ILR After Relationship Breakdown Due to Alleged Domestic Abuse

[Ayezal]

breakdown of their relationship to the Home Office and claims to be a victim of domestic violence. She may have submitted evidence such as police crime reference numbers, domestic abuse support letters and witness statements (he found some of these on her laptop).

She has told him that she has informed the Home Office and asked him to leave their rented home within two days. The tenancy is in her name. She has a 10-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, and they have no children together. She has also alleged that he assaulted her daughter, which he says is untrue.

Since starting work in February 2026, my cousin has given his entire salary to his wife and has proof of these payments. He has also paid significant amounts towards his mother-in-law’s medical expenses from his business income in his home country and has evidence of this.

He has not yet received any communication from the Home Office. His colleague suggested that he apply for ILR as a victim of domestic abuse, based on financial abuse.

Would he be eligible for ILR on this basis, and what are his chances of success? What other evidence could he provide? Would hiring an immigration solicitor make a significant difference?

He came to the UK in January 2024, started working in January/February 2026, and his current visa expires in the next few weeks.

What would be the best option for him, and what evidence should he gather?

[zimba]

Being granted ILR under this route after just two years, is mostly not possible. This feels like an attempt to stay in the UK when the applicant no longer has a legitimate reason to stay in the UK, as the relationship seems to have has broken down. Giving your money to your spouse willingly and then becoming angry that you did not get something in return, is not financial abuse.

The threshold for granting ILR under the domestic violence route is understandably high to avoid abuse. In the past, applicants have made such claims to circumvent the immigration system and as a way to stay in the UK when it was not appropriate. UKVI will evaluate the evidence and seriousness of the case to see if granting ILR is appropriate. The stronger the evidence, the higher the chance of being granted ILR.

There is an official guide on this. Look for 'Table of evidence' in this guide: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... olence.pdf