UK Family Visa - Bringing Your Family to the UK

Bringing a partner, spouse, child or other close relative to live with you in the UK is one of the most common reasons people apply to come to the United Kingdom. It is also one of the most heavily scrutinised areas of immigration law. Applications are refused every year not because the relationship is not genuine, but because of avoidable mistakes with the financial requirement, English language evidence, or the supporting documents. This guide explains how UK family visas work in 2026, who can apply, and how to give your application the best possible chance of success.

At MCR Solicitors in Manchester, our immigration team helps families across the UK reunite. Because the rules and figures change frequently, always confirm the current fees, income thresholds and processing times on gov.uk before you apply, or speak to us for tailored advice.

What is a UK family visa?

"Family visa" is a general term for a group of routes that let a family member of a British citizen, a person settled in the UK, or certain other sponsors, come to or remain in the United Kingdom. Most of these routes sit under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, which deals with family life, alongside Appendix Children for dependent children and other appendices covering evidence.

The main family visa categories are:

• Partner visas for a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner or fiance(e)/proposed civil partner.
• Child visas for a dependent child joining or accompanying a parent.
• Parent of a child in the UK for a parent who does not qualify as a partner.
• Adult dependent relative visas for a parent, grandparent or other relative who needs long-term care.

Separate routes exist for family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) family permit, and for family members of people on work or study visas (as dependants). This guide focuses mainly on the Appendix FM family routes, which are the most widely used.

Who can sponsor a family visa?

To sponsor most family visa applications, you (the person already in the UK) generally need to be one of the following:

• A British or Irish citizen.
• A person with settled status (indefinite leave to remain) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
• A person with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
• In some cases, a person with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or limited leave on certain routes.

The exact eligibility depends on your immigration status and the route your relative is applying under. If you are unsure whether you can act as a sponsor, this is one of the first things to check with a solicitor.

Partner and spouse visas

The partner route is the most common family visa. You can apply as a partner if you are the:

• Spouse (husband or wife) of your sponsor.
• Civil partner of your sponsor.
• Unmarried partner, where you have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership (the Rules require a period of cohabitation, so keep evidence of living together).
• Fiance(e) or proposed civil partner, where you intend to marry or enter a civil partnership shortly after arrival.

Core requirements for a partner visa

To succeed on the partner route you must normally show that:

• You and your sponsor are both aged 18 or over.
• Your relationship is genuine and subsisting, and any previous relationships have permanently broken down.
• You intend to live together permanently in the UK.
• You meet the financial (minimum income) requirement.
• You meet the English language requirement.
• You have suitable accommodation without recourse to public funds.
• You meet the suitability requirements (for example, no serious immigration or criminal history that would lead to refusal).

The fiance(e) visa

A fiance(e) or proposed civil partner visa is granted for a shorter period to allow you to enter the UK and marry or form a civil partnership. You cannot work during this initial period. Once you have married, you switch into the partner route to continue building towards settlement. You will need evidence that you genuinely intend to marry, such as venue bookings or wedding arrangements.

The financial requirement explained

The financial requirement is the single most common reason partner visa applications are refused. You must show that your sponsor (and in some cases you jointly) earns at or above a minimum income threshold, or holds sufficient cash savings, or a permitted combination of the two.

The minimum income threshold has changed in recent years and the Government has kept it under review, so the exact figure can change. Do not rely on an old figure. Always check the current minimum income requirement on gov.uk, or ask us, before you apply. A higher amount may be required where dependent children who are not British or settled are included in the application.

How you can meet it

The financial requirement can usually be met through one or more of the following sources, each with strict evidence rules:

• Employment income from your sponsor (and sometimes your own income if you are already permitted to work in the UK).
• Self-employment or director's income from a limited company.
• Cash savings held for a specified continuous period, above a set threshold.
• Pension income.
• Non-employment income, such as rental income or dividends.

Each category has detailed documentary requirements set out in Appendix FM-SE (the specified evidence appendix). For example, salaried employment usually requires payslips and bank statements covering a defined period, together with a letter from the employer. Getting the evidence format wrong is a frequent cause of refusal even where the income clearly exists.

Exemptions and exceptional circumstances

If your sponsor receives certain disability or carer's benefits, a different (adequate maintenance) test may apply instead of the income threshold. In addition, where refusing the application would breach your right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Home Office must consider whether there are exceptional circumstances. This can open a longer route to settlement even where the standard financial requirement is not met. These arguments are legally complex and benefit from professional advice.

The English language requirement

Most partner applicants must show they can speak and understand English to a required level. You can usually meet this by:

• Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level from an approved provider.
• Holding a degree taught or researched in English (which may need confirmation from Ecctis, formerly UK NARIC).
• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country recognised for this purpose.

The required level increases at later stages. To extend your visa you typically need a higher speaking and listening level than at the initial application, and to settle you will normally need to pass the Life in the UK test as well. Some applicants are exempt on grounds of age or a long-term physical or mental condition. Check the current required level and approved test providers on gov.uk.

Bringing children to the UK

Dependent children can usually be included with, or join, a parent who is applying for or already has a family visa. To qualify, the child generally needs to be:

• Under 18 at the date of application (children aged 18 or over may have different, more limited options).
• Not living an independent life and not married or in a civil partnership.
• Adequately maintained and accommodated without public funds.

Where only one parent is coming to or settled in the UK, the Home Office looks closely at sole responsibility for the child, or at serious and compelling family or other considerations that make exclusion undesirable. Consent from the other parent and evidence of the care arrangements are often important. A child born in the UK, or who is British, does not need a visa.

Parent of a child in the UK

If you are the parent of a child who lives in the UK but you do not qualify as a partner (for example, you are separated from the child's other parent), you may be able to apply on the parent route. You will usually need to show that the child is British or settled, or has lived in the UK for a qualifying period, that you have a genuine parental relationship, and that you take an active role in the child's upbringing. The child's best interests are a primary consideration in these applications.

Adult dependent relative visas

The adult dependent relative route allows a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a British or settled person to join them where, as a result of age, illness or disability, the relative requires long-term personal care to carry out everyday tasks. Crucially, you must show that the required care cannot be reasonably obtained or afforded in the country where the relative lives, even with practical and financial help from the sponsor.

This is a deliberately demanding route with a high evidential bar, and refusals are common. Strong medical evidence and evidence about the availability and cost of care abroad are essential. Legal advice is strongly recommended before applying.

The path to settlement (indefinite leave to remain)

Family visas are a route to permanent settlement, but not immediately. Most partners follow a five-year route, made up of an initial period of leave followed by an extension, before becoming eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Where the application succeeds on the basis of exceptional circumstances, a longer ten-year route to settlement may apply instead.

To qualify for settlement you will normally need to:

• Have completed the required continuous period on the route.
• Continue to meet the relationship, financial and suitability requirements.
• Pass the Life in the UK test and meet the higher English language level.
• Not have spent excessive time outside the UK during the qualifying period.

After holding ILR for the required time, many people go on to apply for British citizenship. The qualifying periods and requirements for settlement have been subject to policy review, so confirm the current rules before planning your timeline.

Fees, the health surcharge and processing times

A family visa application usually involves several costs, including:

• The application fee, which differs depending on whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.
• The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), paid per year of visa granted, which gives access to the NHS.
• Optional priority or super-priority services to speed up a decision.
• Costs for the English test, translations, and biometrics.

Fees, the IHS rate and standard processing times all change from time to time. We have deliberately not quoted specific amounts here because they date quickly. Check the current figures on gov.uk, or contact MCR Solicitors and we will give you an up-to-date breakdown of the likely total cost.

Common reasons family visas are refused

In our experience, the most frequent causes of refusal are:

• Not meeting, or not correctly evidencing, the financial requirement.
• Bank statements or payslips that do not match the specified format or period.
• Insufficient evidence that the relationship is genuine and subsisting.
• Missing or incorrect English language evidence.
• Gaps in the immigration history or unresolved suitability issues.
• Applying under the wrong route or category.

If your application has been refused, you may have a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal or the option of an administrative review, depending on the type of decision. Strict time limits apply, so seek advice quickly.

How MCR Solicitors can help

Our immigration solicitors handle family visa applications from start to finish. We assess your eligibility, identify the strongest route, prepare the financial and relationship evidence to the exact standard required, and present a clear, well-argued application. If you have already been refused, we can advise on appeals, administrative review and fresh applications.

To discuss bringing your family to the UK, call MCR Solicitors on 0161 466 1280 for advice tailored to your circumstances, or contact us to arrange an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need to sponsor a partner visa in 2026?

You must meet a minimum income requirement, or hold qualifying cash savings, or a permitted combination. The threshold has changed in recent years and remains under review, so we do not quote a fixed figure here. Check the current minimum income requirement on gov.uk, or contact us, before you apply. A higher amount may apply if non-British, non-settled children are included.

How long does a UK family visa take to process?

Standard processing times vary depending on where you apply from and how busy the Home Office is, and priority services may be available at extra cost. Because these timescales change, check the current guidance on gov.uk for your specific route, or ask us for the latest expected timeframe.

Can I bring my children on a family visa?

Yes. Dependent children who are under 18, unmarried and not living an independent life can usually apply with, or to join, a parent. Where only one parent is in the UK, the Home Office looks at sole responsibility or serious and compelling circumstances, so evidence of the care arrangements and the other parent's consent is often important.

Do I need to pass an English test?

Most partner applicants must meet an English language requirement, usually by passing an approved Secure English Language Test, holding a degree taught in English, or being a national of a recognised majority English-speaking country. The required level rises at the extension and settlement stages. Some applicants are exempt on grounds of age or a long-term condition.

When can my family member apply to settle permanently?

Most partners can apply for indefinite leave to remain after completing the required continuous period in the UK, typically on a five-year route, provided they still meet the relationship, financial and suitability requirements and pass the Life in the UK test. A longer route applies where leave was granted on the basis of exceptional circumstances. Qualifying periods are subject to policy review, so confirm the current rules.

What happens if my family visa is refused?

Depending on the decision, you may have a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal or the option of administrative review, and you can often make a fresh application addressing the reasons for refusal. Strict deadlines apply, so contact a solicitor as soon as possible. Call MCR Solicitors on 0161 466 1280 to discuss your options.