Family / Spouse Visa

Overview

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

Applying Family Visa 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

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

You also need to prove you:

  • have a good knowledge of English
  • can financially support yourself and your dependents

Applying with your children<

  • You can add children to your application as dependents 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

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa.