From 9 July 2012, the Immigration Rules relating to applications for settlement from various family members of settled persons (partners, parents, children of those with limited leave as a partner or parent and dependant relatives) were radically reshaped. The relevant categories were previously found in Part 8 of the Immigration Rules. The new Rules were placed in two appendices: appendix fm: family members, and its companion Appendix FM-SE: family members—specified evidence. Transitional arrangements preserved some provisions of the Immigration Rules, Part 8 for people who had already been granted leave to enter or remain under Part 8. The provisions for entry clearance for children of settled parents have been preserved and so for entry clearance for children there are different rules running in tandem. For other family cases, there are points of contact where certain paragraphs of Part 8 continue to be relevant.
The challenge to the adviser at the outset of any case is, therefore, to understand the relevant rules, and identify the evidence to be provided and the procedure to be followed. While the procedural