If you want to live with your family members, applying for a UK family visa is essential. You may also be able to switch to a family visa from another category, provided you apply before your current visa expires and meet all eligibility requirements.
This guide explains everything you need to know about applying, extending, or switching your visa successfully.
A family visa allows you to stay for more than six months with your eligible family members. To secure approval, you must meet all requirements set for this visa category.
Our experienced immigration solicitors can assist with:
We provide clear and reliable guidance to help you navigate the process smoothly.
A UK family visa enables individuals to join close family members who are citizens or have settled status. This visa category is designed for partners, children, parents, and dependent relatives who wish to live together long-term.
There are several types of UK family visas, depending on your relationship with the sponsor:
This visa allows you to live with your partner if they are settled or a citizen. You must prove a genuine relationship, meet financial requirements, and have suitable accommodation.
This applies to individuals under 18 joining their parent(s). The child must not be living independently and must have proper care arrangements.
This route is for parents who need to join their child for long-term care due to age, illness, or other circumstances.
This visa is for individuals who rely on a relative for essential long-term care and cannot access adequate support in their home country.
To apply successfully, you must meet several key requirements:
You need to provide evidence showing a genuine and ongoing relationship with your sponsor. This may include official documents, communication records, and shared financial evidence.
You and your sponsor must meet the minimum income threshold. Supporting documents such as payslips, bank statements, or tax records are usually required.
You must show that suitable accommodation is available and meets housing standards without overcrowding.
Applicants are usually required to demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test or relevant qualification.
Applying for a family visa can be complex, especially when dealing with strict requirements and documentation. Professional guidance can help you avoid delays or refusals.
Our immigration solicitors support you at every stage, ensuring your application is complete, accurate, and well-prepared.
You can apply for a family visa to join your family member permanently. Eligible relationships include:
Each category has specific requirements that must be carefully met.
If you are already on a family visa, you can apply for an extension before your current permission expires.
To extend your stay:
If you are currently on a different visa, you may be eligible to switch to a family visa.
You can switch if you intend to stay with:
Applications must be submitted before your current visa expires and must meet all eligibility criteria.
Our legal team can assist with a wide range of family visa applications, including:
We understand your visa goals and assess your eligibility to provide clear, personalized guidance.
We review and organize all documents to ensure accuracy and completeness before submission.
A tailored approach is created for your visa type to minimize risks and improve approval chances.
We submit your application efficiently while monitoring progress and keeping you informed at every step.
We submit your application efficiently while monitoring progress and keeping you informed at every step.
We submit your application efficiently while monitoring progress and keeping you informed at every step.
We submit your application efficiently while monitoring progress and keeping you informed at every step.
We submit your application efficiently while monitoring progress and keeping you informed at every step.
We submit your application efficiently while monitoring progress and keeping you informed at every step.
The cost of a family visa depends on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK, as well as the type of application. Below is a breakdown of the applicable fees:
Joining your partner, parent, or child:
Please note that application fees may be subject to change, so it is always advisable to check for the latest updates before applying.
In addition to the application fee, most applicants are required to pay a healthcare surcharge. The amount depends on the applicant’s age and the length of stay.
For adults (18 or over):
For children (under 18):
This surcharge allows access to healthcare services during your stay.
Applicants applying from within the UK may have the option to use a faster decision service for an additional fee of £1000.
After receiving the decision, the biometric residence permit is usually issued within 10 working days.
Processing times can vary depending on where the application is submitted:
Delays may occur if additional checks or documents are required.
