Family Visas

Spouse Visa

The Spouse visa allows married partners of British citizens or settled persons to join them in the UK. To be eligible, you must:

Be legally married to a British citizen or a person with settled status.
Meet the English language requirement.
Demonstrate that you can support yourselves financially without recourse to public funds.
Provide proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship.

This visa is initially granted for 33 months if applying from outside the UK or 30 months if applying from within the UK, with the possibility to extend and eventually apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Fiancé Visa

The Fiancé visa allows you to come to the UK to marry your British citizen or settled partner. To qualify, you must:

Intend to marry within six months of arriving in the UK.
Meet the financial and accommodation requirements.
Demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and you intend to live together permanently.

After marriage, you can switch to a Spouse visa from within the UK.

Unmarried Partner Visa

The Unmarried Partner visa is for long-term partners of British citizens or settled persons who are not married but have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years. Eligibility criteria include:

Proof of cohabitation for at least two years.
Meeting the financial and accommodation requirements.
Demonstrating a genuine and subsisting relationship.

This visa is granted for an initial period of 30 months, with the possibility of extension and eventual settlement.

Parent Visa

The Parent visa allows a parent of a child who is a British citizen or settled in the UK to join or stay with them. To be eligible, you must:

Have sole or shared parental responsibility for the child.
Show that you are taking an active role in the child’s upbringing.
Meet the financial and accommodation requirements.
Provide proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship with the child.

This visa is initially granted for 30 months, with the possibility of extension and eventual settlement.

Adult Dependent Relative Visa

The Adult Dependent Relative visa allows elderly parents or dependent relatives of British citizens or settled persons to come to the UK to be cared for by their family members. To qualify, you must:

Be unable to live independently and require long-term care.
Have no access to the required care in your home country.
Demonstrate that your UK sponsor can provide adequate care and support without recourse to public funds.

This visa grants indefinite leave to remain upon entry to the UK.

Child Dependent Visa

The Child Dependent visa allows children of British citizens or settled persons to join their parent(s) in the UK. Eligibility criteria include:

The child must be under 18 years old.
The child must not be living an independent life.
The UK-based parent must meet the financial requirements to support the child.
Proof of a genuine and subsisting parental relationship.

This visa is typically granted in line with the parent’s visa status, allowing for extensions and eventual settlement.

UK Ancestry Visa

The UK Ancestry visa allows Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK to live and work in the UK. To be eligible, you must:

Be a Commonwealth citizen.
Be aged 17 or over.
Have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.
Intend to work in the UK and be able to support yourself without recourse to public funds.

This visa is granted for five years, with the possibility to extend and apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Victim of Domestic Violence or Abuse

If you are in the UK on a family visa and your relationship has broken down due to domestic violence or abuse, you may apply for indefinite leave to remain under the Domestic Violence Rule. To qualify, you must:

Provide evidence of the abuse or violence.
Have been in a genuine relationship that has broken down due to abuse.
Meet other standard ILR requirements, such as continuous residence and good character.

This provision ensures that victims are not forced to remain in abusive relationships to maintain their immigration status.

Appendix FM

Appendix FM is part of the UK Immigration Rules that sets out the requirements for family members of British citizens or settled persons to come to or stay in the UK. This includes spouses, partners, parents, and children. The key criteria include:

Relationship requirements: Proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship.
Financial requirements: Demonstrating sufficient income to support the applicant without recourse to public funds.
English language requirements: Proficiency in English at the required level.
Accommodation requirements: Adequate accommodation must be available.

Appendix FM also outlines the route to settlement and citizenship for family members, including provisions for switching visas and extending leave to remain.

Contact Us

For expert advice and assistance with your family visa application, contact Rasel Chambers Solicitors. Our experienced team is here to help you navigate the complexities of UK immigration law and achieve your goal of family reunification. Call us on 447515487822 or complete our enquiry form below.