Glossary

Common terms and abbreviations you’ll see on forums and throughout this guide.

Core Immigration Bodies

UKVI – UK Visas and Immigration. The department responsible for visas and immigration decisions.

HO – Home Office. The UK government department overseeing immigration.

VAC – Visa Application Centre. Where applicants attend biometrics appointments.

EC – Entry Clearance. Permission to enter the UK when applying from outside the UK.

FLR(M) – Further Leave to Remain (Marriage). Extension visa after the first spouse visa.

ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain. Permanent residence status after completing the spouse visa route.

LTR – Leave to Remain. Permission to stay in the UK for a specific period.

LTE – Leave to Enter. Permission to enter the UK.

EUSS – EU Settlement Scheme. Immigration scheme for EU citizens post-Brexit.

Applicant – The person applying for the visa.

Sponsor – The UK-based partner who supports the application (must be a British citizen or settled person).

Dependent – A child applying as part of the family visa.

Partner – Includes spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation).

Subsisting relationship – A genuine, ongoing relationship.

MIR – Minimum Income Requirement. Minimum income needed to sponsor a spouse.

SE – Specified Evidence. Documents required to prove income (payslips, bank statements, employer letter).

Cat A – Category A income. Employment with the same employer for 6+ months.

Cat B – Category B income. Employment less than 6 months or variable income.

Cat C – Non-employment income (e.g. rental income, dividends).

Cat D – Cash savings.

Cat F / G – Self-employment income.

SELT – Secure English Language Test. An approved English test (e.g. IELTS for UKVI, Trinity College London SELT).

CEFR – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The English level scale (A1, A2, B1, etc.).

BRP – Biometric Residence Permit. Residence card issued after approval (being replaced with eVisa).

eVisa – Digital immigration status replacing BRP cards.

Biometrics – Fingerprint and photograph collected at the visa centre.

TB Test – Tuberculosis test required for applicants from certain countries.

ECO – Entry Clearance Officer. The officer reviewing the visa application.

DMC – Decision Making Centre. Office where visa decisions are made.

NSF – Not Straightforward. Application requires additional checks.

Priority service – Faster visa processing (paid service).

Super priority – Very fast processing option (sometimes unavailable for spouse visas).

Decision letter – Official notice of approval or refusal.

Cohabitation – Living together at the same address.

Adequate accommodation – Proof the couple has suitable housing in the UK.

Public funds – UK government benefits that visa holders cannot access.

Immigration history – Record of previous visas, travel, or refusals.