UK Family Visas Explained
A Family Visa is needed if you are the partner, spouse, civil partner, child or dependent relative of someone who is a British citizen. You may also be related to someone who has, or is applying for a UK Visa. A Family Visa is a route for the family of UK citizens and Visa holders to come to the UK. Children of the applicant who are under 18 years of age will be granted entry to the UK as dependants. Dependents may make their application at the same time as the main applicant.
There are six categories that fall under the Family Visa group:
A UK Marriage Visa will enable your husband, wife, fiancé or civil partner to apply for leave to enter, or leave to remain in Britain.
The UK Marriage Visa is suitable if they are married to a person who is present and settled in Britain with no time limit on their stay.
A UK Spouse Visa will enable your husband, wife, fiancé or civil partner to apply for leave to enter, or leave to remain in Britain.
The UK Spouse Visa is suitable if they are married to a person who is present and settled in Britain with no time limit on their stay.
People who are planning to marry a British citizen or permanent resident in the UK may apply for a Fiancé Visa.
With a Fiancé Visa the person can travel to the UK for up to six months, solely for the purpose to get married.
Dependency Visas for the UK are designed to allow your family to share the benefits of living here.
Once you are here, with a UK Dependency Visa you can enjoy the same benefits as the British.
The Unmarried Partner Visa (also known as the De Facto Visa) makes it possible for the unmarried partner of a UK citizen to gain entry to Britain on the basis that they are in a relationship with a person who is present and settled in Britain.
Ancestry Visas enable commonwealth nationals who have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man to enter the UK for a period of five years.
What if I want to come to the UK to get married?
Before you can marry in the UK, you must firstly obtain a Home Office “Certificate of Approval”. This is a document issued by the Border Agency (Home Office).
A Home Office Certificate of Approval is needed if you want to have a religious or civil ceremony elsewhere other than an Anglican Church.
If you would like to learn more or apply for a family visa call us free on 0800 680 0260
