Category:
Family
Who should apply for a UK Family Visa?
The family route is ideal for individuals looking to join their loved ones in the UK, typically encompassing spouses, unmarried partners, and children. If your loved one is a British citizen, is settled in the UK, or is in the UK with protection status, there are various routes available for applying for a visa on the basis of your familial ties.
You might also qualify for a visa based on your UK ancestry.
Who can bring family members to the UK?
To bring a family member to the UK on a family visa, you need to be a UK or Irish citizen, or have settled in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settled Status), or have refugee status or humanitarian protection. Alternatively, you must hold any other eligible visa that allows dependant family members to come to the UK.
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There is a range of UK visas under the family visa route, including:
Types of UK Family Visas - Appendix FM
Appendix FM, or "Family Migration," provides a way for individuals to join family members in the UK as a partner, parent, child, or adult dependent relative.
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To qualify for a family visa under Appendix FM, applicants must be related to or in a relationship with:
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British or Irish citizens,
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Individuals with UK settled status (e.g., indefinite leave to remain or EU Settlement Scheme status if residing in the UK before January 1, 2021),
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Holders of a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa, or
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Individuals with refugee status or humanitarian protection.
Successful applicants are generally granted a 33-month (2 years and 9 months) entry visa or 30-month (2 years and 6 months) permission to stay. They can work during this period but cannot access public funds (state benefits), except in cases of destitution.
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Choosing the wrong visa type can lead to processing delays or even an outright rejection of the application.
That's why it's important to understand the specific requirements and conditions for each visa type before you apply.
UK Spouse/Partner Visa
The UK spouse or partner visa allows an individual to join their partner in the UK to live, work, and study. To qualify, applicants must either:
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Be in a civil partnership or marriage with their UK-based partner, or
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Have lived with their UK-based partner in a committed relationship for at least two years.
Applications need to meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 and the English language requirement. You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
This route can lead to permanent residency in the UK.
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Fiance Visa
The fiancé visa permits a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner of an eligible UK-based person to come to the UK for up to six months to get married or enter into a civil partnership.
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After marrying or entering a civil partnership with your UK-based partner, you can then apply for a full
UK spouse or partner visa.
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The same financial and English language requirements specified for the spouse or partner visa apply.
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This route is not to be confused with the Marriage visitor visa.
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Parent Visa
Parent visas allow a parent to join and care for their child in the UK, with permission to live, work, and study.
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To qualify, the sponsoring child must be under 18 (or have been under 18 when the parent first received permission to enter or stay) and not living independently.
The sponsoring child must be a British or Irish national, have settled or pre-settled status, or have lived in the UK for seven continuous years, where it would be unreasonable for them to leave.
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Applicants must also have sole or shared parental responsibility for the child. If you share parental responsibility, the child's other parent must not be your partner.
Child dependant Visa
You can apply for a family visa to join your parent in the UK.
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A dependent child must be aged under 18 on the date of application, unless they are making an application as a dependent child and last held permission as a dependent child of the same parent or parents as in their current application.
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You may not need a family visa if at least one of your parents has proof of permanent residence.
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Where just one of the parents is in the UK, the sponsoring parent based in the UK must show that they have sole parental responsibility for the child or children.​
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Other types of visas
PBS Dependants
The Points-Based System (PBS) is the UK's way of allowing students , skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and others to move to the UK
if they meet certain criteria.
Under this system, eligible applicants can bring their family members, helping families settle together while they live and work in the UK.
Ancestry visas
An Ancestry visa allows Commonwealth citizens to live and work in the UK based on their UK ancestry.
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Visa holders are free to work without needing employer sponsorship. It is also not necessary to earn a particular level of salary which is usually a requirement on work visa routes. You can also study in the UK. Successful applicants receive entry clearance for five years, after which they may apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Dependent partners and children are eligible to join under this route.
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
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Be a Commonwealth citizen
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Be at least 17 years old
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Have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or Ireland (if born before March 31, 1922)
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Intend to work in the UK, which includes plans to find employment or become self-employed
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Be able to support yourself and any dependants without relying on public funds.
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Who is a commonwealth citizen?
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Commonwealth nationals are citizens of the countries listed in Schedule 3 to the British Nationality Act 1981. The list of Commonwealth countries can change so you should always check before applying.
