UK family visas allow people to come to the UK to live with a partner, child, or parent who is already settled here. The applications can be more involved than people expect, and the rules around financial requirements, evidence of relationships, and accommodation change regularly. Getting an application wrong can mean a refusal or significant delays. At Reeds, our family immigration solicitor team helps clients navigate the process clearly and thoroughly, so that applications go in properly prepared and in the strongest possible shape.
Our family immigration solicitor team at Reeds Solicitors helps families through the UK visa process at every stage. We deal with straightforward applications and more complex cases alike.
You can contact us through the Reeds Solicitors contact page on our website, or by calling on 0333 240 7373, or through email [email protected]. Contact us now to speak with a specialist that will help secure your future.
Which UK Family Visa Do You Need?
There are several family visa routes under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, including
- The Spouse or Partner Visa – for married spouses, civil partners, or unmarried partners in a durable relationship, usually evidenced by at least two years of cohabitation or other evidence showing the relationship is genuine and ongoing . It gives the applicant the right to live and work in the UK and leads to settlement after five years.
- The Fiance(e) or Proposed Civil Partner Visa – for people coming to the UK to get married or form a civil partnership within six months. It does not include the right to work but can be converted to a spouse visa once the relationship is formalised.
- The Child Visa – allows children under 18 to join a parent who is settled or has leave to remain in the UK. Children can apply as dependants on a parent’s application or apply separately.
- The Parent Visa – for parents of children who are British citizens, settled in the UK, or who have lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years , where the applicant has access to the child and plays an active role in their upbringing.
There is also an Adult Dependent Relative Visa for adult family members who need long-term personal care due to age, illness or disability and who cannot reasonably obtain that care in their home country. It is only available to close relatives such as parents, grandparents, adult children and adult siblings of a qualifying sponsor in the UK, and it has very strict requirements on care needs, financial support and accommodation.
Each route has its own requirements. We will identify the right one for your circumstances and make sure the application is prepared correctly from the start.
Financial Requirements for UK Family Visas.
For most family visa applications, the UK sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold. For new partner visa applications submitted on or after 11th April 2024, this is currently £29,000 per year gross. Income can come from employment, self-employment, pension, rental income, or a combination of qualifying sources. Cash savings can also be used, either alongside income or to meet the requirement in full, though the rules on how savings are calculated must be followed precisely.
For extensions where the original application was made before 11th April 2024, the lower threshold of £18,600 continues to apply, with additional amounts for dependent children. We will assess your financial position and advise on the best way to evidence it.
English Language and Accommodation
Most applicants need to show sufficient English language ability. The required level is A1 for an initial entry clearance application, A2 for an extension, and B1 for settlement. Tests must be taken with a provider on the Home Office’s Secure English Language Testing list. Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries and people who hold a degree taught in English.
Applicants must also show that there is adequate accommodation in the UK for the family without recourse to public funds. The accommodation must be adequate, not overcrowded, and comply with public health requirements.
Contact:
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How Reeds Solicitors Can Help
Family visa applications involve detailed evidential requirements, and any gap or error can result in a refusal. A refusal can have an impact on future applications and can mean a lengthy period of separation.
At Reeds Solicitors, we prepare every application thoroughly. We assess your circumstances carefully, make sure the evidence is complete and well-presented, and keep you informed throughout the process.
Before anything is submitted, we carry out a full assessment of your eligibility. We identify the right visa category, check whether the financial requirements are met, establish what evidence is needed, and flag any issues that need to be dealt with before the application goes in, such as previous refusals, overstays, or criminal history.
We guide you through completing the online forms and putting together the full evidence bundle. Family visa applications require documentation covering finances, the relationship, accommodation, and English language. We make sure everything is correctly prepared, translated where necessary, and presented in line with what the Home Office expects.
We review every application thoroughly before submission to make sure there are no gaps or inconsistencies.
We keep you updated at every stage. If the Home Office asks for further information or evidence, we respond promptly. We manage deadlines and make sure nothing is missed.
We also advise on the conditions of your visa, including the right to work, restrictions on public funds, and any reporting requirements.
If your application has been refused, we review the decision carefully and advise on your options. Depending on the reason for refusal, you may have a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), in some circumstances you may have the option to request an administrative review, or the ability to submit a fresh application addressing the issues raised. We represent clients in immigration appeals where appropriate.
Most family visa holders become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years on the family route. We advise on the requirements, help prepare the application, and can guide you through applying for British citizenship if that is something you want to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
A UK family visa allows someone to come to or remain in the UK based on their family relationship with a British citizen or a person settled in the UK. The main categories are the spouse or partner visa, the fiancé (e) visa, the child visa, and the parent visa.
Processing times vary depending on the application type, location, and Home Office demand. Standard applications are often decided within several weeks to a few months, though this can be longer during busy periods or if further information is requested. Priority services are available for an additional fee. We advise on the right service level for your situation.
Most family visa holders have the right to work in the UK without restriction. The exception is the fiancé visa, which does not include the right to work. That right is included once you switch to a spouse visa after your marriage or civil partnership.
Depending on the grounds of refusal, you may be able to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, request an administrative review, or submit a new application that addresses the reasons given. We review refusal decisions and advise on the best course of action.
For new partner visa applications made on or after 11th April 2024, the threshold is currently £29,000 gross per year (but is subject to change under the immigration rules). For extensions where the original application was submitted before that date, the lower threshold of £18,600 applies, with additional amounts for dependent children.
Most applicants need to show English language ability. The required level is A1 for an initial entry clearance application, A2 for an extension, and B1 for settlement. Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries and people who hold a degree taught in English.
Partner, parent and child visas are generally granted for 30 months from inside the UK or 33 months where entry clearance is granted overseas. It can then be extended for a further 30 months. After five years in total, most visa holders become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. A fiancé visa is granted for six months, during which you must marry or form a civil partnership and then switch to a spouse visa.
Yes, children under 18 can generally be included as dependents in a partner or parent visa application. They can also apply separately. We advise on the best approach for your family’s circumstances.
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