DVILR stands for Domestic Violence Indefinite Leave to Remain. It is a provision in the Immigration Rules that allows people whose relationship has broken down due to domestic violence or abuse to apply for permanent residence (ILR) in the UK, regardless of how long they have been on a partner visa.

Who is eligible for DVILR?

You are eligible if you are in the UK on a spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner visa (or the equivalent under the old immigration rules) and your relationship has broken down because of domestic violence or abuse perpetrated by your partner. The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial.

What evidence do I need for a DVILR application?

Evidence can include police reports or crime reference numbers, court orders (such as non-molestation orders or restraining orders), medical reports documenting injuries, letters from domestic violence support organisations or refuges, social services records, and your own detailed personal statement describing the abuse.

Do I have to pay the application fee for DVILR?

The standard ILR application fee applies, but you can request a fee waiver if you cannot afford it. Many DVILR applicants are in financial difficulty because of the abuse, and the Home Office regularly grants fee waivers in these cases. You need to demonstrate that you cannot afford the fee and explain your financial circumstances.

Domestic Violence Provisions (DVILR): Complete Guide

Q: What is the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC)?

The DDVC is a temporary measure that gives victims of domestic violence access to public funds (benefits) for 3 months while their DVILR application is being processed. This is important because most partner visa holders have a 'no recourse to public funds' condition and cannot normally claim benefits.

The DVILR provision allows victims of domestic violence to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain regardless of how long they have been on a partner visa. You need evidence of the abuse, but the provision is deliberately designed to be accessible. Fee waivers are available, and the DDVC gives you access to benefits while your application is processed.

Who Can Apply

The DVILR provision is available to people who are in the UK on a visa as the partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner) of a British citizen or person with settled status, and whose relationship has broken down because of domestic violence or abuse.

Specifically, you must:

Be in the UK with leave as the partner of a British citizen, a person with ILR, or a person with refugee or humanitarian protection status
Have had your relationship break down because of domestic violence or abuse
Not fall for refusal on general grounds (serious criminality, deception, etc.)

There is no minimum time requirement. You can apply even if you have only been in the UK for a few weeks. The provision recognises that abuse can start immediately.

What Counts as Domestic Violence?

The definition of domestic violence for DVILR purposes is broad. It includes:

Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing, restraining, or any physical harm
Emotional abuse: Constant criticism, threats, intimidation, isolation from friends and family
Psychological abuse: Controlling behaviour, gaslighting, manipulation
Sexual abuse: Any unwanted sexual contact or coercion
Financial abuse: Controlling access to money, preventing work, running up debts in your name, withholding financial support

Coercive control (a pattern of controlling behaviour) is recognised as domestic abuse under UK law and is a criminal offence. You do not need to have been physically hit to qualify for DVILR.

Evidence You Need

The Home Office needs evidence that domestic violence occurred. You do not need to prove the abuse beyond reasonable doubt (this is not a criminal trial), but you need to provide enough evidence to establish that the relationship broke down because of abuse.

Strong Evidence

Police reports or crime reference numbers. If you reported the abuse to the police, this is strong evidence.
Court orders. Non-molestation orders, restraining orders, or occupation orders.
Medical records. GP notes, hospital records, or letters from medical professionals documenting injuries or the effects of abuse.
Letters from support organisations. Letters from domestic violence charities, refuges, or support workers confirming your account.
Social services records. If social services were involved, their records can be powerful evidence.

Supporting Evidence

Your personal statement. A detailed, dated account of the abuse in your own words.
Witness statements. From friends, family, or neighbours who witnessed or were aware of the abuse.
Text messages or emails. Threatening or abusive messages from your partner.
Photographs. Of injuries, damaged property, or other evidence of abuse.

You do not need every type of evidence listed above. The Home Office assesses the totality of the evidence. A combination of several types is strongest.

The Application Process

Seek safety first. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 for support and refuge accommodation.
Get legal advice. Many organisations offer free legal advice to victims of domestic violence. This is a case where professional help is strongly recommended. See our guide on solicitors.
Apply for the DDVC. If you need financial support, apply for the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession before or at the same time as your DVILR application.
Submit the DVILR application. This is an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the domestic violence provisions, submitted on the GOV.UK settlement page.
Apply for a fee waiver if needed. Submit the fee waiver request with your application, explaining your financial circumstances.
Attend biometrics. Complete your biometric enrolment at a UKVCAS centre or via the IDV app.
Wait for a decision. Processing times vary. During this period, the DDVC (if granted) gives you access to benefits.

The Destitution Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC)

The DDVC is specifically designed to support DVILR applicants who have no recourse to public funds and are destitute. It:

Gives you access to public funds (benefits such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit) for 3 months
Can be extended if your DVILR application has not been decided within 3 months
Is applied for alongside or shortly before your DVILR application

To apply for the DDVC, you typically need evidence that you are destitute (or at risk of destitution) and that you have experienced domestic violence. A support worker or solicitor can help you with the application.

Fee Waivers

The standard ILR application fee is significant (over £2,000 including the IHS). However, fee waivers are regularly granted for DVILR applications. To request a fee waiver, you must demonstrate that:

You cannot afford the fee
Paying the fee would cause financial hardship
You have explored other options for funding (such as support from family or charities)

Include evidence of your financial situation: bank statements, evidence of benefits (if receiving them under the DDVC), and a statement explaining why you cannot pay.

After DVILR Is Granted

If your application is successful, you receive Indefinite Leave to Remain. This means:

You can live and work in the UK permanently
You have access to public funds
You can apply for British citizenship after 12 months
Your immigration status is no longer tied to your former partner

Getting Help

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24/7)
Refuge: refuge.org.uk
Southall Black Sisters: 020 8571 0800
Rights of Women: 020 7251 6577 (immigration and asylum legal advice line)
Men's Advice Line: 0808 8010 327 (for male victims)
In an emergency: Call 999

Next Steps

If you are experiencing domestic violence, your safety is the priority. Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline or the police. Then seek legal advice about your immigration options.

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