Migrant victims of domestic abuse concession

Domestic Violence - 3 months concession

Domestic violence includes physical, emotional, psychological, financial or coercive behaviour.

Those in the UK on a partner visa whose relationship has broken down due to domestic abuse can obtain temporary leave to remain for 3 months and claim public funds (benefits) during that period.

This applies to individuals in the UK on a spouse, civil partner, or durable partner visa — now including partners of those on work, student, or graduate routes.

Requirements

To qualify, you must show:

1. The relationship ended because of domestic abuse;

2. You require a short-term period to stay independently from your sponsor;

3. You intend to apply for settlement (ILR) or another visa within those 3 months if on a family visa: those here on a partner visa of a student or worker CANNOT APPLY FOR ILR.

Outcome

Successful applicants are granted a 3-month leave to remain (during which you can apply for benefits) and Access to public funds, including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, etc.

Those on a family visa must then make arrangement to apply for indefinite leave to remain, another visa or leave the country.

Former partners of those here on a student or work visa must apply for another visa or make arrangements to leave the country.

Examples of domestic violence

🔴 Physical Abuse

Hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, or biting.
Use of weapons or objects to cause harm.
Forcible restraint or confinement.
Preventing access to medical help.
Throwing objects or destroying property as intimidation.

🔵 Emotional Abuse

Constant criticism, humiliation, or belittling.
Blaming the victim for problems or abuse.
Gaslighting (making the victim question their reality or sanity).
Ignoring or excluding the victim deliberately.
Threatening to harm themselves or others to control the victim.

🟣 Psychological Abuse

Isolating the victim from family, friends, or support networks.
Monitoring communication or movements (e.g. reading messages or following them).
Making threats (e.g. to take away children, report them to immigration, or harm themselves or others).
Undermining self-esteem or instilling fear.

🟠 Financial Abuse

Controlling access to money or financial resources.
Forcing the victim to account for every penny spent.
Preventing the victim from working or accessing benefits.
Running up debts in the victim's name.
Withholding essentials such as food, clothing, or transport.

⚫ Coercive or Controlling Behaviour

As defined by law (especially Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015), examples include:

Repeatedly making threats or using intimidation to control.
Telling the victim who they can see, where they can go, or what they can wear.
Enforcing rules that the victim must follow under threat of punishment.
Making the victim dependent (e.g. through isolation, manipulation, or restricting access to help).

Example in Immigration Context:

A spouse on a UK Spouse Visa may experience abuse like:

Threats of deportation if they report the abuse.
Being told they cannot access services or benefits because of their immigration status.
Having their passport taken away and being told they are not allowed to leave the house or contact their embassy.