You can apply after 5 years in the UK as either: a refugee someone with humanitarian protection If your application is refused Your settlement application may be refused if you’ve got a criminal record or been in prison - read why applications are refused . If you still need humanitarian protection or are a refugee, you can stay in the UK for 3 more years. Your refusal letter will explain what you’ve been offered instead of settlement.

You must apply online . You’ll be told what documents you need to provide when you apply. Get help using a computer to apply online You can get help with: accessing a computer or the internet finding the right information on GOV.UK You cannot get advice on: whether you’re eligible to apply what information to put in your application an application you’ve already made Telephone: 03333 445 675 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Find out about call charges Text: ‘VISA’ to 07537 416 944 visa@we-are-digital.co.uk Providing biometric information and supporting documents When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). Any children aged 6 and over who are applying on your form must also provide biometric information. You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can: upload them to the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment You must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. When to apply You should apply during the last month of your current permission to be in the UK. Fees There’s no fee for applying for settlement as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection.

Your partner or child may be able to join or stay with you in the UK if: you were part of a family before you were forced to leave your country you have refugee status, 5 years’ humanitarian protection or settlement on protection grounds but do not yet have British citizenship Your partner or child cannot join you if: you have not received a decision on your asylum claim you’re under 18 If their application is successful, your family members will be allowed to come to or stay in the UK with the same permission as you. Eligibility Your partner and any children must meet the following requirements. Partner Your partner is someone you’re in a genuine relationship with. You must be able to prove one of the following: you’re married you’re in a civil partnership If you’re not married or in a civil partnership, your partner may be able to join you if: you were given refugee status or humanitarian protection on or after 9 October 2006 you’ve lived together in a relationship like in a marriage or civil partnership for 2 years and you’ve been given asylum or humanitarian protection after 9 October 2006 You and your partner must intend to live together and continue your relationship after they apply. Children Your child is: under the age of 18 going to live with you and your partner not married or in a civil partnership Apply outside the UK Your partner or child must apply online for family reunion. You can apply on behalf of your child but, in most cases, your partner must make their own application. They’ll also have to complete application form VAF4A with Appendix 4 . They’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of their application. North Korea Your partner or child cannot apply online if they’re applying from North Korea. They need to download application form VAF4A with Appendix 4 . They should read the guidance on filling in the form and the instructions for North Korea . Apply in the UK Your partner or child can apply to stay with you in the UK if all the following are true: you have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK they’re making their first application to stay with you and they’re already in the UK they can prove their relationship pre-dates your departure from your home country because of persecution They must apply by letter to: UKVI Family Reunion Team Admin Team 7th Floor Capital Building Liverpool L3 9PP Providing biometric information and supporting documents When your family member applies, they’ll be asked to make an appointment at a Service and Support Centre to provide their biometric information (their fingerprints and a photo) and have their supporting documents checked. Fees There’s no fee for applying for family reunion for eligible family members.

Family applying as dependants

If you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection, your family members can apply for settlement on the same form as you if they’re already in the UK. Family members are: your partner (husband, wife, civil partner or the person you’ve been in a genuine relationship with for 2 years before applying to settle) your child or children - born in the UK or abroad Eligibility Your family members must either have been given permission to be in the UK with you: as your dependant, at the same time you were granted asylum or Humanitarian Protection using the family reunion route A child of yours born in the UK who is not a British citizen is also eligible. You need to provide evidence of your relationship - check the application form. Children over 18 You can only include your children over 18 in your settlement application if: they were granted as your dependant when you got your original grant of asylum and leave to enter or remain they were granted leave to enter or remain by applying for family reunion Other exceptions You cannot include a partner or other dependant who: already has permission to be in the UK in another category is currently in the UK without permission Apply You must apply online . You’ll be told what documents you need to provide when you apply. Get help using a computer to apply online You can get help with: accessing a computer or the internet finding the right information on GOV.UK You cannot get advice on: whether you’re eligible to apply what information to put in your application an application you’ve already made Telephone: 03333 445 675 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Find out about call charges Text: ‘VISA’ to 07537 416 944 visa@we-are-digital.co.uk Providing biometric information and supporting documents When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). Any children aged 6 and over who are applying on your form must also provide biometric information. You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can: upload them to the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment You must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. When to apply You should apply during the last month of your current permission to be in the UK. Fees There’s no fee for applying for settlement for a family member. If your application is refused If you have a criminal record or have been in prison, you may be refused settlement. If you still need humanitarian protection or are a refugee, you can stay in the UK for 3 more years. Your refusal letter will explain what you’ve been offered instead of settlement.

Settlement: refugee or humanitarian protection

Overview

You can apply to settle in the UK (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve got a residence card as a:

refugee
person with humanitarian protection

Check if you’re eligible in the relevant category.

Fees

There’s no fee for applying for settlement as a refugee or person who’s been given humanitarian protection.

Family members

You may be able to include your partner and any children on your settlement application if they’re already in the UK as your dependants. This includes children born in the UK.

Check if your family member is eligible.

If your application is successful, your family members will have the same permission to stay in the UK as you do.

If you cannot include your family members on your settlement application

If your family was formed before you left your country, your partner and children can apply to be reunited with you in the UK.

Your family members must apply for a visa to join you in the UK if one of the following is true:

they’re not eligible to apply as a partner or a child
your family was formed after you left your country

If your application is successful, your family members will have permission to stay in the UK for the same length of time as you.

Print entire guide

Settlement: refugee or humanitarian protection

Overview

Fees

Family members

If you cannot include your family members on your settlement application

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Tell us whether you accept cookies

Settlement: refugee or humanitarian protection

Overview

Fees

Family members

If you cannot include your family members on your settlement application

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK