Status
Your last grant
You must have (or last have had) permission as a partner (e.g., under Appendix FM/EU routes or specified legacy routes).
- We check your grant history and any gaps
- No qualifying years’ residence needed for SET(DV)
Indefinite Leave to Remain • Victim of Domestic Abuse (SET(DV))
Domestic Abuse ILR (SET(DV)) — settle without a 5-year wait
We confirm eligibility under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse, build sensitive evidence of relationship breakdown due to abuse, assess fee waiver or the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC), and file a clean, decision-ready ILR application. No KoLL (Life in the UK/English) is required for the main applicant.
Eligibility at a glance — Domestic Abuse ILR (SET(DV))
We confirm you meet Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse (VDA), guide evidence of abuse and relationship breakdown, advise on fee waiver/MVDAC, and file a decision-ready ILR application.
Abuse
Relationship ended due to abuse
Domestic abuse includes emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, coercive or controlling behaviour.
- We evidence permanent breakdown caused by abuse
- Includes transnational marriage abandonment
Location
In the UK or from overseas
Apply in the UK on form SET(DV). If abandoned overseas, you can apply for entry clearance to return.
- We prepare the correct online form and submissions
Evidence
Proving abuse & impact
There’s no single required document — a range of sources is accepted.
- Police reports, court orders, GP/hospital letters
- Support service letters, social worker/school letters
- Witness statements, texts/emails, financial evidence
KoLL
Life in the UK & English
Not required for the main SET(DV) applicant.
- Dependent children aged 18+ may need KoLL/English
Support
MVDAC & fee waiver
You may qualify for the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (temporary leave with public funds) and/or a fee waiver.
- We assess eligibility and apply where appropriate
Suitability
General grounds
Standard checks (Part 9) on criminality, deception and debts apply.
- We address risks and prepare mitigation where relevant
Documents you’ll usually need
We use a trauma-informed approach, accept a wide range of evidence, and prepare a clean, indexed PDF bundle for upload.
Identity & status
- Current & previous passports (if available)
- BRP/eVisa; previous grants as a partner (Appendix FM / eligible routes)
- Any Home Office correspondence or reference numbers
Relationship
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate (or evidence of durable relationship)
- Proof of cohabitation or shared responsibilities (where safe/available)
- Short timeline explaining permanent breakdown due to abuse
Abuse — formal
- Police reports, incident logs, crime reference numbers
- Court orders (non-molestation, occupation orders), undertakings
- GP/hospital/mental-health letters describing injuries/impact
Abuse — third-party
- Letters from refuges/IDVA/ISVA, domestic abuse charities
- Social worker, school, safeguarding or housing letters
- Employer/HR statements (attendance, safeguarding actions)
Abuse — personal
- Personal statement describing incidents and impact
- Photos of injuries/damage; screenshots of messages/emails
- Financial control records (bank access blocks, debt, withheld funds)
Children
- Birth certificates; parental responsibility/court orders (if any)
- School/GP letters evidencing needs, safeguarding or impact
- Contact arrangements and support network evidence
Support
- Fee waiver: income/outgoings, hardship, third-party support letters
- MVDAC (temporary leave with public funds): evidence of abuse + destitution/safety needs
- Proof of accommodation (refuge/host/tenancy) where available
Other
- KoLL is not required for main SET(DV) applicants
- Translations for any non-English documents
- Safe redactions for sensitive addresses/contact details
Important: There is no single mandatory document. UKVI can accept a range of evidence, including personal statements and third-party letters. If it is unsafe to gather items, tell us — we prioritise your safety and can still proceed with alternative proofs.
How your SET(DV) application runs
A trauma-informed, step-by-step process that keeps you safe and gets your case decision-ready.
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Step 1
Safety & route check
Confirm you qualify under Appendix VDA, assess immediate safety needs, and check eligibility for the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and/or a fee waiver.
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Step 2
Evidence plan (trauma-informed)
We map a sensitive evidence plan (formal, third-party, and personal proofs), use safe redactions, and gather only what’s necessary to prove abuse and permanent breakdown.
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Step 3
Forms & legal representations
Complete the online SET(DV) application, prepare your personal statement and our representations, and compile a clean, indexed PDF bundle matching Home Office criteria.
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Step 4
Biometrics & upload
Book UKVCAS biometrics/ID verification, upload evidence, and keep addresses/contact details confidential where needed.
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Step 5
Decision & next steps
We monitor the case, respond to any requests, and on approval confirm your eVisa status and practical entitlements. No KoLL is required for the main SET(DV) applicant.
Fees & processing times (SET(DV))
Official Home Office fees and typical timelines. Priority services may be available at checkout.
Application fee
Indefinite Leave to Remain
£3,029
Per applicant (main or dependant). Biometrics/ID verification required.
Home Office fees table (from 1 July 2025).
Fee waiver
Appendix VDA fee waiver
Available
If the fee is unaffordable, you can request a waiver with financial evidence. We assess and submit this first where appropriate.
Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse & guidance.
Priority
Faster decision (where available)
Priority: +£500
Super Priority: +£1,000
Priority aims for ~5 working days; Super Priority aims for next working day after biometrics.
GOV.UK premium service fees.
Timelines
Typical processing time
Standard: usually within ~6 months
We monitor your case and keep addresses/contact details confidential where needed.
Based on GOV.UK guidance & current practice.
IHS: ILR applications do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge. KoLL: Not required for the main SET(DV) applicant (dependant children aged 18+ may need KoLL/English). Support while applying: The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) can provide 3 months’ temporary permission and access to public funds so you can leave safely and prepare your case.
SET(DV) — FAQs
Quick answers to common questions. For advice on your facts, book a confidential consultation.
Who can apply under SET(DV)?
Those who have (or last had) permission as a partner and whose relationship has permanently broken down due to domestic abuse (including coercive/controlling behaviour or transnational marriage abandonment).
I never reported to the police — can I still apply?
Yes. There is no single mandatory document. UKVI may accept a range of evidence: medical letters, refuge/IDVA letters, social services/school notes, texts/emails, financial records and your statement.
My visa has expired — what can I do?
You may still be able to apply. Tell us your dates; we’ll assess options and prepare explanations/mitigation where appropriate.
I was abandoned overseas — can I apply from abroad?
Yes. If you were taken/left abroad (transnational marriage abandonment), you can apply for entry clearance to return and be considered under the VDA rules.
Do I need the Life in the UK test or English?
No. The main SET(DV) applicant does not need KoLL (Life in the UK/English). Dependants aged 18+ may need to meet KoLL/English where applicable.
Can I get a fee waiver or temporary support?
You may be eligible for a fee waiver if the fee is unaffordable. The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) can grant 3 months’ temporary permission with access to public funds while you prepare your case.
How long does it take? Can I get priority?
Standard decisions are typically within a few months. Priority/Super Priority may be available at checkout; we’ll confirm availability when filing.
What about my children?
Children can apply with you where eligible. We’ll evidence best interests and care arrangements and confirm any KoLL/English needs for those 18+.
Ready to submit your SET(DV) application?
We’ll protect your safety, assemble a trauma-informed evidence bundle, and file a decision-ready ILR application.