The Family Life 10 Year Route provides an essential pathway to UK settlement for partners and parents who cannot meet the financial requirements of the standard 5-year family visa route. This comprehensive guide covers the eligibility criteria, application process, 2026 fees, and the journey to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for those on the 10-year route. Whether you're applying as a partner of a British citizen or as a parent with a genuine relationship with your child in the UK, this guide explains how to navigate the FLR(FP) application process and build your case for settlement.
Understanding the Family Life 10 Year Route to Settlement in 2026
The 10 year family route exists to protect family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) for individuals who have established genuine family connections in the UK but cannot satisfy all the requirements of the standard 5-year partner or parent route. This route is fundamentally different from the Private Life Route, which is based on an individual's personal ties to the UK rather than family relationships.
What is the 10 Year Route to Settlement?
The 10 year route to settlement is an alternative pathway to ILR for partners and parents who meet the relationship requirements but cannot satisfy the financial threshold (currently £29,000, increasing to £38,700). Instead of two extensions over 5 years, applicants make four FLR(FP) applications over 10 years before qualifying for indefinite leave to remain.
The family life 10 year route was introduced to ensure that genuine family relationships are protected even when financial circumstances prevent applicants from meeting the standard income requirements. This route acknowledges that compelling circumstances—such as caring responsibilities, disability, or the best interests of children—may justify a longer pathway to settlement rather than refusing the application entirely.
Why Choose the 10 Year Route Over the 5 Year Route?
You don't "choose" the 10 year route—it applies when you cannot meet all requirements of the 5 year route, particularly the minimum income threshold. If you meet the relationship and other requirements but cannot demonstrate £29,000+ annual income, refusal would breach your Article 8 rights, so the Home Office grants limited leave on the 10 year route instead.
The key advantage of the 10 year route is that it has no minimum income threshold. While you must still demonstrate you can maintain yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds, the strict financial requirement of the 5 year route does not apply. This makes it accessible to applicants in lower-income households, those with caring responsibilities, or those facing temporary financial hardship.
Family Life 10 Year Route Requirements
To qualify for the family life 10 year route, you must meet all the eligibility requirements except those that triggered your placement on the 10 year route (typically the financial requirement). The Home Office will grant limited leave on this route when refusal would breach your Article 8 rights to family life.
Core Eligibility Requirements
- Genuine Relationship: You must be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner, or have a genuine parental relationship with your child
- Sponsor Status: Your partner must be a British citizen, person with settled status (ILR), or person with refugee/humanitarian protection status
- English Language: Meet the English language requirement at A1 level (initial), A2 (extension), and B1 (ILR)
- Accommodation: Have adequate accommodation for you and your family without recourse to public funds
- Suitability: Meet the suitability requirements (no serious criminality, deception, or public interest concerns)
- Immigration Status: Not be in the UK in breach of immigration laws, or have a reasonable explanation for any overstaying
Continuous Residence Requirement
Maintaining continuous residence is essential for the 10 year route. You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period. Excessive absences can reset your qualifying period or result in refusal of your extension or ILR application.
Family Life as a Partner (10 Year Route)
The family life as a partner 10-year route applies to spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners of British citizens or settled persons who meet the relationship requirements but cannot satisfy the minimum income threshold. You must prove a genuine and subsisting relationship, meet English language requirements, and demonstrate you can maintain yourselves without recourse to public funds.
Partners on the 10 year route must demonstrate the same relationship evidence as those on the 5 year route. The key difference is the absence of the strict financial requirement—instead of proving £29,000+ annual income, you must show that you can adequately maintain yourselves without becoming a burden on public funds.
Evidence Requirements for Partner Applications
- Relationship Evidence: Marriage certificate, cohabitation records, joint financial accounts, photographs, correspondence
- Accommodation Evidence: Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, council tax bill, confirmation letter from landlord
- Financial Evidence: Bank statements, payslips, employment letters (no minimum threshold, but must show self-sufficiency)
- English Language: Test certificate at appropriate level (A1/A2/B1) or proof of exemption
- Identity Documents: Valid passport, BRP, and sponsor's passport/status evidence
Parent 10 Year Route to Settlement
The parent 10 year route allows parents of British or settled children to remain in the UK when they have a genuine parental relationship and it would not be reasonable for the child to leave. Parents must have either sole parental responsibility, or access rights being exercised, and demonstrate the child's best interests are served by the parent remaining in the UK.
Parents applying under the 10 year route must demonstrate they are taking an active role in their child's upbringing. This includes evidence of access arrangements, financial support, involvement in the child's education and healthcare, and regular contact. For detailed guidance on parent applications, see our Parent of a British Child Visa guide.
Parent Route Eligibility Criteria
Fees, Processing Times & ILR 10 Year Route Application
How Much Does the 10 Year Family Route Cost?
Each FLR(FP) extension costs £1,321 plus Immigration Health Surcharge (£2,587.50 for 30 months for adults). With four extensions needed before ILR (£3,029), the total cost for a single adult applicant is approximately £18,000-£20,000 over 10 years. Fee waivers may be available for applicants who can demonstrate destitution.
The 10 year family route involves significant costs due to the multiple applications required. For current Home Office fees, see our dedicated fees guide.
Processing Times
Standard processing for FLR(FP) applications takes approximately 8-12 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Processing may take longer for complex cases or during peak periods. For the latest processing times, see our guide on UK visa processing times.
ILR Application Requirements
After completing 10 years on the family life route with continuous residence, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. You must meet the following ILR application requirements:
- 10 years continuous residence on the family life route
- No more than 180 days absence in any 12-month period
- English language at B1 level (or exemption)
- Life in the UK test pass certificate
- Meet suitability requirements (good character)
- Ongoing genuine relationship (partners) or parental relationship (parents)
- £3,029 ILR application fee
- The 10 year route has no minimum income threshold—you must show self-sufficiency without accessing public funds
- Four FLR(FP) extensions are required before ILR eligibility (total 10 years)
- Fee waivers are available for FLR(FP) applicants who can demonstrate destitution
- You can switch from the 5 year route to 10 year route if circumstances change
- After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months
For detailed guidance on the settlement requirements, see the official Immigration Rules Appendix Settlement Family Life on gov.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 10 year route to settlement in the UK?
The 10 year route to settlement is an immigration pathway that allows partners and parents to remain in the UK based on Article 8 family life when they cannot meet all requirements of the 5 year route. Applicants receive four 30-month grants of limited leave before becoming eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 10 years of continuous residence.
Can I switch from the 5 year route to the 10 year route?
Yes, you can switch from the 5 year route to the 10 year route if your circumstances change and you can no longer meet the financial requirements. However, time spent on the 5 year route may count toward your 10 year qualifying period, depending on when you switched. Conversely, if your financial situation improves, you may be able to switch back to the 5 year route, but time on the 10 year route does not count toward the 5 year route.
What are the financial requirements for the 10 year family route?
Unlike the 5 year route, the 10 year family route has no minimum income threshold. You do not need to prove £29,000+ annual income. However, you must demonstrate that you can adequately maintain yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds. This means showing you have sufficient income or savings to meet your living costs, even if below the standard financial requirement.
How much does the Family Life 10 year route cost in total?
For a single adult, the total cost is approximately £18,000-£20,000 over 10 years. This includes four FLR(FP) extensions at £1,321 each (£5,284 total), four IHS payments of £2,587.50 each (£10,350 total), biometrics fees, and the final ILR application (£3,029). Costs may be reduced through fee waivers if you qualify based on destitution.
What is the difference between the Family Life and Private Life 10 year routes?
The Family Life 10 year route is based on your relationship with a partner or child in the UK—you're applying because of family ties. The Private Life route is based on your individual connection to the UK (such as 20 years residence or spending half your life here if under 25) regardless of family relationships. Different eligibility criteria apply to each route, though both lead to ILR after 10 years.
Can I work on the 10 year family route?
Yes, you can work freely in the UK while on the 10 year family route. There are no restrictions on the type of employment you can undertake, and you can be self-employed or run your own business. You can also study. The only restriction is that you cannot access public funds (benefits) unless your immigration status specifically permits it.
Am I eligible for a fee waiver on the 10 year route?
Yes, fee waivers are available for FLR(FP) applications if you can demonstrate that you are destitute or would become destitute by paying the fee. You must provide comprehensive evidence of your financial circumstances, including income, savings, debts, and essential expenditure. If approved, the waiver covers both the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. Fee waivers are not available for ILR applications.
What happens after I get ILR on the 10 year route?
After obtaining ILR, you have the right to live and work in the UK permanently without visa restrictions. You can access public funds and NHS services without paying the Immigration Health Surcharge. After holding ILR for 12 months, you become eligible to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation, provided you meet the residency and other requirements. Citizenship grants voting rights and a British passport.