UK Family Visas

The UK offers several family visa routesfor spouses, partners, children, parents, and other relatives of British citizens or settled persons.

Key Family Visa Categories

Visa Type	For	Duration	Settlement Path
Spouse/Partner Visa	Married/unmarried partners	2.5-5 years	Yes (after 5 years)
Fiancé(e) Visa	Partners planning to marry	6 months	Must switch to spouse visa
Parent Visa	Parents of settled children	2.5-5 years	Yes (after 5 years)
Child Visa	Children under 18	Until age 18	Can lead to settlement
Adult Dependent Relative	Elderly relatives needing care	Indefinite	Permanent from start

Spouse/Partner Visa Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

• Sponsormust be British/settled in UK
• Genuine relationship(proof required)
• Financial requirement (£29,000/year from April 2024)
• English language (A1 for entry, B1 for settlement)
• Adequate accommodation

Required Documents

• Marriage/civil partnership certificate
• 6 months of payslips/bank statements
• Proof of relationship (photos, messages, joint bills)
• English test certificate
• TB test (if from listed country)

Parent Visa Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

• Child must be British/settled and aged 18+
• Must prove sole responsibility(if other parent lives abroad)
• Financial requirement(£29,000/year)
• Must show child can support parent

Child Visa Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

• Under 18 years old
• Not living independently
• Both parentsmust be settled (unless sole responsibility)
• No financial requirement(but must show ability to support)

Application Process

• Check eligibilityfor specific visa type
• Gather documents(financial, relationship, English proof)
• Complete online application
• Pay fees:
  • £1,846 (outside UK)
  • £1,048 (inside UK)
  • £1,035/year IHS surcharge
• Attend biometrics appointment
• Submit supporting documents
• Wait for decision(standard 12-24 weeks)

Financial Requirements

Visa Type	Minimum Income
Spouse/Partner	£29,000/year
Parent	£29,000/year
Child	No minimum

Savings can be used to meet requirements (£16,000+)

Settlement (ILR) Pathway

• Spouse/Partner visas: Eligible after 5 years
• Must pass Life in the UK testand B1 English
• No absencesexceeding 180 days/year

Comparison of Family Visas

Factor	Spouse Visa	Parent Visa	Child Visa
Processing Time	12-24 weeks	12-24 weeks	8-12 weeks
Financial Req	£29,000	£29,000	None
Settlement Path	5 years	5 years	Until 18