My 71 year old father is coming to live with me for 6 months in the UK. He does not speak English very well. I heard that a test is needed to be done. Will my father need to prove he can speak English?

You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.

Family visas: apply, extend or switch

Overview

You need a family visa to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months.

Applying from outside the UK

You can apply for a family visa to live with your:

spouse or partner

fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

child

parent

relative who’ll provide long-term care for you

If you’re visiting the UK for 6 months or less, check if you need a Standard Visitor visa or Marriage Visitor visa.

Extending your family visa

You can apply to extend your stay with your family member if you’re already in the UK on a family visa.

You can extend at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.

If you’re extending to stay with the same family member, you’ll only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa.

You must live in the UK for a certain amount of time before you’re eligible for settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’). Before you extend your visa, check how much time you need to settle in the UK.

You might be able to apply to stay on the basis of your private life if you’ve lived in the UK for many years already.

Switching to a family visa

If you came to the UK on a different visa, you might be able to switch to a family visa to stay with your:

spouse or partner

child

parent

You can switch at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.

If you do not meet the rules because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you do not meet the rules to enter or remain in the UK because of coronavirus, you might still be able to apply to extend your stay or switch to a family visa. Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

Fees

How much it costs depends on how you apply.

| Apply outside the UK | Apply in the UK

Cost if joining your partner, parent or child | £1,523 | £1,033

Cost for each dependant added to your application | £1,523 each person | £1,033 each person

Cost for an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative | £3,250 | £1,033

Let your bank know that a large amount of money will be coming out of your account - otherwise it might cancel your payment.

Healthcare surcharge

You might also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying from the UK, you may be able to pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a faster decision.

You cannot use the super priority service if you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

How long it takes

If you apply outside the UK a decision will usually be made within 12 weeks.

If you apply in the UK a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will usually be made:

by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

It might take longer if your application is complex, for example you:

do not meet the minimum income requirement

cannot prove your knowledge of English

need to attend an interview

have not provided all the evidence that the Home Office needs

have a criminal conviction or another personal circumstance that needs to be reviewed

Other ways you can stay

You were the victim of domestic abuse or your partner died

You might be able to apply to settle in the UK if you had permission to stay in the UK as a partner when either:

you were the victim of domestic abuse

your partner died

Your family member has refugee status or humanitarian protection

You might be able to apply for ‘family reunion’ to join a partner or parent who has either:

refugee status in the UK

humanitarian protection in the UK

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or a close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise you need a visa or family permit to come to the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

When you cannot get a family visa

In some circumstances you cannot apply for, or switch to, a family visa.

Your family member has a work visa or student visa

You cannot apply for a family visa if your family member is in the UK temporarily on a work visa or student visa.

You can apply to stay with them as a dependant instead.

You have a visitor visa or a visa for 6 months or less

You’ll usually need to leave the UK to apply for a family visa if either:

you have permission to be in the UK as a visitor

your visa is for 6 months or less

However, you might be able to switch to a family visa in the UK if you have either:

a 6-month family visa as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

permission to stay in the UK for the outcome of a family court case or divorce

Apply as a partner or spouse

To apply as a partner, you and your partner both need to be 18 or over.

Your partner must also either:

be a British or Irish citizen

have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

have a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa

have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK after you apply.

If your partner has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for a family permit.

What you’ll need to prove

You must be able to prove one of the following:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

you are a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and will marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving

If your wedding or civil ceremony has been delayed because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you might still be able to request an extension or apply to extend your stay. Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

You also need to prove you:

have a good knowledge of English

can financially support yourself and your dependants

If you do not meet these requirements you may still be able to apply for a visa or extend your permission to stay if:

you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK

there would be very significant difficulties for you and your partner if you lived together as a couple outside the UK that could not be overcome

it would breach your human rights to stop you coming to the UK or make you leave

If you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

You must prove that:

any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended

you plan to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of arriving in the UK

If your wedding or civil ceremony has been delayed because of COVID-19, you might still be able to request an extension or apply to extend your stay.  Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

You will not be able to work during your engagement.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. If you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, you can stay for 6 months.

After this you’ll need to apply to extend your stay.

If you extend or switch to this visa

If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

How you apply depends on whether you’re in the UK or not.

Outside the UK

You must apply online from outside the UK.

In the UK

You must apply online in the UK.

If you cannot pay the fee

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Applying with your children

You can add children to your application as dependants if both of the following apply:

they are under 18 when you apply, or were under 18 when they were first granted leave

they do not live an independent life

Your child is living an independent life if, for example, they’ve left home, got married and had children.

When you can settle permanently

The earliest you can apply to settle in the UK (called ‘indefinite leave to remain’) is after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years continuously on a family visa as a partner.

You cannot include time you’ve spent in the UK:

on any other visa

as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

The rules are different if you applied before 9 July 2012.

If you applied before 9 July 2012

You can only extend your family visa if all the following are true:

you were given permission to stay in the UK as a partner before 9 July 2012

you are not eligible to settle in the UK

you have not been granted or refused another visa

You must also prove that:

you and your partner have enough money to financially support yourself and your dependants without relying on public funds

you have knowledge of English

Apply as a parent

You can apply to live in the UK to care for your child.

If you’re eligible to apply as a partner, you must do that instead of applying as a parent.

Your child must either:

be under 18 on the date you apply

have been under 18 when you were first granted leave and not live an independent life

Your child must be living in the UK. One of the following must also be true:

they’re a British or Irish citizen

they’ve settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

if you’re applying in the UK, they must have lived in the UK for 7 years continuously and it would not be reasonable for them to leave

If your child has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

If you do not meet the rules to enter or remain in the UK because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you might still be able to apply to extend your stay or switch to a family visa. Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

Parental responsibility

You need to have sole or shared parental responsibility for your child.

If you share parental responsibility, the child’s other parent must not be your partner. They must also either:

be a British or Irish citizen

have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

If the child lives with their other parent or carer, you must have access to the child in person, as agreed with the other parent or carer or by a court order.

What you’ll need to prove

You must be able to prove that you’re taking an active role in your child’s upbringing and you plan to continue after you apply. For example you could provide letters from your child’s:

school confirming you take them to school or go to parent evenings

doctor, dentist, or health visitor confirming that you take them to appointments

other parent confirming how much contact you have with your child

If you provide a letter from the other parent, you’ll need to include proof of their identity. This should be an official document which has their signature on it, for example a copy of their passport, tax return or photocard driving licence.

English language and financial requirements

You must also prove you:

have a good knowledge of English

can financially support yourself without claiming public funds

If your child or any other dependants live with you, you must also prove you can financially support them without claiming public funds.

If you do not meet the English language and financial requirements you can still extend your permission to stay if:

your child in the UK is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years

it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. After this you’ll need to apply to extend your stay.

If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

How you apply depends on whether you’re in the UK or not.

Outside the UK

You must apply online outside the UK. You must also complete Appendix 5.

In the UK

You must apply online in the UK.

If you cannot afford to pay the fee, you must also apply online to waive the fee. You might not have to pay the fee if you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Read the guidance for parents before applying.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Applying with other children

You can add other children to your application as dependants if one of the following applies:

they are under 18 on the date you apply

they were under 18 when they were first granted leave on a family visa and do not live an independent life

When you can settle permanently

The earliest you can apply to settle in the UK (called ‘indefinite leave to remain’) is after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years continuously on a family visa as a parent.

You cannot include time you’ve spent in the UK on any other visa.

The rules are different if you applied before 9 July 2012.

Apply as a child

You can apply for a family visa to join your parent in the UK.

You may not need a family visa if at least one of your parents has indefinite leave to remain or proof of permanent residence. Check if you can apply to settle in the UK.

If your parent has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

You were born in the UK

You’ll get the same permission to stay as your parent if you were born in the UK.

If you’re under 18

You can either:

be added to your parent’s next application as a dependant

apply separately

To apply separately, you’ll need to know what kind of permission to stay in the UK (‘limited leave to remain’) your parent has.

If you’re over 18

Your parent can only include you in their application as a dependant if you:

got permission to come to or stay in the UK (‘leave to enter or remain’) on a family visa when you were under 18

do not live an independent life

are applying from inside the UK

You’re living an independent life if, for example, you’ve left home, got married and had children.

You were born outside the UK

Whether you can apply depends on your age and how your parent applied.

If you’re under 18

You must:

not be married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life

be financially supported without claiming public funds

One of your parents must also be applying or have applied for a visa or to extend their permission to stay as a:

partner - and the partner they’re joining is your other parent

parent - and they have sole parental responsibility for you

Otherwise, you might still be eligible to apply if there are serious reasons to let you come to, or stay in the UK and there are plans for your care.

If you’re over 18

Your parent can include you in their application as a dependant, or you can apply separately yourself. You can only apply if you:

got permission to stay in the UK (‘leave to remain’) on a family visa when you were under 18

do not live an independent life

If your parent cannot include you in their form and you’re in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for Private Life in the UK (10-year route).

Apply from outside the UK

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

Apply at the same time as your parent

Which form you need to fill in depends on whether your parent is applying to enter the UK as the partner of one of the following:

a British or Irish citizen

a person with indefinite leave to remain

a person settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

a person from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who has pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

a person with a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa

a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection

If they are applying as one of these, you must fill in the Appendix FM online form.

If they are not, you must fill in both:

the online application form

the Appendix 1 paper form

Apply separately

Which form you need to fill in depends on whether your parent has leave to enter or remain in the UK on a 5 or 10-year route to settlement as the partner of:

a British or Irish citizen

If they do, you must fill in the Appendix FM online form.

If they do not, you must fill in both:

the online application form

the Appendix 1 paper form

Apply from the UK

If you’re already in the UK, you must apply online.

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

You can also check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Apply as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative

You must be outside the UK to apply and need long-term care from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter who is living permanently in the UK.

One of the following must also apply to the relative:

they’re a British or Irish citizen

they’ve settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

they have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

If your family member has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for a family permit.

You must prove all of the following:

you need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or your age

the care you need is not available or affordable in the country you live in

the person you’ll be joining in the UK will be able to support, accommodate and care for you without claiming public funds for at least 5 years

you’re 18 or over

How long you can stay for

How long you can stay depends on the status of your family member.

If your family member is British, Irish or settled in the UK

Your stay is unlimited. You will not need to apply to extend or settle.

If your family member has pre-settled status

They must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021. You can stay as long as your family member stays. You’ll need to apply to extend or settle when they do.

If your family member has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You can stay as long as your family member stays. You’ll need to apply to extend or settle when they do.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

You must apply as an adult dependent relative online and complete Appendix 1.

Apply to extend your stay

Apply online to extend your stay in the UK.

Apply on the basis of your private life

You can only apply on the basis of your private life if you’re already living in the UK.

You must be able to prove that you’re:

under 18 and you’ve lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years, and it would be unreasonable to expect you to leave the UK

between 18 and 24 and you’ve lived continuously in the UK for more than half your life

18 or over, have spent less than 20 years in the UK and would have very significant problems living in the country you’d have to go to - for example, you do not speak the language and could not learn it

25 or over and you’ve been in the UK continuously for 20 years

Your family members can apply on the same application - you’ll be considered separately.

How to apply

You must apply online.

If you cannot pay the application fee

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot afford to pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Get help using a computer to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Knowledge of English

You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.

When you do not need to prove it

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if one of the following is true:

you’re applying as a child

you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative

you’ve been in the UK on a family visa for 5 years and you’re extending it as a partner or parent

you’re over 65

you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement

You also will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Canada

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

USA

How to prove your knowledge of English

You can prove it with an academic qualification, or by taking a test.

Academic qualifications

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English.

If your qualification is from a UK university or college, you only need your degree certificate.

If your qualification is from a university or college outside the UK

You’ll need to provide a certificate from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to show that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and that it was taught in English.

There are 2 kinds of certificate:

a statement of comparability

a visa and nationality statement

You need a statement of comparability if you got your qualification from a university or college in one of these countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Ireland

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

USA

If you got your qualification from a university or college in any other country, you need a visa and nationality statement.

Take an approved English language test

You can prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test.

You must pass at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale for your first visa application. You can choose to take a higher level test.

If you pass level B1 level or higher, the test will be accepted if it’s still on the list of approved English language tests when you apply for settlement after 5 years.

If you cannot take an English language test because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you might be able to apply for an exemption. Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

If you want to settle permanently in the UK within 5 years

You may have to pass a higher CEFR level if you want to stay in the UK after 2.5 years. What you need to do depends on what CEFR level you passed for your first visa.

If you passed:

level A1 you’ll need to pass level A2 in speaking and listening

level A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2 you can use the test again for your application if it’s still on the list of approved English language tests

If you were given an exemption, you’ll need to pass a test at level A1.

Read the English language requirement: family members guidance.

Give proof of your income

You and your partner must have a combined income of at least £18,600 a year if:

you’re applying as a partner

you want to settle in the UK (get ‘indefinite leave to remain’) within 5 years

You must prove you have extra money if you have children who:

are not British or Irish citizens

do not have pre-settled status

are not permanently settled in the UK

You might not need to prove you have extra money if your children are citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and they do not have pre-settled status or are not permanently settled in the UK. Check the guidance in appendix FM 1.7: financial requirement for more information.

If you need to prove extra money for your children, you’ll need to earn an extra:

£3,800 for your first child

£2,400 for each child you have after your first child

This is called the ‘minimum income requirement’.

You may be able to use your savings instead of income.

How you prove you have the money depends on how you got the income.

If you’ve experienced a loss of income because of coronavirus (COVID-19), for example if you’ve been furloughed or you’re self employed, you might still be able to apply. Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

What counts as income

You and your partner can use:

income from employment before tax and National Insurance (check your P60 or payslips) - you can only use your own income if you earn it in the UK

income you earn from self-employment or as a director of a limited company in the UK - check your Self Assessment tax return

cash savings above £16,000

money from a pension

non-work income, for example from property rentals or dividends

If you’re using income from self-employment or employment, you’ll need to prove you or your partner received that income for 6 months or more.

What proof you need to give

You’ll need to provide proof of your income with your application. If you or your partner are employed, you could include:

bank statements showing you or your partner’s income

6 months of payslips

a letter from an employer, dated and on headed paper

The employer’s letter should confirm:

you or your partner are employed there

the job title or position you or your partner hold

how long you or your partner have worked there

the type of contract (for example, permanent, fixed term)

what you or your partner earn before tax and National Insurance

how long you or your partner have been paid your current salary

the payslips are genuine

You’ll be told exactly what documents to provide when you apply online.

Check the guidance in appendix FM 1.7: financial requirement if:

you or your partner’s income is more complicated

you or your partner have taken maternity or paternity leave in the last 6 months

you want to combine different income sources

The detailed guidance also explains the evidence you need to provide for each of the types of income you’re relying on.

If you cannot meet the minimum income requirement

You need to show you and your partner meet the minimum income requirement if you want to settle in 5 years as a partner.

If you do not meet the requirement, you may be able to settle in 10 years.

When you do not need to meet the income requirement

You may be able to settle in 5 years without meeting the minimum income requirement if either:

you’re applying as a parent

you get certain benefits, for example Disability Living Allowance or Carer’s Allowance.

You need to show you and your family have enough money to adequately support and accommodate yourselves without relying on public funds. The caseworker considers your income and housing costs.

Check the guidance in appendix FM 1.7: financial requirement for more information

Information you must provide

You’ll need to have information and some evidence ready when you make your application. Include information for you and any dependants applying at the same time.

You’ll need to provide:

all your names

your date of birth

your current passport or other valid travel ID

copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports

a copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one

details of any previous immigration applications you’ve made

details of any criminal convictions

your national insurance number, if you have one

your parents’ date of birth and nationality if you’re applying from outside the UK

your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh

You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa if you’re applying outside the UK.

You’ll need an email address to make an online application.

You’ll also need to:

give proof of your finances

prove your knowledge of English

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances - for example a sponsorship form from your family member in the UK.

You’ll be told how to provide your documents when you apply.

If you’re unable to provide specified documents because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you might still be able to apply. Read the guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.

Your partner’s details

If you have a partner, you’ll be asked about their:

name

date of birth

nationality

passport

right to be in the UK, for example they’re a British citizen

You’ll also need to give details of:

any people your partner was previously married to, in a civil partnership with or had children with

evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate

anyone your partner supports with money, for example their parents

Proof of relationship

If you’re applying as a spouse or partner, you’ll be asked about:

your relationship with your partner, for example how you met and how often you see each other

how long you’ve lived together - you’ll need to provide proof like council tax bills

things you pay for together

whether you’re your partner’s carer

Your previous partners

You’ll need to include details of anyone you previously married or had children with. Include evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate.

Children

You’ll need to give details of your children (and your partner’s children if you have one). You’ll be asked about all children, even if they’re not applying.

You’ll need to give details of:

their name

their nationality

their date of birth

their passport details

who the child normally lives with

any other people with parental responsibility for your child, for example your step children’s other parents

how you’re involved in their day to day life

arrangements you have to see the child - for example the courts have granted you access

the child’s extended family

any countries your child has visited or lived in

Your life outside the UK

You’ll need to give details of:

countries outside the UK you’ve lived in and visited

family and friends in the countries where you were born or have nationality

After you apply

You’ll need to attend an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo). You’ll be told how to make an appointment when you apply.

Getting your documents back

You can ask for your passport and other documents to be returned if you’ve provided them with your application but need them urgently.

You might have to cancel your application to get your documents back.

If your application is approved

You’ll get a biometric residence permit.

You can:

work

study

You cannot work or study if you’re applying for a visa or extending your stay to get married or become civil partners.

You cannot:

usually get benefits or other public funds for you or your dependants

apply to settle in the UK until you’re eligible

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if one of the following is true:

Family visas: apply, extend or switch

Overview

You need a family visa to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months.

Applying from outside the UK

You can apply for a family visa to live with your:

spouse or partner

fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

child

parent

relative who’ll provide long-term care for you

If you’re visiting the UK for 6 months or less, check if you need a Standard Visitor visa or Marriage Visitor visa.

Extending your family visa

You can apply to extend your stay with your family member if you’re already in the UK on a family visa.

You can extend at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.

If you’re extending to stay with the same family member, you’ll only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa.

You might be able to apply to stay on the basis of your private life if you’ve lived in the UK for many years already.

Switching to a family visa

If you came to the UK on a different visa, you might be able to switch to a family visa to stay with your:

spouse or partner

child

parent

You can switch at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.

If you do not meet the rules because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Fees

How much it costs depends on how you apply.

| Apply outside the UK | Apply in the UK

Cost if joining your partner, parent or child | £1,523 | £1,033

Cost for each dependant added to your application | £1,523 each person | £1,033 each person

Cost for an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative | £3,250 | £1,033

Let your bank know that a large amount of money will be coming out of your account - otherwise it might cancel your payment.

Healthcare surcharge

You might also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying from the UK, you may be able to pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a faster decision.

You cannot use the super priority service if you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

How long it takes

If you apply outside the UK a decision will usually be made within 12 weeks.

If you apply in the UK a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will usually be made:

by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

It might take longer if your application is complex, for example you:

do not meet the minimum income requirement

cannot prove your knowledge of English

need to attend an interview

have not provided all the evidence that the Home Office needs

have a criminal conviction or another personal circumstance that needs to be reviewed

Other ways you can stay

You were the victim of domestic abuse or your partner died

You might be able to apply to settle in the UK if you had permission to stay in the UK as a partner when either:

you were the victim of domestic abuse

your partner died

Your family member has refugee status or humanitarian protection

You might be able to apply for ‘family reunion’ to join a partner or parent who has either:

refugee status in the UK

humanitarian protection in the UK

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

When you cannot get a family visa

In some circumstances you cannot apply for, or switch to, a family visa.

Your family member has a work visa or student visa

You cannot apply for a family visa if your family member is in the UK temporarily on a work visa or student visa.

You can apply to stay with them as a dependant instead.

You have a visitor visa or a visa for 6 months or less

You’ll usually need to leave the UK to apply for a family visa if either:

you have permission to be in the UK as a visitor

your visa is for 6 months or less

However, you might be able to switch to a family visa in the UK if you have either:

a 6-month family visa as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

permission to stay in the UK for the outcome of a family court case or divorce

Apply as a partner or spouse

To apply as a partner, you and your partner both need to be 18 or over.

Your partner must also either:

be a British or Irish citizen

have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

have a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa

have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK after you apply.

If your partner has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for a family permit.

What you’ll need to prove

You must be able to prove one of the following:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

you are a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and will marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving

You also need to prove you:

have a good knowledge of English

can financially support yourself and your dependants

If you do not meet these requirements you may still be able to apply for a visa or extend your permission to stay if:

you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK

there would be very significant difficulties for you and your partner if you lived together as a couple outside the UK that could not be overcome

it would breach your human rights to stop you coming to the UK or make you leave

If you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

You must prove that:

any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended

you plan to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of arriving in the UK

You will not be able to work during your engagement.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. If you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, you can stay for 6 months.

After this you’ll need to apply to extend your stay.

If you extend or switch to this visa

If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

How you apply depends on whether you’re in the UK or not.

Outside the UK

You must apply online from outside the UK.

In the UK

You must apply online in the UK.

If you cannot pay the fee

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Applying with your children

You can add children to your application as dependants if both of the following apply:

they are under 18 when you apply, or were under 18 when they were first granted leave

they do not live an independent life

Your child is living an independent life if, for example, they’ve left home, got married and had children.

When you can settle permanently

You cannot include time you’ve spent in the UK:

on any other visa

as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

The rules are different if you applied before 9 July 2012.

If you applied before 9 July 2012

You can only extend your family visa if all the following are true:

you were given permission to stay in the UK as a partner before 9 July 2012

you are not eligible to settle in the UK

you have not been granted or refused another visa

You must also prove that:

you and your partner have enough money to financially support yourself and your dependants without relying on public funds

you have knowledge of English

Apply as a parent

You can apply to live in the UK to care for your child.

If you’re eligible to apply as a partner, you must do that instead of applying as a parent.

Your child must either:

be under 18 on the date you apply

have been under 18 when you were first granted leave and not live an independent life

Your child must be living in the UK. One of the following must also be true:

they’re a British or Irish citizen

they’ve settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

if you’re applying in the UK, they must have lived in the UK for 7 years continuously and it would not be reasonable for them to leave

If your child has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

Parental responsibility

You need to have sole or shared parental responsibility for your child.

If you share parental responsibility, the child’s other parent must not be your partner. They must also either:

be a British or Irish citizen

have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

If the child lives with their other parent or carer, you must have access to the child in person, as agreed with the other parent or carer or by a court order.

What you’ll need to prove

school confirming you take them to school or go to parent evenings

doctor, dentist, or health visitor confirming that you take them to appointments

other parent confirming how much contact you have with your child

English language and financial requirements

You must also prove you:

have a good knowledge of English

can financially support yourself without claiming public funds

If your child or any other dependants live with you, you must also prove you can financially support them without claiming public funds.

If you do not meet the English language and financial requirements you can still extend your permission to stay if:

your child in the UK is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years

it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. After this you’ll need to apply to extend your stay.

If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

How you apply depends on whether you’re in the UK or not.

Outside the UK

You must apply online outside the UK. You must also complete Appendix 5.

In the UK

You must apply online in the UK.

If you cannot afford to pay the fee, you must also apply online to waive the fee. You might not have to pay the fee if you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Read the guidance for parents before applying.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Applying with other children

You can add other children to your application as dependants if one of the following applies:

they are under 18 on the date you apply

they were under 18 when they were first granted leave on a family visa and do not live an independent life

When you can settle permanently

You cannot include time you’ve spent in the UK on any other visa.

The rules are different if you applied before 9 July 2012.

Apply as a child

You can apply for a family visa to join your parent in the UK.

If your parent has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

You were born in the UK

You’ll get the same permission to stay as your parent if you were born in the UK.

If you’re under 18

You can either:

be added to your parent’s next application as a dependant

apply separately

To apply separately, you’ll need to know what kind of permission to stay in the UK (‘limited leave to remain’) your parent has.

If you’re over 18

Your parent can only include you in their application as a dependant if you:

got permission to come to or stay in the UK (‘leave to enter or remain’) on a family visa when you were under 18

do not live an independent life

are applying from inside the UK

You’re living an independent life if, for example, you’ve left home, got married and had children.

You were born outside the UK

Whether you can apply depends on your age and how your parent applied.

If you’re under 18

You must:

not be married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life

be financially supported without claiming public funds

One of your parents must also be applying or have applied for a visa or to extend their permission to stay as a:

partner - and the partner they’re joining is your other parent

parent - and they have sole parental responsibility for you

Otherwise, you might still be eligible to apply if there are serious reasons to let you come to, or stay in the UK and there are plans for your care.

If you’re over 18

Your parent can include you in their application as a dependant, or you can apply separately yourself. You can only apply if you:

got permission to stay in the UK (‘leave to remain’) on a family visa when you were under 18

do not live an independent life

If your parent cannot include you in their form and you’re in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for Private Life in the UK (10-year route).

Apply from outside the UK

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

Apply at the same time as your parent

Which form you need to fill in depends on whether your parent is applying to enter the UK as the partner of one of the following:

a British or Irish citizen

a person with indefinite leave to remain

a person settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

a person from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who has pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

a person with a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa

a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection

If they are applying as one of these, you must fill in the Appendix FM online form.

If they are not, you must fill in both:

the online application form

the Appendix 1 paper form

Apply separately

Which form you need to fill in depends on whether your parent has leave to enter or remain in the UK on a 5 or 10-year route to settlement as the partner of:

a British or Irish citizen

If they do, you must fill in the Appendix FM online form.

If they do not, you must fill in both:

the online application form

the Appendix 1 paper form

Apply from the UK

If you’re already in the UK, you must apply online.

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

You can also check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Apply as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative

You must be outside the UK to apply and need long-term care from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter who is living permanently in the UK.

One of the following must also apply to the relative:

they’re a British or Irish citizen

they’ve settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

they have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

If your family member has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for a family permit.

You must prove all of the following:

you need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or your age

the care you need is not available or affordable in the country you live in

the person you’ll be joining in the UK will be able to support, accommodate and care for you without claiming public funds for at least 5 years

you’re 18 or over

How long you can stay for

How long you can stay depends on the status of your family member.

If your family member is British, Irish or settled in the UK

Your stay is unlimited. You will not need to apply to extend or settle.

If your family member has pre-settled status

They must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021. You can stay as long as your family member stays. You’ll need to apply to extend or settle when they do.

If your family member has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You can stay as long as your family member stays. You’ll need to apply to extend or settle when they do.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

You must apply as an adult dependent relative online and complete Appendix 1.

Apply to extend your stay

Apply online to extend your stay in the UK.

Apply on the basis of your private life

You can only apply on the basis of your private life if you’re already living in the UK.

You must be able to prove that you’re:

under 18 and you’ve lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years, and it would be unreasonable to expect you to leave the UK

between 18 and 24 and you’ve lived continuously in the UK for more than half your life

25 or over and you’ve been in the UK continuously for 20 years

Your family members can apply on the same application - you’ll be considered separately.

How to apply

You must apply online.

If you cannot pay the application fee

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot afford to pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Get help using a computer to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Knowledge of English

You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.

When you do not need to prove it

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if one of the following is true:

you’re applying as a child

you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative

you’ve been in the UK on a family visa for 5 years and you’re extending it as a partner or parent

you’re over 65

you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement

You also will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Canada

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

USA

How to prove your knowledge of English

You can prove it with an academic qualification, or by taking a test.

Academic qualifications

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English.

If your qualification is from a UK university or college, you only need your degree certificate.

If your qualification is from a university or college outside the UK

There are 2 kinds of certificate:

a statement of comparability

a visa and nationality statement

You need a statement of comparability if you got your qualification from a university or college in one of these countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Ireland

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

USA

If you got your qualification from a university or college in any other country, you need a visa and nationality statement.

Take an approved English language test

You can prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test.

If you pass level B1 level or higher, the test will be accepted if it’s still on the list of approved English language tests when you apply for settlement after 5 years.

If you want to settle permanently in the UK within 5 years

You may have to pass a higher CEFR level if you want to stay in the UK after 2.5 years. What you need to do depends on what CEFR level you passed for your first visa.

If you passed:

level A1 you’ll need to pass level A2 in speaking and listening

level A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2 you can use the test again for your application if it’s still on the list of approved English language tests

If you were given an exemption, you’ll need to pass a test at level A1.

Read the English language requirement: family members guidance.

Give proof of your income

You and your partner must have a combined income of at least £18,600 a year if:

you’re applying as a partner

you want to settle in the UK (get ‘indefinite leave to remain’) within 5 years

You must prove you have extra money if you have children who:

are not British or Irish citizens

do not have pre-settled status

are not permanently settled in the UK

If you need to prove extra money for your children, you’ll need to earn an extra:

£3,800 for your first child

£2,400 for each child you have after your first child

This is called the ‘minimum income requirement’.

You may be able to use your savings instead of income.

How you prove you have the money depends on how you got the income.

What counts as income

You and your partner can use:

income from employment before tax and National Insurance (check your P60 or payslips) - you can only use your own income if you earn it in the UK

income you earn from self-employment or as a director of a limited company in the UK - check your Self Assessment tax return

cash savings above £16,000

money from a pension

non-work income, for example from property rentals or dividends

If you’re using income from self-employment or employment, you’ll need to prove you or your partner received that income for 6 months or more.

What proof you need to give

You’ll need to provide proof of your income with your application. If you or your partner are employed, you could include:

bank statements showing you or your partner’s income

6 months of payslips

a letter from an employer, dated and on headed paper

The employer’s letter should confirm:

you or your partner are employed there

the job title or position you or your partner hold

how long you or your partner have worked there

the type of contract (for example, permanent, fixed term)

what you or your partner earn before tax and National Insurance

how long you or your partner have been paid your current salary

the payslips are genuine

You’ll be told exactly what documents to provide when you apply online.

Check the guidance in appendix FM 1.7: financial requirement if:

you or your partner’s income is more complicated

you or your partner have taken maternity or paternity leave in the last 6 months

you want to combine different income sources

The detailed guidance also explains the evidence you need to provide for each of the types of income you’re relying on.

If you cannot meet the minimum income requirement

You need to show you and your partner meet the minimum income requirement if you want to settle in 5 years as a partner.

If you do not meet the requirement, you may be able to settle in 10 years.

When you do not need to meet the income requirement

You may be able to settle in 5 years without meeting the minimum income requirement if either:

you’re applying as a parent

you get certain benefits, for example Disability Living Allowance or Carer’s Allowance.

Check the guidance in appendix FM 1.7: financial requirement for more information

Information you must provide

You’ll need to have information and some evidence ready when you make your application. Include information for you and any dependants applying at the same time.

You’ll need to provide:

all your names

your date of birth

your current passport or other valid travel ID

copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports

a copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one

details of any previous immigration applications you’ve made

details of any criminal convictions

your national insurance number, if you have one

your parents’ date of birth and nationality if you’re applying from outside the UK

your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh

You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa if you’re applying outside the UK.

You’ll need an email address to make an online application.

You’ll also need to:

give proof of your finances

prove your knowledge of English

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances - for example a sponsorship form from your family member in the UK.

You’ll be told how to provide your documents when you apply.

Your partner’s details

If you have a partner, you’ll be asked about their:

name

date of birth

nationality

passport

right to be in the UK, for example they’re a British citizen

You’ll also need to give details of:

any people your partner was previously married to, in a civil partnership with or had children with

evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate

anyone your partner supports with money, for example their parents

Proof of relationship

If you’re applying as a spouse or partner, you’ll be asked about:

your relationship with your partner, for example how you met and how often you see each other

how long you’ve lived together - you’ll need to provide proof like council tax bills

things you pay for together

whether you’re your partner’s carer

Your previous partners

You’ll need to include details of anyone you previously married or had children with. Include evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate.

Children

You’ll need to give details of your children (and your partner’s children if you have one). You’ll be asked about all children, even if they’re not applying.

You’ll need to give details of:

their name

their nationality

their date of birth

their passport details

who the child normally lives with

any other people with parental responsibility for your child, for example your step children’s other parents

how you’re involved in their day to day life

arrangements you have to see the child - for example the courts have granted you access

the child’s extended family

any countries your child has visited or lived in

Your life outside the UK

You’ll need to give details of:

countries outside the UK you’ve lived in and visited

family and friends in the countries where you were born or have nationality

After you apply

You’ll need to attend an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo). You’ll be told how to make an appointment when you apply.

Getting your documents back

You can ask for your passport and other documents to be returned if you’ve provided them with your application but need them urgently.

You might have to cancel your application to get your documents back.

If your application is approved

You’ll get a biometric residence permit.

You can:

work

study

You cannot work or study if you’re applying for a visa or extending your stay to get married or become civil partners.

You cannot:

usually get benefits or other public funds for you or your dependants

apply to settle in the UK until you’re eligible

you’re over 65

Family visas: apply, extend or switch

Overview

You need a family visa to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months.

Applying from outside the UK

You can apply for a family visa to live with your:

spouse or partner

fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

child

parent

relative who’ll provide long-term care for you

If you’re visiting the UK for 6 months or less, check if you need a Standard Visitor visa or Marriage Visitor visa.

Extending your family visa

You can apply to extend your stay with your family member if you’re already in the UK on a family visa.

You can extend at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.

If you’re extending to stay with the same family member, you’ll only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa.

You might be able to apply to stay on the basis of your private life if you’ve lived in the UK for many years already.

Switching to a family visa

If you came to the UK on a different visa, you might be able to switch to a family visa to stay with your:

spouse or partner

child

parent

You can switch at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.

If you do not meet the rules because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Fees

How much it costs depends on how you apply.

| Apply outside the UK | Apply in the UK

Cost if joining your partner, parent or child | £1,523 | £1,033

Cost for each dependant added to your application | £1,523 each person | £1,033 each person

Cost for an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative | £3,250 | £1,033

Let your bank know that a large amount of money will be coming out of your account - otherwise it might cancel your payment.

Healthcare surcharge

You might also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying from the UK, you may be able to pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a faster decision.

You cannot use the super priority service if you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

How long it takes

If you apply outside the UK a decision will usually be made within 12 weeks.

If you apply in the UK a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will usually be made:

by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

It might take longer if your application is complex, for example you:

do not meet the minimum income requirement

cannot prove your knowledge of English

need to attend an interview

have not provided all the evidence that the Home Office needs

have a criminal conviction or another personal circumstance that needs to be reviewed

Other ways you can stay

You were the victim of domestic abuse or your partner died

You might be able to apply to settle in the UK if you had permission to stay in the UK as a partner when either:

you were the victim of domestic abuse

your partner died

Your family member has refugee status or humanitarian protection

You might be able to apply for ‘family reunion’ to join a partner or parent who has either:

refugee status in the UK

humanitarian protection in the UK

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

When you cannot get a family visa

In some circumstances you cannot apply for, or switch to, a family visa.

Your family member has a work visa or student visa

You cannot apply for a family visa if your family member is in the UK temporarily on a work visa or student visa.

You can apply to stay with them as a dependant instead.

You have a visitor visa or a visa for 6 months or less

You’ll usually need to leave the UK to apply for a family visa if either:

you have permission to be in the UK as a visitor

your visa is for 6 months or less

However, you might be able to switch to a family visa in the UK if you have either:

a 6-month family visa as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

permission to stay in the UK for the outcome of a family court case or divorce

Apply as a partner or spouse

To apply as a partner, you and your partner both need to be 18 or over.

Your partner must also either:

be a British or Irish citizen

have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

have a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa

have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK after you apply.

If your partner has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for a family permit.

What you’ll need to prove

You must be able to prove one of the following:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

you are a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and will marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving

You also need to prove you:

have a good knowledge of English

can financially support yourself and your dependants

If you do not meet these requirements you may still be able to apply for a visa or extend your permission to stay if:

you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK

there would be very significant difficulties for you and your partner if you lived together as a couple outside the UK that could not be overcome

it would breach your human rights to stop you coming to the UK or make you leave

If you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

You must prove that:

any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended

you plan to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of arriving in the UK

You will not be able to work during your engagement.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. If you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, you can stay for 6 months.

After this you’ll need to apply to extend your stay.

If you extend or switch to this visa

If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

How you apply depends on whether you’re in the UK or not.

Outside the UK

You must apply online from outside the UK.

In the UK

You must apply online in the UK.

If you cannot pay the fee

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Applying with your children

You can add children to your application as dependants if both of the following apply:

they are under 18 when you apply, or were under 18 when they were first granted leave

they do not live an independent life

Your child is living an independent life if, for example, they’ve left home, got married and had children.

When you can settle permanently

You cannot include time you’ve spent in the UK:

on any other visa

as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

The rules are different if you applied before 9 July 2012.

If you applied before 9 July 2012

You can only extend your family visa if all the following are true:

you were given permission to stay in the UK as a partner before 9 July 2012

you are not eligible to settle in the UK

you have not been granted or refused another visa

You must also prove that:

you and your partner have enough money to financially support yourself and your dependants without relying on public funds

you have knowledge of English

Apply as a parent

You can apply to live in the UK to care for your child.

If you’re eligible to apply as a partner, you must do that instead of applying as a parent.

Your child must either:

be under 18 on the date you apply

have been under 18 when you were first granted leave and not live an independent life

Your child must be living in the UK. One of the following must also be true:

they’re a British or Irish citizen

they’ve settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

if you’re applying in the UK, they must have lived in the UK for 7 years continuously and it would not be reasonable for them to leave

If your child has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

Parental responsibility

You need to have sole or shared parental responsibility for your child.

If you share parental responsibility, the child’s other parent must not be your partner. They must also either:

be a British or Irish citizen

have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

If the child lives with their other parent or carer, you must have access to the child in person, as agreed with the other parent or carer or by a court order.

What you’ll need to prove

school confirming you take them to school or go to parent evenings

doctor, dentist, or health visitor confirming that you take them to appointments

other parent confirming how much contact you have with your child

English language and financial requirements

You must also prove you:

have a good knowledge of English

can financially support yourself without claiming public funds

If your child or any other dependants live with you, you must also prove you can financially support them without claiming public funds.

If you do not meet the English language and financial requirements you can still extend your permission to stay if:

your child in the UK is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years

it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. After this you’ll need to apply to extend your stay.

If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

How you apply depends on whether you’re in the UK or not.

Outside the UK

You must apply online outside the UK. You must also complete Appendix 5.

In the UK

You must apply online in the UK.

If you cannot afford to pay the fee, you must also apply online to waive the fee. You might not have to pay the fee if you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Read the guidance for parents before applying.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Applying with other children

You can add other children to your application as dependants if one of the following applies:

they are under 18 on the date you apply

they were under 18 when they were first granted leave on a family visa and do not live an independent life

When you can settle permanently

You cannot include time you’ve spent in the UK on any other visa.

The rules are different if you applied before 9 July 2012.

Apply as a child

You can apply for a family visa to join your parent in the UK.

If your parent has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

You were born in the UK

You’ll get the same permission to stay as your parent if you were born in the UK.

If you’re under 18

You can either:

be added to your parent’s next application as a dependant

apply separately

To apply separately, you’ll need to know what kind of permission to stay in the UK (‘limited leave to remain’) your parent has.

If you’re over 18

Your parent can only include you in their application as a dependant if you:

got permission to come to or stay in the UK (‘leave to enter or remain’) on a family visa when you were under 18

do not live an independent life

are applying from inside the UK

You’re living an independent life if, for example, you’ve left home, got married and had children.

You were born outside the UK

Whether you can apply depends on your age and how your parent applied.

If you’re under 18

You must:

not be married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life

be financially supported without claiming public funds

One of your parents must also be applying or have applied for a visa or to extend their permission to stay as a:

partner - and the partner they’re joining is your other parent

parent - and they have sole parental responsibility for you

Otherwise, you might still be eligible to apply if there are serious reasons to let you come to, or stay in the UK and there are plans for your care.

If you’re over 18

Your parent can include you in their application as a dependant, or you can apply separately yourself. You can only apply if you:

got permission to stay in the UK (‘leave to remain’) on a family visa when you were under 18

do not live an independent life

If your parent cannot include you in their form and you’re in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for Private Life in the UK (10-year route).

Apply from outside the UK

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

Apply at the same time as your parent

Which form you need to fill in depends on whether your parent is applying to enter the UK as the partner of one of the following:

a British or Irish citizen

a person with indefinite leave to remain

a person settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

a person from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who has pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

a person with a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa

a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection

If they are applying as one of these, you must fill in the Appendix FM online form.

If they are not, you must fill in both:

the online application form

the Appendix 1 paper form

Apply separately

Which form you need to fill in depends on whether your parent has leave to enter or remain in the UK on a 5 or 10-year route to settlement as the partner of:

a British or Irish citizen

If they do, you must fill in the Appendix FM online form.

If they do not, you must fill in both:

the online application form

the Appendix 1 paper form

Apply from the UK

If you’re already in the UK, you must apply online.

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

You can also check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Apply as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative

You must be outside the UK to apply and need long-term care from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter who is living permanently in the UK.

One of the following must also apply to the relative:

they’re a British or Irish citizen

they’ve settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

they have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

If your family member has settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for a family permit.

You must prove all of the following:

you need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or your age

the care you need is not available or affordable in the country you live in

the person you’ll be joining in the UK will be able to support, accommodate and care for you without claiming public funds for at least 5 years

you’re 18 or over

How long you can stay for

How long you can stay depends on the status of your family member.

If your family member is British, Irish or settled in the UK

Your stay is unlimited. You will not need to apply to extend or settle.

If your family member has pre-settled status

They must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021. You can stay as long as your family member stays. You’ll need to apply to extend or settle when they do.

If your family member has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You can stay as long as your family member stays. You’ll need to apply to extend or settle when they do.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and documents to provide with your application.

You must apply as an adult dependent relative online and complete Appendix 1.

Apply to extend your stay

Apply online to extend your stay in the UK.

Apply on the basis of your private life

You can only apply on the basis of your private life if you’re already living in the UK.

You must be able to prove that you’re:

under 18 and you’ve lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years, and it would be unreasonable to expect you to leave the UK

between 18 and 24 and you’ve lived continuously in the UK for more than half your life

25 or over and you’ve been in the UK continuously for 20 years

Your family members can apply on the same application - you’ll be considered separately.

How to apply

You must apply online.

If you cannot pay the application fee

Fill in the online fee waiver request form as well if you cannot afford to pay the fee because you:

do not have a place to live and you cannot afford one

have a place to live but cannot afford your essential living costs like food or heating

have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Get help using a computer to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Knowledge of English

You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.

When you do not need to prove it

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if one of the following is true:

you’re applying as a child

you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative

you’ve been in the UK on a family visa for 5 years and you’re extending it as a partner or parent

you’re over 65

you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement

You also will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Canada

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

USA

How to prove your knowledge of English

You can prove it with an academic qualification, or by taking a test.

Academic qualifications

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English.

If your qualification is from a UK university or college, you only need your degree certificate.

If your qualification is from a university or college outside the UK

There are 2 kinds of certificate:

a statement of comparability

a visa and nationality statement

You need a statement of comparability if you got your qualification from a university or college in one of these countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Ireland

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

USA

If you got your qualification from a university or college in any other country, you need a visa and nationality statement.

Take an approved English language test

You can prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test.

If you pass level B1 level or higher, the test will be accepted if it’s still on the list of approved English language tests when you apply for settlement after 5 years.

If you want to settle permanently in the UK within 5 years

You may have to pass a higher CEFR level if you want to stay in the UK after 2.5 years. What you need to do depends on what CEFR level you passed for your first visa.

If you passed:

level A1 you’ll need to pass level A2 in speaking and listening

level A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2 you can use the test again for your application if it’s still on the list of approved English language tests

If you were given an exemption, you’ll need to pass a test at level A1.

Read the English language requirement: family members guidance.

Give proof of your income

You and your partner must have a combined income of at least £18,600 a year if:

you’re applying as a partner

you want to settle in the UK (get ‘indefinite leave to remain’) within 5 years

You must prove you have extra money if you have children who:

are not British or Irish citizens

do not have pre-settled status

are not permanently settled in the UK

If you need to prove extra money for your children, you’ll need to earn an extra:

£3,800 for your first child

£2,400 for each child you have after your first child

This is called the ‘minimum income requirement’.

You may be able to use your savings instead of income.

How you prove you have the money depends on how you got the income.

What counts as income

You and your partner can use:

income from employment before tax and National Insurance (check your P60 or payslips) - you can only use your own income if you earn it in the UK

income you earn from self-employment or as a director of a limited company in the UK - check your Self Assessment tax return

cash savings above £16,000

money from a pension

non-work income, for example from property rentals or dividends

If you’re using income from self-employment or employment, you’ll need to prove you or your partner received that income for 6 months or more.

What proof you need to give

You’ll need to provide proof of your income with your application. If you or your partner are employed, you could include:

bank statements showing you or your partner’s income

6 months of payslips

a letter from an employer, dated and on headed paper

The employer’s letter should confirm:

you or your partner are employed there

the job title or position you or your partner hold

how long you or your partner have worked there

the type of contract (for example, permanent, fixed term)

what you or your partner earn before tax and National Insurance

how long you or your partner have been paid your current salary

the payslips are genuine

You’ll be told exactly what documents to provide when you apply online.

Check the guidance in appendix FM 1.7: financial requirement if:

you or your partner’s income is more complicated

you or your partner have taken maternity or paternity leave in the last 6 months

you want to combine different income sources

The detailed guidance also explains the evidence you need to provide for each of the types of income you’re relying on.

If you cannot meet the minimum income requirement

You need to show you and your partner meet the minimum income requirement if you want to settle in 5 years as a partner.

If you do not meet the requirement, you may be able to settle in 10 years.

When you do not need to meet the income requirement

You may be able to settle in 5 years without meeting the minimum income requirement if either:

you’re applying as a parent

you get certain benefits, for example Disability Living Allowance or Carer’s Allowance.

Check the guidance in appendix FM 1.7: financial requirement for more information

Information you must provide

You’ll need to have information and some evidence ready when you make your application. Include information for you and any dependants applying at the same time.

You’ll need to provide:

all your names

your date of birth

your current passport or other valid travel ID

copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports

a copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one

details of any previous immigration applications you’ve made

details of any criminal convictions

your national insurance number, if you have one

your parents’ date of birth and nationality if you’re applying from outside the UK

your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh

You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa if you’re applying outside the UK.

You’ll need an email address to make an online application.

You’ll also need to:

give proof of your finances

prove your knowledge of English

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances - for example a sponsorship form from your family member in the UK.

You’ll be told how to provide your documents when you apply.

Your partner’s details

If you have a partner, you’ll be asked about their:

name

date of birth

nationality

passport

right to be in the UK, for example they’re a British citizen

You’ll also need to give details of:

any people your partner was previously married to, in a civil partnership with or had children with

evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate

anyone your partner supports with money, for example their parents

Proof of relationship

If you’re applying as a spouse or partner, you’ll be asked about:

your relationship with your partner, for example how you met and how often you see each other

how long you’ve lived together - you’ll need to provide proof like council tax bills

things you pay for together

whether you’re your partner’s carer

Your previous partners

You’ll need to include details of anyone you previously married or had children with. Include evidence of marriages ending, for example a divorce certificate.

Children

You’ll need to give details of your children (and your partner’s children if you have one). You’ll be asked about all children, even if they’re not applying.

You’ll need to give details of:

their name

their nationality

their date of birth

their passport details

who the child normally lives with

any other people with parental responsibility for your child, for example your step children’s other parents

how you’re involved in their day to day life

arrangements you have to see the child - for example the courts have granted you access

the child’s extended family

any countries your child has visited or lived in

Your life outside the UK

You’ll need to give details of:

countries outside the UK you’ve lived in and visited

family and friends in the countries where you were born or have nationality

After you apply

You’ll need to attend an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo). You’ll be told how to make an appointment when you apply.

Getting your documents back

You can ask for your passport and other documents to be returned if you’ve provided them with your application but need them urgently.

You might have to cancel your application to get your documents back.

If your application is approved

You’ll get a biometric residence permit.

You can:

work

study

You cannot work or study if you’re applying for a visa or extending your stay to get married or become civil partners.

You cannot:

usually get benefits or other public funds for you or your dependants

apply to settle in the UK until you’re eligible