Switch to the 5-Year Partner Route

If you are currently in the UK on a visa but do not yet hold leave under the 5-Year Partner Route or 5-Year Parent Route, you may be able to switch into one of these categories. The 5-year routes are the most direct paths to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship, as they allow settlement after only five years of continuous residence.

This page explains who can switch, requirements you must meet, recent financial changes, and how our firm can help you submit a strong application.

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What Does Switching Mean?

Switching simply means applying from inside the UK to change your immigration route. For example:

Moving from the 10-year partner/parent route to the 5-year route.
Switching from another visa type (student, work, or other) into the partner or parent category, if eligible.

If successful, you will start a fresh qualifying period of 5 years towards settlement.

Who Can Switch?

You may qualify to switch into the 5-Year Partner Route if:

You are married to, in a civil partnership with, or in a genuine and subsisting relationship (2+ years cohabitation) with a British citizen, a person settled in the UK (ILR holder), or someone with refugee/humanitarian protection.
You and your partner both meet the age requirement (18+).
You can demonstrate you live together and intend to continue your relationship in the UK.

You may qualify to switch into the 5-Year Parent Route if:

You have a genuine and subsisting parental relationship with a British child or a child who has lived in the UK for 7 years continuously.
You have direct access to the child, or the child normally lives with you in the UK.
It would be unreasonable to expect the child to leave the UK.

Financial Requirements & Adequate Maintenance

Financial Requirements & Adequate Maintenance for Partner Route (There is no financial requirement for the parent route)

The financial eligibility for switching into a 5-year route is one of the most critical and frequently updated components:

A minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year (combined income with sponsor) applies for partner visas, including fiancé(e), as of April 2024 (GOV.UK).

Source of Income

Employment Income

- Employment Letter
- Payslips
- Bank Statements

Non-Employment Income

- Rental income (requires title deeds, tenancy agreements, bank statements)
- Dividends (investment statements, dividend vouchers, portfolio reports)

Cash Savings

- To meet the full £29,000, you are required to show that you have held £88,500 for at least 6 consecutive months.

Self-Employment

- HMRC tax return (SA302)
- Accounts
- Business bank statements
- Accountant’s letter

Pension

- Documentation from DWP and other government departments.
- Bank statement showing receipt of pension.

Adequate Maintenance

Where your partner is in receipt of certain benefits or allowances in the UK, you may be exempt from meeting the financial requirement by providing evidence of “adequate maintenance”. This includes:

- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Police Injury Pension

Required Documents & Evidence

A detailed breakdown of documentation helps applicants prepare thoroughly:

Completed online application and fee payment
Valid passport (and previous passports, if any)
Evidence of genuine relationship (e.g., photographs, messages, correspondence, shared bills, joint accounts, declarations from friends/family)
Proof of English language: SELT A1 (or exemption via degree or nationality), or via UK-taught degree (with Ecctis verification if from abroad)
Evidence of meeting the financial requirement: payslips, bank statements, savings, etc.
Proof any previous relationship ended: divorce or death certificates
Accommodation details in the UK (proof you have adequate housing)
Evidence of marriage/civil partnership or relationship with child

Need Help with Switching into 5-year Route?

Get clear, practical advice from a team that listens and delivers results. Contact us today to get started.

English Language Requirements & Exemptions

Offer a clearer breakdown for different scenarios:

SEL Test: A1 level required for spouse visa extension; must be from a Home Office-approved provider.
Degree Exemption: University degree taught in English may exempt you—if outside the UK, it requires Ecctis verification.
Automatic Exemptions: Citizens of certain English-speaking countries and those over 65, or those with a specified clinical condition, are exempt (GOV.UK).

Accommodation Requirements

You must show that you have adequate accommodation in the UK. The property must not be overcrowded and must comply with public health regulations.

Application Process & Logistics

Clarify how applicants should proceed and what to expect:

Application in advance: Must be submitted from inside the UK, usually online
Processing times: Typically takes around 12 weeks, but within 24 hours via Super Priority Service inside the UK (if available)

Requirements for Switching

Requirement	Partner Route	Parent Route
Relationship	Married / civil partnership / cohabiting partner (2+ years)	Genuine parental relationship with a British or 7-year child
Financial	Minimum annual income of £29,000 (as of April 2024). Shortfalls can be met with savings or certain benefits exemptions.	There is no set financial threshold, but have to show that you can adequately accommodate and maintain the child without recourse to public funds.
Accommodation	Suitable, non-overcrowded housing where you can live together without public funds unless an exemption applies.	Same requirement applies.
English Language	Must meet CEFR A1 (speaking & listening) unless exempt.	Same requirement applies.
Suitability	No serious immigration breaches or criminal convictions.	Same requirement applies.

Why Switch into the 5-Year Route?

✅ Faster route to ILR — settlement after 5 years, instead of 10.
✅ Greater stability for your family life in the UK.
✅ Access to work, study, and benefits (if eligible).
✅ Pathway to British citizenship once settled.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can switch from the 10-year to the 5-year parent route?

You can switch into the parent route if you have a British or settled child in the UK or your child has lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years. You must demonstrate that you either have sole responsibility or direct access to the child.

How can ICONIQ Solicitors help with switching from the 10-year parent route to the 5-year route?

ICONIQ Solicitors will assess whether you meet the requirements of the 5-year parent route. Once a thorough assessment is conducted, a strong application and representation letter will be prepared to submit the application.

What additional requirements must be met to switch?

The Applicant must show that he can adequately maintain and accommodate himself without recourse to public funds. Further, fluency in English must also be demonstrated through passing the necessary English language test.

How do I evidence parental responsibility and involvement?

A birth certificate is required to be provided to demonstrate that you have parental responsibility. In addition to this, a supporting letter from the other parent confirming that you have access to the child, receipts where items are purchased, call logs and photographs etc.

Will switching reset my ILR qualifying period?

As you will be place on the 5-year route from the 10-year route, this will restart your qualifying period for ILR.

What are my options if the switch is refused?

In such circumstances, the 10-year route will continue. However, where all the requirements were met, but the Home Office refused the application, we can challenge the decision by way of a pre-action protocol letter. In this letter, we will point out the errors made by the Home Office and ask for the decision to be reconsidered.

Switching into 5-year Route