UK Visa & Immigration Hub
UK Family Visas
Family visas are available if you want to live with a family member in the UK for more than six months. Once you’ve been a resident in the country for a specific amount of time on this visa, you can apply for settlement if you’re eligible.
UK visa routes for families
You are able to apply for a family visa to live with a child, parent, spouse/partner, fiance/fiancee/civil partner, or a relative who will provide you with long-term care.
It is possible to extend your stay if you’re already in the country on a family visa and this can be extended at any time before the expiration of your current permission to stay. If you want to extend your stay with the same family member, you will only receive up to 28 days left on your current stay added to the new visa.
In order to be eligible for settlement, you have to be resident in the UK for a certain amount of time. This will give you the right to live, work, and study here, and it can be used to apply for British citizenship.
You are able to apply for a family visa to live with a child, parent, spouse/partner,fiance/fiancee/civil partner, or a relative who will provide you with long-term care.ried out at any time before your current permission to stay expires.
How can the UK Visa & Immigration Hub help?
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the complex application processes and eligibility requirements involved with obtaining family visas for the UK and success will depend on both your circumstances and those of the relative you intend to join.
As such, it’s strongly advised to seek support and guidance from qualified and experienced immigration advisers. The team here at the UK Visa & Immigration Hub will guide you throughout the process, from your initial assessment to filing your application with the Home Office and submitting all relevant documentation.
Contact Us Today
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please don't hesitate to contact us today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to assist you.
Types of Family Visa
Partner/Spouse Visa
Under the spouse/partner visa, if you’re eligible, you can join your partner in the UK and live, work, and study here. You will need to be in a civil partnership or married to your UK-based partner or have been living with them in a relationship for at least two years.
You will also need to demonstrate that, together, you earn a minimum of £29,000 per year and be able to speak English to Level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale.
On this marriage visa, you can stay in the UK for up to two years and nine months, which can then be extended for an additional two years and six months. You may then be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Child Visa
Under the child-dependent visa, children are allowed to join their parent/parents in the UK. Children may not need to have a family visa if at least one parent is in the UK on indefinite leave to remain, instead potentially applying immediately to stay in the country indefinitely.
If the child is under 18 and was born in the UK, they can be included on their parent’s next visa application as a dependent family member. They are also able to apply separately. If born in the UK and over 18, the child can be added to their parent’s application as long as they are still dependent.
If born outside the UK, children must prove that they are dependent on their UK-based parent and not married or in a civil partnership.
Parent Visa
Parents are able to join and care for their child under the parent visa, allowing them to live, work, and study here. To apply for this visa, the child must be under 18 or have been under 18 when their parent was first granted leave and still be dependent upon them.
The child must be resident in the UK and have settled here, be a British or Irish national, have pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, or have lived in the UK for seven continuous years. Applicants must also have sole or shared responsibility for their child.
Adult Dependent Relative Visa
You are able to come to the UK under the adult dependent relative visa to receive long-term care from a family member who lives in the UK permanently.
Applicants will need to be over 18 and require long-term care in line with age, disability, or illness. The level of care required must not be available or affordable in their home country and the relative in question will need to be able to support and accommodate them without having to use public funds for at least five years.
If successful in their application, these visa holders can stay in the UK for an unlimited period.
Family visa requirements & costs
Each category of family visa has its own eligibility criteria that applicants will need to satisfy in order to be successful in their application. This is something that the team here at UK Visa & Immigration Hub can help with.
Evidence will need to be provided of your relationship with the family member in the UK, or where appropriate that you have sole or shared parental responsibility of your child. It may also be necessary to meet financial requirements and be able to speak English to a specified level.
In terms of cost, you will need to pay the visa application fee (which is currently £1,846 for a family visa). You will also need to pay an immigration health surcharge of £1,035 per year for adults of £776 for those under 18. You will also need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself without claiming benefits, unless you’re exempt.
How to apply for a family visa?
You can apply for a family visa online. You will need to provide proof of identity using biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph). Decisions on applications are typically made within 12 weeks under standard processing times.
If applying from within the UK, it can take between eight weeks and 12 months, depending on your specific circumstances.
The team here at the UK Visa & Immigration Hub will guide you throughout the process, from your initial assessment to filing your application with the Home Office and submitting all relevant documentation.
Contact Us Today
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please don't hesitate to contact us today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to assist you.
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