Settlement for Armed Forces Families

Indefinite leave to remain for members of HM Forces and their families.

For serving and discharged members of HM Forces, and for the partners and children of a member of the forces, who are ready to apply for settlement.

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Settlement for forces families runs on its own part of the Immigration Rules, Appendix HM Armed Forces. The qualifying periods, the way service overseas is treated and the evidence required are different from the ordinary work and family routes, so using the right route matters.

Who this covers

Foreign and Commonwealth members of HM Forces applying after qualifying service.
Partners of a member of HM Forces, whether the sponsor is serving or discharged.
Children of a member of HM Forces.

What we check

The length and continuity of qualifying service, and how any break is treated.
Whether time posted overseas counts towards the qualifying period rather than breaking it.
The financial requirement, where it applies to the application in question.
The Life in the UK test and English language requirement, and whether an exemption applies.
Any criminal or disciplinary matter, which may take the application outside our Level 1 authorisation.

Evidence that matters

Service records, a certificate of service and confirmation from the unit carry more weight than general employment evidence. Where a posting abroad is relevant, we ask for the posting orders rather than relying on a summary.

Apply in time
The rules set time limits for applying after discharge from service, and they depend on the circumstances. Check the current rules and apply well within them.
Family members do not automatically hold the same status as the serving member. Each person's permission should be checked separately.
If a time limit has already passed, the matter is not a straightforward Level 1 application, and we will signpost you to an appropriately authorised adviser.

How WLIS can help

1 We check that the route suits your plans and that the matter is a straightforward one within our IAA Level 1 authorisation.
2 We review your eligibility and your documents, and explain plainly anything that needs attention.
3 We give you a document checklist written for your circumstances rather than a generic one.
4 We prepare the application form and supporting documents, and you check and approve the final information before anything is submitted.
5 We help with submission, biometrics or identity steps, and your eVisa and UKVI account after the decision.

What we can and cannot help with

We provide advice and application assistance for straightforward immigration matters within our IAA Level 1 Immigration authorisation. Where a matter falls outside that authorisation — for example because it involves adverse immigration history, a discretionary or human-rights claim, an administrative review, an appeal or tribunal work — we will tell you and signpost or refer you to an adviser authorised at the appropriate level.

If an application is refused, we will explain the decision and whether any further work remains within our Level 1 authorisation. Where an administrative review, an appeal or other higher-level casework is needed, we will signpost or refer you to an appropriately authorised adviser. We do not provide appeal or tribunal representation.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) makes the final decision on every application. No immigration adviser can guarantee that an application will be approved.

Our IAA regulation How we work Fees

Questions clients often ask

Does time posted overseas break my continuous residence?

Not usually. Service overseas as a member of HM Forces is generally treated differently from an ordinary absence from the UK, and time on an overseas posting can count towards the qualifying period. The posting orders are the evidence that establishes this, so keep them.

My partner is discharged. Can I still apply on this route?

Often yes, but the position depends on when the discharge happened and how long the qualifying service was. The rules set time limits after discharge that depend on the circumstances, so check the position early rather than leave it.

Which documents matter most in a forces settlement application?

Service records, a certificate of service and confirmation from the unit carry more weight than general employment evidence, and posting orders are what establish that time spent abroad was service rather than an ordinary absence. Gather them before the application is prepared.

Official sources we check

We check what we publish against the Home Office's own guidance. These are the GOV.UK pages behind the advice on this site — use them to confirm anything you read here, because the rules change and the official page is always the current one.

GOV.UK content is published by the UK government and is not part of this website.

Talk to us about settlement for armed forces families

Tell us what you want to apply for, the status you hold now and when your current permission ends. We will confirm whether the matter is within our Level 1 authorisation and offer a suitable appointment.

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The enquiry button opens the secure WLIS enquiry form on enquiry.wlisuk.com in a new tab. Please do not send identity documents until we ask for them.