Can I settle in the UK if my partner dies?

The term partner can mean a spouse, civil partner or someone you have been living with in a relationship that is similar to a marriage or civil partnership for a minimum period of at least 2 consecutive years.

An individual may be eligible to apply for ILR based on bereavement where:

• Their partner has passed away;
• Their partner was either a British citizen or settled in the UK (i.e. holding ILR or status under the EU Settlement Scheme) at the time of death;
• The individual has permission to be in the UK based on being their partner, under a family visa; and
• The relationship with the partner was genuine.

The ILR application can be made at any time following the partner’s death and prior to the expiry of the individual’s existing family visa. Dependant children under the age of 18 can also be joined on the ILR application.

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