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Additional benefits for non-UK family members

Find out about the additional benefits available to non-UK national family members of Armed Forces personnel

    Am I eligible?

    These benefits are available to family members not from the UK who are married to, or in a civil partnership with, Regular Personnel of the UK Armed Forces. The benefits outlined below are dependent on the family member coming to the UK under the   immigration-rules-appendix-armed-forces.

    European nationals who have registered under the EU Settlement Scheme will be subject to the benefits accruing from that scheme.

    What do I get?

    • Immigration Health Surcharge exemption. You don’t have to pay the normal health surcharge, which costs £1035 per year for an adult and £776 for children for those applying for a visa to come to the UK under a different immigration route.

    • Time out of UK for Service reasons counts towards settlement. You can obtain indefinite leave to remain after 5 years, even if you have spent some of that time out of the UK accompanying your Service partner.

    • Visa renewal at public expense if you are on, or about to go on, an overseas posting with your spouse. There are certain circumstances when you are accompanying your spouse on an overseas posting when you don’t have to pay the cost of upkeeping your passport or visa. This also applies to children born when at that location.

    How do I claim?

    In order to find out more these benefits, you should contact your spouse’s unit and information is also available from your local HIVE/RN FPS information services or your appropriate Families Federation (see links below)

    Families of Army personnel can also consult Part 2 of the Guide for Non-UK Personnel and Unit Support (link below)

    Page last updated: 28 February 2024

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    Need more information?

  • Naval Families Federation

    visit the Naval Families Federation website

  • Army Families Federation

    visit the Army Families Federation website

  • RAF Families Federation

    visit the RAF Families Federation website

  • Royal Navy Family & People Support

    visit the Royal Navy Family and People Support website

  • Army HIVE

    visit the Army HIVE website

  • RAF HIVE

    visit the RAF HIVE website

  • Defence Gateway

    Guide for non UK nationals Pt 2

    read part 2 of the Guide for non UK nationals

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