family visit visa uk

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Family Visit Visa

The Family Visit Visa allows overseas nationals to visit family members in the UK for up to six months. It permits visitation for weddings, family events, graduations, and general visits. You must show clear reasons for your visit, that you will return home following your stay, and proof of funds. 

Call IAS on 0333 305 9375 for immediate help & assistance with your Family Visit Visa for UK travel. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone or online.

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Benefits of Choosing IAS For Your Visitor Visa Application

If you are planning to travel to the UK and require a visitor visa, then our immigration lawyers are on hand to provide advice and application assistance.

Whether this is your first application or you applied on your own before but were refused the visa, we can help.

No matter the reason why you plan to visit, the IAS range of expert services can help ensure your application is submitted quickly and to a high standard. Benefit from:

Tailored advice to ensure you are applying for the correct visa.

A personal immigration lawyer who can answer all queries.

Access to UK-specific knowledge of the immigration routes.

Confidence your application will be complete and comprehensive.

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Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

What is a UK Family Visit Visa?

If you are from outside the European Economic Area (a non-EEA national) and want to travel to the UK to visit a UK-based family member, you will need a Family Visit Visa. This visa is valid for up to six months. It is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor Visa .

UK Family Visitor Visas have very strict requirements and are, therefore, difficult to obtain. You must prove that you have a reason to return home once your six months are up and that you can fund your stay.

The Family Visitor Visa does not allow you to work, claim public funds or bring dependents. This means each visiting family member must apply for a separate visa for their UK stay. 

Family Visitor Visa Requirements

Family Visitor Visa UK requirements are the same as those for the Standard Visitor Visa.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old (Under 18s must apply under the Child Visitor Visa category)
• Have intentions to leave the UK after you visit the UK;
• You must show evidence of financial support once in the UK (this can be from a family member) and have enough funds to pay for your journey to make a Family Visit UK visa application. It is possible to sponsor a family member to visit the UK temporarily.

Family Visitor Visa Application Fee

The application fee for a UK family visitor visa is £115, matching the visa costs for a standard visitor visa. For those requiring longer-term visits, the fees are higher: a 2-year visa costs £432, a 5-year visa is £771, and a 10-year visa costs £963.

How can IAS help?

Our team of highly qualified lawyers can assist you with your application for a Family Visit Visa. One of our lawyers will work with you to assess your eligibility and complete your Family Visit Visa application to the highest standard.

Your appointed immigration solicitor can perform a full document check and prepare a Letter of Representation to support your application. This letter will detail your case and its merits, as well as reference any relevant UK and immigration rules and laws supporting your application for family visas or other UK visas.

Contact us using our online enquiry form or by calling 0333 363 8577 to arrange your first meeting with an immigration lawyer today.

How do I apply for a Family Visit Visa?

The UK family visitor visa application process starts with an online submission through the UK Home Office website. Applicants may also need to visit a visa application centre to provide biometric information and additional documentation, though this can be done online in many cases.

The visa typically takes three weeks to process. You can apply up to three months before your trip. It is advisable to leave extra time. It is usually non-refundable, even if you do not receive your visa in time. Priority services are available if you have urgent visitation requirements. 

• Priority Service: Processes your visa in 5 working days for an additional fee of £500.
• Super Priority Service: Processes your visa in a single working day for an additional fee of £1000.

Ensuring all required documents are complete and accurate is crucial to avoid delays or refusals.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments online, in-office or over the phone. Whether you’re unsure where to start, need an airtight application or need an urgent visa, we can help.

Required documents for a UK Family Visit Visa

As the Family Visit Visa UK is part of the Standard Visitor Visa route, you must provide relevant documents to support your application, including:

• A passport valid for three months or more beyond your return date from the UK. You’ll need to submit your passport number on the online application form.
• You must submit biometric information online or at a visa application centre. This will require fingerprints and digital photographs.
• You must show where you will stay in the UK. This could be hotel reservation details or contact details for the UK family member supporting or sponsoring your application.
• You need to show you can afford travel to and from the UK. Recent bank statements are the most common proof of funds.
• The UK Home Office requires evidence you will return to your home country after your UK stay. Documents that can show commitments back home may be: employment, property, or family ties.
• You must provide proof of your relationship with the UK family member you are visiting.
• You need to provide evidence of the purpose of your visit. This could include an invitation to a graduation ceremony, a wedding, or a civil partnership. 

General visiting is allowed, in which case you might need to provide extra information such as:

• Invitation Letters from family members, stating the purpose of your visit and the duration.
• A trip itinerary featuring a detailed plan of your activities in the UK, including places you intend to visit and dates.
• Any additional supporting documents, such as tickets for events, or proof of booked tours or excursions.

At IAS, our team of expert immigration lawyers can help assist and support you through each stage of your family visitor visa application process. Our services include:

• checking your documents to ensure that they are sufficient for your application;
• preparing a Letter of Representation to accompany your application. This letter details your case and its merits as well as referencing any relevant UK immigration laws in support of your application;
• liaising with the Home Office during your application process;
• completing each part of your application form to the highest standard.

Contact us on 0333 363 8577 or make an enquiry online to speak to one of our immigration lawyers.

1043 82629 1 UK Visitor visas

Written by Immigration Advice Service

Ono okeregha.

Director – Immigration Advice Service

Ono Okeregha is the director of the Immigration Advice Service. He is a committed human rights and immigration lawyer. He was awarded the IoD North West SME of the year award and commended for his work in equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can make a family visa application as a visitor.

Family members can include:

• siblings (including half siblings and step siblings);
• grandparents; and
• grandchildren.

As of July 2012, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins have been excluded from the definitions of the family members allowed Entry Clearance through the Family Visitor Visa.

They can still apply for a normal Visitor Visa, however, they will not be able to appeal against a refusal.

How do I appeal if my Family Visit Visa application is refused?

You may be able to appeal a decision to refuse  Entry Clearance  if you  are visiting a close family member. An immigration officer will say which members of the family qualify for this appeal.

We recommend that you apply for Entry Clearance in your country of residence before travelling to the UK.

What if I want to visit multiple times?

For frequent travellers, long-term visitor visas are available, allowing multiple entries over 2, 5, or 10 years. Although each stay is limited to six months, these visas offer greater flexibility for multiple visits. While these visas are more expensive, they provide significant convenience for those needing to visit the UK regularly.

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UK Visa Guidance: Visitor Visa for Parents and Family

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As an international medical graduate (IMG) working in the UK, one of the toughest things that we have to deal with is homesickness, distance, and our separation from friends and family back home. There are only two ways you can alleviate that- 1) Racking up your annual leaves to visit home. 2) Apply for the UK visitor visa for your family and parents. Let’s talk about the second option in detail.

What type of UK visa can parents apply for?

It is commonly misunderstood that parents of an independent child (i.e. you) can apply for  ‘UK Family Visa’ .  No, they can not.  UK family visa as a parent can only be applied for if the child is <18 years of age and has either British citizenship or has ILR or some other specific circumstance.

For parents of an independent child who doesn’t hold a permanent visa in the UK (most of us), the only way they can come to the UK is via the  ‘Standard Visitor Visa’ . It is the  same visa  you may have applied for if you took  the PLAB 2 exam .

Previously there was a separate  family visitor visa  which is now all absorbed in the  standard visitor visa .

How to apply for a UK visitor visa for parents

The process of UK visa application is all very streamlined via the GovUK website. This is the link where you have to click  ‘apply now ‘ to start a  standard visitor visa   application . The whole process has the following steps:

Online application fill-up

Once you click  apply now  in the above link it will ask you a series of questions and finally, you will be able to submit that.

Registering with your local visa application centre (VAC)

GovUK will determine which service deals with UK visa applications in your country and will forward you their service/website once you have submitted the online application.

Submitting supporting documents and biometrics

VAC in your country will give you the option to either upload or submit the evidence and supporting documents as well as let you book an appointment to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo).

UK visitor visa requirements for parents

Online application form fill-up.

The following information is needed to successfully complete the online application form. Remember these questions have to be answered from  your parents’ point of view , not yours, even if you are filling the application form.

• Parent’s  name  (according to passport) and  address  (an address that you can provide evidence for)
• How long have you lived at this address?  –   In my mother’s case, it was in the years since she got married
• Passport details
• Nationality, country and date of birth
• What is your employment status?  – If you say one of your parents is  employed , remember you will have to show  no objection certificate  for travel from their employer as well as sufficient  bank statement  and  employment certificate  to prove employment.
• Do you have another income or any savings?  – It is very likely your parents will have some sort of savings.
• How much money are you personally planning to spend on your visit to the UK?  – For a 6 months visit it’s safe to assume that the total cost will be £4000 – £5000. Even if you are sponsoring the whole amount as they have some savings, they personally can plan to spend  one-fourth or one-fifth .
• What is the total amount of money you spend each month?  – For my mother, it is around 15000 BDT taking into account different bills, food, and medications.
• Will anyone be paying towards the cost of your visit?  – Yes.  Someone I know (for example, family or friend)  – then you add your name and address and the put the rest amount  three-fourth  or  four-fifth  of the total amount.
• Your planned travel information  – This is very  important . The visa will very likely start from the date as you put as  planning to arrive in the UK.  So make it as close to the real travel date as possible.
• What is the main reason for your visit to the UK?  –  Tourism  and then  Visiting Family.
• Give details about your first parent  – So you have to know the details of your grandparents.  Names and dates of birth.
• Do you have any family in the UK?  – Yes. Give your details here again. And if you have a Tier 2 visa like me –  you have a temporary visa.
• Will you be travelling to the UK as part of an organised group?  – In my mother’s case, it was no as she will travel independently.
• Staying with family – Tick box your name and provide your contact details. The date you will arrive at this address can easily correspond to the date of arrival in the UK.
• International travel history
• Breach of immigration law, war crimes, terrorist and extremist views, employment history, a question about good character etc will all hopefully be no.

That’s it.  These are all the information you need to have prior to starting this online application.

What’s the duration I should apply for?

If it is the first application, I would go for a 6-month visa. Later on, you can apply for a longer duration (2, 5, or 10 years) to minimize the hassle of the visa application. Remember- your parents cannot make the UK their main home by frequent and successive visits. If they are caught, they may get banned from visiting the UK entirely.

UKVI has no strict rule that states you can only stay ‘6 months in a year’, but for any visit the maximum your parents can stay is  six months at a stretch . So the safe frequency will be a few months in a year and clearly spending more time outside the UK than inside.

Required documents for visitor visa application

The list of documents that I attached for my mother’s visit visa to the UK :

• Cover letter
• Her bank statement showing her savings
• Her nationality certificate proving her address
• An invitation letter from me
• My passport copy
• My last 6 months bank statement  (which serves as a proof of my address)
• If you are renting , then also add a copy of your tenancy agreement.
• An employment letter from my trust.

Cover letter for UK visitor visa for parents

It does not have to be elaborate. Keep it simple, keep it short. If your parents have any income or major transaction, make sure you explain it here in brief.

You can download a  template of cover letter for parent’s UK Visa here.

Invitation letter from you

This also does not have to be lengthy. You should explain the nature of their visit, which is a short family visit and mention your visa status and accommodation arrangement currently.

Find a  redacted copy of my invitation letter here .

Employment letter from your trust

If you drop a line to your HR representative that you will require an employment letter because you are sponsoring a visit visa for your parents, they will happy to do so.

Make sure you ask them to mention the following:

• The date of your job commencement
• The contract duration
• Your job title
• Your salary

The letter has to be addressed to whom it may concern and printed in a headed paper containing trust’s official seal and HR rep’s contact information.

Visa fees for parents’ visitor visa

A standard visitor visa costs £95.

The fee for a long-term Standard Visitor visa depends on its length:

• 2 years – £361
• 5 years – £655
• 10 years – £822

There are also other costs associated with the services that you can buy from your local visa application centre.

How long does it take to get a UK visitor visa for parents?

The time frame may vary from country to country, but generally, a standard visitor visa application only takes  2 weeks  to give you a verdict. You should not apply more than three months before the intended travel date.

You may get a verdict on the application early if your VAC has the option of a premium visa application.

Can I bring my parents permanently in the UK?

As long as  you have a temporary visa (tier 2) , you can’t think of that. Why?  You are not even permanent.

After working for 5 years you can apply for a settled visa (indefinite leave to remain) and 1-2 years after that, you can apply for UK citizenship. So, after 5-6 years of service in the UK, you can  think  about bringing your parents permanently.

But this  elderly dependent visa   application  has a high threshold and evidential bar to be reached. The list below is not exhaustive, but you have to prove the following:

• Any parent or grandparent who is wholly dependent financially and emotionally on the permanent UK resident
• There is constant contact with the parent and grandparent
• The applicant has no close relatives in their home country that can be relied upon for support (very difficult to prove as close relatives may be sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and possibly nephews, nieces or in-laws)
• The UK relative has appropriate accommodation for the applicant as well as any dependents the applicant may bring to the UK

Evidence under this category needs to be provided by the applicant to prove that their circumstances are true and, most importantly, there is either financial dependency on the sponsor or most exceptional circumstances exist.

More often than not this type of applications are done via immigration agencies in the UK to the court. So the bottom line is, there is a way to bring you elderly parents to bring permanently in the UK, but it may not be applicable or achievable by many.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly i can apply for this visit visa for my parents and family.

I would wait to have a minimum of 6 months’ salary into your UK account before sponsoring your parents to visit the UK.

How long parents can stay on a visitor visa in the UK?

As mentioned already, for any visit, the maximum a visitor can stay is for 6 months. But utmost care should be taken so that the UK does not appear to be their home by frequent and successive visits.

What is the maximum stay a UK visitor visa allows?

How much bank statement is required for uk visit visa.

The key here is to prove you have regular income in your bank account which is quite easy as you are getting paid from the NHS every month. There no hard and fast amount that has to be in your account to sponsor.

A maximum of 6 months at a stretch.

Can I extend the visitor visa for my parents while they are in the UK?

The only case that applies to your parents would be if they paid for any private medical treatment and they have to stay for that.  Read more here.

Is a return ticket required for my parents to come to the UK with a visitor visa?

Yes. For any visit, having a return ticket solidifies your intention to visit only, not for breaching immigration law.

Can I sponsor a visit visa for my other family members (siblings, cousins etc)?

Yes. It will be the exact same process.

Can my parents avail of NHS services while on a visitor visa?

The NHS is only free at the point of emergency care for visitors. Anything beyond this would be at cost, so it is best to ensure you have arranged travel health insurance for them.

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Family Visitor Visa UK

The Family Visitor is now a part of the 'Standard Visitor Visa' category. Applicants wishing to visit the UK, to visit family members, can apply for a Family Visitor Visa.

To be eligible to apply for the Family Visitor Visa, the applicant must be able to show that they want to visit UK for not more than six (6) months to see their family members who are currently residing in the UK.

They must prove that they can support, themselves and any dependants, financially whilst in the UK and have every intention to leave UK at the end of their visit.

Applicants coming to the UK as a family visitor must be able to show that they will be visiting the following family members in the UK:

• Spouse, civil partner, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister.
• Grandfather, grandmother, grandson or granddaughter.
• Spouse or civil partner's father, mother, brother or sister.
• Son or daughter's spouse or civil partner.
• Stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister.
• An unmarried partner with whom they have been living with in a genuine and subsisting relationship, like marriage or civil partnership, for at least 2 years before the application.

Visa Entitlements

Successful applicants can stay in the UK for a maximum period of six (6) months at one visit. During this period, they may be allowed multiple entries to the UK.

Applicants who visa nationals need an entry clearance to enter the UK as a visitor. A non-visa national does not require an entry clearance prior to their entry, they need to satisfy the Immigration Authorities at the port of entry that they are a genuine visitor and intend to leave UK after their visa. Non-visa nationals may wish to apply for a visa where they are in doubt about their admissibility; for example, they may have been refused a visa / entry in the past, and should not be discouraged from applying.

There is no specific limit on the number of visits an applicant can make to the UK, such as a definitive rule which states that a visitor can only remain in the UK for ‘6 months in 12 month period’ rule. But visitors must not be living in the UK for extended periods because of frequent, successive visits and they cannot live in the UK on a continuous basis even if this is punctuated by short absences from the UK to avoid overstaying.

Visit visas are normally valid for six (6) months, one (1) year, two (2) years and five (5) years. The visas are valid for unlimited journeys within the validity period of the visa. However, applicants of visit visas may only remain in the UK for a maximum of six (6) months on any one visit, or until the visa expires if less than six months.  Applicants may not remain (without further permission) in the UK after the “valid until” date on the visit visa, even if this is less than six (6) months.

Applicants are not allowed to enter or stay in the United Kingdom to receive free medical treatment from the NHS (National Health Service). They should ensure that they have enough medical insurance to cover their stay.  However, the following NHS treatments are free of charge:-

• Treatment given in an accident and emergency (A&E) department or in an NHS walk-in centre that provides services similar to those of an A&E department;
• Treatment for certain infectious diseases (but for HIV/AIDS, only the first diagnosis and counselling that follows it are free);
• Compulsory psychiatric treatment; and
• Family planning services.

On a visitor visa, applicants may be able to register with a General Practitioner (GP) in their area and receive free treatment. The GP can decide whether or not to register them. They may not be able to receive the full range of hospital treatment, because they must be a permanent resident or have lived here for a year to qualify for it.

Applicants will have the following conditions attached to their leave:

• No recourse to public funds;
• Intend to leave UK after the end of your stay;
• No intention to work; or produce goods or study (unless a student visitor).

Foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area making certain applications to the Home Office have to apply for a biometric residence permit. This applies to both postal applications and applications made in person (known as ‘premium applications’). The biometric residence permit is a residence permit which holds a migrant’s biographic details (name, date and place of birth) and biometric information (facial image and fingerprints), and shows their immigration status and entitlements while they remain in the UK. This also means that a UK visa will no longer be stamped in applicant’s passport and all applicants will be issued one of the new Biometric visa cards instead.  These cards look very similar to a (pink) UK driving license except they have a microchip on the back.

Applicants who wish to extend their stay in the UK by post, the Home Office will send them a letter asking them to enrol their biometrics after the Home Office have received their application. Applicants will be able to enrol their biometric information one of the Post Offices offering this service across the UK using their walk-in service.

Applicants who are submitting their application in person can do this at one of the Public Enquiry Offices by using the premium service. Applicants will enrol applicants’ biometric information at the same time as making their application.

For application submitted overseas, the applicants have to provide their biometric enrolment at one of the Visa Facilitation Centres. However, they will continue to receive a sticker (vignette) in their passport.

In line with the Home Office service standards for processing UK visa applications, they decide 90 per cent of the applications within 3 weeks, 98 per cent within 6 weeks and 100 per cent within 12 weeks of the application date.

Applicants apply for the Same Day at one of Public Enquiry Office (PEO) in the UK; the application is normally decided on the same day.

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Contact our immigration lawyers for a free telephone consultation on 020 3744 2797 or complete our enquiry form to discuss bringing your family to the UK.

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UK Family Visa allows you to bring family members (eligible foreign nationals) to join you in the UK for an extended period of 6 months or more. You can bring your spouse or partner, fiance or proposed civil partner, child, parent, or a relative to who you will provide long-term care. For those who wish to come to the UK for a shorter period of up to 6 months, please consider applying for a Standard Visitor visa.

To bring a family member to the UK on a family visa, you must hold a valid immigration status, i.e., a visa that allows dependant family members to come to the UK. You need be a UK or Irish citizen, or have settled in the UK ( ILR or Settled Status), or have refugee status or humanitarian protection.

There is a range of UK visas under the family visa route, including:

• UK partner and spouse visa
• Fiance visa (fiancée or proposed civil partner visa)
• Child dependant visa

Adult dependant relative visa

Pbs dependant visa, parent visa.

• Ancestry visa

Family Reunion visa

Family visa requirements uk.

There are several family visa requirements that must be met by the UK-based family member (i.e., sponsor) and the family member coming to the UK. The exact rules you and your family member will need to meet will depend on the visa you are applying for.

The sponsor must meet below requirements:

• Hold a valid UK visa that allows dependants to join you – e.g. work visa , study visa, or business visa . Some visas, such as the Youth Mobility Scheme visa , do not allow dependants to come to the UK, and they must apply separately to do so, or
• Be a UK or Irish national, or
• Have settled in the UK (e.g. they have ILR or settled status), or
• Be an EU national or a person from Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and hold pre-settled status (the rules state that you must have started living in the UK prior to 1 st January 2021)
• Have a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa, or
• Have refugee status, or
• Have humanitarian protection in the UK

The family member applying for UK family visa must meet below requirements:

• Be your spouse or partner, fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, child, parent, or a relative to who you will provide long-term care (see below for more details on each of these categories)
• do not live an independent life
• are not married
• live with you (except if they will be attending university or boarding school)
• Be able to financially support themselves and their dependants in the UK (this does not apply to children)
• Have sufficient knowledge of the English language, and
• Not have a criminal record or pose a threat to UK security.

A family immigration solicitor can assess your eligibility for a family visa and provide all of the information you need to know, including the documents you will need to submit, the UK family visa processing time, and the family visa UK fees.

UK spouse visa / partner visa

The UK spouse visa / partner visa under the Family Visa UK scheme enables an eligible person to join their partner in the UK and allows them to live, work and study here. Applicants must be:

• in a civil partnership or marriage with their UK-based partner, or
• have been living with their UK-based partner in a relationship for at least 2 years

The applicant and their UK-based partner must also show they earn at least £29,000 per year. Applicants must also speak English to level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

Spouse / partner visa holders can stay for up to 2 years and 9 months. This can then be further extended for 2 years and 6 months. At this point, it is then possible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Fiance visa

The fiancé visa allows a fiance, fiancee, or proposed civil partner of an eligible person based in the UK to come here for up to 6 months to get married or enter into a civil partnership. The English language and financial requirements outlined above for the spouse/partner visa must also be met.

Once you are married or in a civil partnership with your UK-based partner, you can then apply for a full UK Partner and Spouse visa. As a Partner and Spouse visa holder, you will be able to stay for up to 2 years and 9 months and then extend your visa for an additional 2 years and 6 months. At this point, it is then possible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Parent visas under the Family visa scheme enable a parent to join and care for their child in the UK and live, work and study here.

To apply for a parent visa, the child must be under 18 years or have been under 18 years when their parent was first granted leave and not live an independent life.

The child must be living in the UK and be:

• a British or Irish national
• have settled in the UK
• have pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme
• or have lived in the UK for 7 years continuously, and it would not be reasonable for them to leave

In addition, applicants must have sole or shared parental responsibility for their child.

Child visas are normally granted in line with their parent’s leave. Child visas can also be extended and can be used to gain settlement (ILR).

Parent visa holders can stay for up to 2 years and 9 months, and this can then be further extended for 2 years and 6 months. After 5 years, it is then possible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Child visas under the Family visa scheme allow a child to join their parent in the UK. It is important to note that children may not require a family visa if they have at least one parent with UK ILR. In this case, it may be possible to apply immediately for ILR.

The requirements for a child visa depend on whether the child was born in the UK or not. If the child was born in the UK and under 18, they can be added to their parent’s next visa application as a dependant family member, or they can apply separately. If the child was born in the UK and is over 18, they can be added to their parent’s application as long as they are dependant on their UK-based parent.

Applicants born outside the UK must prove they are dependant on their UK-based parent/s and not married or in a civil partnership.

The adult dependant relative visa enables overseas relatives to come to the UK to receive long-term care from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son, or daughter living permanently in the UK.

Adult dependant relative applicants must be able to show:

• They are 18 years or older
• They require long-term care to carry out day-to-day personal and household tasks as a result of illness, disability, or age
• The care required is not available (or affordable) in their home country
• The person that will care for them in the UK must be able to support and accommodate them without the need to claim public funds for at least 5 years.

Adult dependant relative visa holders can remain for an unlimited period once in the UK.

PBS dependant visas enable the partner and children of those with an eligible visa to come to the UK. Eligible dependants include:

• Married partner, civil partner, or unmarried partner (if unmarried, you must have been living with your partner in a relationship for at least 2 years)
• Child under 18 (this includes children who were born in the UK)
• Children over 18, if they are your dependant

If your child is 16 or over, they must:

• live with you (unless they live away for full-time education at boarding school, college, or university)
• not be married (or in a civil partnership)
• not have children of their own
• be financially reliant on you.

As a dependent visa holder, your family member will be able to stay as long as your visa is valid. If you extend your visa, your dependants will also be able to apply to extend their leave. Likewise, when you become eligible for ILR (i.e. settlement), they will be able to apply to settle, assuming they meet the eligibility requirements.

Ancestry Visa

The Ancestry visa enables eligible foreign nationals to live, work and study in the UK. Ancestry visa applicants must be one of the following:

• a Commonwealth citizen
• a British overseas citizen
• a British overseas territories citizen
• a British national (overseas), or
• a citizen of Zimbabwe

They must also be able to show that one of their grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.

Ancestry visa holders can stay for up to 5 years initially, at which point they can further extend their visa or apply for settlement (ILR).

Under the Family Reunion visa scheme, you can bring your immediate family members to live with you in the UK if you have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.

As a person bringing family members to the UK, you will be their “sponsor”. A suitable sponsor is one who is a) lawfully resident in the UK, b) has not yet gained British citizenship, and c) is in one of the following immigration categories:

• refugee status
• humanitarian protection status (this must have been held for at least 5 years)
• admitted to the UK under the Gateway Protection Programme
• admitted to the UK under the Mandate Refugee Programme
• admitted to the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement (VPR)

Only immediate dependent family members of a UK-based sponsor are eligible for the Family Reunion visa, including the sponsor’s dependent:

• spouse or civil partner
• unmarried or same-sex partner
• adopted children

As a Family Reunion visa holder, it is possible to extend your leave and apply for ILR when eligible.

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Family Permit scheme allows a person to come to the UK if they are a family member of someone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. EUSS Family Permits ensure that holders can travel to the UK, gain entry once they arrive, and join their family members without the risk of refusal.

To make a successful EUSS Family Permit application, your family member must have been living in the UK by the end of 2020.

EUSS Family permit holders can stay in the UK for up to 6 months and can travel, study, and work during this time. If you wish to extend your stay, you will need to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme . If eligible under the EUSS, you will be granted pre-settled status, which will allow you to stay for up to 5 years and then gain full settled status (settlement).

If your family visa application is refused

A family member visa UK can be refused for a wide range of reasons, including if:

• The Home Office is not satisfied that your relationship is genuine
• The financial requirements have not been met
• The UK-based sponsor does not have adequate accommodation
• You have not provided all of the required information or documents
• You are not eligible
• You have unspent criminal convictions applicant has a criminal record

We understand that receiving a letter of refusal from the Home Office can be extremely worrying and upsetting. Our specialist family immigration solicitors can quickly assess the reasons for refusal and recommend the best course of action to secure a positive outcome. Depending on the circumstances, we may recommend submitting a fresh application, appealing, lodging an administrative review or judicial review, or applying for a different type of visa.

For advice on bringing your family to the UK and securing a UK visa for family members, please speak to our immigration lawyers for a free telephone consultation on 020 3744 2797 or by email at [email protected] .

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Getting a visa for your adult family member to join you in the UK

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

Bringing family members from Ukraine to the UK

There are special rules for family members who are Ukrainian nationals. Check the rules about bringing family members from Ukraine to the UK .

Your adult family member can only apply to join you in the UK if they have long-term care needs and they can show they need your support in the UK.

They’ll need to apply for an ‘adult dependent relative visa’. These visas are very hard to get and they cost over £3,000 - your family member won’t get their money back if their application is refused.

The rules are different if you want to sponsor your partner. Check if your partner can get a visa to live in the UK .

If your family member applies as an adult dependant you’re called their ‘sponsor’.

If their family member’s application is successful, they’ll usually get the right to stay in the UK permanently. This is called ‘indefinite leave’.

You’ll need to check:

if you can sponsor your adult family member

who can apply as an adult dependant

if you have enough income and savings to sponsor your adult family member

that where your adult family member will live is safe and suitable

Check if you can sponsor an adult family member

You can sponsor your adult family member to apply as an adult dependant if you have one of the following:

British citizenship

Irish citizenship - you must be living or have lived in the UK

indefinite leave to remain or right of abode

settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme

pre-settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme - you must have come to the UK by 31 December 2020

refugee status or humanitarian protection

If you’re a citizen of the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Your parent, grandparent or child might be able to apply for pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme. It’s free and easier than applying for an adult dependent relative visa.

They might be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

You can check if your adult family member can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

You can check which countries are in the EU on GOV.UK .

If you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020

If you applied and got pre-settled status as a family member, your adult family member can’t apply as an adult dependant or apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you’re in this situation, you’ll need to wait until you get settled status before your adult family member can apply as an adult dependant. Check the rules about switching from pre-settled to settled status .

If you were born in Northern Ireland

Your parent, grandparent or child might be able to apply for pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme. It's free and easier than applying for a visa. 

Your adult family member might be able to apply for pre-settled or settled status if you have British or Irish citizenship - or both. When you were born one of your parents must have had either:

British or Irish citizenship - or both

an immigration status that let them live in the UK permanently - for example, indefinite leave to remain

You must have been living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

If you were born in Northern Ireland, check how your adult family member should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme on GOV.UK .

Check who can apply as an adult dependant

Your adult family member can only apply as an adult dependant if they’re your:

grandparent

brother or sister aged 18 or over

child aged 18 or over

Your adult family member must need long-term care. For example they might need someone to cook them meals or help them get dressed.

Your adult family member must not be able to get or afford the care they need in the country they live in - even with your help. There must be no-one else who could reasonably care for them, like a partner or close relative.

Your adult family member can’t apply if they owe £500 or more to the NHS.

Your adult family member can only apply for a dependent adult visa if they’re outside the UK. Get help from a specialist adviser if they’re already in the UK.

Check the rules about your income and savings

You must show you’ll have enough income to look after your adult family member. This is called the ‘adequate maintenance’ test.

You’ll need to sign a form that says you’ll support your adult family member - this is called a ‘maintenance undertaking’. If you’re a refugee or you have humanitarian protection, you only have to sign a maintenance undertaking if you have indefinite leave.

You can get a copy of the maintenance undertaking on GOV.UK .

To check if you can pass the adequate maintenance test, you need to first work out how much income the government says you need each week. You then need to check if you have enough income.

Work out how much income you need each week

To work out how much income the government says you need each week, add together:

£90.50 if you’re single or £142.25 if you live with a partner

£90.50 if your adult family member is aged 25 or over, or £71.70 if they’re aged under 25

£83.24 for each child aged under 18 who lives with you

your housing costs - these are your rent or mortgage payments plus your council tax

When you’re working out your housing costs, don’t include any part of the costs that will be covered by Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

The Home Office will look at the amount of benefits you’ll get and the council tax you’ll have to pay when your adult family member lives with you.

When your adult family member lives with you, a ‘non-dependant deduction’ will be taken off your Housing Benefit. If you're on Universal Credit, this is called a 'housing costs contribution'.

If you get the housing element of Universal Credit, the housing costs contribution is £85.73 each month. If you get Housing Benefit, the non-dependant deduction is at least £19.30 - it will be more if your adult family member will be earning when they live with you. 

If you get a single person discount on your council tax at the moment, it will usually stop when your adult family member moves in.

Monique’s father is applying for a visa to come to the UK - he is 65 years old. Monique lives with her wife and their son, who is aged 8.

The total weekly income Monique needs to sponsor her father is £142.25 plus £90.50 for her father, plus £83.24 for her son, plus her housing costs.

Monique’s rent is entirely covered by the housing element of Universal Credit. When her father lives with her there will be a housing costs contribution of £85.73 each month - this means she’ll have to pay £19.78 of her rent each week.

Monique’s council tax is £30 each week. She gets Council Tax Reduction of £10 each week. £30 minus £10 is £20. This means she needs £20 income for council tax each week.

Monique’s housing costs are £19.78 plus £20. This is £39.78.

The total income Monique needs each week is £142.25 plus £77 plus £90.50 plus £83.24 plus £39.78. This is £355.77.

Check if you have enough income

Work out how much income you’ll get each week after tax. If you live with a partner, you can add their income to yours. You can include earnings, pensions and income from things like rent or shares.

If you have any savings, you can add them to your income - you must have had the savings for at least 6 months. Divide the amount of your savings by 52 - this is how much you can add to your weekly income.

If your total income is high enough, you meet the adequate maintenance test.

Monique’s father is applying for a visa to come to the UK. The total weekly income she needs to sponsor her father is £355.77.

Monique’s weekly earnings after tax are £120. Her wife’s weekly earnings after tax are £150. They have no other income.

£190 plus £150 is £340.

Monique and her wife have had £2,600 in savings for the last 6 months. £2,600 divided by 52 is £50. This is added to their income.

£340 plus £50 is £390. Monique’s total weekly income is £390. This is more than the government says she needs, so Monique can sponsor her father.

If your total income isn’t high enough

When you work out your total income, you might be able to include other benefits you get - for example some parts of Universal Credit. It depends on your circumstances.

If you need help working out if you meet the adequate maintenance test, talk to an adviser .

Check that where they'll live is safe and suitable

Your adult family member will have to show that there’s somewhere they can live in the UK that is safe, suitable and large enough for them and anyone they will live with.

Your adult family member needs somewhere they can stay long term. For example they might have a tenancy agreement or a room of their own in your home.

If you live in council housing or your landlord is a housing association, you can check how many people are allowed to live in your home. This is called the ‘permitted number of persons’ (PNP). The PNP is usually on your tenancy agreement, or you can ask your landlord. Children under 1 year old aren’t included in the total, and children between 1 and 10 years old count as half a person.

If your landlord isn't a council or housing association, check your local council’s guidance about overcrowding. You can find your local council on GOV.UK .

Check how long your adult family member’s visa will last

If your adult family member’s application is successful, they’ll usually get ‘indefinite leave’. This means they can stay in the UK permanently.

They will usually only lose their indefinite leave if they’re outside the common travel area for more than 2 years in a row. The common travel area is the UK, Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

The rules are more complicated if both of the following apply:

you have refugee status or humanitarian protection

you don’t have indefinite leave

In this situation, your adult family member will get a visa which lasts until the end of your leave. When you’re able to apply for indefinite leave, your adult family member can also apply - it doesn’t matter how long they’ve been in the UK. They’ll need to show exactly the same things as when they first applied for their adult dependent relative visa. You’ll have to sign a maintenance undertaking.

Check your adult family member’s rights if they get a visa

Your adult family member will have the right to:

work or study

rent or buy somewhere to live

use the NHS

leave the UK and return as many times as they want

Getting benefits and help with housing

Because you have to sign a maintenance undertaking, there are special rules if your adult family member wants to claim benefits or help with housing. The rules end 5 years after they arrive - or earlier if their sponsor dies.

The rules depend on whether your adult family member has indefinite leave.

If they have indefinite leave, they can’t claim the following benefits:

Universal Credit

Pension Credit

Housing Benefit

tax credits

income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Income Support

They also can’t apply for council housing, or make a homeless application to your local council.

They can claim any other benefits, for example Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance.

If your adult family member doesn’t have indefinite leave, they can’t claim any public funds. This is called having a ‘no public funds condition’. They’ll only be in this situation if you’re a refugee who didn’t have indefinite leave when you signed the undertaking. Check what counts as public funds and what they can still claim .

Applying for a dependent adult visa

Check how your adult family member can apply as an adult dependant .

It can be very difficult to get an adult dependent relative visa. Get help from a specialist adviser before applying.

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Page last reviewed on 11 July 2022

TOURISM, LEISURE AND FAMILY VISIT VISA

The Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa is for individuals who wish to come to the UK for a short-term stay for the purpose of visiting friends and/or family or for a short holiday.

The Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, which is a route for persons who wish to visit the UK for a temporary period of up to 6 months.  

The route does not lead to settlement in the UK and all visitors must make a separate application, even when travelling as part of a group.

Requirements for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa

In order to qualify for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are a visa national (a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border);
• You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes;
• You will not undertake any prohibited activities;
• You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds;
• You will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
• You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;
• Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal;
• You have obtained an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances.  You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

To discuss your Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our UK Visit Visa lawyers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

Visa National Requirement

A visa national is someone who, by reason of their nationality, requires a Visit Visa in order to enter the UK as a Visitor.  Visa nationals must generally apply for a Visit Visa before travelling to the UK.

The Home Office has published a list of nationalities that are required to apply for a Visit Visa prior to travelling to the UK as a Visitor.  The list includes a number of exceptions, which allow certain visa nationals to seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.

A non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.   A non-visa national must still satisfy the requirements for entry as a Visitor and so, on arrival, should be prepared to explain, for example, the purpose of their visit and how they will be maintained and accommodated in the UK, as well as their return travel arrangements.  

EU citizens are non-visa nationals and can seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK without needing to apply for a Visit Visa.

As well as preparing Visit Visa applications for visa nationals, our barristers regularly assist non-visa nationals to satisfy the requirements for entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.

Permitted Activities 

In order to qualify for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that you are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and will not undertake any prohibited activities.

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa holders may undertake the following permitted activities:

• Visit friends and family in the UK;
• Travel to the UK for a holiday;
• Take part in an educational exchange or visit with a state funded school, academy or independent school; 
• Attend a course of study (other than an English language course) for a maximum of 30 days.

Because the Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, Tourism, Leisure and Family Visitors may also undertake other activities that are permitted under other sub-categories of the Standard Visitor route. This includes permitted paid engagements, provided the paid engagement is arranged before travelling to the UK and is completed within 30 days of arrival in the UK.

Intention to Leave the UK Requirement

In addition to satisfying the Home Office that you are genuinely seeking to enter the UK for a permitted purpose, as part of your application for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa you will also need to satisfy the Home Office that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.

In assessing your application, the Home Office will consider a range of factors including:

• Your previous immigration history, including visits to the UK and other countries;
• Your financial circumstances as well as your family, social and economic background;
• Your personal and economic ties to your country of residence.

Factors which may cause the Home Office to doubt that you are a genuine visitor include having few or no family and economic ties to your country of residence, whilst having several family members in the UK, previous attempts to deceive the Home Office in an immigration application and discrepancies between statements made by yourself and your sponsor.

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa Financial Requirement

You will need to have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds.

Your funds will need to be held in a permitted financial institution.

Your travel, maintenance and accommodation costs may be met by a third party if the third party has a genuine professional or personal relationship with you, they are not, and will not be, in breach of immigration laws and they can support you throughout the duration of your stay as a Visitor.

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit  Visa English Language Requirement

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa Validity Period

If you wish to enter the UK for the purpose of a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit you may apply for a Visit Visa that is valid for either 6 months, 2 years, 5 years or 10 years.  

You may enter and leave the UK multiple times during the validity period of your Visit Visa, unless your Visit Visa is endorsed for a single or dual entry.

Each visit to the UK must not exceed 6 months.

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa Right to Work

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visitors are not permitted to work in the UK or, with few exceptions, receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken in the UK.

This means that Tourism, Leisure and Family Visitors cannot take employment, establish or run a business as a self-employed person, work for an organisation or business in the UK, undertake a work placement or internship in the UK or otherwise provide or sell goods or services in the UK.

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visitors are permitted to work remotely while in the UK, but remote working must not be the primary purpose of the visit. The main purpose of the visit to the UK should be to undertake a permitted activity, rather than specifically to work remotely from the UK.

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visitors are also permitted to come to the UK to seek employment and attend job interviews. However, if successful in obtaining employment, you will be expected to leave the UK and seek the appropriate entry clearance prior to commencing work.

Tourism, Leisure and Family Visit Visa Application Fees

The Home Office application fee for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa for a short stay of up to 6 months is currently £115.

If you wish to apply for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa that is valid for either 2 years, 5 years or 10 years then the Home Office application fee will be £400, £771 or £963 respectively.

How Our Immigration Barristers Can Help

Our immigration barristers are experienced in assisting individuals from across the globe to secure visas to visit the UK for the purpose of tourism, leisure and family visits.

Whether you are seeking advice on the merits of applying for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa, assistance with preparing a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa application or legal representation to challenge a decision to refuse an application for a Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa, our immigration barristers can assist.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our client’s needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to our clients as part of a professional and friendly service.

We can also assist with

The UK offers a range of partner and family visas for family members of British citizens in the UK, persons settled in the UK, persons with limited leave to remain in the UK under Appendix EU or persons in the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection status, who wish to settle here.

The main partner and family immigration routes include:

• Spouse Visa
• Civil Partner Visa
• Unmarried Partner Visa
• Fiance Visa
• Proposed Civil Partner Visa
• Adult Dependant Relative Visa

Our immigration barristers regularly advise and assist partners and family members to relocate to, and settle in the UK, with their family members.

Whether you require expert advice on the requirements of the Immigration Rules, an independent assessment of your prospects of qualifying for a visa or professional assistance with preparing an immigration application, our immigration barristers can help.

The UK offers a range of long term work visas and short term work visas .

The main long term work visa routes include:

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Scale-up Visa
• International Sportsperson Visa
• Minister of Religion Visa
• Media Representative Visa

The main short term work visa routes include:

• Graduate Visa
• High Potential Individual Visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
• Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa
• UK Ancestry Visa

Our team of business immigration barristers has experience in assisting employers and workers across a variety of industries in companies of all sizes.

The UK offers a range of business visas (for those who wish to start a business in the UK) and global business mobility visas (for employees of overseas businesses who wish to be transferred to the UK temporarily).

The main business visa routes include:

• Start-up Visa
• Innovator Visa

The main global business mobility routes include:

• Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
• Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa
• Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa
• Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa
• Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa

Our team of business immigration barristers has experience in assisting employers, skilled workers and entrepreneurs across a variety of industries in companies of all sizes.

If your application for a Visit Visa has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the refusal decision.

In many cases, a professionally prepared fresh application will be the quickest and most economical way of securing a Visit Visa following a refusal decision.  Our immigration barristers have an excellent track record of securing Visit Visas for clients who have previously been refused a Visit Visa following a self-prepared application.

If the decision to refuse your Visit Visa application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can advise on merits of applying for Judicial Review of the decision, draft grounds for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.

WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?

To discuss your Tourism, Leisure or Family Visit Visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our Short Stay Visit Visa team on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

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How to Apply for a UK Family Visa from India

If you have family members in the UK and wish to join them, applying for a UK family visa from India is the appropriate step. This visa allows you to live with your spouse, partner, child, parent, or other close family members who are settled in the UK.

This guide will briefly explain the general requirements that must be met to apply for a family visa.

Written by Beryl Gao

Types of UK Family Visas

Depending on your relationship with your family member in the UK, you can apply for one of the following types of family visas:

1. Spouse or Partner Visa : For married couples, civil partners, or those in a long-term relationship.

2. Fiancé(e) Visa : For those planning to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within six months.

3. Parent Visa : For parents of children who are British citizens or settled in the UK.

4. Child Visa : For children whose parent(s) are British citizens or have settled status.

5. Adult Dependent Relative Visa: For adults who need long-term care from a family member in the UK.

General Requirements

To qualify for a UK family visa, you need to meet several basic criteria:

• Relationship Proof: Provide evidence of your relationship with the UK-based family member, such as a marriage or birth certificate.
• Intent to Live Together: Demonstrate your intention to live together in the UK on a permanent basis.
• Adequate Accommodation: Show that suitable accommodation is arranged for you and your family in the UK.
• Genuine Relationship: Prove that your relationship with the UK-based family member is genuine and subsisting.
• Good Character: You should not have a history of criminal activities or breaches of UK immigration laws.

Financial Requirements

One of the key requirements for a UK family visa is demonstrating that you and your sponsoring family member can financially support yourselves without relying on public funds. Here are the financial thresholds you need to meet:

Applications after 11 April 2024

If you first apply for a family visa as a spouse or partner after 11 April 2024, you need to meet one of the following criteria:

• Have a minimum income: Applicants must meet a minimum income requirement of at least £29,000.
• Have cash savings: Applicants must have a minimum cash savings requirement of at least £88,500.
• Use a combination of both: Applicants can use a combination of both income and cash savings to meet the requirements. The formula to calculate the amount of cash savings needed for a UK family visa is Cash Savings Required = (Annual Shortfall x 2.5) + £16,000

Applications before 11 April 2024

If you applied as a spouse before 11 April 2024 and are extending your visa with the same partner, you need to meet one of the following criteria:

• Have a minimum income: Applicants must meet a minimum income requirement of at least 18,600.
• Have cash savings: Applicants must have a minimum cash savings requirement of at least £62,500.

If you have children, you must prove you have extra income unless the children:

• Are British or Irish citizens
• Have pre-settled status
• Are permanently settled in the UK

For other children, the additional income required is:

• £3,800 a year for the first child
• £2,400 a year for each additional child

The maximum income requirement is capped at £29,000, regardless of the number of children.

Exemptions: Some applicants may be exempt from the financial requirement if the UK sponsor is receiving specific disability benefits or carer’s allowance.

What counts as income?

• Income from employment before tax and National Insurance
• Income earned from self-employment or as a director of a limited company in the UK
• Cash savings
• Money from a pension
• Non-work income, for example from property rentals or dividends

Knowledge of English

Indian nationals aged 18 to 65 are required to demonstrate knowledge of the English language. You can meet this requirement in one of the following ways:

• English Language Test: Pass an approved English language test at A1 level or higher in speaking and listening. Tests are usually conducted by recognized providers such as IELTS or Pearson. If you pass level B1, you can use your test result again when you apply for settlement after 5 years.
• Academic Qualification: Hold an academic qualification (such as a degree) that was taught or researched in English and is recognized by UK NARIC as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher.

Some applicants are exempt from the English language requirement if they are applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative or have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement.

Application Process

Once your application has been submitted, you will need to schedule an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in India for your biometrics. You will need to provide your fingerprints and photograph. You will not be able to submit further documents after your biometrics have been submitted and your application will be under consideration.

The standard processing time for a UK family visa application submitted from outside the UK is 12 weeks. However, you can choose the ‘priority service’ to get a faster decision which usually get a decision within 30 working days for Family visa applications from outside the UK.

Upon approval, you will receive a vignette(sticker) in your passport, allowing you to travel to the UK. You must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) before your vignette expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is the later.

All BRPs now expire on or before 31 December 2024. You do not need to tell the Home Office if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 and you will be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK in the future. Please contact Lisa’s Law Solicitors if you need any assistance with eVisa.

UK Application Visa Centres in India

In India, there are multiple Visa Application Centres where you can submit your biometrics and collect your entry clearance vignette. There are 29 UK Visa Application Centres in India, and some key locations include:

These centres are managed by VFS Global, the official partner for UK visa services in India. You can find your nearest location, opening hours and centre information on the VFS website. The link is https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/gbr/attend-centre

How many Indian migrants come to the UK?

Of the 1,218,000 who came to the UK in 2023, 10% (126,000) were EU nationals. This is similar to the 2022 total of 116,000. (BBC News)

About 85% (1,031,000) came from outside the EU. The top five non-EU nationalities were:

• Indian – 250,000
• Nigerian – 141,000
• Chinese – 90,000
• Pakistani – 83,000
• Zimbabwean – 36,000

Home Office statistics show that nearly 80,000 family-related visas were granted, in the year ending March 2024, an increase of 22% on the previous year.

Common Reasons for Refusal

To avoid delays or rejection, be aware of common reasons for family visa refusals:

• Incomplete or inaccurate information in the application.
• Insufficient evidence of a genuine relationship.
• Failing to meet the financial or English language requirements.
• Missing or expired supporting documents.

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