Can I apply for a UK Family Visa if we are not married?

Yes. You can apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa if you can prove that you and your sponsor have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years. If you plan to marry in the UK, you can apply for a Fiancé(e) Visa.

Does my child need a separate UK Family Visa?

Yes, eligible dependent children who are not British citizens need to apply as dependants on your visa. They must meet age and dependency requirements, and additional application and IHS fees will apply for each child.

How long does it take to get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Most UK Family Visas (like the Spouse/Partner route) put you on a 5-year route to settlement. After living in the UK for 5 continuous years on this visa, you can apply for ILR, provided you still meet the relationship, financial, and language requirements (which increases to level B1 for ILR).

UKUnited Kingdom · Permanent Residence

UK Family Visa

Join your family in the UK. Complete guide to UK Spouse, Partner, and Child Visas, covering UKVI minimum income requirements, Appendix FM, and ILR pathways.

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Processing time

8-12 weeks

Overview

The UK Family Visa is a primary immigration route under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, allowing eligible foreign nationals to join or remain with their family members in the United Kingdom for more than 6 months. It covers several categories, including the UK Spouse Visa, Civil Partner Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, Fiancé(e) Visa, Child Visa, and Adult Dependent Relative Visa. To qualify, your UK sponsor must be a British citizen, an Irish citizen, or hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Settled Status.

Key benefits

Live continuously with your family or partner in the UK without restriction.

Full rights to work in the UK (excluding Fiancé(e) visas) and study at UK educational institutions.

Access the National Health Service (NHS) for free medical care after paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

Provides a direct 5-year pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and subsequent British Citizenship.

Fee breakdown

Indicative — confirmed after your free assessment.

Visa Application Fee (Outside the UK)£1,846

Visa Application Fee (Inside the UK)£1,048

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)£1,035 per year per adult

Priority Service (Optional)Varies by location (approx. £500-£1,000)

GAC Advisors service feePKR — quoted after review*

Visa Validity & Stay

A UK Spouse or Partner Visa applied for from outside the UK is initially granted for 33 months (2 years and 9 months). If applying from inside the UK, it is granted for 30 months (2.5 years). You must apply for a visa extension before it expires. After completing 5 continuous years (60 months) in the UK on this route, you can apply for settlement (ILR).

Eligibility criteria

✓Demonstrate a genuine, subsisting relationship with an eligible UK-based sponsor (British citizen or settled person).

✓Intend to live together permanently in the UK (for spouse and partner routes).

✓Meet the UKVI Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) to prove financial stability without relying on public funds.

✓Pass an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at level A1 (for initial applications), unless exempt.

✓Provide adequate UK accommodation details for you and your dependants.

Required documents

▸Expression of Interest / profile registration

▸Skills or credential assessment result

▸IELTS/PTE scores at the required band

▸Work experience and reference letters

▸Educational credential assessment

▸Passport, photographs and police clearance certificate

Mandatory Documents

Valid Passport or travel document for the applicant and all accompanying dependants.
Sponsor’s proof of UK status (e.g., British passport, ILR BRP, or Settled Status confirmation).
Official Civil Certificates: Marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or birth certificates for children.
Approved English Language Test Certificate (SELT) or proof of an Ecctis-verified degree taught in English.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic (if applying from a listed country).
Biometrics appointment confirmation and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment reference.

Supporting Documents

Proof of Genuine Relationship: Wedding photos, chat history, call logs, travel itineraries, and joint financial commitments.
Financial Proof: 6 months of payslips, employer letter, and matching bank statements (for Category A employment).
Proof of Non-Employment Income: Pension documents, dividend statements, or cash savings evidence (held for 6 months).
Accommodation Proof: Tenancy agreement, property deeds, mortgage statements, or a letter from the homeowner.
Divorce or death certificates from any previous marriages for both the applicant and sponsor.
Certified English or Welsh translations for any official documents originally in another language.

DS-160 Application Guide

Applications are processed digitally via the official GOV.UK visa portal. Applicants must complete the detailed Appendix FM online form, accurately declare all relationship, financial, and travel history, and pay the visa fee and IHS securely online. Supporting documents are then uploaded to the commercial partner’s portal (VFS Global or TLScontact) before attending a biometric appointment.

Step-by-step application process

Verify Financial & English Eligibility

Ensure your sponsor meets the Minimum Income Requirement and you have passed the A1 English test.

Compile Relationship & Financial Proof

Gather payslips, bank statements, accommodation proof, and extensive genuine relationship evidence.

Submit GOV.UK Online Application

Complete the Appendix FM form, declare your dependants, and pay the visa and IHS fees online.

Book Biometric Appointment

Schedule your appointment at the nearest VFS Global or TLScontact Visa Application Centre.

Upload Supporting Documents

Scan and upload your structured document bundles to the biometric partner portal.

Attend Biometrics

Submit your physical passport, fingerprints, and photograph at the Visa Application Centre.

Receive Visa & Travel

Upon approval, collect your passport with the 90-day entry vignette, travel to the UK, and collect your BRP.

Visa Interview Guidelines

If the Home Office has doubts about the authenticity of the relationship, they may invite the applicant and sponsor to a "Marriage Interview." Both parties may be interviewed separately to answer highly detailed questions about their daily lives, relationship timeline, living arrangements, and family backgrounds to verify it is not a marriage of convenience.

Common mistakes to avoid

✕Providing bank statements that are older than 28 days on the date the online application is submitted.

✕Submitting a disorganized pile of chat logs without highlighting key milestones, making it difficult for the caseworker to assess relationship authenticity.

✕Failing to include a mandatory employer letter that confirms the sponsor’s salary, job title, and length of employment.

✕Miscalculating the Minimum Income Requirement when combining different sources of income (e.g., employment and savings).

How we prevent refusals

✓If refused, you normally have the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) within 28 days (if outside the UK).

✓Review the refusal letter carefully; if the refusal was due to easily fixable missing documents, submitting a fresh application may be faster than a lengthy appeal.

✓Ensure any subsequent application addresses the exact concerns raised by the Entry Clearance Officer regarding relationship genuineness or finances.

✓Consult an experienced UK immigration expert before appealing, as tribunal processes are highly complex and legally demanding.

Important Tips for Applicants

✦Ensure your financial documents perfectly match UKVI strict criteria; missing a single payslip or bank statement can lead to instant refusal.
✦If relying on cash savings to meet or top-up the income requirement, the funds must be held in an accessible account for at least 6 consecutive months.
✦Start gathering relationship evidence (like utility bills in joint names or chat logs) months in advance to build a strong portfolio of cohabitation or contact.
✦Fiancé(e) Visa holders cannot work in the UK and must marry their sponsor within the 6-month visa validity period before switching to a Spouse Visa.

UK Family Visa — Frequently Asked Questions

The sponsor generally needs to prove a specific minimum gross annual income. This requirement can be met through salaried employment, self-employment, pensions, or by holding significant cash savings. The threshold is periodically updated by the UK Government.

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