Serving members of the UK’s Armed Forces (Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Gurkhas) may be exempt from UK immigration control. Dependants of serving members may also be eligible to join them in the UK. If you are a member of HM Forces review this section for further information.

Members who have been discharged from HM Forces after four years of ‘reckonable service’, have met the requirement for a medical discharge, and who have not been discharged more than two years prior to the application, can apply for leave to remain in the UK.

Applicants must not be in breach of any immigration laws and must have made a valid application for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Limited leave to remain lasts for 30 months before renewal. Partners of HM armed forces members are entitled to apply for their own Entrance visa as long as they can meet the financial and English Language criteria and are outside the UK. In addition, they must not have been rejected on grounds of suitability. They must have met their partner and intend to live together permanently. An applicant can swap into this visa from another category if they can meet the criteria. The applicant can apply for indefinite leave to enter and remain after they have resided here for a continuous period of 60 months including leave as the partner of the same member of HM Forces.

Temple Gate Solicitors are specialised in HM Forces applications and can help you to apply for this visa. To book a consultation with one of our legal experts contact us on 020 7183 8043 or send us a message by clicking here.