Bringing Family to the UK

If your spouse and/or family members come from outside the EEA, then they will need to apply for visas to enter and remain in the UK.

A spouse visa, (also known as a UK marriage visa), allows individuals who are married to a person settled in the UK – i.e. are not subject to any visa restrictions, to come to the UK to live, work and/or study.

To obtain a UK spouse visa, the following requirements must be met:

• You and your spouse must be 18 years old or over
• You must have met each other and be legally married
• You must intend to live together permanently
• You must have enough money to support yourselves (and any dependents) without claiming public funds
• You must have suitable accommodation for you, your spouse and any dependants
• You must satisfy the English language requirements

If you are already residing in the UK under a different visa – for example, a Student Visa, then you may be able to switch to a spouse visa, as long as you and your spouse meet the eligibility requirements.

There are four main categories of family migration:

• Unmarried Partner
• Dependent Child
• Adult Dependent Relative
• Parent Visa

You and your sponsoring partner must both be 18 years of age or over and intend to live together on a permanent basis.

• You must show that any previous relationship that you or your partner was involved in has ended.
• You need to show that you have been living with your partner for at least two years in a relationship similar to marriage. You will need to provide documentary evidence confirming this.
• You and your partner must have sufficient funds to support yourselves (and any dependants) without claiming public funds.
• You must have suitable accommodation available for you, your partner and any dependants.
• You must also satisfy the English language requirements

• The child must be under 18 years; and
• Must not be leading an independent life, be married or in a civil partnership and have no children of their own

• Your family member must be over the age of 18
• He or she must be a close family member; i.e. a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son, or daughter
• As a sponsor, you must be a British citizen or at least settled in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain
• The applicant must be outside the UK at the time of application
• Your relative will need to provide evidence that he or she requires long-term personal care on a day to day basis and that no public finds are required to assist with this
• The care needed must not be available or reasonably requested in the country where they reside

If you have a child in the UK, as a parent, you can apply for a visa to join them via the ‘Parent Route’. The term ‘parent’ is defined as:

• a natural (biological) parent
• an adoptive parent
• a step-parent where the biological parent has died