WESolutions
Bringing your family to the United Kingdom is often one of the most important decisions you can make. Whether you are in the UK as a skilled worker, a student, or on some other visa, you may want your spouse, partner, or children to join you. The UK Dependent Visa (sometimes referred to as a family visa) allows eligible family members to come to the UK for the duration of your stay or permanently, in some cases. Read through to understand the UK Dependent Visa process, requirements and what you need to know. (GOV.UK)
Who Can Apply for a Family Visa in the UK?
A UK Family Visa allows close family members to join someone who is a British citizen, a person settled in the UK (with Indefinite Leave to Remain), or a person with refugee or humanitarian protection status.:
- Your spouse or civil partner
- Your unmarried partner (where you have been in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years) (GOV.UK)
- Your child – under the age of 18
- In some limited circumstances, dependent adult relatives who require long-term care by a relative in the UK (GOV.UK)
This route lets eligible family members stay in the UK to live, work and study for the duration of your visa. Importantly, family visa rules apply to individuals joining British citizens, settled persons (those with Indefinite Leave to Remain), and people with certain long-term visas under UK immigration rules. (GOV.UK)
What Are the Requirements for a UK Family Visa (Spouse, Partner, and Dependents)?
Before applying for a UK Family Dependent Visa, there are several key requirements you need to meet.
Relationship and Age Requirements
To qualify:
- Spouses and civil partners must be legally married or in a civil partnership.
- Unmarried partners must prove they have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.
- Children must generally be under 18 and dependent on their parents. (GOV.UK)
Financial Requirement
One of the major criteria for this visa is to prove that you can support your family financially without public funds if they’re given the visa to come to the UK. This means submitting proof that you or your sponsor has sufficient income or savings to support the whole family. Minimum earning thresholds required for income may vary depending on the type of visa you hold in the UK, as well as the visa(s) your family is applying for.
For applying under the family visa route, a minimum threshold of £29,000 is required for you to showcase your income as per the latest rules. This may increase further in the near future. (GOV.UK)
Accommodation and Maintenance
You must provide evidence that there is suitable accommodation for you and your dependents in the UK, and that you can meet day-to-day living costs without being dependent on public funds. (GOV.UK)
Genuine Relationship Proof
If you are applying as a partner, you must show that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. This could include evidence such as joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, photos together and other joint financial or life documents. (Richmond Chambers)
How Do I Apply for a Family Visa in the UK?
The UK Dependent Visa process generally follows these steps:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Use the GOV.UK’s guide to confirm that both the sponsor and dependent meet the eligibility criteria, including relationship, financial and accommodation requirements. Check this before preparing your application for a smoother and hurdle-free processing.
Step 2: Prepare Documentation
Gather all necessary documents, including:
- Valid passports for all applicants
- Proof of your relationship (marriage or civil partnership certificate, evidence of cohabitation for unmarried partners)
- Child birth certificates, where relevant
- Bank statements showing sufficient funds or sponsor income
- Accommodation details in the UK
- TB test results or other medical requirements, depending on nationality and length of stay
Step 3: Apply Online
Applications must be submitted online via the official Home Office portal. You will need to complete the form relevant to your visa type and pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the process.
Step 4: Biometric Appointment
After submitting your online application, you or your dependents will be asked to attend a biometric appointment to provide photographs and fingerprints as part of the identity verification process.
In some instances, it is advisable to prepare your application well in advance of travel dates to allow time for processing and any additional documentation requests from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
What Are the UK Family Visa Cost and Its Processing Time?
The cost and processing times can vary based on whether you are applying from outside the UK or extending your visa from inside the UK.
Visa Fees
According to the GOV.UK guidance, for a partner, spouse, or child applying from outside the UK, the latest standard family visa fee is £2,064 for applications being made outside of the UK and £1,407 for applications being made from inside the UK. The same cost is added for each added dependent to your application. (GOV.UK)
In addition to the visa fee, all applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants access to NHS services while in the UK. Fees for IHS may change over time and are tiered depending on the length of stay. The surcharge for adults is £1,035 and for children under 18, it’s £776 per year.
If you’re applying from the UK, you may be able to pay an extra £1,000 for the super priority service to get a faster decision. (GOV.UK)
Processing Time
Processing times vary:
- Outside the UK, a decision is usually made within around 12 weeks.
- Inside the UK, a decision is typically provided in about 8 weeks if you meet financial and English requirements. This can be extended if requirements are not fully met.
Priority or super priority services are available for an additional fee in some circumstances, allowing faster decisions, typically within a few working days.
How WESolutions Helps You with a UK Family Visa
We have been in this business for a long time, and we understand that navigating the UK Dependent Visa process can feel overwhelming. We can help you with tailored support to get you through the complete application process, which includes:
- Detailed eligibility checks before you apply
- Preparation of personalised document checklists
- Review of relationship evidence and financial documents
- Guidance on the online application and fee payments
- Help with preparing for biometric appointments and follow-ups.
We aim to make the application process as smooth as possible and reduce the risk of refusal due to missing or incorrect evidence.
If you’re ready to start your UK dependent or family visa application, speak to our immigration specialists today at WESolutions and get step-by-step assistance.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to get a Family Visa for the UK?
Decision times depend on where you apply. Outside the UK, decisions usually take around 12 weeks. Inside the UK, decisions are usually made in about 8 weeks if all conditions are met, but it can take longer if there are some issues with the evidence submitted.
2. Can I extend my Family Visa?
Yes. If you are already in the UK on a family visa, you can apply to extend it before it expires. Extensions can be made from inside the UK via the Home Office online portal.
3. Can my family in the UK sponsor multiple dependents?
Yes. A family member in the UK may sponsor multiple dependents (e.g., spouse and children) as long as all financial and documentation requirements are met for each dependent.
4. What happens if I fail to meet the financial requirements for a Family Visa?
Failing to meet the financial requirements may lead to delays or refusal of the visa. In certain cases, applicants are allowed to include savings or combine income sources to meet the financial threshold, but this must be as per what is allowed by the government.
5. Can I appeal if my Family Visa application is denied?
You may have the right to appeal in some cases, especially if the refusal was based on a legal error. You should seek legal advice promptly to understand your options and deadlines.
6. Can Family Visa Holders Work in the UK?
Yes. Subject to the terms stated in their visa, most dependents on a family visa, including spouses and children over age 16, are allowed to work or study in the UK.
