Key Takeaways

• You must tell the Home Office when a relationship ends if your visa is based on it.
• Visa curtailment: you will normally get 60 days’ notice to leave the UK or switch into another visa.
• Ways to stay include the Parent route (if you have a British or settled child), Domestic Abuse ILR, Private life, or work visas.
• Current immigration climate: the minimum income requirement for family visas is £29,000, and work visa salary thresholds are higher than before.

1) What changes the moment you separate or divorce?

If your right to live in the UK is based on your marriage, you must notify the Home Office when that relationship ends. This applies whether you are legally divorced or separated.

2) How to tell the Home Office

You can tell the Home Office online or by post. You’ll need to provide your details, your partner’s details, and information about any children.

• Online: GOV.UK “Visas when you separate or divorce” form.
• By post: Send a covering letter and completed statement form to the Status Review Unit in Liverpool.

3) Curtailment: the 60-day window explained

Once informed, the Home Office will usually curtail your visa, leaving you with about 60 days to either apply for a new visa route or leave the UK. In exceptional circumstances, more time may be granted.

4) Options to stay in the UK after divorce

Parent route

If you share a British or settled child and play an active role in their life, you may apply to remain in the UK as their parent.

Victim of Domestic Abuse

If your marriage ended because of domestic abuse, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain under the domestic abuse route.

Work visa

If you have a qualifying job offer with sponsorship, you may be able to switch into a Skilled Worker visa. Be aware of the higher salary thresholds introduced in 2025.

Private life or long residence

If you have strong ties or have lived in the UK for 10 years or more, you may be able to apply under the private life route.

5) The 2025 immigration landscape

• The minimum income requirement for partner visas is now £29,000.
• Skilled Worker visas have tougher salary thresholds.
• The government’s May 2025 immigration white paper proposes 10 years for most settlement routes, but partners of British citizens remain on the 5-year track for now.
• Refugee family reunion is temporarily suspended, signalling a tighter approach overall.

6) Real-world scenarios

No children, no job offer

Your visa will be curtailed and, unless you qualify for another route, you’ll need to leave the UK when it expires.

British child, active parent

You may be able to apply under the Parent route and remain in the UK on 2.5-year grants of leave.

Domestic abuse

You can apply for indefinite leave to remain immediately as a victim of domestic abuse.

Job offer meeting Skilled Worker rules

You can switch into a Skilled Worker visa if your salary and role meet the requirements.

7) Quick FAQs

Do I have to wait until the divorce is final?

No. You should notify the Home Office as soon as the relationship ends.

When does the 60-day clock start?

It starts from the Home Office decision letter curtailing your visa, not the day you separate.

Can I get more than 60 days?

Yes, in exceptional circumstances, such as child welfare or medical reasons.

What if the relationship ended due to domestic abuse?

You may qualify for indefinite leave to remain under the domestic abuse route.

8) Need help with divorce paperwork?

If you’re going through a divorce, our fixed-fee services make the legal side simple:

• Online Divorce from £199
• Clean Break Consent Order (solicitor-drafted) £399

Questions? Call 01793 384029