Family Visa Status if I become unemployed

[bashamy]

Hello,

I am a naturalised British Citizen (in 2023 and was previously in ILR since Oct-2020). My wife and children are in Family Visa, valid until Jun-2026. My family is eligible to apply for ILR only in May-2026. My questions are

• If I lose my job, will my family visa become invalid immediately (because my family annual income become zero without a job)? and do they have to leave the UK?

• OR can my family stay here until May-2026, when they had to apply for ILR? This means, I have more time to search & start job before that.

[CR001]

Their visa does NOT just become invalid.

For ILR, you need at least 6 months evidence of income.

[bashamy]

Thanks. What happens If I get a job only 1 or 2 months before their ILR? There is a high chance that, my income could be 0 for some months (considering job market situation now in UK). Does this mean that, they will have to leave the country and are not eligible to apply for ILR? Eg: Let's say I get a job in Apr-2026 so I can only show the payslip for Nov-25 and Apr-26. I cannot show from Dec-25 till Mar-26. What happens in such cases?

[CR001]

They won't qualify for ilr and will likely have to extend on flr fp, which will be a 10 year route to ilr if you dont meet the financial requirments.

Does your spouse work?

[bashamy]

No, my wife is not in any job. I am the only working person in the home. Does it mean that, I must have a job before my notice period / garden leave ends?

[Ticktack]

No, my wife is not in any job. I am the only working person in the home. Does it mean that, I must have a job before my notice period / garden leave ends?

Yep, it means you must have a job at least 6 -7 months before the apply for ILR. Or your spouse gets a job.

[bashamy]

Tough time for me then. Will they have to leave the country in that case and then bring them back again in family visa after I get the job?

Can I not show my 1 year payslip and highlight that it is still more than minimum annual income required for a family?

[CR001]

They won't qualify for ilr and will likely have to extend on flr fp, which will be a 10 year route to ilr if you dont meet the financial requirments

Not sure why you think they have to leave when you have already been advised there is a route if you dont meet the income requirments.

[bashamy]

Sorry one more question. If company offers PILON (Payment in Lieu of Notice), Can I take it and shows as income for 2 months instead of getting pay every month in Garden Leave? or Should pay/income definitely have to be monthly rather than PILON?