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.
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.
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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.
( 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)
( 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
Private life
- * Job title, duties and SOC code (going-rate check)
- * Historic CoS details (if relevant) and current role description
- * Any national pay scale/sector evidence (e.g., NHS, teachers)
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
How your SET(DV) application runs
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.
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.
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.
Step 4 - Biometrics & upload
Book UKVCAS biometrics/ID verification, upload evidence, and keep addresses/contact details confidential where needed.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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).the UK under the continuous residence rules and check absences across each relevant 12-month period, applying any permitted exceptions where they fit your circumstances.