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Family route · SET(M) and SET(F)
ILR on the family route: SET(M) and SET(F)
Two forms, two different groups of people, and one £3,226 fee either way. Choosing the wrong one is the most expensive mistake on this route.
The short answer
SET(M) is for partners of British or settled people completing the five-year probationary period. SET(F) is for other family members such as children, parents and adult dependent relatives. Both cost £3,226 and normally take up to 6 months; SET(M) also requires the financial requirement to be met again.
Which form do you need?
The distinction is about who you are in relation to the person sponsoring you, not about how long you have been here.
| Your situation | Form | Qualifying period |
|---|---|---|
| Partner of a British citizen or settled person, on the 5-year partner route | SET(M) | 5 years |
| Child of a British citizen or settled person, or of a person on the partner route | SET(F) | 5 years, or as specified in your leave |
| Parent of a child in the UK, on the parent route | SET(F) | 5 years |
| Adult dependent relative | SET(F) | As specified in your leave |
| Victim of domestic abuse whose leave depends on a partner | SET(DV) | Immediate |
| Bereaved partner | SET(M) or SET(O), depending on leave | Immediate |
If you have held a mixture of family leave, or switched between routes, the form depends on the leave you currently hold rather than the one you started on. This is worth checking before you pay: the Home Office treats an application on the wrong form as invalid in some cases, and refuses it in others.
SET(M): partners
SET(M) is the settlement application for partners who have completed the probationary period under Appendix FM. The requirements mirror the earlier extension application, with two differences that matter.
- The relationship must still be genuine and subsisting, and you must intend to live together permanently
- The financial requirement must be met again, at £29,000 or £18,600 depending on when the first application was made
- Cohabitation evidence must cover the whole period, not just the last two years
- Life in the UK test and B1 English, unless exempt
- No general grounds for refusal
The full evidence picture is set out in our spouse visa settlement guide, including how savings combine with income and which exemptions apply.
SET(F): children, parents and dependent relatives
SET(F) covers family members who are not partners. The financial test is different from SET(M): instead of a fixed income threshold, the Home Office assesses adequate maintenance and accommodation — that is, whether your family can meet its essential living costs without recourse to public funds, and whether the accommodation is suitable.
For a parent route application, expect to document:
- your income, benefits and essential outgoings, showing a positive balance after housing and council tax
- evidence of your relationship with the child, and of the child's other parent's involvement or absence
- housing evidence: a tenancy or mortgage, and confirmation that the property is not overcrowded
- school, GP and childcare documents showing the child's life in the UK
Children applying under SET(F) do not need the Life in the UK test or an English certificate. Adults applying as a parent do, unless they are 65 or over or meet the exemption for a long-term condition.
Adult dependent relatives
This is the narrowest family route. It requires evidence that you cannot obtain the required care in your home country, that it is not available or affordable there, and that a relative in the UK can provide it. Applications are refused more often than they are granted, and the evidence standard is high.
Including children
A child can normally be included where they are under 18 and not leading an independent life, and where they hold leave as your child. Each person included pays the full £3,226 fee.
Two practical points come up repeatedly:
- Consent: where the child's other parent has parental responsibility, the Home Office expects evidence of their consent or of a court order.
- British citizenship: a child born in the UK does not need ILR. Once a parent is settled, the child may be registered as British, which is usually cheaper and simpler than a settlement application.
Settling a child who was born abroad and has lived here most of their life is still worthwhile: ILR gives them the same rights as a settled adult, and citizenship follows after twelve months if they are over 18.
Domestic abuse and bereavement
Two situations allow immediate settlement, without completing the probationary period.
Domestic abuse
If your permission to stay depends on a partner who has been abusive, you can apply under the domestic violence concession on form SET(DV). You do not need your partner's cooperation, and you do not need to wait for the five years. A fee waiver is available where paying £3,226 would be unaffordable; the waiver is decided on your finances and evidence of the abuse.
Refuge and specialist domestic abuse services can help with the evidence and with emergency accommodation. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Bereavement
If your partner has died, you may apply for settlement as a bereaved partner, provided you were granted leave as their partner. Apply promptly: leave that depends on the deceased partner does not survive indefinitely, and the evidence needed includes the death certificate and proof of the relationship.
What our family route service covers
Fixed-fee legal work, with the Home Office fee paid separately.
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Form selection and eligibility opinion for every applicant | Home Office fees, test fees, translations and courier costs |
| Financial or adequate maintenance calculation with supporting schedule | Family court proceedings, divorce or custody disputes |
| Document review, representations and submission | Applications for relatives outside the UK |
| Biometric booking and caseworker correspondence to decision | Appeals and judicial review, quoted separately |
Fees are published on the fees page; the Home Office fee and service standards are on fees and processing times.
Frequently asked questions
SET(M) or SET(F) — how do I know?
It depends on the leave you hold. Partners on the five-year partner route use SET(M); children, parents and dependent relatives use SET(F). If your history includes more than one route, check before paying.
Which children can be included?
Under-18s who are not leading an independent life and who hold leave as your child. Each pays £3,226. A child born in the UK may instead be registered as British once a parent is settled.
Can I apply immediately if I have experienced domestic abuse?
Yes, on SET(DV). The five-year period does not need to be complete, and a fee waiver is available if you cannot afford the fee. Specialist services can help with evidence and safety planning.
What is the financial requirement for the family route?
SET(M) uses the minimum income requirement: £29,000, or £18,600 for pre-April 2024 cases. SET(F) uses adequate maintenance and accommodation, which is a budget test rather than a salary threshold.
Do children need the Life in the UK test?
No. Under-18s are exempt, as are applicants aged 65 and over. Adults applying as a partner or parent normally need Life in the UK and B1 English.
Free eligibility check
One form, one fee, one chance to get it right
Tell us what leave you hold and who is applying. We will confirm the form, the fee and the evidence before you submit anything.
No commitment. SRA-regulated solicitors.
Family applications, checked properly
Children, parents, bereavement and abuse cases all follow different rules. A short review avoids paying the fee on the wrong form.
- Correct form confirmed in writing
- Every applicant assessed separately
- Fee waivers and concessions identified
No commitment. Reply within one business day. SRA-regulated solicitors.