Individuals admitted or permitted to stay in the UK with a visa and who become victims of domestic violence may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) if their relationship has broken down through domestic violence and can supply corroborative evidence of this.
Domestic violence can be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or financial and includes threatening or controlling behaviour.
An applicant applying for a domestic violence visa needs to be a spouse, civil, unmarried, same-sex partner of a:
- a British citizen or person who has ILR
- an individual with pre-settled or settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme
- a member of the armed services with 4 years service
- a person with refugee status.
A person who has been 'abandoned' outside the UK, may also be able to apply for a domestic violence visa from overseas.
For those applying for a domestic violence visa from within the UK, it may be possible to claim public benefits and permission to live here through the ‘Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession’ for up to 3 months, but the application for the domestic violence visa must be submitted during this period.
Those granted ILR through the domestic violence visa category will be able to live and work here indefinitely. This category recognises that individuals should not be penalised nor feel obligated to remain in an abusive relationship.
We understand domestic violence visa cases are sensitive. We have assisted individuals who have found themselves in this position with positive outcomes. It is obviously better to supply evidence which can be documented of the domestic violence, but this is not always possible. It is therefore important to have your case evaluated.
Alternatively click on the links below for frequently asked questions.
