Applying for a family visa to the UK can feel like a strenuous task, especially with a family member overseas who is keen on getting back together. First, you have options in terms of family visas. Second, you have to meet some criteria and understand how to go about applying for the visa. But do not panic, we have your back – this article is going to explain everything that families ought to know about family visas and in what ways Legal Assist can make the visa application easy for you.

What Is A Family Visa UK?

The family visa permits non-UK nationals to move to the United Kingdom in order to be with their settled families. Various families and relatives can be issued with a visa among them the spouse, child, parent, or even a partner. This is one of the most vital routes for families wishing to be together and create a home in the UK.

Types of Family Visas Available in the UK

1. Spouse or Partner Visa

The spouse or partner visa is for persons who are married to someone who is settled in the UK or are in a civil partnership with such person or there are unmarried partners who have cohabited for two years.

1. Child Visa

Children visas are specifically meant for children below the age of 18 who want to live with a parent who is settled in the UK. This visa is most likely issued if the parents are already rank holders or recognized as refugees in the UK.

3 Parent Visa

This is a general category of family visa in which a parent whose child is either a British citizen, permanent on settlement status, or has indefinite leave to remain in the UK can pursue family reunion purposes. They also need to demonstrate that they take part in bringing up the child and giving physical attention to him or her.

1. Adult Dependent Relative Visa

The adult dependent relative visa is given to adult dependent relatives, typically parents or grandparents, on the basis that they undertake to move to the UK because they require long-term care that is unavailable in their own country.

Who Can Obtain a Family Visa?

The requirements for Family Visa UK guidance will vary depending on the visa type. Nevertheless, some monotonous requirements do exist:

You need to prove that you have a family member who is a British citizen or is settled in the UK.

You need to demonstrate evidence of marriage or any relationship with the family member whom you will be joining.

You are not entitled to any welfare benefits, and you must declare your source of income or funds.

Sometimes, you may also need to provide evidence of your proficiency in spoken English.

Financial Requirements for Family Visas

Among other requirements, satisfying the financial requirements is one of the major requirements of a family visa application. The UK based sponsor is required to show that they are earning a particular minimum wage sufficient to provide for the applicant without soliciting for public funds. The current minimum income threshold is:

£18600 per annum for you spouse or partner

Plus £3800 for the first child

Plus £2400 for each additional child born after the first one.

If you are in trouble attempting to meet the financial requirements, you may contact Legal Assist for further alternatives such as adequate savings or exceptional circumstances in order to meet the conditions.

Mandatory Requirements for the English Language

Most family categories of visas require the applicants to be able to read, write, and speak in English. If you do not originate from one of the countries where English is the native language or have completed a degree where English was the main language, you might be required to take a recognized language examination in order to succeed in this application.

Applying for a Family Visa in the UK

The application process for the family visa consists of the following steps:

Step 1: Assemble and Present the Required Documents

You will require a variety of documents including those that prove the relationship, correspondence regarding finances and proof of housing in the UK. To make the application as smooth as possible, having a comprehensive checklist is advisable.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

The majority of the applications for the family visa are made through the web platforms. Completing the relevant forms and attaching accompanying documents is another requirement.

Step 3: Make the Payments

Applications for family visas are accompanied by a cost. Depending on the visa needed, this cost can be from fifteen hundred pounds to three thousand pounds and above, inclusive of any extra services like the biometric appointment and priority service.

Step 4: Go to a Biometric Appointment

Upon completion, the application has to be followed with a biometric appointment where the applicant’s fingerprints and photograph are collected. The photo and fingerprints collected during the biometric stage will be maintained on record and used for the applicant’s visa and identification in the future.

Step 5: Final Decision

The waiting period for family type visas may range depending on the type of visa and the location of application. Usually, it lasts between two to twelve weeks.

What is to be Expected After a Family Visa is Attained?

After receiving immigration approval through a family visa, you can relocate to the United Kingdom to join your family and begin life where you're meant to be. A biometric residence permit (BRP) will be issued to you, indicating your immigration status and permitting you to work or study in the UK. This should be kept in a safe place as it will be needed for many official purposes.

Can You Renew a Family Visa?

Yes, it must be noted that family criteria visas are usually issued for 2.5 years but they may be renewed provided one still meets the criteria. For extension application proposals should be made within the duration given by the issuing visa and the required supporting evidence must also be submitted.

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and How is it Linked with Family Visas?

Five years after obtaining a family visa in the UK, an individual becomes eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain ILR which allows him/her to stay in the UK without any further immigration conditions. ILR once granted allows the individual to be free from time requirements when living, studying or working in the UK and also allows the possibility of acquiring British citizenship.

Reasons Family Visa Applications Get Rejected

Family visa applications are adjudged unfit for acceptance based on the conditions or other factors such as:

Insufficient Financial Evidence: When one fails to meet the financial requirements or in providing the needed financial documentation in full.

Lack of Proof of Genuine Relationship: An application may be refused by the UK immigration, if the application has documentary evidence which is insufficient or of convincing nature that the bonafide relationship doesn’t exist.

Failure to Meet English Language Requirements: An individual who has not passed the language test or was unable to establish a claim of being proficient in the language may have his application rejected.

Legal Assist can assist you in contesting the decision or in the re-application attempt where your visa application was turned down.

How Legal Assist Can Be Useful When Applying for Family Visa

Legal Assist does a great job in ensuring that the family’s will is able to fulfil the complexities brought about in the UK visa regime. Here's what we can do for you:

Free One-Off Consultation: In order to better understand your family visa application, we provide initial advice that is suitable to your circumstances.

Documentation for Visa: We assist in ensuring that all requisite documentation is complete and correct to prevent the possibility of delays and/or refusals.

Application Procedures: We provide assistance such as completing the forms and making contacts with the Home Office in relation to applications.

Appeals and Reapplications: If the visa is refused, we provide assistance in the appeal or re-application processes in order to maximize chances of success with a visa application.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Family Visa?

The time taken for processing family visas is not constant and does depend on the type of visa and the place from where the application is made. Generally, it can take:

Up to 12 weeks for applications made outside the UK.

Up to 8 weeks for an applicant inside the UK if the purpose is extension of stay.

Expedited services can also be availed for such applicants who are willing to pay extra so as to make sure that their applications are dealt with in a shorter period than normal.

Can I Work on a Family Visa?

Generally yes, family visa holders can work in the UK. As soon as your visa is approved, you are allowed to look for work or even establish a business. But, such constraints exist as the kind of work one is permitted to perform in line with the conditions of a visa issued to them.

Final Thoughts

It can be quite arduous to obtain family visas in the UK, but achieving this goal is quite realistic if you follow the steps necessary to do so. It indeed requires time, detail-orientation, and knowledge of what is needed. Legal Assist has been available to assist in any such situation for all these times and will work with you to ensure that your application has high chances of success. If you are applying for a family visa for the first time or you are submitting a fresh application after an earlier rejection, we will assist you with the intricacies of UK immigration law, making it easier for you to comprehend.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it possible to change to a family visa if already in the UK on different visa status?

If you’re in the UK under a given visa like work or student visa, you’re eligible to switch to the family visa. However, you will have to meet eligibility and make a new application.

1. Is it necessary to pass any kind of test to prove that my relationship is real/ genuine?

No formal test is assumed necessary however documentary evidence such as photos, letters and evidence of financial commitments would be required to prove the relationship is genuine.

1. Am I eligible to apply for a family visa if I have contributions from my public benefit?

Your sponsor should not depend upon public money in order to support the application. Nonpublic sources of employment income, savings, or other legal means will have to address the financial requirement.

1. Is there an alternative way of obtaining a family visa considering the requirement of time?

Yes, for an additional fee, priority processing is possible which will assist in reaching a decision regarding the application in less time.

1. What will happen to my family visa application if it is denied?

If your family visa application is rejected, you have two choices: initiate an appeal or resubmit the application. With Legal Assist’s help, you will understand the reasons for refusal and what actions to take next to have a greater prospect of being accepted.