The UK immigration process for bringing loved ones can be overwhelming. In 2025, the UK family visa, particularly the UK spouse visa, fiancé visa UK, and partner visa UK, remains a crucial route for many.This complete guide makes each step easier to understand, explains what you need, and helps you plan for your family’s future in the UK.
You may apply for a UK spouse visa if you are married to a British, Irish, or settled person (including refugees or individuals with humanitarian protection). Both you and your partner must be over 18 and intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Requirements include:
- Marriage or civil partnership recognised under UK law
- Demonstrate a genuine relationship (e.g., shared bills, communication, financial responsibilities)
- Meet English language requirement (minimum CEFR A1).
- Financial threshold: Combined income of at least £29,000 per year (or £18,600 if applied before April 11, 2024), with added amounts required if children are dependants.
- Suitable accommodation
This section covers all the information you need about UK spouse visa requirements and marriage visa rules. It also explains how to apply for a spouse visa in the UK in 2025.
Fiancée or proposed civil partner
If you’re engaged to a UK citizen or settled person, the fiancé visa UK allows you to enter the UK for six months to marry. After marriage, you must switch to a spouse visa. During this period, you’re not permitted to work or study
UK Partner Visa
For couples who’ve lived together in a relationship like marriage for at least two years, the UK partner visa provides an option:
- Evidence: joint expenses, communications, cohabitation
- Same financial, accommodation, and English language requirements as spouse applicants
Financial Requirements for UK Partner Visa
Financial requirements if you’re applying as a partner or spouse:
- £29,000/year combined income if applying after 11 April 2024
- £18,600/year, plus allowances for children, if applying before that date ➤ first child £3,800, each additional child £2,400
If your partner receives certain disability benefits, you may qualify under ‘adequate maintenance’ without meeting the minimum income threshold.
Bringing Children: Apply as a Child
If you’re applying for a UK family visa and have children under 18, they may be eligible to join or remain with you in the UK. The rules depend on where the child was born and the parents’ visa status.
Who Can Apply?
Your child can apply for a family visa if:
- They are under 18
- They live with you (or are away for full-time education)
- They are not married or living independently
If Born in the UK:
- They can be added to your next visa application, or
- Apply separately
They’ll get the same visa length as you.
If Born Outside the UK:
- Must live with you (unless away for school/university)
- Not married or in a civil partnership
- At least one parent must have or be applying for a UK visa (as a partner or parent)
Applying from Inside or Outside the UK:
- Applications are online
- Processing takes:
12 weeks if applying from outside the UK
8 weeks inside the UK (longer for 10-year settlement routes)
Financial Requirement:
You must show that you can financially support your child — typically by meeting income requirements linked to your family visa type.
Documents You’ll Need:
- Child’s passport or birth certificate
- Proof of dependency and relationship
- Parents’ visa details and income proof
You can apply for a fee waiver if you can’t afford the visa cost and meet hardship criteria.
Apply for a fee waiver online from outside the UK. You can only apply for a visa fee waiver if you’re filling in the Appendix FM online form.
Apply as a Parent
If you’re the parent of a child living in the UK, you may be able to apply for a Family Visa to live with and care for them, especially if you’re not eligible to apply as a partner. Who Can Apply?
You may apply if:
- Your child is under 18 on the date of application, or was under 18 when you were first granted leave as a parent.
- Your child is living in the UK, and one of the following applies:
They are a British or Irish citizen.
They have indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or proof of permanent residence.
They’re from the EU/EEA/Switzerland and have pre-settled status.
They’ve lived in the UK for 7+ years, and it would be unreasonable for them to leave (for applications made inside the UK)
Other Requirements
You must also show that:
- You have an active role in your child’s life.
- You’re not eligible to apply as a partner (for example, if you’re separated from the child’s other parent)
- Your child is not married or in a civil partnership.
- Your child lives with you, unless they’re away in full-time education (e.g., boarding school)
Evidence You’ll Need
You must provide:
- Proof of relationship to your child (e.g., birth certificate)
- Proof of your child’s immigration status
- Evidence of your involvement in their upbringing (school letters, doctor’s visits, photos, etc.)
Visa Length & Extension
- You’ll typically get a visa for 2 years and 9 months.
- You can extend your stay in the UK for another 2 years and 6 months.
- After 5 years, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
This visa path helps separated or single parents stay connected and care for their children in the UK, provided they meet the relationship and residency conditions. Always check the latest eligibility rules on [GOV.UK]
Apply as an Adult Dependent Relative
If you’re an adult who needs long-term care, you may be able to join a close family member living permanently in the UK, but this route has strict requirements.
Who Can Apply?
You must:
- Be 18 or older
- Need daily long-term personal care due to illness, disability, or age
- Have no access to adequate or affordable care in your home country
You can only apply from outside the UK, unless you’re extending an existing adult dependent visa.
Who Can Sponsor You?
Your sponsor must be your:
- Parent
- Child
- Grandchild
- Brother or sister
They must also be:
- A British or Irish citizen
- Settled in the UK (ILR, settled status, or permanent residence)
- From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status (living in the UK since before 1 Jan 2021)
- Someone with refugee or humanitarian protection status in the UK
What Must You Prove?
You must show that:
- The care you need is unavailable or unaffordable in your home country
- Your UK-based relative has suitable accommodation
- They can financially support and care for you without claiming public funds
UKVI will assess your income, housing, and care costs.
How Long Can You Stay?
- If your UK sponsor is settled or British, you’ll be granted a visa for 5 years
- If your sponsor has temporary permission, your visa will match their visa length
This route is one of the most difficult to qualify for due to its high threshold — but for those who truly need it, it offers the chance to reunite with family under compassionate grounds.
Evidence & Documentation for UK Family Visas
When applying for a family visa UK, you’ll need:
- Passport and identity documents (biometric appointment required)
- Relationship proof (marriage/civil partnership certificate, joint tenancy, utility bills, photos, travel history)
- Evidence of communication and commitment if partners don’t live together
- Financial evidence or savings held for 28 consecutive days (ending within 31 days of application)
English test certificate (minimum A1 CEFR) unless exempt (e.g., child, over 65, specific nationalities). [GOV.UK]
Visa Duration, Extension & Settlement
- Initial visa often valid for 2 years 9 months for partners/spouses; fiancé visa grants only 6 months initially
- Extensions allow up to 2 years 6 months
- After 5 years on a family visa, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) if you’ve met the English, Life in the UK test, and relationship criteria
The UK Family Visa, effective in 2025, offers several routes for bringing loved ones to the UK, whether you’re applying as a spouse, fiancé(e), partner, parent, child, or adult dependent relative. Each route has specific eligibility criteria, financial requirements, English language requirements, and documentation requirements. Spouse and partner visas require proof of a genuine relationship and an annual income of at least £29,000 (or £18,600 if applied before April 2024). Fiancé(e) visas are valid for six months, and children must be under 18 and financially dependent. Most visas are valid for two years and nine months, with extensions available. After five years of lawful residence, you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Always refer to [GOV.UK] for the latest guidance.
