Family Visa

• Overview
• Applying from outside the UK
• Extending your family visa
• Switching to a family visa
• Fees
• Healthcare surcharge
• Other ways you can stay
• Applying as a partner or spouse
• Applying as a parent
• Applying as a child
• Shams Britvisa Lawyers Ltd
• FAQs

Family Visa: Overview & Application Guide

A family visa allows you to live with family in the UK for over 6 months. You can apply to join your spouse, partner, child, parent, or a relative providing long-term care.

Eligibility & Visa Types

You can apply for a family visa from outside the UK to join:

• A spouse, partner, fiancé(e), child, or parent.
• A relative offering long-term care due to illness or disability.

If you’re already in the UK on a family visa, you can apply to extend your stay. It’s important to apply for an extension before your current visa expires. You may also switch to a family visa if you came to the UK on a different visa and wish to join a spouse, partner, or parent.

Fees and Costs

You may also need to pay a healthcare surcharge depending on your length of stay.

Healthcare Surcharge

Super Priority Service

For faster processing, you can pay an extra £1,000 (not applicable for those applying as adults needing care). Once approved, your biometric residence permit will arrive within 10 working days.

Extending Your Stay

You can extend your stay on a family visa in the UK and add up to 28 days to your current stay. Eligibility for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) depends on how long you’ve lived in the UK. If you switch from another visa, you must do so before your current permission expires.

Other Ways to Stay

You may qualify for indefinite leave to remain if:

• You’re a victim of domestic abuse or your partner has died.
• You have lived in the UK for many years.

If your family member has protection status (refugee status or humanitarian protection), you might apply under family reunion provisions.

Applying as a Partner or Spouse

You and your partner must be over 18. Your partner must be:

• A British or Irish citizen.
• Settled in the UK (e.g., indefinite leave to remain).
• From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status.
• Holding a Turkish Worker/Businessperson visa.
• Holding refugee or humanitarian protection status.

You must prove you intend to live together permanently in the UK and meet financial and English language requirements.

Financial Requirements

Typically, you and your partner need a combined income of £29,000 per year. Different financial rules apply if your partner receives disability or carer benefits.

Documents Needed

You must submit documents proving:

• Your relationship (marriage/civil partnership certificate, tenancy agreements, joint bank statements).
• That you’re financially self-sufficient without public funds.

Applying as a Parent

You can apply if your child is under 18, lives in the UK, and is either:

• A British or Irish citizen.
• Settled in the UK.
• Has lived in the UK for 7 years, and it would be unreasonable for them to leave.

You must have parental responsibility and provide proof of your active involvement in your child’s life, including letters from their school, doctor, or court orders.

Applying as a Child

You can join a parent in the UK under certain conditions. If you were born in the UK, you’ll have the same permission as your parent. Children must live with their parent unless in full-time education and must not be married.

Fees and Timeframes

Processing times vary:

• Applications from outside the UK: typically, 12 weeks.
• Applications inside the UK: 8 weeks (or up to 12 months if financial/English requirements aren’t met).

Shams Britvisa Lawyers Ltd

Located in Manchester, UK, Shams Britvisa Lawyers Ltd specializes in family visas, sponsor licences, and general UK immigration matters. Registered with OISC, the firm offers expertise in visa applications, immigration compliance, and family reunification cases.