It is also important to note that some individuals enter the UK as a foreign spouse on a two year probationary period visa. Sadly, at times a marriage can break down during the two years.  This can be for reasons of death of the UK settled partner or because of domestic violence (against men and women, which can consist of mental, physical, emotional, sexual abuse and financial exploitation) against the foreign spouse in which case the foreign spouse can no longer be reasonably expected to live with the settled spouse.

There are provisions contained in the Immigration Rules which cater for such eventualities and the Sultan Lloyd immigration department can offer expert advice in this area.