Partner overseas

An applicant applying from overseas may qualify only in more limited circumstances. This applies where the applicant last held permission as the partner of a qualifying member or former member of HM Armed Forces under Appendix HM Armed Forces or Part 7.

The deceased sponsor must, at the time of death, have fallen within one of the specified categories, namely a British citizen, a serving foreign and commonwealth member of HM Forces, or a person connected with discharge from HM Armed Forces in accordance with the Rule. Again, leave as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner is excluded.

Relationship requirement for a Bereaved Partner

The applicant must show that the person who was their partner at the time of the last grant of partner permission has died. The applicant must also establish that the relationship was genuine and subsisting immediately before the partner’s death.

In addition, the applicant must be able to show that the couple were living together in the UK and intended to live in the UK permanently.

Knowledge of English Language and Life in the UK

The Bereaved Partner route does not require the applicant to pass the Life in the UK Test or meet an English language requirement for the partner application itself.

When to Apply for a Bereaved Partner Visa

An application on the Bereaved Partner route may be submitted at any time after the sponsor’s death and does not need to be deferred until the applicant’s existing leave is due to expire. For most applicants, the route is intended to be used from within the UK, so careful attention should be paid to timing, particularly where current permission is close to expiry or the applicant is temporarily abroad.

In practice, the strongest approach is usually to proceed once sufficient evidence of the death, the qualifying relationship and cohabitation in the UK has been assembled, while avoiding unnecessary delay that could complicate the applicant’s immigration position.

Bereaved Partner Application: Documents and Evidence

A bereaved partner application will usually require the applicant to provide a current passport or other valid travel document, previous passports held during residence in the UK, the partner’s death certificate, evidence of the relationship such as a marriage or civil partnership certificate, and evidence showing that the couple were living together. Evidence of cohabitation should usually cover the period from the grant of partner permission up to the partner’s death. 

Can Dependent Children Apply With a Bereaved Partner?

Yes. Appendix Bereaved Partner allows dependent children to apply on the route, and a child may be eligible to obtain settlement at the same time as the bereaved parent.

A child may be included where, among other things, they already hold permission based on being the deceased partner’s dependant, they were under 18 when that permission was granted, they will live with the bereaved parent in the UK, and they will be adequately accommodated and maintained.

The Rules impose additional requirements for a dependent child of a Bereaved Partner, including the relevant relationship requirement for settlement, care requirement, and age and independent life requirement under Appendix Children. Unless exempt, a child applicant may also need to satisfy English language and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements.

What is the Application Process for a Bereaved Partner Settlement Application?

For most applicants, the application is made online using form SET(O). The Rules specify SET(AF) for relevant Appendix HM Armed Forces applicants and SET(O) for other bereaved partners and children included with them.

A valid application also requires payment of the relevant fee unless a fee waiver is granted, enrolment of biometrics when required, and satisfactory proof of identity and nationality. 

How much does a Bereaved Partner Settlement Application cost?

As of March 2026, the application fee is £3,029 per applicant.

A fee waiver may be available where the applicant cannot afford the fee and meets the relevant destitution or low-income criteria. A person is considered destitute if they:

• do not have adequate accommodation or any means of obtaining it (whether or not their other essential living needs are met)
• have adequate accommodation or the means of obtaining it, but cannot meet their other essential living needs

An applicant who claims to be destitute must:

• submit the relevant application form but not submit the specified fee
• provide evidence on the form or on any attachments to the form that they have no means to pay the specified fee

Applicants are not expected to seek a loan to pay the fee and third parties are not expected to pay the fee on their behalf.

How Angelov Solicitors Can Help?

At Angelov Solicitors, we provide solicitor-led advice throughout the bereaved partner settlement process.

Our full representation for a Bereaved Partner application typically includes:

• assessing whether Appendix Bereaved Partner is the correct route
• identifying any risks arising from the applicant’s immigration history or suitability concerns
• providing legal advice on the requirements under the Appendix Bereaved Partner
• advising on the required supporting documents and reviewing any collated documents 
• drafting a detailed letter of representations addressing the applicant’s circumstances and the relevant Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance
• completing and preparing the application for submission; and

• where relevant, advising on dependent child applications

Why Instruct a Solicitor for a Bereaved Partner Settlement Application?

Bereaved partner applications are sometimes described as straightforward. Some are. Many are not.

The legal test is narrow, and the evidential burden can be more exacting than applicants expect. The Home Office will not simply assume that a surviving spouse or partner qualifies because the relationship existed historically. The application must be framed under the correct rule set, supported by appropriate evidence, and presented in a way that addresses the requirements clearly.

Professional legal advice is especially valuable where:

• there were periods of temporary separation;
• the applicant has limited documentary evidence in joint names;
• the deceased partner’s immigration or nationality position needs analysis;
• there are dependent children with linked applications;
• there has been previous overstaying, refusal, or alleged deception.

Contact Angelov Solicitors for Your Bereaved Partner Settlement Application

If a partner has passed away and the applicant’s right to remain in the UK was linked to that relationship, it is important to take legal advice on the correct settlement route without delay. A properly prepared bereaved partner application can result in immediate indefinite leave to remain, but only where the Rules are correctly met and properly evidenced.

Angelov Solicitors provides strategic, solicitor-led advice on bereaved partner settlement applications, dependent child applications and related immigration matters. To discuss a Bereaved Partner application in confidence, contact us to arrange a consultation.