A relationship ending or the death of a partner can change your immigration position, and the Home Office may expect to be told. If you are at risk of domestic abuse, there are separate provisions, and your safety comes first.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- GOV.UK says you usually must tell the Home Office if you separate or divorce and your visa is based on your relationship, for example a partner or dependant visa. The same applies if your ex-partner’s visa depends on you. British National (Overseas) visa holders do not need to tell the Home Office.
- After a relationship ends you must either apply to stay in the UK on another basis or leave.
- If you get back together you must also update the Home Office.
- GOV.UK directs people at risk of domestic abuse to separate help for victims of domestic violence or abuse.
- If your partner has died, GOV.UK says you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain where your partner was a British citizen, held indefinite leave to remain, or was an EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein national with pre-settled status, and your permission was based on being their partner.
- A bereaved partner can apply at any point after the death without waiting for their current visa to end, and must be in the UK when applying.
What usually decides the outcome.
- Whether your permission depends on the relationship that has ended.
- Whether any other basis for staying exists, such as work, private life or children’s circumstances.
- Dates: how long your current permission has left, and what must be reported and how.
- Safety and support, if domestic abuse is involved.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.