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Family Members Visas

  • Innovator Founder Visa
  • Sponsorship Licence
  • Self-Sponsorship Visa
  • Skilled Worker Visa
  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
  • EU Settled Status
  • Visa Processing
  • UK Ancestry Visa
  • Family Permit EU
  • Family Member Visas
  • Translation and Apostille
english language courses
UK Ancestry Visa
Family Members Visas
Student Visas
Family Permit

Settle in the UK with Your Loved Ones

To live in the UK with a family member for more than six months, you must apply for a UK Family Visa. This route allows eligible foreign nationals to join their spouse, partner, children, parents, or in some cases, adult dependent relatives.

A Family Visa can be granted for different categories, including spouse/partner visas, fiancé visas, parent visas, child visas, adult dependent relative visas, PBS dependant visas, and ancestry visas. These routes allow family members to live, work, and study in the UK, and many lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and eventually British citizenship.

If you wish to stay in the UK for less than six months, you should instead apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.

To bring a family member to the UK under this route, the sponsoring family member must hold a valid UK immigration status that allows dependants.

The difference between Family Members Visas and Family Permits

Since the UK’s full withdrawal from the European Union in 2020, there have been important changes to how close family members of EU citizens can come to the UK.

Family Permit (EU Settlement Scheme):

This is a specific route for an eligible family member of an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen who has pre-settled or settled status and was living in the UK by December 31, 2020. This route is not available for new relationships formed after that date, and it does not cover siblings.

Family Visa (General):

If your partner is a British citizen or has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, you will apply for a standard UK Family Visa. This is the correct route for relationships established after December 31, 2020, and it is governed by the UK’s Immigration Rules (Appendix FM).

UK Spouse Visa / Partner Visa

Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old. Your partner must also fall into one of the following categories:

  • A British or Irish citizen.
  • Settled in the UK (with Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status).
  • Pre-settled under the EU Settlement Scheme (if arrived before 1 January 2021).
  • Holding protection status (refugee leave or humanitarian protection).
  • Having a Turkish Worker or Turkish Businessperson visa (transitional arrangements).

You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK.

Relationship requirements

You must prove one of the following:

  • You are legally married or in a recognised civil partnership.
  • You have lived together in a relationship for at least 2 years.
  • You are engaged (fiancé/fiancée/prospective civil partner) and will marry or register your partnership within 6 months of arriving.

Financial requirements

  • Minimum annual income: £29,000 gross (regardless of children).
  • The old system of “£18,600 + child top-ups” has been abolished.
  • Alternative: Savings of at least £88,500 held for 6 months, or a combination of income and savings.

English language requirement

  • You must meet at least B1 CEFR level in speaking and listening.
  • From late 2025, the requirement will increase to B2 CEFR for ILR and family visas.

Duration and ILR

  • Initial visa: 2 years 9 months.
  • Extension: 2 years 6 months.
  • ILR eligibility: After 5 years total residence under the partner route.
  • A 10-year route may apply if you cannot meet financial or language requirements but qualify under human rights grounds.

Unmarried Partner Visa

The Unmarried Partner Visa allows long-term partners of British citizens or settled persons to live together in the UK, even if they are not married or in a civil partnership.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Both partners must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must have lived together in a committed relationship for at least 2 years prior to the application, similar to a marriage-like partnership.

Your partner must be:

  • A British or Irish citizen, or
  • Settled in the UK (ILR or EU Settled Status), or
  • Holding protection status (refugee leave or humanitarian protection).
  • Pre-settled under the EU Settlement Scheme (if arrived before 1 January 2021), or

Financial requirement (as of April 2024):

  • Minimum annual income of £29,000 gross (regardless of children).
  • Alternatively, savings of at least £88,500 held for 6 months, or a combination of income and savings.

Financial requirement (as of April 2024):

  • At least B1 CEFR in speaking and listening.
  • From late 2025, this will increase to B2 CEFR for ILR and family visas.

Financial requirement (as of April 2024):

  • Initial grant: 2 years 9 months.
  • Extension: 2 years 6 months.
  • Eligible for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence under this route.
  • If financial or English requirements are not met, a 10-year route may be available under human rights grounds.

Fiancé Visa

A fiancé, fiancée, or prospective civil partner may come to the UK for 6 months in order to marry or register a civil partnership with an eligible partner.

  • You must meet the same financial and English language requirements as the Spouse Visa.
  • After marriage/civil partnership, you must switch to the Spouse Visa (2 years 9 months), then extend (2 years 6 months). After completing 5 years total, you may apply for ILR.

Parent Visa

A parent can apply to join their child in the UK if the child is:

  • A British or Irish citizen.
  • Settled in the UK (ILR or Settled Status).
  • With Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
  • Has lived in the UK for at least 7 continuous years, and it would be unreasonable for them to leave.

Eligibility:

  • The parent must have sole or shared parental responsibility.
  • The child must be under 18 or have been under 18 when the parent first received leave.

Visa duration

  • Initial grant: 2 years 9 months.
  • Extension: 2 years 6 months.
  • ILR eligibility: After 5 years total under the Parent Visa route.

Child Visa

Children can join parents under the Family Visa programme.

  • If a child is born in the UK and one parent has ILR or British citizenship, they may not need a visa and may apply for citizenship directly.
  • Children born outside the UK must show dependency on their parents and that they are not leading an independent life.

Children can be included in their parent’s application up to age 18. Over-18 children usually need to apply separately, meeting dependency requirements.

Child visas normally lead to ILR after 5 years of residence with their parents.

Adult Dependent Relative Visa

his is one of the most restrictive categories. It allows a parent or grandparent to join family in the UK if:

  • They are 18 or older.
  • They require long-term personal care due to illness, disability, or age.
  • Care is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country.
  • Their UK sponsor can provide accommodation and support without public funds.

Key update: If successful, applicants are granted immediate ILR. However, refusal rates are very high, and strong medical/financial evidence is required.

PBS Dependant Visa

Partners and children of individuals on eligible UK work or study visas can apply as dependants.

Eligible dependants include:

  • Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (with at least 2 years’ cohabitation if unmarried).
  • Children under 18 (including those born in the UK).
  • Children over 18 if they are still dependant.

Dependants’ leave normally matches the main visa holder’s duration and can lead to ILR if the main applicant becomes eligible.

Ancestry Visa

Ancestry visas allow Commonwealth citizens to live, work, and study in the UK if they can prove one grandparent was born in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man.

Duration and ILR

  • Initial grant: 5 years.
  • ILR eligibility: After 5 years continuous residence.
  • No work restrictions – full right to work and study.

If your Family Visa is refused

Applications can be refused for reasons including:

  • Unsuitable accommodation in the UK.
  • Missing or incorrect documents.
  • Financial or English requirements are not met.
  • The Home Office doubts the genuineness of your relationship.

If refused, options include:

  • Judicial review.
  • Administrative review.
  • Appeal on human rights grounds.
  • Submitting a fresh application with corrected evidence.

LawSentis can quickly assess refusal reasons and advise the best route forward.

How LawSentis can help

At LawSentis, our IAA-regulated immigration advisers provide comprehensive support with Family Visa applications.

We assist with:

  • Handling appeals and refusals.
  • Preparing a complete document package.
  • Assessing eligibility under the correct route.
  • Long-term planning for ILR and British citizenship.
  • Ensuring financial and English requirements are met.
  • Drafting strong applications and legal representations.

Our team combines legal expertise with personal care, ensuring your family has the best chance of reuniting and building a future in the UK.

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.

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A Family Visa allows spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, children, parents, and in limited cases, adult dependent relatives of a British citizen or a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to live in the UK for more than six months.

As of April 2024, the sponsoring family member must meet a minimum annual income of £29,000 (regardless of the number of children). Alternatively, you may rely on savings of at least £88,500, or a combination of savings and income.

Most Family Visas are granted for 2 years and 9 months initially, with an extension of 2 years and 6 months. After completing 5 years in the UK on this route, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). A 10-year route may apply if you cannot meet certain requirements but qualify on human rights grounds.

Yes. Children under 18 can be included as dependants in a parent’s Family Visa application. Children over 18 generally must apply separately and show they remain financially dependent.

At LawSentis, we provide expert guidance on Family Visa eligibility, financial and English requirements, and preparation of strong applications. We also assist with appeals and refusals, ensuring that your family has the best chance of living together in the UK.

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