Family visas for travel to the UK

The UK family visa enables a foreign national to join a family member living legally in the UK. This visa covers spouses, children, parents and other close family members. Here’s a full guide to the conditions, procedure and types of family visa available to come to the UK.

Who can apply for a family visa to the UK?

The family visa applies to several situations. You can apply for one if you wish to :

• Joining your spouse or civil partner living in the UK ;
• Living with a British parent or child or legally resident in the UK;
• Join an unmarried partner if you have been in a stable relationship for at least 2 years;
• Accompany a member of your family who has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.

The family member you are joining must generally be a British citizen, have permanent resident status (ILR), or hold refugee status.

Since 2024, the UK has implemented the UK ETA system. Eligible foreign travelers can now travel visa-free to the UK.

To apply for ETA online, simply complete the online ETA form.

Family visa eligibility criteria

To be eligible for a UK family visa, you must meet at least the following conditions:

• Be in a genuine and recognized relationship with a British citizen or permanent resident.
• Prove that you have sufficient financial resources to meet your needs without recourse to public funds.
• Sufficient knowledge of English.
• Provide proof of accommodation in England.

The steps involved in applying for a family visa

1. Fill in the online visa application form on the British government website.
2. Prepare all necessary documents, including proof of relationship, financial evidence and language test results.
3. Submit the application online and pay the applicable visa fees.
4. Make an appointment at a visa application center to provide your fingerprints and a photo.

It can take several weeks to process a visa application and reach a decision.

Documents required for visa applications

The minimum documents required for a family visa application are :

• A valid passport.
• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).
• Proof of financial resources (bank statements, letters from employer).
• English language test (if applicable).
• Proof of accommodation in England.