Family Visa

A UK Family Visa provides a pathway for eligible foreign nationals to join their family members in the United Kingdom for periods exceeding six months. If you are a British citizen, settled resident, or hold qualified immigration status, you can sponsor certain family members to live with you in the UK under various family visa categories.

The Home Office introduced significant changes to the family immigration framework in early 2025, updating financial requirements and streamlining application processes for certain categories. Our immigration solicitors have prepared this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the current system effectively.

Who Can Apply for a UK Family Visa?

You may qualify to bring family members to the UK if you are:

• • A British or Irish citizen

• • A person with settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status)

• • A person with refugee status or humanitarian protection

• • A holder of a valid UK visa that permits dependants (such as certain work, study, or business visas)

• • A non-EU national with pre-settled status (arrived before 31 December 2020)

• • A person with Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker status

Family members eligible for sponsorship include:

• • Spouses and civil partners

• • Unmarried partners (with at least two years of cohabitation)

• • Fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners

• • Dependent children under 18

• • Adult dependent relatives requiring long-term care

• Parents of children settled in the UK

Family Visa Categories and Requirements for 2025

Spouse and Partner Visa

The Spouse and Partner visa allows married, civil, or long-term unmarried partners to join their UK-based partner. Under the revised 2025 regulations, applicants must:

• • Be in a genuine and subsisting relationship (marriage, civil partnership, or cohabitation for at least 2 years)

• • Meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 combined (increased from previous years)

• • Demonstrate suitable accommodation arrangements

• • Satisfy the English language requirement (minimum CEFR level A1)

• • Clear tuberculosis testing if from a listed country

• • Complete biometric registration

The initial visa grants 33 months (2 years and 9 months) of leave, with the option to extend for an additional 30 months. After completing 5 years in this category, applicants become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner Visa

This visa category is designed for couples planning to marry or form a civil partnership within six months of arrival in the UK. The 2025 rules maintain the key requirements:

• • Evidence of a genuine relationship and concrete plans to marry within 6 months

• • Meeting the current financial threshold of £29,000

• • Suitable accommodation arrangements

• • English language proficiency (CEFR level A1)

The visa is valid for 6 months and does not permit employment. After marriage, holders must apply for a Spouse visa to remain in the UK. The 2025 regulations have introduced a streamlined application process for transitioning from fiancé(e) to spouse status.

Child Dependant Visa

Children under 18 can join their parent(s) in the UK under this category. The 2025 framework has clarified several aspects:

• • Both biological and legally adopted children qualify

• • Children must not be living independent lives or be married

• • For children born in the UK, a direct path to settlement may be available if one parent holds ILR

• • The best interests of the child remain paramount in all decisions

• • Parental responsibility must be clearly demonstrated

The visa duration typically aligns with the parent’s leave period, allowing for extensions and ultimately settlement after 5 years.

Parent Visa

The Parent visa enables non-British parents to join and care for their child in the UK. Under current regulations, eligibility requires:

• • The child must be under 18 or have been under 18 when the parent was first granted leave

• • The child must be British, settled, have pre-settled status, or have lived continuously in the UK for 7 years

• • The applicant must have sole or shared parental responsibility

• • The 2025 financial threshold applies (sufficient funds without recourse to public funds)

• • Adequate accommodation must be secured

Initial leave is granted for 33 months, extendable for a further 30 months, with the possibility of settlement after 5 years.

Adult Dependant Relative Visa

This category allows overseas relatives requiring long-term care to join their UK-based family members. The 2025 rules maintain stringent criteria:

• • Applicants must be 18 or older and related to a person settled in the UK

• • They must require daily personal care due to illness, disability, or age

• • Appropriate care must be unavailable or unaffordable in their home country

• • The UK sponsor must provide suitable accommodation and financial support for at least 5 years without accessing public funds

Successful applicants receive immediate settlement (ILR) upon approval, a significant benefit compared to other family visa categories.

PBS Dependant Visa

Family members of Points-Based System visa holders can apply as dependants. The 2025 rules maintain the following eligibility criteria:

• • Spouses, civil partners, or unmarried partners (with 2+ years cohabitation)

• • Children under 18 (including those born in the UK)

• • Dependent adult children in certain circumstances

Dependants’ visas match the duration of the main applicant’s visa and allow for work, study, and access to the NHS.

UK Ancestry Visa

The Ancestry visa permits Commonwealth citizens with British grandparentage to live and work in the UK. The 2025 regulations require applicants to:

• • Be a Commonwealth citizen or from specified territories

• • Prove that at least one grandparent was born in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man

• • Show intent and ability to work in the UK

• • Have sufficient funds for initial establishment without public funds support

This visa grants 5 years of leave with unrestricted work rights, after which settlement can be applied for.

Family Reunion Visa

This route enables refugees and those with humanitarian protection to bring immediate family members to the UK. The 2025 rules maintain the focus on:

• • Sponsors with refugee status or 5+ years of humanitarian protection

• • Immediate family members (spouse, partner, or dependent children)

• • Proof of relationship existing before the sponsor fled their country

• • Evidence of genuine and subsisting family bonds

The Family Reunion visa leads directly to settlement, allowing families separated by forced displacement to rebuild their lives together in the UK.

EUSS Family Permit

For family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who were residing in the UK before 31 December 2020, the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit provides a route to entry. The 2025 rules continue to accommodate:

• • Close family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens with settled or pre-settled status

• • Extended family members who held relevant documentation before 31 December 2020

• • Family relationships formed before 31 December 2020

This permit allows 6 months of stay, during which holders must apply under the EUSS for pre-settled status.

Financial Requirements for UK Family Visas in 2025

The financial threshold for family visas has been revised to £29,000 per annum as of April 2025. This represents the minimum gross annual income required from the UK sponsor and applicant combined. Evidence must show:

• • Employment income (6 months of payslips and bank statements)

• • Self-employment income (typically the last full financial year)

• • Savings (amounts above £16,000 can be used to supplement income)

• • Pension income

• • Property rental income

Alternative funding sources may be considered under exceptional circumstances, particularly where refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences for the family.

English Language Requirements

Most adult applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR level A1 for initial applications, progressing to A2 for extensions, and B1 for settlement. This can be evidenced through:

• • Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT)

• • Holding a degree taught in English

• • Being a national of a majority English-speaking country

Exemptions apply for applicants over 65 or those with certain physical or mental conditions.

Accommodation Requirements

All family visa applicants must demonstrate access to adequate accommodation that:

• • Will not become overcrowded as defined by housing legislation

• • Complies with public health regulations

• • Will be available for the entire family’s exclusive use

Temporary accommodation arrangements are generally not acceptable for long-term visa applications.

Processing Times and Application Fees

As of 2025, standard processing times for family visas range from 8-12 weeks, with priority services available for an additional fee. Current application fees:

• • Spouse/Partner visa: £1,938 from outside the UK

• • Fiancé(e) visa: £1,938 from outside the UK

• • Parent visa: £1,938 from outside the UK

• • Adult dependant relative: £3,413

• • Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year per applicant

All applicants must also factor in costs for English language testing, tuberculosis screening where applicable, and biometric enrolment.

Common Reasons for Family Visa Refusals

The Home Office may refuse family visa applications for various reasons:

• • Insufficient evidence of a genuine relationship

• • Failure to meet financial requirements

• • Inadequate accommodation arrangements

• • Incomplete documentation

• • English language requirements not satisfied

• • Criminal convictions or security concerns

• • Previous immigration breaches

If your application is refused, you may have the right to appeal, request an administrative review, or submit a fresh application addressing the issues raised.

Frequently Asked Questions About UK Family Visas

Can I work in the UK on a family visa?

Yes, most family visa categories permit unrestricted work and study in the UK. The exception is the fiancé(e) visa, which does not allow employment until you’ve married and switched to a spouse visa.

How long does it take to get a family visa for the UK?

Standard processing typically takes 8-12 weeks from the date of your biometric appointment. Priority services can reduce this to 5 working days for an additional fee of £573 (as of May 2025).

Can I apply for a family visa from within the UK?

This depends on your current immigration status. Some family members can switch to a family visa from within the UK, while others must apply from their home country. The 2025 rules have expanded in-country switching options for certain categories.

What happens if my relationship breaks down while on a family visa?

If your relationship ends due to divorce, separation, or domestic violence, you may qualify for indefinite leave to remain under domestic violence provisions or be permitted to remain on compassionate grounds, especially if you have children in the UK.

What changes were made to family visas in 2025?

Key changes include the increased financial threshold to £29,000, streamlined application processes for certain categories, enhanced digital application systems, and additional flexibility for exceptional circumstances cases.

How Our Immigration Solicitors Can Help

Navigating the UK family visa system can be complex, particularly with the 2025 regulatory changes. Our specialist immigration solicitors offer:

• • Expert assessment of your eligibility across all family visa categories

• • Strategic advice on the most suitable visa route for your circumstances

• • Comprehensive document preparation and evidence review

• • Representation in appeals and administrative reviews

• • Post-approval support with extensions and settlement applications

We understand the importance of family unity and work tirelessly to reunite families through legal immigration pathways.

For personalised advice on your family visa application, contact our immigration team for a confidential consultation. We can help you understand your options and develop a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.