Indefinite Leave to Enter as a Victim of Domestic Violence: Complete UK Guide 2025

If you’re currently outside the UK on a spouse or partner visa and your relationship has broken down due to domestic violence, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) as a victim of domestic abuse. This route offers a pathway to settlement in the UK without requiring you to remain in an abusive relationship.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about applying for Indefinite Leave to Enter as a victim of domestic violence, including eligibility requirements, the application process, and what happens after approval.

What Is Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) as a Victim of Domestic Violence?

Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) as a victim of domestic violence is a settlement route for people who held (or last held) permission as a partner in the UK, but whose relationship has permanently broken down due to domestic abuse. This route allows you to apply for entry clearance from outside the UK and return with settled status.

The key difference between ILE and ILR is simple: ILE is for applications made from outside the UK, while ILR is for applications made from inside the UK. Both grant you settlement status, which means you can live and work in the UK without time restrictions.

This route is governed by Appendix Victims of Domestic Abuse in the Immigration Rules and was designed to protect vulnerable individuals who have suffered abuse in their relationships with UK-based partners.

Who Can Apply for ILE as a Victim of Domestic Violence?

You may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Enter as a victim of domestic violence if you meet the following conditions:

• You are currently outside the UK
• You held (or last held) permission as a partner on a specified route
• Your relationship with your UK partner has permanently broken down due to domestic abuse
• You were abandoned outside the UK by your partner

The Home Office recognises domestic abuse as any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between partners. This can include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse.

Eligibility Requirements for ILE as a Victim of Domestic Violence

To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Enter as a victim of domestic violence, you must meet several specific requirements set out by UKVI.

Immigration Status Requirement

You must have held (or last held) permission in one of the following categories:

• A partner under Appendix FM (except as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner) of a British citizen, settled person, or EEA national with limited leave
• A spouse, civil partner, or durable partner under Appendix EU with limited leave as a family member
• A partner under Appendix FM, Part 11, or Appendix Family Reunion (Protection) of a person with refugee status
• A partner of a settled person under paragraph 285 or 295E of Part 8
• A victim of domestic abuse under Appendix FM
• A partner under Appendix Armed Forces or Part 7 (except as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner) of a British citizen, foreign and Commonwealth citizen with reckonable service, or HM Armed Forces member
• Leave granted outside the rules under the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (formerly the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession)

If you previously held a spouse visa or unmarried partner visa, you would typically fall into one of these categories.

Breakdown of Relationship Due to Domestic Abuse

The relationship between you and your partner must have permanently broken down as a result of domestic abuse. You’ll need to provide evidence of the abuse, which can include:

• Police reports or crime reference numbers
• Court orders (such as restraining orders or non-molestation orders)
• Medical records documenting injuries or mental health impacts
• Letters from support organisations or domestic abuse charities
• Statements from witnesses
• Text messages, emails, or other communications showing abusive behaviour

Abandoned Outside the UK

Since you’re applying for entry clearance from outside the UK, you must demonstrate that you were abandoned outside the UK by your partner. This means your partner left you abroad or prevented you from returning to the UK.

Tuberculosis Test Requirement

If Appendix Tuberculosis applies to your country, you must provide a valid medical certificate confirming that you’ve undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that the disease is not present. Check the NHS approved testing centres in your country for more information.

Suitability Requirements

You must not fall for refusal under Part 9 of the Immigration Rules (grounds for refusal). This means you should not have serious criminal convictions, immigration history issues, or other factors that would make you unsuitable for settlement in the UK.

Importantly, you do not need to pass the Life in the UK test or meet English language requirements when applying for ILE as a victim of domestic violence from outside the UK.

How to Apply for Indefinite Leave to Enter as a Victim of Domestic Violence

The application process for Indefinite Leave to Enter as a victim of domestic violence involves several steps. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Complete the Online Application Form

Visit the gov.uk website and complete the online application form titled “Return to the UK”. This is the specified form for Indefinite Leave to Enter applications as a victim of domestic violence.

Step 2: Pay the UKVI Fees or Apply for a Fee Waiver

Once you’ve completed the application form, you’ll need to submit it online by paying the Home Office UKVI fees. However, if you cannot afford to pay the fee, you can apply for a fee waiver (more on this below).

Step 3: Book Your Biometrics Appointment

After submitting your online application, create an account on your local visa application centre’s web portal and book your biometrics enrolment appointment. You’ll need to provide your fingerprints and photograph.

Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents

Before your biometrics appointment date, upload all your supporting documents online. These should include evidence of your previous immigration status, proof of domestic abuse, your passport, and any other relevant documentation.

Step 5: Attend Your Biometrics Appointment

Attend your biometrics appointment at the visa application centre. Bring your passport and your biometrics appointment letter with you.

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

After your biometrics enrolment, wait for a decision on your application. The Home Office typically decides on Indefinite Leave to Enter applications as a victim of domestic abuse within 60 working days from the biometrics enrolment date.

Can I Apply for a Fee Waiver for ILE as a Victim of Domestic Violence?

Yes, you can apply for a fee waiver for your Indefinite Leave to Enter application as a victim of domestic violence. This is particularly important for abuse survivors who may have limited financial resources.

You don’t have to pay the application fee if you can provide evidence that you:

• Do not have a place to live and cannot afford one
• Have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
• Have a very low income, and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Evidence to support your fee waiver application can include:

• Recent bank statements showing your financial situation
• A signed letter from your local authority confirming your circumstances
• A signed letter from a domestic abuse support agency that has been helping you
• Proof of benefits or income support

The fee waiver provision recognises that victims of domestic abuse often face financial control or hardship as part of the abuse they’ve experienced.

What Happens If My ILE Application Is Refused?

If the Home Office refuses your application for Indefinite Leave to Enter as a victim of domestic violence, you have two main options: administrative review or reapplication.

Administrative Review Process

If you’ve been given the right to administrative review against the refusal decision, you must file it within 28 days of receiving the refusal. Administrative review can be successful if the decision maker made a caseworker error when deciding your application.

Common caseworker errors include:

• Failing to consider evidence you submitted
• Applying the wrong Immigration Rules
• Making factual errors about your circumstances
• Not following proper procedure

If you believe the decision contains a clear error, administrative review can be a faster and more cost-effective option than reapplying. However, administrative review is limited in scope and cannot be used to submit new evidence or arguments that weren’t in your original application.

Reapplying After Refusal

If you don’t believe you can successfully challenge the refusal through administrative review, you may be able to reapply for Indefinite Leave to Enter as a victim of domestic violence. Before reapplying, carefully review the refusal reasons and address any shortcomings in your new application.

You might need to:

• Gather additional evidence of domestic abuse
• Provide clearer documentation of your immigration history
• Address any gaps or inconsistencies in your original application
• Obtain updated medical certificates or police reports

After ILE Approval: Your Path to British Citizenship

Once you’ve been granted Indefinite Leave to Enter as a victim of domestic violence, you may be wondering about your next steps, particularly if you’re interested in becoming a British citizen.

Naturalisation Timeline

You can apply for British citizenship through naturalisation 12 months after you’ve been granted ILE, provided you’ve been lawfully resident in the UK for the last five years before your application.

However, if you’re married to a British citizen, the requirements are more favourable:

• You need only three years of lawful residence instead of five
• There’s no requirement to wait 12 months after being granted ILE before applying

Residence and Absence Requirements

When applying for naturalisation, your absences from the UK matter:

• For five-year residence: No more than 450 days absent during the five years before application
• For three-year residence (spouse of British citizen): No more than 270 days absent during the three years before application
• For all applicants: No more than 90 days absent in the last 12 months before application

Meeting these requirements demonstrates your commitment to making the UK your permanent home. Use the ILR eligibility calculator to check if you meet the residence requirements before applying.

Need Help with Your ILE Application?

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Enter as a victim of domestic violence can be emotionally challenging, especially when you’re dealing with the aftermath of abuse. The application process requires careful attention to detail, comprehensive evidence gathering, and an understanding of complex Immigration Rules.

If you’re considering applying for ILE as a victim of domestic violence and need professional legal support, our specialist immigration solicitors in Manchester are here to help. We understand the sensitive nature of domestic abuse cases and provide compassionate, confidential support throughout the application process.

Our team can assist you with:

• Assessing your eligibility for ILE as a victim of domestic violence
• Preparing a comprehensive list of required documents
• Gathering and organising evidence of domestic abuse
• Completing your application form accurately
• Applying for a fee waiver if you’re eligible
• Preparing a detailed cover letter to support your application
• Representing you if your application is refused
• Advising on administrative review or reapplication options

We offer fixed-fee services with flexible payment plans, and we’re open seven days a week to accommodate your needs. All casework is handled by fully qualified and experienced immigration solicitors who specialise in UK Visas & Immigration Services.

Call us today on 0161 464 4140 or book your appointment online to discuss your situation in confidence. We’re committed to helping you secure your future in the UK and move forward from the abuse you’ve experienced.

Don’t face this process alone. Let our experienced team guide you through every step of your Indefinite Leave to Enter application and help you build a new life free from abuse.