UK Family Visa Guide 2026: Partner, Parent and Child Routes
A UK Family visa may apply when joining certain family members for more than 6 months. Start with the relationship and purpose: partner, parent, child, long-term care, a temporary visit, and work or study dependants all use different rules.
Costs, funds and key figures
Family routes differ for partners, children, parents and adult dependent relatives. A visitor usually must leave the UK to apply; limited exceptions exist. Do not use the partner figures for another family category.
Figures checked against the official source on 7 August 2026. Government charges and rules can change.Application fee for joining a qualifying family member from outside the UK.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Partner, parent or child — inside£1,407 per personApplication fee for an eligible extension or switch from inside the UK.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Partner income requirementUsually £29,000 a yearCombined gross annual income for most new partner applications. Some extensions first made before 11 April 2024 use transitional rules.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Healthcare surchargeUsually £1,035 per adult yearGOV.UK examples: £2,587.50 for an adult granted 2 years 6 months outside the UK, or £3,105 for 2 years 9 months inside the UK. Under-18 rate is £776 per year.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗AccommodationAdequate housing requiredPrepare evidence of the proposed accommodation and that it will not be overcrowded. Exact evidence depends on the family route.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Start with the family relationship and purpose
Family visas, work or study dependant routes, and temporary family visits use different rules. Choose the general subject that matches what you are researching.
Relationship, sponsor status, financial and English requirements.
Read focused guide →Parent visaThe qualifying child, parental responsibility and application pathways.
Read focused guide →Child family visaChildren applying with, joining or extending with a parent.
Read focused guide →Fiancé vs Marriage VisitorMarry and remain, or marry during a temporary visit and leave.
Read focused guide →General dependant routesWork and study dependants are separate from the Family visa route.
Read focused guide →Standard Visitor visaFor a temporary family visit rather than living in the UK.
Read focused guide →Family route calculator
Use the intended visa duration for the IHS estimate. Partial years are calculated by the official application.
Family categories and fee waivers can differ. Verify the exact category before paying.
Priority and super priority are optional and are not available for every route, location or appointment. Selecting one here does not confirm availability.
General eligibility points
Use these as research prompts. Meeting them does not guarantee a successful application.
- The applicant has a qualifying relationship with the person in the UK.
- The UK-based family member has a status accepted by the relevant route.
- The financial, accommodation and English requirements are met where they apply.
- The relationship and intention to live together can be evidenced where required.
Document checklist
The exact evidence depends on the route and circumstances.
- Current passport and relevant previous immigration documents.
- Evidence of the qualifying family relationship.
- Financial documents such as payslips and bank statements where required.
- Accommodation and English-language evidence where applicable.
- TB certificate and certified translations where required.
Outside and inside the UK are different pathways
Choose the column matching where the applicant will be when they apply. This is general orientation; always check the linked GOV.UK route page.
Four preparation steps
Identify the correct family category
Check the sponsor’s UK status
Review financial and English requirements
Collect relationship and accommodation evidence
Check the current GOV.UK rules
Government requirements can change. Use these official pages as the authoritative source.
Administrative document checklist — £20 per document
We check legibility, orientation, page order and file naming, and record whether the document type appears on the published GOV.UK checklist you selected. We do not decide whether the document satisfies an immigration requirement or recommend evidence.
Important boundary: this is an administrative comparison, not immigration advice. We do not decide whether a document proves a requirement, is sufficient for a particular case or is likely to be accepted. We do not recommend evidence, interpret refusals or guarantee an outcome. Do not send documents through the enquiry form; secure delivery instructions must be agreed first.
Request a document quality check →Family visa FAQs
Is a Family visa the same as a dependant visa?+
No. Family visas and dependant routes are separate. The correct route depends on the status and visa category of the main person in the UK.
Does marriage automatically qualify someone?+
No. The relationship, sponsor status, financial and other requirements must all be assessed under the current rules.
Can a visitor switch to a Family visa?+
Usually not, although limited exceptions can apply. Applicants should check the official in-country rules before taking action.