You don’t have to choose between your safety and your immigration status.
If your partner is using your visa to control you, or you’re afraid that leaving will put you at risk of losing your right to stay in the UK, we can help. InTime Immigration Solicitors support victims applying for ILR domestic violence (SET(DV)) with confidential, compassionate advice and robust case preparation.
Talk to an immigration solicitor today, privately and without pressure.
If you are in immediate danger
If you are at risk right now, call 999. If it is not an emergency, call 101.
Your safety comes first, immigration advice can follow once you are safe.
What is ILR domestic violence?
The Home Office recognises that no one should be forced to stay in an abusive relationship just to keep their visa.
ILR domestic violence (the SET(DV) route) can allow some people on a partner visa to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if their relationship breaks down permanently because of domestic abuse.
If your application is successful, you can usually stay in the UK permanently, in your own right, without relying on your partner for your immigration status.
This route most commonly applies if you came to the UK on a:
Unmarried partner visa
Who we can help
You may be able to apply for ILR domestic violence if:
you were granted a UK visa as your partner’s spouse/civil partner/unmarried partner
the relationship has permanently ended because of domestic abuse
you meet the Home Office domestic abuse rules (including the suitability requirements).
If you’re not sure where you stand, that’s completely normal. Eligibility can depend on the exact visa route you were granted and the details of your situation, and small details can make a big difference.
We can support you whether the abuse involved physical violence, threats, coercive control, emotional abuse, financial control, sexual abuse, or psychological abuse.
Domestic abuse is not just physical violence
Domestic abuse isn’t always physical abuse, and the Home Office recognises that.
It can include controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, as well as emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse. So even if you’ve never been physically assaulted, you may still have a strong basis to apply. Threats, intimidation, isolation, and financial control can all matter.
We also know how hard it can be to speak about what you’ve been through, especially if you’ve experienced domestic abuse over a long period of time. We’ll treat you with respect and sensitivity, and we’ll only ask for what we genuinely need to prepare your application carefully and professionally.
The correct application form: SET(DV)
The main route for ILR domestic violence is the SET(DV) application.
To make a valid SET(DV) application, you will usually need to:
be in the UK
submit the correct form and make a valid application (including the fee, or a fee waiver if eligible, and biometrics)
not fall for refusal under the Home Office suitability requirements
meet the eligibility rules for the domestic abuse route
And yes, it can feel like a lot, especially if you’re dealing with trauma, unstable housing, or financial stress. In certain circumstances, short-term help may be available under the destitution domestic violence concession. That’s exactly why we’re here. We handle the legal process and prepare your application carefully, so you can focus on staying safe and rebuilding stability.
Evidence: what you may need (and how we help)
A strong ILR domestic violence application is built on:
a clear legal framework (showing you meet the rules), and
the right evidence (showing the relationship ended due to domestic abuse).
Evidence can include (examples):
police reports, incident logs, cautions or convictions
court orders (e.g., non-molestation / occupation orders)
letters from doctors, hospitals, or mental health professionals
letters from domestic abuse support services, refuges, or an IDVA
social services involvement (where relevant)
other documents that support your account and demonstrate the breakdown of the relationship
You do not need a criminal conviction to make a successful application.
Worried you don’t have “enough evidence”?
That’s very common, and it doesn’t mean you don’t have a case. Many victims don’t have easy access to documents, especially where an abusive partner controlled money, phones, emails, or important paperwork.
We can advise you on:
what evidence is realistic in your circumstances
how to present your case clearly and safely
what alternative evidence can be used if the “standard” documents aren’t available
Most importantly: don’t put yourself at risk trying to collect documents. Tell us what you can and can’t safely access, and we’ll guide you through safer options.
Accessing public funds and urgent support (where relevant)
For some people, leaving safely also means needing immediate support, for housing, basic living costs, or stability while the immigration side is being sorted. In certain situations, there may be urgent options available under the domestic abuse concession.
We can advise you on:
what urgent support routes may apply to you
which applications should be made, and in what order
how to avoid gaps in your immigration status
Because timing can be critical, it’s best to speak to a solicitor as early as you safely can.
Our ILR domestic violence legal service
From the moment you contact a immigration solicitor for domestic abuse victims like Intime solicitors, you don’t have to carry this alone. We can take care of your case from start to finish, including:
a confidential eligibility assessment based on your visa route, your partner’s status (for example, whether they are a British citizen), and your circumstances
advice on safe next steps, whether you’re planning to leave or have already left
a clear document checklist and evidence plan tailored to you
a detailed legal representation letter to the Home Office
preparing and submitting your SET(DV) application
checking your documents for consistency, gaps, and refusal risks
support with any Home Office queries, and clear advice on next steps after a decision
You’ll have a dedicated legal professional guiding you at every stage, with calm, practical advice throughout.
Our Unique Winning Process
01 – Confidential case assessment
We take time to understand your immigration history, your partner route, and what has happened, sensitively and privately.
02 – Strategy and evidence plan
We advise you on the best legal route (SET(DV) or alternatives) and the evidence that will strengthen your case.
03 – Document preparation
We help you gather, organise and present evidence safely, including professional letters where appropriate.
04 – Application submission
We complete and submit your ILR domestic violence application carefully to avoid errors, omissions, or unnecessary delays.
05 – Ongoing support
We stay with you through outcomes and next steps (including where there are complications, refusal risks, or further legal options).
Why choose InTime Immigration Solicitors?
When you’re dealing with abuse, the last thing you need is confusion, judgement, or being passed around. You need clear advice, careful preparation, and a team that treats your situation with the seriousness and sensitivity it deserves.
Specialist immigration solicitors with experience in ILR and settlement applications
A calm, professional approach that is compassionate and trauma-aware
Careful case preparation to reduce stress and strengthen your application
Clear communication, you’ll understand what’s happening and exactly what we need from you
Confidential handling of sensitive information, always
Accessible, in-person support from welcoming offices in Chester, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent, so you can speak to a solicitor face to face when it matters most
Speak to a solicitor today, confidentially
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you reach out. If your visa depends on your partner and you’re thinking about leaving (or you’ve already left), a quick conversation with a solicitor experienced in UK immigration law can give you clarity, options, and a safe plan forward.
In a confidential consultation, we can tell you:
whether you can apply for ILR domestic violence (SET(DV))
what evidence could work in your situation (even if you have limited documents)
whether any urgent support options may be available
what to do next to protect your immigration status and avoid gaps
Call us now or request a private callback, we’ll respond discreetly.
FAQs – ILR domestic violence (SET(DV))
Do I have to stay with my partner to keep my visa?
If your visa depends on your relationship, separation can affect your status, but you may be able to apply for ILR under the domestic abuse route. Get legal advice as early as possible.
Do I need physical injuries or police involvement?
No. Domestic abuse can include coercive control, threats, financial abuse, and emotional abuse. Evidence can come from different sources.
What if my partner is not the abuser (e.g., a family member)?
In some cases, the Home Office definition includes abuse by family members. Eligibility still depends on your immigration route and facts, we can advise.
Can I include my children?
Possibly, depending on their immigration status and circumstances. We will advise on the correct approach.
What if my visa is about to expire?
You should get urgent legal advice. Timing matters, and submitting the right application properly can help protect your status.
