Family Visas in the United Kingdom
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UK Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
UK family immigration allows British citizens and persons with settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain) to bring their spouse/civil partner, unmarried partner, children, and in some cases parents and other adult dependants to the UK. The main route is the Spouse/Partner visa (Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules), which requires the sponsor to meet a minimum income threshold of £29,000 per year (raised from £18,600 in April 2024, with further increases planned).
The partner visa is initially granted for 33 months (from outside the UK) or 30 months (from inside the UK), then extended for a further 30 months. After 5 years on the partner route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The 10-year route is available for applicants who do not meet the standard financial requirement but can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- You are a British citizen or person with ILR and want to bring your spouse, partner, or children to the UK
- You are the spouse, partner, or child of a British citizen or settled person and want to join them in the UK
- You are an elderly parent or adult dependent relative of a British citizen or settled person
Key routes and requirements:
- Spouse/Civil Partner visa: Must be legally married or in a civil partnership. Sponsor must earn £29,000+ per year (or meet threshold through savings/other income sources). Must pass English language test at CEFR A1 (for initial application) and CEFR A2 (for extension). Must not fall for refusal under the suitability requirements. Visa fee: £1,846 (from outside UK) or £1,048 (inside UK). IHS: £1,035/year. Initial grant: 33 months. Extension: 30 months. ILR after 5 years total.
- Unmarried/Cohabiting Partner visa: Must have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years. Same financial and English requirements as spouse visa. Same fees and timeline.
- Child visa: For children under 18 of a person with a partner visa or who is settled. Must demonstrate sole responsibility or that exclusion from the UK would be undesirable. No independent financial requirement. Visa fee: £1,846 (from outside UK). IHS: £776/year for under-18s.
- Adult Dependent Relative visa: For parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, sons, or daughters aged 18+ who require long-term personal care that is not available in their home country. Very high threshold. Visa fee: £3,250. No IHS (grants ILR directly). Very low approval rate.
Minimum income threshold:
- Sponsor only: £29,000 per year
- No additional amount for children if sponsor also has a partner application
- Cash savings above £16,000 can be used: (savings - £16,000) / 2.5 = annual equivalent
- The threshold is planned to increase to £34,500 and then £38,700 in future phases
What to Do If You Want to Bring Your Family to the UK
Step 1: Confirm your sponsor meets the minimum income requirement. Gather 6 months of payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, employer letter confirming salary, and the sponsor's most recent P60. If relying on self-employment, provide 2 years of accounts and SA302 tax calculations.
Step 2: Pass the required English language test. For the initial application, you need CEFR A1 (basic level) from an approved provider on the Home Office's list of Secure English Language Tests (SELTs). Exemptions apply if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or hold a degree taught in English.
Step 3: Gather relationship evidence. Include: marriage or civil partnership certificate, photos together (spanning the relationship), communication records, joint tenancy agreements, joint bank accounts or financial commitments, and letters from friends and family confirming the relationship.
Step 4: Apply online at gov.uk/uk-family-visa. Pay the visa fee and IHS upfront. For a 33-month spouse visa from outside the UK, the IHS alone is approximately £2,849 (33 months x £1,035/12 months).
Step 5: Attend a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre. Submit your passport and supporting documents (or upload them online if using the ID Check app for in-country applications).
Step 6: After 30 months, apply for a further leave to remain (extension) for another 30 months. You must meet the same financial requirement and pass English at CEFR A2. After 5 years total, apply for ILR (£2,885 fee, Life in the UK test required, English at CEFR B1).
What should you NOT do?
Don't enter a sham marriage for immigration purposes. Sham marriages are criminal offences under the Immigration Act 2014. The Home Office investigates suspected sham marriages through the Referral and Investigation Scheme. Conviction can result in imprisonment and removal from the UK.
Don't assume cohabitation alone is enough. For unmarried partner applications, you must demonstrate 2 years of continuous cohabitation. Breaks in cohabitation can result in refusal. Provide tenancy agreements, utility bills, and official correspondence showing the same address for the full 2-year period.
Don't underestimate the financial requirement. The £29,000 threshold is strictly applied. Only income from the sponsor counts for the initial application (the applicant's income can only be counted if they have permission to work in the UK). Third-party support, promises of employment, or projected future income are not accepted.
Don't miss extension deadlines. Your initial visa expires after 33 months (or 30 months). You must apply for an extension before it expires. If you overstay, even by one day, you break the continuous qualifying period and may need to restart the 5-year route to ILR.
Don't forget the English language progression. You need CEFR A1 for the initial visa, A2 for the extension, and B1 for ILR. Start studying early and book your SELT test in advance, as test centres can have long waiting times.
Common Questions
When does family visas apply?
This applies when:You are a British citizen or person with ILR and want to bring your spouse, partner, or children to the UKYou are the spouse, partner, or child of a British citizen or settled person and want to join them in the UKYou are an elderly parent or adult dependent relative of a British citizen or settled personKey routes and requirements:Spouse/Civil Partner visa: Must be legally married or in a civil partnership. Sponsor must earn £29,000+ per year (or meet threshold through savings/other income sources). Must pass English language test at CEFR A1 (for initial application) and CEF...
What should I do if I want to sponsor my spouse or partner to join me in the UK?
Step 1: Confirm your sponsor meets the minimum income requirement. Gather 6 months of payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, employer letter confirming salary, and the sponsor's most recent P60. If relying on self-employment, provide 2 years of accounts and SA302 tax calculations.Step 2: Pass the required English language test. For the initial application, you need CEFR A1 (basic level) from an approved provider on the Home Office's list of Secure English Language Tests (SELTs). Exemptions apply if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or hold a degree taught in...
What mistakes should I avoid with family visas?
Don't enter a sham marriage for immigration purposes. Sham marriages are criminal offences under the Immigration Act 2014. The Home Office investigates suspected sham marriages through the Referral and Investigation Scheme. Conviction can result in imprisonment and removal from the UK.Don't assume cohabitation alone is enough. For unmarried partner applications, you must demonstrate 2 years of continuous cohabitation. Breaks in cohabitation can result in refusal. Provide tenancy agreements, utility bills, and official correspondence showing the same address for the full 2-year period.Don't und...