UK Family Visa Requirements

UK family visa is available to spouses, parents, children, and dependent relatives who wish to reunite with their family members who are British citizens or hold settled status in the UK.

To apply for a UK family visa, you must meet minimum income, English, relationship, and accommodation requirements based on your relation to the UK sponsor.

The eligibility requirements and documents for a UK family visa may vary depending on the type of family visa you are applying for and your circumstances.

If you're unsure about UK family visa requirements or need help with your visa application, contact Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700 for legal assistance.

Table of Contents

What is a UK family visa?

You can apply for a UK family visa as a spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative to join your family members who are British citizens or have settled status in the UK.

A UK family visa is typically a long-term visa that permits you to live, work, and study in the UK for more than 6 months.

The UK family visa is usually granted for an initial period of 30 months (or 33 months if applying from outside the UK). After this, you can apply for an extension to remain in the UK for another 2.5 years.

Once you’ve lived in the UK for five years on a family visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to stay permanently.

Who can apply for a UK family visa?

You can apply for a family visa to live with your:

• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner
• Child
• Parent
• Relative who will provide long-term care for you

UK family visa requirements as a spouse or partner

To apply for a UK family visa as a spouse or partner, you must be over 18 and meet requirements like income, English proficiency, and a genuine relationship.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Both partners must be 18 or older.
• Relationship must be genuine and subsisting.
• Legally married, in a civil partnership, or lived together for 2+ years.
• Partner must be a British citizen, or have ILR, refugee status, or settled status.
• Must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
• Meet financial requirements (£29,000/year income or savings).
• Prove English language proficiency (A1 level for first-time applicants).
• Suitable accommodation in the UK.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test, if applicable.
• No breach of UK immigration laws.

UK family visa requirements as a child

To apply for a UK family visa as a child, the applicant must be under 18, not married or living independently, and have at least one parent who is settled in the UK.

To be eligible for a UK child visa, you must:

• be under 18 years old
• not be married or living independently
• have at least one parent settled or applying for a visa at the same time

UK family visa requirements as a parent

To apply for a UK family visa as a parent, you must meet several requirements such as sole parental responsibility, income, and English proficiency.

To be eligible for a UK Parent visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• The child must be under 18 at the time of application.
• The child must live with you and not be married or in a civil partnership.
• The child must be a British citizen or have settled status.
• You must be the biological parent.
• You must have sole parental responsibility.
• You must be living outside the UK at the time of application.
• You must intend to live together in the UK.
• You must meet financial requirements.
• You must meet the English language proficiency requirement.
• You must have suitable accommodation for you and your child.
• Additional requirements depending on your circumstances.

Requirements for Adult Dependent Relative visa

Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa is for parents, grandparents, or other close relatives who need long-term care from their UK-based family member.

You must prove:

• You have a medical condition requiring daily care.
• No suitable care is available in your home country.
• Your UK sponsor can financially support you.
• The sponsoring relative must have suitable accommodation available for the applicant.

Minimum income for a UK family visa

The minimum income requirement for a UK family visa is typically £29,000 gross per year. This income requirement rose from £18,600 to £29,000 on 11 April 2024.

You need to meet this income threshold requirement if you want to settle in the UK within 5 years.

If your income falls short of the required threshold, you can use savings to make up the difference. The savings must be held for a minimum of 6 months and meet certain conditions.

English language requirement for a UK family visa

You must prove that you can read, write, speak, and understand English at level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

You can meet knowledge of English requirements by passing an approved English language test (at least A1 level for first-time applicants) or having a degree taught in English.

Some nationalities, like those from majority English-speaking countries, don't need to do this.

UK family visa accommodation requirements

For a UK family visa, you must have suitable accommodation and show that the accommodation will be available for the duration of your stay in the UK.

It should provide enough space for you and any dependents without overcrowding. This includes having sufficient bedrooms and basic amenities.

The property must meet health and safety standards, and the local council should not classify it as unfit for habitation.

What documents are required for a UK family visa?

The documents required for a UK family visa can vary depending on the type of visa you're applying for and your circumstances.

Documents typically required for a UK family visa:

• Your valid passport
• Proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• Evidence that you meet the financial requirements
• Accommodation details (e.g., tenancy agreement)
• Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., test results, degree certificate)
• Immigration History (e.g., previous visa details)
• Details of any criminal convictions
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)
• Sponsor’s documents (e.g., passport, immigration status proof)
• Translations (for non-English documents)

Unsure about the documents required for your UK family visa application? Contact immigration solicitors today at 0203 417 3700 for expert advice.

How to apply for a UK family visa?

If you wish to reunite with family members already settled in the UK, you typically need to apply online for a UK family visa as a spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Check your eligibility for a UK family visa.
2. Gather required documents (e.g., relationship proof, English test, bank statement).
3. Complete the relevant online visa application form.
4. Pay the visa application fee of £1,846 (or, £1,258 if applying within the UK).
5. Pay the NHS (National Health Service) surcharge of £1,035 per year.
6. Upload supporting documents.
7. Book and attend a biometric appointment.
8. Wait for the decision, UK family visa applications typically take up to 12 weeks.

If you need advice or legal assistance with your UK family visa application, contact our immigration solicitors at 0203 417 3700 or fill in our enquiry form.

How can Wembley Solicitors assist with your UK family visa application?

Our expert team of UK immigration solicitors and lawyers will be able to assist you with any type of UK Family visa or immigration application.

Immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors will:

• Provide detailed immigration advice.
• Assess your circumstances and eligibility for a UK Family visa.
• Assess the eligibility of your sponsor.
• Explain the entire UK Family visa application process.
• Give you a completed checklist of documents according to the type of visa application and your circumstances.
• Check all the supporting documents to ensure that they are sufficient and in the correct format.
• Fill out the complete application form and prepare detailed representations/cover letters for the Home Office UKVI about the Immigration Rules.
• Book an appointment for you to enrol your biometrics.
• Upload all the supporting documents.
• Liaise with the Home Office UKVI throughout the process until we receive the decision.
• Keep you updated with every stage of your application.

Contact our UK Family visa solicitors in Wembley, London on 0203 417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for legal assistance with your UK Family visa application.

How much do solicitors charge for a UK family visa application?

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

At Wembley Solicitors, our UK visa application services come with an affordable fixed fee, ensuring transparency and no hidden costs.

Contact UK family visa solicitors

If you are applying for, extending, or switching a UK Family visa, contact our immigration solicitors at 0203 417 3700 for legal assistance.