To visit a family member who lives in the UK permanently for up to 6 months, you will need to apply for a standard visitor visa.
To visit a family member who lives in the UK permanently for 6 months or longer, you will need to apply for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa if you are from outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
What is the eligibility criteria for visiting a family member who lives in the UK?
Your family member must be:
- A British citizen
- Settled in the UK
- Under asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK
You must also:
- Be over 18
- Prove that your relationship is genuine
- Prove that you intend to continue to live with your family member in the UK after you apply
- Prove that you and your family will have an adequate place to live in the UK
- Have a good working knowledge of the English language
Why would my family immigration and children visa application be refused?
It could be refused if you have:
- A criminal record in the UK or elsewhere
- Provided false or deceptive information to the Home Office
I want to join my parents in the UK – what criteria should I meet?
If you are joining your parents in the UK you must:
- Be under 18 years old
- Live with your parent or parents when you arrive in the UK
- Not be married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life
- Not be reliant on public funds once you arrive in the UK and must be accommodated adequately.
What visa requirements do I need if I am coming to look after my child in the UK?
If you are coming to look after your child:
- Your child must be under the age of 18, live in the UK and is either a British citizen or be settled in the UK.
- You must prove that either you are the only parent of the child and that you are the only person responsible for their care, or that your child lives permanently with another parent or carer who is with a British citizen or settled in the UK and not you partner, and that you want to help to raise them.
- To do this you will need to prove that you will have access to the child.
- You must prove that you are taking an active role in the child’s life and upbringing
- You must be able to support yourself without public funds and be able to accommodate yourself adequately.
I want to come to the UK to be cared for as an adult dependent relative – what do I need?
If you are coming to be cared for as an adult dependent relative, you will need to meet the following criteria for a visa:
- You must be 18 years or older
- You must be dependent on a family member (parent, son, daughter, grandchild, brother or sister) who lives permanently in the UK.
- You must prove that you require long-term care to carry out everyday tasks due to illness, age or disability
- You must prove that the care that you require is not available or is not affordable in the country that you currently live in
- You must prove that the person who you will be joining will be able to support you financially, accommodate and care for you without the need for public funds for at least 5 years.