Once granted a UK visa, you may bring your family to live with you for six months or more. You may bring your parents, proposed civil partners, relatives, children, partners, or fiance to live with you. With a valid UK immigration status, you can file for a family visa. Keep reading for more details on UK family visas and how to apply.
What are the Family Visa Requirements in the UK?
As a UK family visa sponsor, you must fulfil various requirements. Below are some:
- You must have a valid UK visa allowing dependents entry.
- Be an Irish national or UK citizen or have indefinite leave to remain.
- Hold a pre-settled status with EU nationality.
- Have humanitarian protection in the country.
- Hold a Turkish Businessperson visa and a Turkish Worker visa.
As a family member applying for the visa, they should also fulfil specific requirements.
- Be a dependent as a parent or a child
- Be a partner, fiance, spouse or a relative requiring long-term care.
- They should know the English language.
- They should not have a criminal record.
- They will be financially independent after the visa approval.
- They should not threaten the UK’s physical security and cultural society.
How do you apply for a family visa in the UK?
Here are the documents you will require for the application:
- Valid passport with at least one blank page or another travel ID. You may have to provide old passports.
- Proof of relationship.
- Proof of finances.
- English knowledge proof
- Tuberculosis test results for those from specific countries with higher rates of Tuberculosis.
With these documents, you can apply for the visa online and select a date for an appointment at the visa application centre for biometric collection. The officials may ask for more documents depending upon an individual case.
Cost of application
If you are applying for a partner, child or parent outside the UK, you have to pay £1,846 and £1,048 when applying in the UK. Additionally, you’ll pay the same respective amount to each dependent added to the visa. You also must pay a healthcare surcharge for dependents’ visas, and the amounts depend on their current age and how long they will be staying in the UK.
Estimated time for approval
The visa may take up to twelve weeks to be processed. In case of an extension of the current visa, it will take at least eight weeks to process this application. You may use premium priority services at an additional cost to receive hastier approvals. The visa will allow your family members to stay in the country for up to two years and nine months on this visa. After this, you may apply for a visa extension or indefinite leave to remain once the five-year threshold has been passed.
When not to apply for a family visa?
If your family member has a work or student visa, then you cannot apply for a family visa. Their temporary visa to study or work in the UK inhibits them from applying. Instead, you may apply for dependent visas to stay with them.
Parting Words
This article provides a concise outline of the requirements of obtaining a family visa. Still, it is always best to consult legal experts to ensure you have all the correct documents and up-to-date information so that your application does not get rejected. An experienced lawyer will help you fulfil eligibility and file an appeal if needed after the rejection. Get in touch with Lawyersorted.com to find the right solicitor for your needs.
Written By –
Omar Shams
CEO & Founder at Lawyersorted.com
