Discover the UK Family Visa Definitive Insider guide

The UK family visa application process, may appear complex. You’re not alone, if you feel that way and our guide can assist. Applying for a UK family visa may seem difficult, but with the right guidance, you can navigate this process smoothly. This guide will break down in simple steps everything you need to know.

Reuniting with your loved ones is a significant milestone. The UK family visa route offers several options to help you achieve this dream. Whether you’re a spouse, fiancé, child, or parent, this guide provides essential information and tips for a successful application. Start now to turn your dream of living together in the UK, with your family into a reality.

UK Family Visa Categories

Applying for a UK family visa involves selecting the right visa category based on your relationship with the person you plan to join in the UK. Here are the primary visa categories available under the family visa route:

UK Partner and Spouse Visa

The UK partner and spouse visa is for those married to or in a civil partnership with a UK citizen or settled person. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK with your partner. To apply for a UK Partner or Spouse Visa, both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old. Your partner must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status in the UK, or meet other specific criteria.

You must intend to live together permanently in the UK. If your partner has settled or pre-settled status, you might qualify for the free EU Settlement Scheme. You need to prove that you meet the relationship requirements. Additionally, you must demonstrate good knowledge of English and meet financial requirements.

For fiancés or proposed civil partners, you must show that any previous marriages have ended and that you plan to marry or become civil partners within six months of arriving in the UK

UK Partner and Spouse Visa application

The application for a UK Partner or Spouse Visa is online, whether inside or outside the UK. It requires both you and your partner to be at least 18 years old and your partner must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status in the UK, or meet specific criteria. To qualify, you need to meet the eligibility, suitability, financial as well as English requirements and provide evidence that the relationship is genuine. The timeframe for decisions can be found on the gov.uk website.

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. If applying as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, you can stay for 6 months. After this period, you must apply to extend your stay. Extensions or switching to this visa allow you to stay for an additional 2 years and 6 months. If you are applying with children you can include them as dependants if they are under 18 and not living independently.

You can apply for indefinite leave to remain after living in the UK for 5 years continuously on a family visa as a partner. Time spent in the UK on other visas or as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner does not count.

The current fee for a Spouse visa application is dependent on whether it is submitted from abroad or from within the UK. These costs increase if you’re applying with dependents. Additional expenses include translation services for documents not in English or Welsh, approved English tests, priority service fees for quicker processing, and the immigration health surcharge.

If your application is accepted, you receive leave to remain, allowing you to enter the UK within 30 days. After arrival, you have 10 days to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). If you miss the 30-day window, you can apply for another 30-day entry permit for an additional fee.

Fiancé Visa (Fiancée or Proposed Civil Partner Visa)

This visa is for those intending to marry or enter into a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK. It allows you to live in the UK while preparing for your marriage or civil partnership. The UK Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner Visa allows non-EEA nationals to come to the UK to marry or become civil partners with British citizens or those settled in the UK, including individuals with refugee or humanitarian protection leave to remain.

To be eligible, you must apply from outside the UK and intend to marry or enter a civil partnership with a partner who is present and settled in the UK. You must meet all suitability and eligibility requirements for entry clearance.

Proposed Civil Partner Visa application

The process for making an application for a UK proposed civil partner visa (Fiancé or Fiancée) involves several steps, all completed online. The first step is to confirm your eligibility which requires you and your partner to meet certain criteria, such as being 18 or over and planning to marry within six months.

Gather the necessary documents to prove your eligibility. These typically include proof of your relationship, financial evidence, and English language proficiency. Fill out the online application which includes payment of the application fee and upload all supporting documents. Next, a biometric appointment is required to be arranged for your fingerprints and photo. You may also need to attend an interview to verify the genuineness of your relationship and intent to marry.

If granted, a Fiancé Visa allows you to stay in the UK for six months to get married or enter a civil partnership. After marriage, you can apply for a Spouse Visa, valid for up to 30 months, extendable for another 30 months. Ensure you apply for the Spouse Visa before your Fiancé Visa expires.

Child Dependant Visa

Children under 18 can join their parent(s) in the UK if one or both parents are already in the UK on a valid visa. The child must be dependent on the parent and cannot be living an independent life.

Adult Dependant Relative Visa

This visa is for adult family members who need long-term care from a relative settled in the UK. The applicant must demonstrate that they require care which is not available in their home country.

PBS Dependant Visa

If you are the family member of someone with a points-based system (PBS) visa, you can apply to join them in the UK. This category includes dependents of Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 4, and Tier 5 visa holders.

Parent Visa

A parent of a child who is a UK citizen or settled person can apply for this visa if they have sole responsibility for the child or direct access rights in person to the child.

Ancestry Visa

This visa is for Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK. It allows you to work and live in the UK based on your UK ancestry.

Family Reunion Visa

This visa is primarily for refugees and individuals with humanitarian protection, allowing them to bring their family members to join them in the UK.

What Fees Do You Have to Pay?

When applying for a UK Family Visa, there are several fees and costs to consider, First, you’ll need to pay the family visa application fees. This fee is essential for processing your application, in addition, you’ll be required to pay the Health Surcharge fee. This fee ensures you have medical coverage while in the UK. Another important cost is your course fees. Other potential costs include Translation Services, English Language Test, Priority Service, Document Verification and Biometric Appointment. There is also an application and IHS fee for dependent.

Family Visa Application Fees

You can find the current application fee for a UK Family Visa on the gov.uk website if you’re applying from outside the UK. Furthermore, extending or switching your visa within the UK incurs additional costs.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

Along with the family visa fee, you must pay the IHS for access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Find the yearly cost for a family visa on the gov.uk website and include this payment with your visa application.

Prepare for Travel to the UK

Once your family visa is approved, start preparing for your journey. First, arrange accommodation to ensure you have a place to stay upon arrival, then, book your flight. Pack appropriately by checking the UK’s climate. Keep your passport, visa and other important documents easily accessible.

FAQ

Qualifying relationships for UK family visas include those where your partner is a British or Irish citizen, has settled status, or holds refugee or humanitarian protection status. This includes spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners who have been living together for at least two years.

The processing time for a UK spouse visa varies, depending on your location and the completeness of your application. The gov.uk website can provide estimations

You need to have been living with your partner in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before you can apply for a UK family visa as an unmarried partner.

Yes, you can sponsor your partner if you meet the financial requirement through savings or other income sources.

The minimum financial requirement usually depends on your partners annual income, sufficient savings or other methods to meet the financial threshold. This amount increases if you have dependent children

The Applicants passport will be returned with a 30-day entry visa. Enter the UK within this time frame to pick up your full visa, issued on a Biometric Residence Permit, available only in the UK.

Need Support with Your UK Family Visa?

If you need assistance with your family visa application, our team of experts is here to help. Contact us for a definitive step-by-step guide and personalized support to ensure a smooth application process. Let’s make your dream of living with your family in the UK a reality!

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