UK Family and Partner Visa
The UK family visa is the route for partners and spouses, and for children, parents and adult relatives who need long-term care, to join someone settled or living in the UK. It has clear hard facts: fees of £2,064 from outside the UK or £1,407 inside, a 2 years 9 months stay, and relationship evidence that must be under 4 years old. Based on the official GOV.UK guidance (gov.uk/uk-family-visa), September 2026.
Who the family route is for
- Partners and spouses, including fiancé(e)s and proposed civil partners.
- Children.
- Parents, and adult relatives who need long-term care.
Apply outside, extend, or switch inside
- Apply from outside the UK, extend inside, or switch to it inside.
- A family member extension adds up to 28 days only.
- Visitor visas and other permissions of 6 months or less usually require you to apply from outside the UK.
Fees and the health surcharge
| Application fee (outside UK) | £2,064 — per dependant too |
| Application fee (inside UK) | £1,407 — per dependant too |
| Health surcharge (adult) | £2,587.50 for 2.5 years; £5,175 for 5 years |
| Health surcharge (child) | £1,940 for 2.5 years; £3,880 for 5 years |
| Priority | Super priority inside the UK £1,000 (not available for adult relatives needing care) |
Partner route: who qualifies
- Both of you are 18 or over.
- Your partner is a British or Irish citizen, settled in the UK, has EU pre-settled status, holds a Turkish businessperson or worker visa, has protection status, or is stateless.
- One of four relationship routes applies: you are married or in a civil partnership; you have lived together for 2 years; you plan to marry within 6 months; or you have been in a relationship for 2 years but could not live together because of work or study, or because it is not culturally accepted.
- English language and financial requirements apply.
How to evidence the relationship
Evidence must come from government, bank, landlord, utility or medical professionals and be less than 4 years old — for example a marriage certificate, a joint tenancy, a joint account, or a letter from a doctor or dentist. Where you have not lived together, other evidence of a genuine relationship is used.
Child route
- The rules differ for children born in the UK and born abroad.
- They must be under 18, or 18+ only if they had permission before turning 18.
- They must live with you and be unmarried.
- When a child applies alone, the parents' income evidence is needed.
Information and evidence to provide
- Passports, copies of old visas and entry stamps, and details of previous immigration applications.
- Criminal convictions, National Insurance number, and a TB test result where it applies.
- Documents not in English or Welsh need a certified translation.
- An eVisa share code or BRP, English language evidence, and financial evidence: 6 months' payslips, a P60, bank statements or an employer letter; self-employed applicants use the last 6 months' income; cash savings over £16,000 can count.
Work and student visa families
Partners and children of people on a work or student visa cannot use the family route. They should apply as a dependant instead.
Related: document translation and copies, scanning and uploading documents, why photos are rejected, and the UK visa documents checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the family visa cost?
£2,064 if you apply from outside the UK, or £1,407 if you apply inside the UK. You pay the same again for each dependant.
How long can I stay on a family visa?
As a partner or spouse you can stay for 2 years 9 months, then extend.
How do I prove our relationship?
Evidence must come from government, bank, landlord, utility or medical professionals and be less than 4 years old — for example a marriage certificate, a joint tenancy, a joint account, or a letter from a doctor or dentist.
What are the four ways to qualify as a partner?
Being married or in a civil partnership; living together for 2 years; planning to marry within 6 months; or being in a relationship for 2 years but unable to live together because of work or study, or because it is not culturally accepted.
Can I use the family route if my partner is on a student or work visa?
No. Partners and children of work or student visa holders cannot use the family route — they should apply as a dependant instead.
Do documents need translating?
Yes. Documents that are not in English or Welsh need a certified translation.
Source: GOV.UK, "UK family visa" pages (gov.uk/uk-family-visa, /partner-spouse, /child, /provide-information) — retrieved 2026-09-29. Fees and requirements change, so confirm the current position on the official page before you apply.