The Family Visitor Visa allows overseas nationals to travel to the UK to spend time with close family members on a temporary basis. While the term “Family Visitor Visa” is still commonly used, it is no longer a distinct immigration category. Family visits now fall under the Standard Visitor Visa route governed by Appendix V of the UK Immigration Rules.
Family visits remain one of the most frequent reasons for visa applications to the UK. However, the Home Office applies strict criteria to assess whether an applicant is a “genuine visitor” — meaning they intend to leave the UK after their stay and will not engage in prohibited activities such as work, long-term study, or accessing public funds. In practice, visa nationals (as listed in Appendix Visitor: Visa National List) must obtain a visitor visa before travel, whereas many non-visa nationals (for example citizens of the USA, Canada and Australia) may seek permission to enter as visitors at the UK border for stays up to six months if they satisfy entry conditions.
What this article is about
This guide provides a complete legal and procedural overview of the Family Visitor Visa under the current Standard Visitor route. It explains who can apply, the eligibility and evidence requirements, the application process, visa conditions, and how to reduce the risk of refusal. It is written for individuals planning to visit relatives in the UK, as well as for UK-based sponsors seeking to understand their responsibilities when inviting family members to visit.
Section A: Understanding the Family Visitor Visa
Although the Family Visitor Visa is no longer a standalone visa type, it remains a practical way for overseas nationals to visit close relatives in the UK under the Standard Visitor Visa framework. The Home Office categorises such applications as family visits, meaning the primary reason for travel is to visit a family member who is lawfully resident in the UK.
Family visitors must meet all the general requirements of the Standard Visitor route, as outlined in Appendix V: Visitor of the UK Immigration Rules. This includes showing that they will leave the UK at the end of their visit, that they can support themselves financially during their stay, and that they will not engage in any activities prohibited under this visa category. In addition, visa nationals must obtain a visitor visa before travel, while many non-visa nationals may seek permission to enter as visitors at the UK border for stays of up to six months if they satisfy the entry conditions.
1. What is the Family Visitor Visa?
The Family Visitor Visa allows individuals to visit close family members in the UK for up to six months. It is issued under the Standard Visitor Visa route, meaning the same core rules apply to all visitor purposes, including tourism, business and short-term study.
While the “family visitor” label is not a separate legal category, applications for this purpose are assessed with reference to the applicant’s ties to their home country, relationship with their UK-based relative and the genuine intention to return home after the visit.
Applicants must show that their visit is temporary, that they will not work or study (except for permitted short courses), and that they can afford their trip without recourse to public funds.
2. Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a Family Visitor Visa, an applicant must:
- Be a non-UK and non-Irish national from a country that requires a visa to enter the UK (visa national), or if a non-visa national, meet the entry requirements at the border without prior visa approval.
- Apply from outside the UK if they are a visa national seeking entry clearance as a visitor.
- Satisfy the genuine visitor test, proving they intend to leave at the end of their visit, will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits, and will not engage in prohibited activities.
- Have sufficient funds to cover travel, accommodation and living expenses during their stay, without accessing public funds.
- Provide evidence of their relationship with the UK-based family member they intend to visit.
The Home Office will also assess the applicant’s personal circumstances, including their employment, property, financial stability and family ties in their home country, to ensure they have a clear reason to return.
3. Family Relationships Covered
For visa purposes, “family members” are defined broadly but typically include:
- Spouses or civil partners
- Parents or step-parents
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- Children (including adult children) and stepchildren
- Aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews or cousins (considered at the Home Office’s discretion, with stronger evidential requirements)
Where the applicant is visiting extended family, additional evidence may be needed to prove the nature of the relationship and the reason for the visit. Documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates or official records may be used to establish the family link.
The Home Office may also take into account the immigration status of the UK-based relative. If the family member is a British citizen or settled person (for example, someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain), the application may carry more weight than where the relative is temporarily resident.
Section Summary: The Family Visitor Visa enables overseas nationals to visit relatives in the UK under the Standard Visitor route. While it is no longer a separate visa category, the Home Office continues to treat family visits as a distinct purpose for entry, applying the same eligibility rules as other visitors. Applicants must prove they are genuine visitors, demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and provide strong evidence of their family relationship to secure approval.
Section B: Applying for a Family Visitor Visa
Applying for a Family Visitor Visa follows the same process as any Standard Visitor Visa application. The application must be made from outside the UK and submitted online via the official GOV.UK portal. Each applicant must complete their own form, even when travelling as part of a family group. The process is primarily evidence-based, with the Home Office assessing whether the visitor’s stated purpose — in this case, visiting family — meets the requirements of Appendix V.
Applicants should allow sufficient time before their intended travel date, as processing times can vary depending on location and demand. It is also important that all evidence is clearly presented and translated into English where necessary, as unclear or incomplete submissions are a leading cause of refusal.
1. Application Process
The Family Visitor Visa application is completed online at www.gov.uk/standard-visitor. Applicants must:
- Complete the online form and pay the visa fee.
- Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph).
- Upload or submit supporting documents that evidence the purpose of the visit, the applicant’s financial means and their intent to return home.
Documents are uploaded digitally through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) system or submitted directly at the visa application centre, depending on the service available in the applicant’s location. During the process, applicants will also be asked to provide details of their UK-based relative, including their name, address, immigration status and relationship to the applicant. An invitation letter from the family member can help strengthen the case, but it must align with other evidence provided. The UK-based family member does not need to hold a specific immigration status beyond lawful residence to issue this letter.
2. Supporting Documents
The Home Office requires evidence to confirm that the applicant meets all eligibility criteria. Typical supporting documents include:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Proof of sufficient funds, such as bank statements, payslips or proof of regular income.
- Details of accommodation and return travel bookings.
- Evidence of the relationship with the UK-based family member (e.g. birth or marriage certificates).
- A letter of invitation from the family member, confirming the purpose and duration of the visit, along with copies of their immigration documents or passport.
- Evidence of employment, education or personal commitments in the applicant’s home country.
Where documents are not in English or Welsh, certified translations must be provided. Failure to submit proper translations can lead to a refusal on evidential grounds.
3. Visa Fees and Processing Times
As of 2025, the application fee for a Standard Visitor Visa — which covers family visits — is £115 for stays up to six months. Applicants may also opt for:
- Priority service: around 5 working days (additional fee).
- Super priority service: next working day (higher additional fee).
Processing typically takes around 3 weeks from the date of the biometric appointment, though this can vary depending on the country of application and seasonal demand. There is no refund if a visa is refused, so it is vital that applicants prepare a complete and accurate submission.
Section Summary: The Family Visitor Visa application process is straightforward but requires careful preparation. Applicants must apply online, attend a biometric appointment and provide documentary evidence that demonstrates the visit is genuine, temporary and financially supported. Strong supporting evidence and clarity of purpose are essential to avoiding refusal.
Section C: Conditions and Restrictions
Holders of a Family Visitor Visa are subject to strict conditions designed to ensure that their stay in the UK remains temporary and consistent with the visitor route’s purpose. While visiting relatives is permitted, visitors must not breach the conditions of stay by working, studying beyond the permitted scope, or attempting to remain in the UK long term. The visa does not grant any entitlement to public funds or long-term residence rights.
Understanding these restrictions is vital, as breaching them can result in the refusal of future visa applications, cancellation of an existing visa, or even a re-entry ban.
1. Length of Stay
Family visitors are generally granted permission to stay in the UK for up to six months. This duration applies regardless of whether the purpose of the visit is to see immediate or extended family.
Longer-term visitor visas — valid for 2, 5, or 10 years — are available for frequent travellers, but the maximum duration of stay for each visit remains six months. The visa validity simply allows multiple entries within its time frame.
Parents of children enrolled at independent schools in the UK may, in limited cases, apply for a longer stay (up to 12 months) under specific conditions outlined in Appendix V. However, this is distinct from a standard family visit and requires clear evidence of necessity.
Visitors are expected to leave the UK before the end of their permitted stay. Overstaying, even by a few days, can negatively affect future applications.
2. Prohibited Activities
Under the Family Visitor Visa, applicants are not allowed to:
- Undertake any paid or unpaid work for a UK business or organisation.
- Engage in self-employment or provide goods and services to the public.
- Undertake long-term study or enrol in full-time education.
- Access public funds, social housing or NHS treatment (other than emergency care).
- Marry or register a civil partnership unless they have applied for a Marriage Visitor Visa.
Short recreational or leisure courses of up to 30 days are permitted, provided they are not the main reason for visiting. Breaching visa conditions can lead to cancellation of permission and affect future travel to the UK.
3. Extending or Switching
Family visitors cannot extend their visa from within the UK beyond the six-month limit. The visitor route is temporary and does not lead to settlement, meaning it cannot be used as a pathway to long-term residence.
Similarly, switching to another immigration category (such as Skilled Worker, Student, or Spouse visa) is not permitted from within the UK. Anyone wishing to change their immigration status must leave the UK and apply from abroad under the relevant route.
It is also not possible to convert a visitor visa into a dependent or family visa while in the UK. Attempting to remain beyond the authorised stay will result in an overstay breach under Section 24 of the Immigration Act 1971.
While family visits form the primary purpose under this visa route, Appendix V also allows visitors to carry out certain limited business or academic activities during their stay, provided these are incidental to the main purpose of visiting family.
Section Summary: The Family Visitor Visa carries clear conditions to maintain its temporary nature. Visitors may stay for up to six months but must not work, study long-term, or access public funds. The route cannot be extended or switched into another visa type. Adhering to these rules is essential to preserve compliance and eligibility for future UK visa applications.
Section D: Refusals and Reapplications
Despite the straightforward nature of the Family Visitor Visa, refusals are common where applicants fail to meet the evidential requirements or do not convincingly demonstrate their intention to leave the UK at the end of their visit. The Home Office decision-maker must be satisfied that the applicant is a “genuine visitor” and that the documentation provided supports their claimed circumstances.
A refusal does not necessarily prevent future applications, but it does remain on record and may influence the outcome of subsequent submissions if the same weaknesses are not addressed.
1. Common Reasons for Refusal
The most frequent reasons for refusal include:
- Lack of evidence of genuine intent to return home: The applicant fails to show sufficient ties to their country of residence, such as employment, property ownership or family obligations.
- Financial concerns: Inadequate or unclear evidence of how the trip will be funded, particularly where the sponsor’s financial support is not properly documented.
- Weak relationship evidence: Insufficient documentation proving the relationship with the UK-based relative.
- Inconsistencies in the application: Discrepancies between the stated purpose of the visit, financial details and supporting evidence.
- Previous immigration breaches: Past overstaying, refusal or deception in prior applications.
Decision letters typically refer to paragraphs of Appendix V explaining why the “genuine visitor” test was not met. These letters should be reviewed carefully to identify where evidence fell short.
2. How to Respond to a Refusal
There is no right of appeal against a Family Visitor Visa refusal, except on limited human rights grounds (for example, where the refusal breaches Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights — the right to family life). However, such appeals are rare and typically reserved for cases involving exceptional circumstances.
Instead, applicants are encouraged to reapply with improved evidence. The new application should directly address the issues highlighted in the refusal letter, ensuring that any missing documentation or inconsistencies are resolved.
Where the refusal was based on financial or employment evidence, applicants should provide clearer, more detailed records such as certified bank statements, payslips and letters from employers confirming continued employment.
If the issue related to relationship evidence, updated documents (for example, official birth certificates or correspondence showing ongoing contact) should be provided.
In rare cases where a refusal is considered legally or procedurally flawed, applicants may seek judicial review in the Upper Tribunal. This process is complex, time-sensitive and typically requires legal representation.
3. Tips for a Strong Application
To minimise the risk of refusal, applicants should:
- Present clear, consistent evidence of family relationships and visit purpose.
- Provide proof of financial independence or transparent sponsorship arrangements.
- Demonstrate strong ties to their home country, such as a stable job, family dependants or property ownership.
- Avoid submitting excessive or irrelevant documents that obscure key evidence.
- Include an invitation letter from the UK family member that clearly states the purpose, duration and accommodation details of the visit.
Transparency and organisation are key. Decision-makers often refuse applications because information is incomplete or disorganised, even where genuine intent exists.
Section Summary: Refusals under the Family Visitor Visa route usually stem from inadequate or unclear evidence of genuine intent, finances or family ties. While appeals are not normally available, applicants may reapply with stronger evidence addressing the Home Office’s specific concerns. Meticulous preparation and well-documented relationships are central to success in reapplications.
FAQs
What counts as a family member for a UK visitor visa?
For immigration purposes, “family member” includes close relatives such as a spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, sibling or child. The Home Office may also consider extended relatives — including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews or cousins — if the applicant can provide clear evidence of the relationship and a genuine reason for visiting.
How long can I stay on a Family Visitor Visa?
Most Family Visitor Visas are granted for stays of up to six months. Longer-term multiple-entry visas (2, 5 or 10 years) are available, but each individual visit must not exceed six months. In all cases, the visitor must leave the UK before the end of their permitted stay.
Can I work or study while visiting family in the UK?
No. The Family Visitor Visa does not allow any paid or unpaid work, including freelance or remote work for UK companies. Short recreational or leisure courses of up to 30 days are permitted, but study cannot be the main purpose of the visit.
Can I extend my stay or switch visas while in the UK?
No. The Family Visitor Visa cannot be extended beyond the six-month limit, and it is not possible to switch to another immigration route (such as Skilled Worker or Spouse Visa) from within the UK. Visitors who wish to change their immigration status must leave the UK and apply for the appropriate visa from abroad.
How can I appeal if my visa is refused?
There is no formal right of appeal for Family Visitor Visa refusals unless there is a human rights issue, such as a potential breach of the right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Otherwise, the applicant must submit a new application addressing the refusal reasons and strengthening the evidence provided. In rare cases involving legal or procedural error, a judicial review may be possible.
Conclusion
The Family Visitor Visa remains an important route for overseas nationals wishing to spend time with relatives in the UK, though it is now officially part of the Standard Visitor Visa category. Applicants must meet all requirements of the visitor rules, demonstrating genuine intent to return home, sufficient financial means and a clear purpose for the visit.
Strong supporting evidence — particularly proof of relationship, financial stability and home ties — is essential to satisfying the Home Office’s “genuine visitor” test. Failure to do so remains the leading cause of refusal.
Sponsors in the UK should also ensure that any invitation letters or supporting documents are consistent, accurate and fully aligned with the applicant’s statements.
In summary, careful preparation and honest, well-documented evidence are key to success. The Family Visitor Visa allows meaningful family reunions, provided applicants understand and respect the visa’s strict conditions and temporary nature.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa | The UK visa category under which family visits, tourism and short-term business or study visits are permitted. |
| Genuine Visitor Test | A legal assessment used by the Home Office to determine if an applicant truly intends to visit temporarily and leave the UK at the end of their stay. |
| Appendix V | The section of the UK Immigration Rules governing visitor applications, outlining eligibility, permitted activities and refusal grounds. |
| Biometric Information | Fingerprints and a digital photograph taken at a visa application centre as part of the application process. |
| Right to Family Life (Article 8 ECHR) | A human rights principle protecting an individual’s right to maintain family relationships; occasionally relevant in visa refusal appeals. |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK – Standard Visitor Visa | https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor |
| DavidsonMorris – UK Visitor Visa | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/uk-visitor-visa/ |
| DavidsonMorris – Standard Visitor Visa | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/standard-visitor-visa/ |
| DavidsonMorris – Visitor Visa Application Guide | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/uk-visitor-visa-application/ |
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.
