A UK family visa is a subcategory of UK entry and residence authorization granted to individuals seeking to establish a permanent family relationship with their UK resident family members.
There are several ways to obtain a family visa for UK:
- As the spouse or partner of a resident of the UK.
- As the parent of a resident of the UK.
- As the child of a resident of the UK.
- As a sick, disabled, or elderly relative in need of long-term care from a resident of the UK.
- On the basis of an individual’s private life.
- As the widowed partner of a prior resident of the UK.
- As a divorced spouse or former partner.
What are the different UK family visa types?
There are several types of family visa in UK that you may qualify for depending on your personal situation and relationship with the sponsoring UK citizen.
Spouse visa
It is for people who wish to join their spouse or other partner in the UK who is a British citizen, a refugee, a settled person or a person receiving humanitarian protection. A marriage, a permanent relationship, or a civil partnership must exist between you and your spouse.
Parent visa
The UK Parent Visa is available to parents of British nationals, settled residents, or anyone who has lived in the UK for at least seven continuous years. To apply for this visa, the child must be under the age of 18 or have been under that age when you applied for the family visa UK for the first time.
Child visa
The UK Child Visa is granted to the children of residents of the United Kingdom. You must be a dependent child residing in the United Kingdom with your parents, who are jointly applying for a UK visa or an extension of residence in the United Kingdom with you.
A family visa for an adult who requires long-term care by a relative
Adults in need of relative care are granted family visa for the purpose of receiving long-term support and care from a relative who is a UK resident, settled person, refugee, or is receiving humanitarian protection in the UK. The individual who requires this type of care must be an adult aged 18 or older who is disabled or has a medical problem, or who has reached old age.
Family visa on the basis of an individual’s private life
The family visa is granted on the basis of your private life if you have lived in the UK for an extended period of time due to your adverse personal situation, leaving the UK or your excessively long presence in the UK.
If your partner has died
The visa for dependents of a deceased partner is provided to people who wish to permanently reside in the United Kingdom as the former partner, civil partner/partner in a permanent relationship with a deceased UK citizen or settled person in the United Kingdom. You must possess a valid family visa that corresponds to your connection with the deceased sponsor, i.e. a spouse visa.
Visa as a separated or divorced dependent partner
Separated or divorced dependent partner visas are provided for the purpose of staying permanently in the country if your relationship has ended due to any reason. You must have your previous visa as a married partner of the aforementioned sponsor and be supported by public funding till your settlement application is processed.
UK Ancestry Visa
The UK Ancestry Visa is a one-of-a-kind type of visa. If your grandparents were born in the United Kingdom, you may be eligible for a five-year Ancestry Visa to the United Kingdom. This entitles you to work, reside, and study in the United Kingdom, and after five years, you may apply for permanent residency.
Eligibility (who can apply)
To apply for a UK Family Visa, you must demonstrate that:
- Your relationship with your member of the family is legitimate and legally recognized in the United Kingdom.
- You’ll be residing in the United Kingdom with a family member.
- You have an adequate command of the English language (unless you are under the age of 18, over the age of 65, or suffer from a chronic physical or mental health condition).
- You have no significant or pending criminal convictions in your background.
If the following applies to you, you will be unable to obtain a family visa to the UK:
- You are already in the UK on a work or student visa.
- You are currently residing in the United Kingdom on a six-month or shorter visitor visa. The regulation does not apply if you are in the United Kingdom on a tourist marriage visa or are awaiting a final court decision on a family or divorce dispute.
Requirements for particular services
When you submit your application, you’ll need to have certain information and evidence on hand. Include details about you and any dependents who are applying concurrently.
You’ll need to provide the following:
- Each of your given names
- Your date of birth
- Copies of the photo page of your current passport or other acceptable travel identification, as well as any visa or entrance stamps on previous passports.
- A copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one; information about any previous immigration applications you have submitted; and information about any criminal convictions you may have.
- Your national insurance number, if applicable, as well as the dates of birth and nationality of your parents if you are applying from a country other than the United Kingdom.
- Your tuberculosis test results, if you live in a nation that requires the test.
- A certified translation of any non-English or non-Welsh document
- If you’re applying outside the UK, you’ll need a blank page in your passport to accommodate the visa.
- To submit an online application, you’ll need an email address.
- Additionally, you’ll need to provide documentation of your financial situation.
- Demonstrate your command of the English language.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to submit extra documents, such as a sponsorship form from a family member in the United Kingdom.
Your partner’s information
If you have a partner, you will be required to provide the following information:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport
- They have the legal right to be in the United Kingdom. For example, they are British citizens.
Additionally, you’ll need to include information about:
- Any individuals with whom your partner was previously married, in a civil partnership, or had children.
- Evidence of the dissolution of marriages, such as a divorce certificate.
- Anyone your partner financially supports, such as their parents.
- Evidence of association.
If you are applying as a spouse or partner, the following questions will be asked:
- Your connection with your partner, including how you met and the frequency with which you see each other.
- How long you’ve been living together-evidence such as council tax bills will be required.
- Things that you pay for jointly.
- Whether you are the caregiver for your partner.
- Your former partners.
You must include information about anyone with whom you were previously married or had children. Include documentation of marriages that have ended, such as a divorce certificate.
Children
You’ll need to provide information about your children (and, if applicable, your partner’s children). You will be questioned about all children, even those who do not apply.
You’ll need to include information about the following:
- name
- nationality
- date of birth
- passport information
- The person the child lives with on a regular basis
- Any other individuals who have parental rights to your child, such as the other parents of your stepchildren.
- The way you interact with them on a daily basis
- Extended family of the child
- Any countries in which your child has travelled or lived?
life outside the United Kingdom
- Family and acquaintances in the countries where they were born or acquired citizenship.
Language Test
When you apply, you may be required to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language.
When you are not required to demonstrate it
You are not required to demonstrate your English proficiency or to take a test if one of the following is true:
- If you are applying as a child or an adult arriving to be catered for by a relative.
- If you have been in the United Kingdom for five years on a family visa to the UK and are extending it as a spouse or parent.
- If you are over 65, or if you have medical or mental issues that prevent you from complying with the requirements of the application.
Additionally, you will not be required to demonstrate your English proficiency if you are a citizen of one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bahamas
- Canada
- Dominica
- Guyana
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- St Lucia
- St Kitts and Nevis
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
How to prove your knowledge of English
You can prove it with an academic qualification, or by taking a test. You can demonstrate your English proficiency if you hold a degree or academic certificate that was taught or conducted entirely in English. If your degree is from a university or institution in the United Kingdom, you only need your degree certificate.
If you earned your degree from a university or institution outside the United Kingdom, you must present a certificate from ECCTIS (previously UK NARIC) demonstrating that your qualification is comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.
There are two distinct types of certificates:
- A declaration of comparability
- A statement of visa and nationality
If you earned your degree or certificate from a university or college in one of the following countries, you must provide a statement of comparability:
- Australia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Bahamas
- Belize
- Dominica
- Guyana
- Grenada
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Lucia
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Acceptance and Rejection
While it may appear easy when your visa application is approved, the Home Office’s visa approval process is stringent and thorough. Each application is thoroughly reviewed prior to approval or rejection. Thousands of applications are denied each year. At times, clients are concerned about what might have gone wrong with their application. In 2019, the UK visa refusal rate increased to 13%.
Bangladesh, Ghana, and Algeria were among the countries that received up to 40% of visa rejections.
The following are some of the visa rejection reasons:
- Incomplete application form: An incomplete application form is one of the primary causes of rejection. Each day, the Home Office processes thousands of forms, and the visa applicant must accurately complete each field.
- Errors and unclear handwriting: Any carelessness with your visa application form may result in you having to wait another six months to reapply. The visa applicant may seek assistance from experienced specialists to ensure that no such error is made on the form.
- Irregular fund transfers: If you are moving to the UK, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds in your bank account. However, many applicants’ bank accounts reveal irregular financial transfers or bulk transactions, which result in visa rejection.
- Uncertain visa category: Regardless of whether you’re travelling as a student, spouse, or business partner, the visa category is crucial because it discloses the most critical aspect of your visa application.
- A criminal record was discovered against the visa applicant: The Home Office is meticulous in its examination of papers. Occasionally, visa applicants fail to disclose or are unaware of their criminal past. Any inconsistency, whether deliberate or inadvertent, may result in your visa application being rejected. It is your responsibility to substantiate any background you may have in order to obtain approval for your visa.
- Inadequate funds to sustain: While it is a privilege to be a member of one of the world’s most developed countries, it is necessary to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds in your bank account to support yourself and your family in the United Kingdom. The money must be authentic. Avoid making large cash deposits, as this may raise suspicion and result in visa rejection.
- Disorganized documentation: Documents are what determine whether your visa application is approved or denied. Documents must be in order and properly arranged as requested; otherwise, there is a good chance of your visa being rejected.
- Establishing the relationship proof: Establishing your relationship with the visa applicant is critical, and failure to do so may result in a refusal due to a lack of proof.
- Incorrect documentation or insufficient paperwork: If your visa application’s supporting documents are lacking, you risk losing your visa. For instance, if you are unable to attach bank statements or transcripts, or if you are unable to demonstrate your relationship with a dependent, the Home Office may reject your visa application.
- A lack of expert guidance: The work and procedure of applying for a visa might be intimidating at times. You must seek professional counsel to assist you in reducing your anxiety and worrying less. Experts will represent you and will also follow up with the Home Office.
Cost Breakdown
How much it costs depends solely 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 dependent added to your application |
£1,523 each person |
£1,033 each person The cost |
|
for an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative is |
£3,250 |
£1,033 |
Process time
If you apply from outside the UK, you will typically receive a response within 12 weeks. If you apply in the United Kingdom, you will typically receive a decision within eight weeks after the date of your application if you utilize the standard option. If you use the super priority service, you will typically receive a decision by the end of the next business day following the submission of your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday; or by the end of the next business day following the submission of your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekend.
It may take longer if your application is complicated, as in the following example:
If you do not meet the minimum income criteria, are unable to demonstrate your English proficiency, are required to attend an interview, have not provided all of the evidence required by the Home Office, and have a criminal conviction or other personal circumstance that requires review.
How can Henleaze Law help you apply for a Family Visa?
We understand the value of remaining close to family, and acquiring a Family Visa will ensure that you do not have to be separated from your family. Our staff of specialized immigration attorneys can assist you with all forms of family visa applications. We will work with you to evaluate your various alternatives, verify the status of your dependents, and conduct a full document check on your behalf.
One of our lawyers will write a Letter of Representation on your behalf, outlining the merits of your application and the applicable UK immigration rules. This letter will be submitted with your Family Visa UK application.
Contact us for more information, and schedule a consultation with one of our expert legal representatives to have a clear guidance to handle the case.