UK Family Visa 

Family Visa UK Application

The UK Family Visa category allows certain family members of UK citizens and permanent residents to join their loved ones in the UK. This category includes visas for spouses, fiancé(e)s, unmarried partners, dependent children and adult dependants.

To be eligible for a UK Family Visa, the applicant must meet specific requirements based on their relationship to the UK citizen or permanent resident and the specific type of visa they are applying for. These requirements may include the following:

• Proof of the applicant’s relationship to the UK citizen or permanent resident (e.g., marriage or civil partnership certificate or evidence of two years of cohabitation in case of an unmarried partner)
• Proof of the applicant’s age (the applicant and their spouse or partner must be at least 18 years old)
• Evidence of the applicant’s English language proficiency (for some visa types)
• Proof of sufficient funds to support the applicant and any dependents without relying on public funds
• Evidence of sufficient accommodation for the applicant and any dependents
• A lack of serious criminal convictions
• TB Test Certificate (for some countries)

The length of time a UK Family Visa is granted depends on the specific type of visa. Some visas, such as the spouse visa, are initially granted for 33 months for those applying outside the UK or 30 months for those switching from another visa category while inside the UK.

After this initial period, the applicant can apply to extend their visa for 30 months. After five years in the UK on a spouse visa, the applicant can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also known as permanent residence or settlement. Other visas, such as the fiancé(e) visa, are granted for a shorter period and require the applicant to fulfil certain conditions (such as getting married) to apply for further leave to remain in the family category.

Apply for Family Visa UK

To apply for a UK Family Visa, you will need to follow these steps:

Visa Type

Determine which visa type is appropriate for your circumstances. You will need to determine which visa type is most suitable for your situation based on your relationship with the UK citizen or permanent resident and the specific requirements for that visa type.

Eligibility

Check if you are eligible for the visa. To be eligible for a UK Family Visa, you must meet specific requirements based on your relationship to the UK citizen or permanent resident and the specific type of visa you are applying for.

Application Preparation

Gather the necessary documentation. You will need to provide a range of documents as part of your visa application, including:

• A valid passport or other travel documents
• Evidence of your relationship to the UK citizen or permanent resident (e.g., marriage certificate, evidence of cohabitation)
• Evidence of your age (e.g., birth certificate)
• Evidence of your English language proficiency (for some visa types)
• Proof of sufficient funds to support you and any dependents without relying on public funds
• Evidence of sufficient accommodation for you and any dependents
• A criminal record checks from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last ten years (if applicable).

Submit Application

You can apply for a UK Family Visa online. You will need to pay a visa application fee and an immigration health surcharge as part of the application process. As part of the visa application process, you must attend a biometric appointment to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at an approved visa centre.

Wait for a decision

The processing time for a UK Family Visa application can vary depending on the specific visa type and the volume of applications being processed. You can check the current processing times on the UK government’s website. It is important to note that applying for a UK Family Visa can be complex. It is advisable to seek professional advice if you are unsure about any aspect of the application process.

Family Visa UK Processing Time

The processing time for a UK Family Visa application can vary depending on the specific visa type and the volume of applications being processed. The UK government aims to process most visa applications within 12 to 24 weeks, although it can take longer in some cases.

You can check the current processing times for UK Family Visa applications on the UK government’s website. The processing times are updated regularly and indicate how long it is currently taking to process applications for each visa type.

It is important to note that the processing time for a UK Family Visa application can be affected by a range of factors, including:

• The completeness of the application: If your application is missing any required documentation or information, it may take longer to process.
• The accuracy of the information provided: If the information you have provided is incorrect or needs to be verified, this can delay the processing of your application.
• The volume of applications being processed: If there is a high volume of applications, it can take longer to process each application.

To avoid delays in processing your UK Family Visa application, it is essential to ensure that your application is complete and accurate and to submit all required documentation. It is also advisable to apply for your visa well before your intended travel date to allow sufficient time for processing the application.

UK Family Visa Cost

The cost of a UK Family Visa depends on the specific type of visa you are applying for and the country you are applying from. The current visa application fees for the UK Family Visa category are as follows:

• Spouse Visa: £1,538 for those applying from outside the UK or £1,048 for those applying from inside the UK
• Fiancé(e) Visa: £1,538 for those applying from outside the UK
• Unmarried Partner Visa: £1,538 for those applying from outside the UK or £1,048 for those applying from inside the UK
• Dependent Child Visa: £1,538 for those applying from outside the UK or £1048 for those applying from inside the UK

In addition to the visa application fee, you will also need to pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) as part of your application. The IHS is currently £624 per year for most visa categories, including the UK Family Visa category. If you are applying for a visa valid for more than one year, you will need to pay the IHS for each year your visa is valid.

It is important to note that the visa application fees and IHS are subject to change, and you should check the UK government’s website for the most up-to-date fees.

In addition to the visa application fee and IHS, you may also need to pay for other costs associated with your visa application, such as:

• The cost of an English language test (if required)
• The cost of obtaining a criminal record check from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
• The cost of obtaining any other supporting documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• The cost of any medical examinations or vaccinations required as part of the visa application process

It is important to carefully budget for a UK Family Visa, as the total cost can vary depending on your circumstances.

Extend Family Visa

If you wish to extend your UK Family Visa, you must apply for a further visa before your current visa expires. The process for extending a UK Family Visa depends on your specific visa type and the circumstances of your stay in the UK.

To extend a UK Family Visa, you will need to determine if you are eligible to extend your visa. To be eligible to extend a UK Family Visa, you must meet certain requirements based on your specific visa type and the circumstances of your stay in the UK. These requirements may include: evidence of your continued relationship to the UK citizen or permanent resident (e.g., marriage certificate, evidence of cohabitation) and evidence of your continued compliance with the conditions of your current visa (e.g., evidence of maintaining sufficient funds, evidence of not working if your current visa prohibits you from working).

It is important to note that extending a UK Family Visa can be complex, and it is advisable to seek professional advice if you are unsure about any aspect of the application process. It is also essential to apply to extend your visa before it expires, as overstaying it can have severe consequences and make it more difficult to obtain further leave to remain in the UK.

UK Family Settlement Visa

The UK Family Visa Settlement category, also known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR), allows certain family members of UK citizens and permanent residents to settle permanently in the UK. To be eligible for UK Family Visa Settlement, the applicant must meet specific requirements based on their relationship to the UK citizen or permanent resident and the specific type of visa they hold.

Spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners of UK citizens and permanent residents living in the UK on a valid visa for a specified time may be eligible to apply for ILR. The length of time an applicant must have lived in the UK on a valid visa before being eligible to apply for ILR depends on their specific visa category. For example, spouses and civil partners living in the UK on a spouse visa for five years may be eligible to apply for ILR.

Dependent children of UK citizens and permanent residents may also be eligible to apply for ILR if they have lived in the UK for a certain period and meet specific other requirements. For example, a child may be eligible to apply for ILR if they have lived in the UK for seven years, and it would not be reasonable to expect them to leave the UK.

To apply for UK Family Visa Settlement, the applicant must provide evidence of their relationship to the UK citizen or permanent resident, their continuous residence in the UK, and their compliance with the conditions of their current visa. The applicant must also pass the “Life in the UK” test, which is a test of their knowledge of UK culture and society, and meet the English language requirement.

UK Family Visit Visa

The UK Family Visit Visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to visit their family in the UK for a short period. To be eligible for a UK Family Visit Visa, the following requirements must be met:

• The applicant must have a genuine reason to visit the UK, such as visiting family or attending a special occasion.
• The applicant must have enough funds to support themselves during their stay in the UK and to pay for their return journey.
• The applicant must not have any serious criminal convictions.

The UK Family Visit Visa is typically granted for up to 6 months. The applicant cannot work in the UK or access public funds during this time. The Family Visit Visa cannot be extended.

How can we help

At Whytecroft Ford, we understand that applying for a UK Family Visa can be complex and stressful. That’s why we are here to help you every step of the way.

Our team of experienced immigration advisers have a wealth of knowledge about the UK Family Visa category. We can advise you on the most suitable visa for your circumstances. We can help you to determine if you are eligible for a UK Family Visa and guide you through the application process, ensuring that your application is as strong as possible.

We can also assist you with gathering the necessary documentation for your visa application and provide support with completing the application form. We will review your application to ensure that it is complete and accurate, increasing the chances of a successful outcome.

If you have any issues with your application, such as a refusal or delay, we can provide representation and support to help you resolve the matter. We can also assist you with applying to extend your UK Family Visa or switching to a different visa category if your circumstances change.

Contact our team at 02087575751 or use our contact form to get in touch with our team.

Our team is dedicated to providing a high-quality service to our clients, and we will work closely with you to ensure that your UK Family Visa application is successful. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your UK Family Visa.

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