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A1.21 Family Visa

UK Family Visas: Apply, Extend or Switch – September 2025 Update

Official link: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

 

Overview

  • Purpose: Reunite with family      members in UK for over 6 months

  • Eligible relationships:      Spouse/partner, fiancé(e), children, parents, adult dependant relatives

  • Short stays (≤6 months): Apply      for Standard Visitor or Marriage Visitor visa

 

Key Information

Extensions:

  • Apply any time before current visa expires

  • Usually extend for 2.5 years each time

  • Eligible for ILR after 5 years continuous residence

Switching:

  • Switch from other UK visas (except Visitor/short-term visas)

  • Work/Student visa dependants should apply as dependants, not      Family visa

Costs:

  • Application fee:

Ø  Outside UK: £1,938

Ø  Inside UK: £1,321

Ø  Per dependant: Same as main applicant

  • Immigration Health Surcharge (example 5-year visa):

Ø  Adult: £5,175

Ø  Child: £3,880

  • Priority service: +£1,000 for faster decision (in-country      applications)

 

2. Spouse/Partner Visa

Requirements:

  • Both parties aged 18+

  • Partner must be: British/Irish citizen, UK settled person,      eligible EU Settled Status holder, or specific Turkish visa holder

  • Relationship proof (one of):

Ø  Legal marriage/civil partnership

Ø  Cohabitation for ≥2 years

Ø  Engaged (marry within 6 months of arrival)

Ø  Relationship >2 years with proven barriers to cohabitation

  • Meet English language and financial requirements

Financial Requirement:

  • Main standard: Combined annual      income ≥£29,000

  • Exceptions:

Ø  Partner receives specific disability/carer benefits: No minimum income (must show self-sufficiency)

Ø  Applications before 11 April 2024: £18,600 (+child increments)

Ø  Savings can be used

Visa Length:

  • First application: 2 years 9 months

  • Extension/switch: 2 years 6 months

  • Fiancé(e) visa: 6 months (no work/study) → convert to spouse      visa after marriage

 

3. Parent Visa

Eligibility:

  • Child under 18 settled in UK (British citizen/ILR etc.)

  • Sole or shared parental responsibility

  • If shared responsibility: Other parent must be settled in UK      (not your partner)

  • Prove active role in child's upbringing (school letters,      medical records etc.)

  • Meet English and financial requirements (self-sufficiency)

Visa length: Same as partner visa

 

4. Child Visa

Requirements:

  • Unmarried, not in civil partnership

  • Live with parents (except full-time boarding school)

  • Parents settled in UK or applying to settle

Age Rules:

  • Under 18: Apply as dependant with      parents or separately

  • 18+: Must apply separately (must      have held family visa before turning 18)

Financial: Sponsoring parent must meet relevant financial requirements

 

5. Adult Dependant Relative

Eligibility:

  • Require long-term personal care due to illness/disability/age

  • Care provided by UK-settled parent/child/grandchild/sibling

  • Strict conditions:

Ø  Prove care unavailable/unaffordable in home country

Ø  Sponsor can support and accommodate for ≥5 years without public funds

Ø  Usually must apply from outside UK

Visa length: Indefinite if sponsor is British/settled (no need for ILR)

 

6. Private Life Applications

For those already in UK:

  • Under 18: 7+ years continuous residence (leaving unreasonable)

  • 18-24: Lived more than half life in UK

  • 20+ years continuous residence

Visa length: Usually 2.5 years (5 years if eligible)
Settlement: After 5 years (if eligible) or 10 years

 

7. Required Evidence

  • Valid/old passports, birth certificates

  • English proof, financial evidence

  • Relationship proof (marriage certificates, cohabitation bills)

  • TB certificate (if required)

  • Certified translations for non-English documents

Financial evidence: Income (employment/self-employment/pensions) or savings (>£16,000)

  • Bank statements, payslips, employer letters

Additional information: Partner details, previous marriage history, children's details, travel/residence history

 

8. English Language Requirement

Exempt if:

  • Under 18 or 65+

  • Adult dependant relative

  • Physical/mental condition prevents compliance

  • From majority-English speaking country

  • Extending after 5 years with Family visa

Meet requirement via:

  • English-taught degree (UK or overseas verified by Ecctis)

  • Approved English test: CEFR A1 (initial) → higher levels for extensions

 

9. After Applying

  • Biometrics appointment: Required      for fingerprints/photos

  • If approved: Receive eVisa (allows      work/study)

Ø  Exception: Fiancé(e) visa holders cannot work/study

Ø  Usually no public funds access

  • Settlement: Eligible after 5 years      continuous residence in qualifying category