Spouse & Family
Overview
The Family visa route is designed for those people who want to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months. You can apply for this category through the following routes:
- as a spouse or partner
- as a parent
- as a child
- as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative
You are able to apply from either outside or inside the UK. There is also a premium service provided by the Home Office. Please contact us for more information.
What are the requirements?
In order to apply as a partner or spouse:
1) You and your partner both need to be 18 or over
2) Your partner must also be either
- a British citizen
- settled in the UK
- or have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
3) You must be able to prove you are in a genuine relationship
4) You need to prove you have a good knowledge of English
5) You must also show that you are able to financially support yourself and your dependants
In order to apply as a parent
1) Your child must either
- be under 18 on the date you apply
- have been under 18 when you first applied for the visa and not live an independent life
2) Your child must be living in the UK as a British citizen, have indefinite leave to remain, or have lived in the UK for 7 years continuously and it would not be reasonable for them to leave
3) You must be able to prove that you’re taking an active role in your child’s upbringing and you plan to continue this role after you apply.
4) You must prove you have a good knowledge of English
5) You must establish that you are able to financially support yourself and your child without claiming public funds
In order to apply as a child
1) If you are under 18
You must
- not be married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life
- be financially supported without claiming public funds
- one of your parents must also be applying or have applied for a visa
2) If you are over 18
You can only apply if
- You have permission to stay in the UK (‘leave to remain’) on a family visa when you were under 18
- You do not live an independent life
Applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative
Your relative must be a British citizen or have settled status in the UK. You also need to show that:
- You need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or your age
- You are not able to obtain this care in your country of origin
- Your relative has sufficient funds and accommodation to support you in the UK