The journey to naturalizing in the UK involves moving to the UK with the right visa, getting an ILR, then an FLR visa, and finally applying for citizenship. An FLR visa is important to Zimbabweans because it allows them to continue living in the UK after their current visa expires.
For a Zimbabwean to apply for an FLR visa, he/she need to already be residing in the UK and must have established a private life in the country. The private life could be a family-related, a job, a business or any other valid reason for extending one’s visa.
Although the FLR visa has come to most immigrants’ aid in allowing them to extend their stay, some changes have been recently made to the FLR visa which could affect Zimbabwe nationals.
As a Zimbabwean national, it is important that you are aware of these changes and how to prepare for their impact. This article will educate you on everything you need to know about the recent changes, eligibility changes for Zimbabwe citizens, essential documents you need to gather and the step-by-step process to apply.
What Zimbabwe Citizens Need to Know About UK FLR Visa Changes in 2025
The FLR visa is an acronym for ‘Further Leave to Remain’ visa, and it is not the same as an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). An FLR visa is temporary and only allows you a visa status to be extended for a specific period (usually 30 months) while an ILR gives you the right to permanent residency in the UK.
The FLR visa is categorized into four –
- FLR (FP) – on the basis of the applicant’s family life as a partner.
- FLR (HRO) – for human rights claims
- FLR (M) – for partners or dependent children.
- FLR (LR) – for those who have lived in the UK for up to 10 years or more
This visa is significant for Zimbabweans who wish to ask the Home Office to extend their legal stay in the UK beyond the original validity of their visa.
Zimbabweans usually apply for the FLR visa if they don’t wish to be separated from family members or an active job in the UK so that they can be legally allowed to stay back when their visa expires.
New Guidelines for Zimbabwe Citizens on Extending Their UK Visas
Key changes in UK immigration laws for Zimbabwe nationals in 2025
On April 11, 2024, a major change was made concerning the FLR visa which only affects individuals applying after said date. This significant change, which mainly focuses on an increase in the minimum income level required for a UK resident to sponsor their partner.
For instance, if an individual wishes to sponsor his/her partner, the minimum income requirement has been increased from £18,600 to £29,000. This increase has had an impact on lots of Zimbabwean citizens residing in the UK.
There’ve been rumours of a plan to further increase it to £38,700 which will make it more difficult for Zimbabwean citizens to stay back after their visa expires.
Challenges Zimbabwe citizens might face with FLR visa changes
UK residents who are not financially stable may find it difficult to meet up to this new financial requirement, hence, causing family members to split up.
How UK FLR Visa Policy Updates Impact Zimbabwe Nationals
This update affects UK residents (whether British or non-British nationals) who wish to start a family or continue living as one in the UK. Due to the inability to raise the minimum income level required for them to apply for an FLR visa, they get separated from their spouse.
Thus, the changes in UK FLR visa affect family settlement options. Children may be forced to grow without one of their parents, and a spouse will be separated from his/her partner until they can finally meet up with the requirement.
Those who cannot afford it can apply for government grants to help them out, however, they have to be sure that they are qualified to access these grants. They can also apply for a fee waiver before they make their FLR (FP) application – only if they are destitute.
On the flip side, even families who can afford the requirement will still feel the effect of spending such an amount of money on their finances.
Eligibility Changes for Zimbabwe Citizens Applying for UK FLR Visas
For Zimbabwe citizens applying for the UK FLR visa, they need to meet the following requirements:
- Already residing in the UK with an existing visa
- Prove that you’ve had several years of continued residency in the UK
- Present a valid Zimbabwean passport to prove your identity
- Presenting supporting documents such as proof of property ownership to show your connection to Zimbabwe.
- Pass the English language proficiency test
- Pass medical and criminal background checks
If you have the minimum income required to apply, then you can demonstrate sufficiency by providing recent bank statements showing that you’ve had that amount in your bank for at least 28 consecutive days.
Then, if required, you need to present a bank letter confirming that the money funds are accessible and have been held in your account for 28 days. You also need to provide a currency conversion document showing the equivalent of the money in your account in GBP (This applies where the money is held in a currency other than British pounds).
To support your proof of funds, you need to present any of the following documents – employment details, investment statements and sponsorship details.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for FLR Visa as a Zimbabwe Citizen
To successfully apply for the UK FLR visa as a Zimbabwe citizen, follow the steps below:
- Fill out the online application on the UK government official website.
- The online form will require you to provide the following information:
- Your full names
- Date of Birth
- Current passport
- Copies of the photo page in your passport
- Copies of entry stamps in your previous passports
- Details of previous immigration application (if you’ve made on before)
- Criminal records (whether you are clean or have been convicted before)
- Your NIN number
- Parents’ DOB and nationality (for those applying from outside the UK)
- Tuberculosis test results
- Certified translation of documents not written in English or Welsh.
- Once this information and these documents are ready, you can begin your application.
To apply for a fee waiver before you start your application, you must prove that you don’t have a place to live and cannot afford one, that you have a place to live but cannot afford other essential living costs, or that you have a very low income and paying the fee will affect your child’s wellbeing.
Seeking Legal Advice: When to Consult an Immigration Lawyer
The right time for Zimbabwe citizens to seek legal advice from an immigration lawyer is now, while they are still preparing to start their application.
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