Family Visa UK

The UK Family Visa allows eligible non-UK nationals to join their family members or partners who are British citizens or have Settled Status (ILR) in the UK.

You may be eligible for a UK Family Visa if you are a spouse, partner, child, or parent of a British citizen or someone with settled status (ILR) in the UK.

Our immigration solicitors assist with all types of UK family and spouse visa applications, whether you're applying from within the UK or overseas.

Call us at 0203 417 3700 or fill in our enquiry form for expert immigration advice, explore UK family visa options and help with family visa application.

Table of Contents

What is a UK Family Visa?

A UK Family Visa allows family members of British citizens or individuals with settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain) to come and live in the UK.

It includes visas for spouses, partners, children, parents, and dependent relatives.

Depending on the family visa type, it may lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and eventually British citizenship.

Who can apply for a UK Family visa?

If you are applying for a UK Family visa, your partner or family member must either:

• be a British or Irish citizen
• have indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
• have settled status
• have proof of permanent residence
• have protection status
• have permission to stay as a refugee
• have permission to stay as a stateless person

Types of UK Family Visas

Depending on your circumstances, different types of UK Family Visas are available. Each visa has its eligibility criteria and requirements.

Family visas allow spouses, partners, children, parents, and dependent relatives to reunite with their family members in the UK.

There are different types of family visas, including:

Fiance Visa UK

A fiancé or fiancée visa is a short-term family visa that allows a non-UK citizen to enter the UK to marry their British or settled partner within six months.

Once married, the applicant can apply to switch to a Spouse visa from within the UK, 28 days before their UK Fiance visa expires, for a longer stay.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for a UK Fiance visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• The application must be submitted from outside the UK.
• Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old.
• You must intend to get married within 6 months.
• There must be a plan to settle in the UK.
• Prove your relationship is genuine.
• The financial requirements must be fulfilled.
• Relationship requirements must be met.
• You must meet the English language requirement.
• Adequate accommodation must be provided.
• Additional requirements depending on your circumstances.

UK Family Visa for Spouse

A UK Spouse visa is a long-term family visa that allows the husband or wife of a British citizen or settled person to live and work in the UK for up to 30 months.

You can apply for a UK Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years to extend your stay in the UK for another 30 months to continue living and working in the UK.

After residing in the UK for five years on a Spouse visa (5-year route), you may qualify to apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a UK Spouse visa under the 5-year route, applicants must meet the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules, including:

• Both partners must be 18 or older.
• Marriage must be legally recognised in the UK.
• Spouse must be a British citizen or have settled status.
• Relationship must be genuine and ongoing.
• Intention to live together permanently in the UK.
• Partner must meet financial requirements.
• Partner must have suitable accommodation in the UK.
• Applicant must meet English language requirements.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test, if applicable.
• No breaches of UK immigration laws.
• Additional requirements depending on your circumstances.

UK Family Visa for Unmarried Partner

An Unmarried Partner visa is a long-term family visa that allows you to join your unmarried partner who is a British citizen or settled person in the UK.

To qualify for an Unmarried Partner visa, applicants must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.

The initial duration of the Unmarried Partner Visa is 33 months for applications made from outside the UK and 30 months for those submitted within the UK.

You can apply for an Unmarried Partner visa extension after 2.5 years to extend your stay in the UK for another 30 months to continue living and working in the UK.

After residing in the UK for five years on an Unmarried Partner visa (5-year route), you may qualify to apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an Unmarried Partner visa under the 5-year route, applicants must meet the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules, including:

• Both you and your partner must be 18 or older.
• Your partner must be a British citizen or have settled status.
• You have met in person.
• You must have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.
• Your relationship is genuine and ongoing.
• You intend to live together permanently in the UK.
• Any previous relationships have ended permanently.
• You must meet the financial requirements.
• You have adequate accommodation for yourself and any dependents.
• Applicant must meet English language requirements.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test, if applicable.
• No breaches of UK immigration laws.
• Additional requirements depending on your circumstances.

UK Family Visa for Child

A Child Visa allows a child under 18 years old to join their parent(s) in the UK.

In cases where a parent applies for entry clearance or has leave to remain in the UK as a partner or parent, their child can apply to join them.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a child visa, the following conditions must be met:

• The child is under 18
• The child is not married and has not formed an independent family life.
• One parent is in the UK or applying for leave as a partner/parent, and:
  • The parent's partner is also the child's parent, or
  • The parent has sole responsibility, or
  • There are compelling family reasons for the child's inclusion, with proper care arrangements in place.
• The financial and accommodation requirements are satisfied.

UK Family Visa for Parents

If you are the parent of a British child who is under the age of 18 and is living in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a visa as a parent.

If you are granted a UK Parent visa, you will be allowed to live together with your child in the UK for up to 30 months (2.5 years). After this initial period, you can apply for an extension of the visa for another 30 months.

You may be eligible to apply for settlement (ILR) if you have lived in the UK for at least 5 continuous years under a 5-year parent route.

Eligibility Criteria for Parents

To be eligible to apply for a UK Parent visa, the parent must:

• be over 18 years of age
• be living outside the UK at the time of application
• have sole parental responsibility for your child
• meet the financial requirement
• have suitable accommodation
• meet minimum English language requirement
• meet additional requirements depending on their circumstances

Adult Dependent Relative Visa

An Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa is a type of UK Family visa that allows an individual to join a family member in the UK if they require long-term care because of age, illness, or disability and cannot receive adequate care in their own country.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa, you must:

• Be 18 or older, along with your UK-based sponsor.
• Require long-term care due to age, illness, or disability.
• Be a close family member and prove dependency on your UK sponsor.
• Show financial reliance on your sponsor for long-term support.
• Demonstrate that care is unavailable or unaffordable in your home country.
• Ensure your sponsor has sufficient accommodation and financial means to support you without public funds.

What Are the Requirements for UK Family Visas?

The eligibility criteria and requirements differ for each UK Family visa. However, the applicant generally must:

• be a family member of a British citizen or settled person in the UK.
• fulfil the financial requirements.
• meet the English language requirement.
• have suitable accommodation in the UK.
• meet additional requirements depending on the type of family visa.

Contact our UK family visa solicitors in London at 0203 417 3700 or fill in the contact form for an eligibility assessment and help with your visa application.

Common Reasons for Family Visa Refusals

Several factors can lead to the refusal of a Family Visa, including:

• The applicant did not meet the eligibility criteria.
• Insufficient supporting documentation was provided.
• The applicant is deemed a risk to public safety or health in the UK.
• The application contained false or misleading information.

How Can Wembley Solicitors Assist with Your UK Family Visa Application?

How Much Do Solicitors Charge for a UK Family Visa Application?

At Wembley Solicitors, we offer affordable UK visa application related services on a fixed fee basis with no hidden costs or nasty financial surprises.

Our immigration solicitors in London charge a fixed fee between £800 and £1,000 (plus VAT) for legal services for UK Family Visa applications.

Contact Immigration Solicitors

If you are considering applying for a UK Family visa as a spouse, partner, child or parent, contact our immigration solicitors at 0203 417 3700.