Family Visa Guide: Live Together in the UK

Section A: What is the UK Family Visa?

A UK family visa allows a non-UK national to live in Britain on the basis of a close, qualifying family relationship with someone who is already British or settled. Family visas depend on meeting strict eligibility and evidential rules rather than the relationship alone.

The UK Immigration Rules use the expression “family route” to describe applications made under Appendix FM, along with some residual Part 8 provisions.

Appendix FM focuses on family life with a “qualifying” relative in the UK. In most cases, that relative is a British citizen, someone with indefinite leave to remain or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme or a person with refugee leave or humanitarian protection. Clarifying the sponsor’s status is the first step because it determines whether Appendix FM is available at all and, if so, which route applies.

Appendix FM sets out the rules and eligibility criteria for individuals seeking to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their relationship with a qualifying family member, across both the five-year and ten-year routes to settlement. It is supported by Appendix FM-SE, which specifies the evidence needed to prove income, savings, accommodation and relationships, and by Home Office policy guidance on “exceptional circumstances” and Article 8 ECHR.

The family visa categories themselves are all defined within Appendix FM. These include:

a) Applying as a Partner or Spouse

b) Applying as a Parent

c) Applying as a Child

d) Applying as an Adult Coming to be Cared for by a Relative

There are two pathways contained within Appendix FM that determine how long an applicant must hold limited leave before qualifying for settlement: the five-year route applies when every standard rule (financial, English, accommodation, relationship) is met, while the ten-year route is used when one or more of those requirements cannot be met but refusal would breach Article 8 ECHR.

For many families, the first decision is which of these categories best reflects their situation. A couple who can meet the financial requirement will usually be directed towards the five-year partner route. Where income or documents fall short, or where there are strong child welfare factors, the ten-year family route or a linked private life route may be more realistic, even though it takes longer to reach settlement.

Read our comprehensive guide to Appendix FM here >>

Beyond Appendix FM, it may also be possible to make an application based on your Private Life, under a separate section of the Immigration Rules called Appendix Private Life (Appendix PL). Appendix PL sets out the rules for people relying on long residence or strong personal ties in the UK, for example, a child who has lived in the UK for seven continuous years, a young adult (18–24) who has spent at least half of their life here, someone who has completed 20 years’ residence, or a person who would face very significant obstacles to integration on return to their country of origin.

Although Home Office guidance often groups family and private life cases together when discussing the ten-year route to settlement, the legal rules are found in two different appendices: Appendix FM for family life and Appendix PL for private life. Choosing the correct route at the outset affects not only the criteria you need to meet, but also how long it will take to reach settlement and what kind of evidence you will need over time.

Section B: UK Family Visa Changes

The financial requirement sits at the heart of UK family visa policy because it controls who can sponsor a partner or child to come to, or remain in, the UK. Any change to this threshold therefore has a direct impact on whether couples and families can live together in Britain, and on the timing and structure of their applications.

In June 2025, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published a 96-page review of the financial requirement for UK family visas.

The previous government’s decision to raise the family visa income threshold had sparked backlash from charities, legal professionals and affected families, many of whom warned the new rules would separate parents and children or force British citizens to live abroad. In response, the Migration Advisory Committee was asked by the Labour government to assess whether the current approach was fair and effective.

Its June 2025 report concluded that the current £29,000 MIR for partners should not be increased further, and rejected the previous plan to align it with the £38,700 Skilled Worker salary threshold. The MAC suggested that if the Government wanted to move to a National Living Wage-based model in future, a threshold in the region of £23,000–£25,000 could be justified, but it did not recommend changing the MIR immediately.

The committee also urged the Home Office to align MIR calculations with realistic income definitions and to remove child surcharges, recommending that the Parent route is adjusted instead to reduce forced separation.

For sponsors and applicants, the report does not itself change the Rules but it does signal the direction of travel. It underlines that a single high income bar is unlikely to survive long term in its current form and that the Home Office is being pressed to simplify evidence rules and remove some of the more punitive elements, especially the old child uplifts.

The government has said it will consider the MAC’s findings and consult on the future of the family rules. As at December 2025, no specific family visa consultation has been launched and no changes to the Immigration Rules have been laid in response to the MAC report, so the recommendations remain advisory only.

The existing £29,000 minimum income requirement for sponsoring a partner, set in April 2024, remains in place pending government decisions.

In practical terms, anyone planning a new partner or child application now needs to plan on the basis of the current £29,000 threshold unless they fall within the transitional cohort already in the route before April 2024. The rest of this guide explains how the present rules work, with the understanding that a future consultation may reshape the financial requirement but has not yet done so.

Section C: Applying as a Partner or Spouse

The ‘Applying as a Partner’ route within the UK family visa system is designed for those married to, in a civil partnership with, or in a long-term relationship with a British citizen, someone with settled status in the UK, or a person in the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection.

Most new partner applications are made from overseas where the applicant is living outside the UK. Some people can switch into the partner route from inside the UK, for example from a work or student visa, but visitors and most short term routes are prevented from switching and are expected to leave and apply from abroad. Before starting the form, it is always important to check whether an in-country application is allowed from the current visa.

This visa enables partners to join or remain with their significant other in the UK, underpinning the fundamental right to family life. It allows the partner to live in the UK and grants them the right to work and study. Access to public funds is usually restricted until the partner qualifies for settlement, unless the no recourse to public funds condition is lifted in exceptional circumstances.

1. Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a UK family visa as a partner or spouse, applicants must meet the following criteria:

a. Relationship Status: The applicant must be legally married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or qualifying person in the UK, or be in a durable relationship. Unmarried partners must prove they have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or a civil partnership for at least two years immediately before the application.

b. Financial Requirement: For partner applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the UK-based sponsor must usually show gross annual income of at least £29,000, although in some in-country cases certain income of the applicant can also be counted where they are working lawfully in the UK. Any shortfall can be covered with cash savings (£88,500 if there is no income at all). When you extend a partner visa first granted before 11 April 2024, the earlier threshold of £18,600 plus child uplifts still applies, and if the sponsoring partner receives a qualifying disability or carer’s benefit the test switches to “adequate maintenance” with no fixed figure. In every case you need to be able to support and house yourselves without recourse to public funds.

c. Accommodation: The couple must provide adequate accommodation in the UK.

d. English Language Requirement: The applicant must meet the required English language proficiency level, usually by passing an approved English language test or holding a degree taught in English.

In practice, the relationship and financial requirements are where many applications fall down. Couples often underestimate how much documentary evidence is needed or how closely bank statements, payslips and employment letters need to match. Where there are gaps in cohabitation, previous periods of separation or historic immigration issues, these should be explained up front rather than left for a caseworker to infer.

2. Process Overview and Expected Timelines

Applications must be completed online, including submitting forms and necessary supporting documents. Applicants will also need to provide fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre.

Processing times can vary, but decisions typically take up to 12 weeks for applications outside the UK. Applicants can opt for priority services to expedite the process at an additional cost.

If approved, the visa initially allows the applicant to stay in the UK for 2.5 years. This can lead to applying for further extensions and, eventually, settlement after five years under the 5-year ILR route.

Partners who already hold a different UK visa often face decisions about timing. Switching too early may reset the clock for settlement, while waiting too long can risk gaps in leave. Any history of overstaying, unpaid NHS debt or previous refusals also needs careful handling because it can affect suitability as well as eligibility. Priority services can shorten the decision period in some locations, but they do not relax the underlying evidential standard.

3. Supporting Documentation

To apply as a partner or spouse, you will need to provide comprehensive documentation, including:

a. Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate: For spouses and civil partners as proof of relationship.

b. Proof of Cohabitation: Utility bills, joint leases or bank statements showing the same address can support claims of living together for unmarried partners.

c. Financial Evidence: Bank statements, pay slips and employment letters to prove the sponsor meets the financial requirement.

d. English Language Certification: An approved test result or degree certificate to satisfy the language criteria.

e. Accommodation Details: Property inspection reports or a lease agreement to demonstrate suitable living arrangements.

Where income is made up of several sources, such as employment, self-employment and dividends, documents need to be structured in line with Appendix FM-SE rather than general accounting practice. A short, covering explanation that cross-refers to the evidence can help the caseworker follow how the figures meet or exceed the required threshold.

You can read our extensive guide to the Spouse Visa UK here >>

You can read our extensive guide to the Partner Visa UK here >>

Section D: Applying as a Parent

The ‘Applying as a Parent’ route in the UK family visa system offers a vital means for parents to live with their children who are British citizens, have settled status in the UK or, in some cases, have lived in the UK for at least seven years where it would be unreasonable to expect them to leave. This pathway is intended for parents who wish to take an active role in their child’s upbringing on a day-to-day basis or need to assume or continue primary care responsibilities.

In many cases, the parent route is used where the parents are separated and the child usually lives with the other parent or carer in the UK. The Home Office then examines whether the applicant has an established role in the child’s life and whether refusal would be contrary to the child’s best interests. For parents with a more traditional family set up, or where both adults live together with the child, the partner route may be more appropriate, so choosing the correct category from the outset matters.

A successful application under this category allows the parent to reside legally in the UK, allowing them to work, participate fully in their child’s life and contribute to their development and well-being.

1. Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a UK family visa as a parent, an applicant needs to meet the following criteria:

a. Parental Relationship: The applicant should be the parent of a child under 18 years of age who is living in the UK and is a British citizen, has settled status or has lived in the UK for at least seven years where it would be unreasonable to expect them to leave.

b. Responsibility and Care: The applicant needs to show either that they have sole responsibility for the child or that they share parental responsibility and have direct access to the child, playing an active role in their upbringing in line with any court orders or agreed arrangements.

c. Financial Requirement: The Home Office will assess whether the parent and child can be supported in the UK without additional recourse to public funds. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve applying the minimum income requirement or an adequate maintenance test.

d. English Language Requirement: Applicants also need to meet the English language requirement, typically evidenced by passing a recognised English test or holding a relevant educational qualification.

Evidence of involvement in the child’s life carries significant weight. School reports, regular contact records, photographs over time and statements from the other parent or carers can all help to show that the relationship is genuine and ongoing. Where there is conflict with the other parent or unresolved family court proceedings, timing and strategy need to be managed carefully so that the immigration application does not cut across any existing orders.

2. Process Overview and Expected Timelines

Applicants complete the relevant forms online, providing detailed information about their background, their child and their circumstances in the UK.

Applicants are required to submit all supporting documents along with the online application, either electronically or at a visa application centre, depending on local regulations.

Applicants also provide biometric information, fingerprints and a photograph, at a designated visa application centre.

The published service standard for parent applications made outside the UK is 12 weeks from the date of application, although more complex cases can take longer. Expedited processing may be available for an additional fee in some locations.

If successful, the visa will allow the parent to live in the UK, usually with a route to apply for further leave to remain and potentially settle permanently.

Where parents apply from within the UK, it is important to avoid gaps between periods of leave, especially for those looking ahead to settlement based on long residence or the ten-year family route. Caseworkers will also look closely at any historic overstaying or breaches of previous visa conditions, so those issues should be addressed in the application rather than left unexplained.

3. Supporting Documentation

To apply as a parent, the following documentation is generally required:

a. Birth Certificate of the Child: To establish the relationship between the child and the parent.

b. Evidence of Responsibility and Contact: This could include court orders, school letters, care plans or other relevant documents indicating the parent’s role, responsibility and contact arrangements in the child’s life.

c. Financial Evidence: Bank statements, employment details and other documents to show that the parent can support themselves and contribute to the child’s upbringing without additional reliance on public funds.

d. English Language Proficiency Evidence: Test results or certificates proving the applicant meets the necessary language requirements.

Additional supporting evidence often makes the difference in parent applications. Reports from social workers, health visitors or other professionals, as well as diaries of contact and travel, can help to show that the child’s best interests lie in the parent being granted permission to stay in the UK.

Read our guide to the Parent visa here >>

Section E: Applying as a Child

The ‘Applying as a Child’ route provides a means for children under 18 to join their parents who are British citizens, hold settled status in the UK or are applying under the family route at the same time. This visa category ensures families can live together in the UK, supporting the child’s growth and stability. To qualify, the child must be dependent, unmarried and not leading an independent life. Where only one parent is in the UK, the application usually needs the consent of any other person with parental responsibility unless the UK-based parent has sole responsibility or there are compelling reasons.

Child applications are often linked to a partner or parent application, which means weaknesses in the adult’s case can quickly affect the child. Caseworkers look at the family unit as a whole, including who the child normally lives with, what education they are receiving and whether moving country would disrupt important medical or welfare arrangements. It is important to frame the application around the child’s best interests rather than assuming that parents’ rights take priority.

Successful applicants under this category are granted permission to reside in the UK, attend school and enjoy the security of family life.

1. Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a UK family visa as a child, the applicant needs to meet the following criteria:

a. Age Requirement: Be under 18 at the time of application.

b. Dependency: Be a dependent child of a parent or parents who are British, settled or applying under Appendix FM as a partner or parent. Children who entered the route before turning 18 can usually continue as dependants after 18, provided they remain part of the family unit and not leading an independent life.

c. Unmarried Status: The child must not be married or in a civil partnership.

d. Living Situation: The child should not be living independently, for example managing their own finances or living separately from their parents.

Where parents are separated, the Rules require the Home Office to look closely at who has primary care, what formal arrangements are in place and whether relocation would cut across any existing court orders. The more clearly the application explains where the child lives now, who makes key decisions for them and how they will be supported in the UK, the easier it is for a caseworker to follow why a grant of leave is in the child’s interests.

2. Process Overview and Expected Timelines

The application is submitted online and includes detailed information about the child’s circumstances and relationship with the sponsoring parent or guardian.

All supporting documentation must be uploaded electronically or provided during an appointment at a visa application centre.

Depending on age, the child may also need to provide biometric information at a visa application centre.

The published service standard for child applications made outside the UK is 12 weeks, although more complex cases can exceed this timeframe. Some visa application centres offer expedited processing for an additional fee.

The visa will permit the child to join their family in the UK if approved. The duration of leave usually aligns with the sponsoring parent’s period of leave, and children can generally apply for settlement after the required period of residence on the family route.

Families often need to think ahead about the impact on schooling and exams when choosing an application date. Where the child is approaching 18, there is also a timing consideration to avoid last minute applications that leave little time to correct mistakes or respond to Home Office queries before their existing leave expires.

3. Supporting Documentation

The following documents are typically required when applying as a child:

a. Birth Certificate: To prove the relationship with the UK-based parent or guardian.

b. Consent of Parents: Written consent from any non-accompanying parent or guardian with parental responsibility, unless the UK-based parent has sole responsibility or there are strong reasons why consent cannot be obtained.

c. Proof of Financial Support: Evidence that the UK-based parent or guardian meets the relevant financial requirement to sponsor the child.

d. Accommodation Details: Proof that adequate accommodation exists so that the child will not rely on public funds.

Additional material such as school reports, letters from teachers or healthcare professionals and evidence of extracurricular activities can help to paint a fuller picture of the child’s life and needs. Where a child has special educational or medical requirements, those should be explained clearly so that the impact of refusing the application is understood.

You can read our extensive guide to Child Visa UK here >>

Section F: Applying as an Adult Coming to be Cared for by a Relative

The ‘Applying as an Adult Coming to be Cared for by a Relative’ route in the UK family visa system addresses the needs of adult family members who, due to age, illness or disability, require long term personal care that can only be provided by relatives in the UK. This visa category is intended for applicants whose care needs cannot be met in their home country, either because suitable care is unavailable, unaffordable even with the sponsor’s financial help or inadequate for their specific medical circumstances.

The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) route is one of the most restrictive areas of the Immigration Rules. Even well prepared applications are often refused because the Home Office expects detailed medical and practical evidence showing not only that the applicant needs daily personal care, but also that care in their home country is genuinely inaccessible or unsuitable. Substantial supporting documentation is usually needed to cover the cost, availability and quality of care options in the applicant’s home country, rather than relying solely on medical reports.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have a close family connection in the UK—such as a child, grandchild, brother, sister, parent or grandparent—who is willing and able to provide the required care without recourse to public funds. Under Appendix ADR, most applicants are expected to apply from outside the UK, and grants of permission from within the UK are very restricted.

If successful, an adult dependent relative is usually granted leave that leads to settlement, allowing them to stay in the UK permanently, depending on the sponsoring relative’s own status.

1. Eligibility Criteria

Adults applying to come to the UK to be cared for by a relative must meet stringent requirements:

a. Relationship: The applicant must be the parent, grandparent, sibling or child over 18 of a person in the UK who is a British citizen, has settled status or has refugee leave or humanitarian protection.

b. Long term Care Needs: The applicant must need long term personal care to perform everyday tasks because of illness, disability or age and should show that the level of care required is not available or cannot reasonably be provided in their home country, even with the sponsor’s financial support.

c. Care Provision: The UK relative must be able to provide adequate care and accommodation without recourse to public funds.

In practice, the medical threshold is extremely high. Decision makers expect consistent and detailed medical evidence from professionals directly involved in the applicant’s care, alongside clear explanations of why local care providers, residential facilities or home carers cannot meet the required level of need. Unsupported statements or general assertions about cultural expectations of family care carry little weight without evidence.

2. Process Overview and Expected Timelines

Applicants complete the relevant online application forms, providing detailed information about their medical circumstances, their relationship to the UK-based relative and the reasons why care cannot be provided in their home country.

Required documents are submitted online or provided during an appointment at a visa application centre. Applicants also provide fingerprints and a photograph at the visa application centre.

Most applicants need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at the standard adult rate unless they fall into one of the limited exempt categories. This provides access to the NHS on the same basis as UK residents.

The published service standard for ADR applications made overseas is 12 weeks. In practice, these applications often take considerably longer due to the detailed evidence required and the level of scrutiny applied.

If the application is successful, the visa will usually place the applicant on a route leading to indefinite leave to remain.

Because of the high refusal rates and the level of detail required, most ADR applications benefit from early preparation and coordination with medical professionals, family members overseas and the UK sponsor. Applicants should also be prepared for the possibility of further evidence requests or, in some cases, needing to consider whether alternative visa options are available if the ADR criteria cannot be met.

3. Supporting Documentation

Documentation for these applications is heavily scrutinised, given the high threshold of proof required:

a. Medical Documentation: Detailed medical reports and a letter from a doctor or other qualified professional explaining the condition, the long term care needs and why suitable care cannot be provided in the applicant’s home country.

b. Proof of Relationship: Birth certificates, marriage certificates or other legal documents confirming the applicant’s relationship with the UK relative.

c. Financial and Accommodation Evidence: Evidence that the UK relative can support and accommodate the applicant without recourse to public funds, including bank statements, tenancy agreements or property ownership documents.

Additional evidence about local care availability, including costed assessments, waiting lists, reports from social services or statements from local providers, can strengthen the application by demonstrating that the applicant has thoroughly explored other options. Consistency across medical documents, family statements and country evidence is important to show that the need for care in the UK is genuine and long standing.

You can read our extensive guide to the Adult Dependent Relative Visa here >>

Section G: Applying Based on Your Private Life

The ‘Applying Based on Your Private Life’ route in the UK immigration system is designed for individuals with significant long standing ties to the UK whose removal would be unreasonable or disproportionate in light of their personal circumstances. This pathway allows people who may not fit the traditional family categories to regularise their status where their life, relationships and integration are firmly rooted in the UK.

Private life applications are often used where a person has built their life in the UK over many years but lacks a clean route under Appendix FM, perhaps because there is no qualifying sponsor, their partner does not meet the financial rules or their history includes periods of overstaying. The focus shifts away from a single family relationship and towards the overall picture of residence, integration and what it would mean in reality to be required to leave.

Eligible applicants commonly include those who have lived in the UK for long periods, often since childhood, young adults with most of their formative years in the UK, people who have spent 20 years here continuously or those who would face very significant obstacles to integrating into life in their country of origin.

If granted, permission to stay on private life grounds allows the applicant to continue living, working and studying in the UK, with a route to settlement usually after ten years.

1. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants may apply under this route if they meet one of the following criteria:

a. Long Residence: They have lived continuously in the UK for at least 20 years.

b. Significant Ties with Less than 20 Years’ Residence: They have lived in the UK for a shorter period but have strong personal, social or cultural ties here, meaning it would be unreasonable to expect them to live elsewhere.

c. Young Adults: They are aged between 18 and 25 and have lived continuously in the UK for at least half of their life.

d. Very Significant Obstacles: They would face very significant obstacles to integration into life in their country of origin, such as severe linguistic, cultural, medical or social barriers.

Choosing between a private life application and a family application under Appendix FM is not always straightforward. Some people meet the technical rules under both routes, but the implications are different because private life usually leads to a ten year route to settlement rather than five. For others, especially those with long periods of overstaying, private life may be the only realistic way to bring their position within the Rules, which makes the quality and consistency of the residence evidence crucial.

2. Process Overview and Expected Timelines

Applicants complete the online application form and upload supporting evidence to demonstrate their residence history, personal circumstances and ties to the UK. Evidence needs to be detailed because the Home Office places considerable weight on genuine integration and any obstacles to returning to the country of origin.

Applicants also provide biometric information at a designated visa application centre. The Immigration Health Surcharge is usually payable unless an exemption applies.

Private life applications are typically decided within several months. Current Home Office information indicates that these cases often take around 12 months due to the volume of evidence and the absence of a formal service standard.

If the application is successful, the applicant will normally be granted 30 months’ permission to stay, with the option in some cases to request 60 months. Private life applicants usually qualify for settlement after ten years’ residence on this route.

Because of the timescales involved, it is important to think ahead about how future extensions will be evidenced. Applicants who are granted leave on private life grounds need to keep building an organised record of their residence, work, study and community links so that they remain in a strong position when the next application falls due or when they come to apply for settlement.

3. Supporting Documentation

Supporting documentation is fundamental to evidencing a private life claim:

a. Proof of Residence: Documents showing continuous residence such as utility bills, school or college records, medical records, employment documents or tenancy agreements.

b. Personal Statements: A detailed statement explaining the applicant’s ties to the UK, daily life, relationships, community involvement and impact if they were required to leave.

c. Letters of Support: Letters from friends, employers, teachers or community leaders confirming the applicant’s integration, contribution and circumstances.

Gaps in documentation are common, especially for people who have lived informally with friends or relatives or who have been reluctant to seek medical treatment because of their status. A careful timeline, backed by whatever evidence exists for each period, can help to bridge those gaps. Where some periods cannot be documented at all, honest explanation is usually better than leaving caseworkers to make their own assumptions.

Read our guide to the Private Life applications here >>

Section H: Summary

The UK offers several pathways for family visa applications, each designed to meet the needs of different family relationships and circumstances, such as applying as a partner or spouse, a parent, a child, an adult coming to be cared for by a relative or on the basis of your private life. Each category has specific eligibility criteria, documentation requirements and application processes.

Given the complexities and demands of the UK family visa system, obtaining professional legal advice can significantly enhance the likelihood of a successful outcome, saving time and reducing the emotional toll on applicants and their families. Immigration laws and application requirements can be intricate and subject to frequent changes, which might easily be overlooked by applicants navigating the process alone. In contrast, the procedural and evidential requirements remain stringent.

For instance, partners or spouses must evidence the legitimacy of their relationship and meet increasing financial thresholds. On the other hand, parents must establish their essential role in their child’s life, particularly if they claim sole responsibility.

For children under 18, the application has to confirm dependency and the consent for relocation by all legal guardians unless exceptional circumstances apply. Adult dependants applying to be cared for by a relative in the UK face stringent requirements, proving that necessary care is unavailable or inadequate in their home country due to specific reasons such as cost or quality.

Applicants citing “private life” reasons must illustrate deep-rooted connections to the UK, which can involve demonstrating cultural integration, social ties, and long-term residence. These applications are scrutinised to assess the impact of relocating on the applicant’s well-being.

Whether you are reuniting with family or ensuring that a loved one receives the care they need, the journey to obtaining a family visa can be smoother and more straightforward with careful preparation and expert guidance.

Section I: Need Assistance?

The family visa process can place considerable pressure on families, testing resources and resilience. As such, thorough preparation is essential for any UK family visa application, both to meet the strict requirements and to maintain the strength and stability of family ties throughout the process. Rules and requirements also change frequently, and staying informed will be important to ensure you qualify and can prove your eligibility.

For expert guidance on making a UK family visa application, contact DavidsonMorris’ UK immigration legal advisers. We can advise on ways to strengthen your case, such as compiling compelling evidence of relationships or meeting financial requirements, which will manage the process on your behalf and help alleviate pressure on your family through the process.

Section J: UK Family Visa FAQs

How long does it take to process a UK family visa application?

The processing time for a UK family visa can vary depending on the type of visa and where the application is made. Generally, it takes about 12 weeks for applications to be made outside the UK, but times can vary. Applicants can opt for expedited services, which may reduce processing time.

What is the minimum income requirement for sponsoring a family visa?

For new applications to sponsor a partner under the five-year family route, the minimum annual income requirement is £29,000, regardless of how many dependent children are included.

If your first partner or spouse visa on this route was granted before 11 April 2024 and you are extending with the same partner, transitional rules apply: the older threshold of £18,600, plus child add-ons of £3,800 for the first dependant child and £2,400 for each further dependant child, still applies, but the total is capped so it cannot exceed £29,000.

Other family routes, such as some parent-only or adequate maintenance cases, are assessed under different financial tests rather than the £29,000 MIR.

Can I apply for a family visa if I am on a student visa in the UK?

Generally, holders of student visas cannot sponsor family members for immigration to the UK, except for some cases where dependents are allowed (such as children or a spouse in a postgraduate course). It is best to consult with an immigration expert for advice based on specific circumstances.

What proof is needed to apply for a family visa as a partner or spouse?

You must provide proof of your relationship (such as marriage or civil partnership certificates), evidence of meeting the financial requirement (like bank statements or payslips), proof of adequate accommodation, and your partner’s legal status in the UK. Proof of passing an English language test is required unless exemptions apply.

Are family visa applicants entitled to access public funds? 

Typically, family visa holders do not have access to public funds (such as benefits and housing assistance) until they have achieved settled status or indefinite leave to remain.

Can I switch from another visa category to a family visa while in the UK?

It is possible to switch to a family visa from some other visa categories in the UK, such as from a work visa to a spouse visa. However, specific criteria must be met, and such changes are not permitted from tourist or visitor visas. DavidsonMorris can provide tailored advice on your options in your circumstances.

What happens if my family visa application is refused? 

If your family visa application is refused, you will receive a decision letter that explains the reasons for refusal. You may be able to appeal the decision or apply for an administrative review, depending on the type of refusal and the visa category. Consulting with an immigration lawyer is recommended in such cases.

Section K: Glossary

Section L: Additional Resources & Links