Overview
You need a family visa to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months.
Applying from outside the UK
You can apply for a family visa to live with your:
- spouse or partner
- fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner
- child
- parent
- relative who’ll provide long-term care for you
If you’re visiting the UK for 6 months or less, check if you need a Standard Visitor visa or Marriage Visitor visa.
Extending your family visa
You can apply to extend your stay with your family member if you’re already in the UK on a family visa.
You can extend at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.
If you’re extending to stay with the same family member, you’ll only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa.
You must live in the UK for a certain amount of time before you’re eligible for settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) – check how much time you need before you extend your visa.
You might be able to apply to stay on the basis of your private life if you’ve lived in the UK for many years already.
Switching to a family visa
If you came to the UK on a different visa, you might be able to switch to a family visa to stay with your:
- spouse or partner
- child
- parent
You can switch at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.
If you do not meet the rules because of coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you do not meet the rules to enter or remain in the UK because of coronavirus, you might still be able to apply to extend your stay or switch to a family visa. Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.
Fees
How much it costs depends on how you apply.
| Apply outside the UK | Apply in the UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost if joining your partner, parent or child | £1,523 | £1,033 |
| Cost for each dependant added to your application | £1,523 each person | £1,033 each person |
| Cost for an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative | £3,250 | £1,033 |
Let your bank know that a large amount of money will be coming out of your account – otherwise it might cancel your payment.
Healthcare surcharge
You might also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK
You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.
Get a faster decision on your application
If you’re applying from the UK, you may be able to pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a faster decision.
You cannot use the super priority service if you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative.
Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.
How long it takes
If you apply outside the UK a decision will usually be made within 12 weeks.
If you apply in the UK a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.
If you use the super priority service a decision will usually be made:
- by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday
- 2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend
Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.
It might take longer if your application is complex, for example you:
- do not meet the minimum income requirement
- cannot prove your knowledge of English
- need to attend an interview
- have not provided all the evidence that the Home Office needs
- have a criminal conviction or another personal circumstance that needs to be reviewed
Other ways you can stay
You were the victim of domestic abuse or your partner died
You might be able to apply to settle in the UK if you had permission to stay in the UK as a partner when either:
- you were the victim of domestic abuse
- your partner died
Your family member has refugee status or humanitarian protection
You might be able to apply for ‘family reunion’ to join a partner or parent who has either:
- refugee status in the UK
- humanitarian protection in the UK
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or a close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise you need a visa or family permit to come to the UK.
Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
When you cannot get a family visa
In some circumstances you cannot apply for, or switch to, a family visa.
Your family member has a work visa or student visa
You cannot apply for a family visa if your family member is in the UK temporarily on a work visa or student visa.
You can apply to stay with them as a dependent instead.
You have a visitor visa or a visa for 6 months or less
You’ll usually need to leave the UK to apply for a family visa if either:
- you have permission to be in the UK as a visitor
- your visa is for 6 months or less
However, you might be able to switch to a family visa in the UK if you have either:
- a 6-month family visa as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner
- permission to stay in the UK for the outcome of a family court case or divorce
Information you must provide
You’ll need to have information and some evidence ready when you make your application. Include information for you and any dependants applying at the same time.
You’ll need to provide:
- all your names
- your date of birth
- your current passport or other valid travel ID
- copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports
- a copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one
- details of any previous immigration applications you’ve made
- details of any criminal convictions
- your national insurance number, if you have one
- your parents’ date of birth and nationality if you’re applying from outside the UK
- your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
- a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh
You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa if you’re applying outside the UK.
You’ll need an email address to make an online application.
You’ll also need to give proof of:
- your finances
- how well you speak and understand English
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances – for example a sponsorship form from your family member in the UK.
You’ll be told how to provide your documents when you apply.
If you’re unable to provide specified documents because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you might still be able to apply. Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
Your partner’s details
If you have a partner, you’ll be asked about their:
- name
- date of birth
- nationality
- passport
- right to be in the UK, for example they’re a British citizen
You’ll also need to give details of:
- any people your partner was previously married to, in a civil partnership with or had children with
- evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate
- anyone your partner supports with money, for example their parents
Proof of relationship
If you’re applying as a spouse or partner, you’ll be asked about:
- your relationship with your partner, for example how you met and how often you see each other
- how long you’ve lived together – you’ll need to provide proof like council tax bills
- things you pay for together
- whether you’re your partner’s carer
Your previous partners
You’ll need to include details of anyone you previously married or had children with. Include evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate.
Children
You’ll need to give details of your children (and your partner’s children if you have one). You’ll be asked about all children, even if they’re not applying.
You’ll need to give details of:
- their name
- their nationality
- their date of birth
- their passport details
- who the child normally lives with
- any other people with parental responsibility for your child, for example your step children’s other parents
- how you’re involved in their day to day life
- arrangements you have to see the child – for example the courts have granted you access
- the child’s extended family
- any countries your child has visited or lived in
Your life outside the UK
You’ll need to give details of:
- countries outside the UK you’ve lived in and visited
- family and friends in the countries where you were born or have nationality
The above information which is from the government website can be accessed in full here.
It includes the criteria that you will need to establish and prove and certain documentary evidence.