Domestic Violence

If your relationship with a British citizen or a person settled in the United Kingdom has broken down as a result of domestic violence, you may be able to apply for permission to live permanently in the United Kingdom.

To be given permission to live here permanently as a victim of domestic violence, you must prove that:

you have been given permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as the spouse, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner of a British citizen or a person settled here (even if that permission is no longer valid);
your relationship was existing and genuine (not a 'marriage of convenience', for example) when you were last given permission to enter or remain; and
you were the victim of domestic violence, and this is what caused the relationship to break down before the end of your permission to enter or remain.

Some domestic violence support organisations can give you a letter to support your application, which you may need as evidence that you are a victim of domestic violence. Organisations have to be registered on the Home Office.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, the helplines below can give you practical help and advice including:

emergency refuge accommodation;
safety planning and advice; and
translation facilities if you have difficulty communicating in English.
Calls to these helplines are free except where shown.

Helpline Phone number Opening hours


National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247 (24 hours a day)
Northern Ireland Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 917 1414 (24 hours a day)
Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 027 1234 (24 hours a day)
Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 80 10 800 (24 hours a day)
Men's Advice Line (for male victims of domestic violence) 0845 064 6800 (Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm )
Dyn Wales Helpline (for male victims of domestic violence in Wales) 0808 801 0321 (Monday and Tuesday, 10am-4pm. Wednesday, 10am-1pm)
Southall Black Sisters (for black women victims of domestic violence) 020 8571 9595 (calls are not free) Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm