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UK family visas, and how to choose yours
UK family visas let a child, parent or other relative join a family member in the UK. The route depends on who they are to you and on your own status: British, settled, or on a visa that allows dependants. Each route has its own rules on the relationship, care, finances and accommodation, and most can lead to settlement.
- 5 routes, by family relationship
- Most need a British or settled sponsor
- Most can lead to settlement
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Compare UK family visas
Each family route has its own test, and most depend on the status of the family member already in the UK.
Comparison table, scroll sideways to see every route
| Requirement | Joining a parent Child visa | Parent of a UK child Parent visa | Needs long-term care Adult dependent relative | UK-born grandparent UK Ancestry visa | Child of a visa holder Child dependant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Children joining or staying with a parent in the UK | Parents caring for a qualifying child in the UK | Adults needing long-term care from a relative in the UK | Commonwealth citizens and other eligible nationals with a qualifying UK-born grandparent | Children joining or staying with a parent on an eligible UK visa |
| UK family member must be | Parent with qualifying UK immigration status | Qualifying child living in the UK | Qualifying relative able to provide care and support | No sponsor needed | Parent on a visa allowing child dependants |
| Apply from | Outside or inside the UK (if eligible) | Outside or inside the UK (if eligible) | Outside the UK (initial application) | Outside the UK (initial application) | Outside or inside the UK (if eligible) |
| First visa length | Depends on parent’s status | 2 years 9 months (outside); 2 years 6 months (inside) | Indefinite or linked to sponsor’s status | 5 years | Usually matches parent’s visa |
| Leads to settlement | Yes, if eligible | Yes, after 5 years* | Immediate or later, depending on sponsor’s status | Yes, after 5 years* | Yes, if eligible under parent’s route |
| Typical decision time | 12 weeks outside; 8 weeks inside* | 12 weeks outside; about 12 months inside | 12 weeks outside; 8 weeks for eligible extensions inside | 3 weeks outside the UK | Depends on parent’s visa route |
| Full guide | Child visa guide | Parent visa guide | Adult dependent relative guide | UK Ancestry visa guide | Child dependant guide |
*Subject to eligibility and applicable settlement routes. Some inside-UK Child Visa applications take longer than 8 weeks. Processing times are estimates and may change.
Already in the UK on a family visa?
Your next step is usually one of these.
What family visas usually look at
Each route has its own rules. These are the areas the Home Office looks at most often.
- The family relationship
Birth certificates and other evidence that the relationship is as claimed.
- Financial support
Evidence that you can be supported without relying on public funds. Some routes have set amounts.
- Accommodation
Somewhere suitable to live that isn’t overcrowded.
- Care or parental responsibility
For parent and adult dependent relative visas, evidence of your role in the child’s life or of the care needed.
- Immigration history
Past refusals, overstaying or criminal records can affect the application.
Supporting a family member’s application?
If you’re the family member in the UK, much of the evidence comes from you, and for some routes you sign a formal undertaking to support them.
- Your status. Proof you’re British, settled or on a route that allows dependants.
- Your finances. Evidence you can support and house your family member.
- Adult dependent relatives. Evidence that the care they need isn’t available or affordable where they live.
- Children. Evidence of sole responsibility where only one parent lives in the UK.
What a family visa costs
The application fee depends on the route and where you apply from. Most applicants also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 a year. Adult dependent relatives don’t, because they’re granted indefinite leave.
Fees rise regularly, so if you’re sure of your route it’s worth applying as early as you can.
Worked example
Child visa, applying from outside the UK
Application fee £2,064 + health surcharge 3 × £1,035 = £5,169 per child
The surcharge depends on the length of the visa granted.
| Route | Application fee | Health surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Child or parent visa From outside the UK | £2,064 | £1,035 a year |
| Child or parent visa Extension or switch in the UK | £1,407 | £1,035 a year |
| Adult dependent relative From outside the UK | £3,635 | Not payable |
| UK Ancestry visa | £726 | £1,035 a year |
| Child dependant | Same as the parent’s route | £1,035 a year |
Home Office fees per applicant, from the 8 April 2026 schedule.
How we can help
From a first application to a refusal, at a fixed fee agreed before we start.
Visa application package We prepare and submit your application from start to finish. See what’s included → Application checking You prepare it, a regulated adviser reviews it before you submit. See what’s included → Visa appeals If you’re refused, we assess the merits and represent you. See what’s included →
What our clients say
What individuals, families and businesses say about working with QC Immigration.
Amin K. 
Monya R. QC have been invaluable throughout Home Office procedures for Tier 2 /ILR applications. The entire team is dedicated, professional and responds swiftly to queries. The application process was straightforward thanks to QC's skilful team. Highly recommended.
Danille D.
Once again, QC Immigration managed to help me with my visa extension. Without them, I'd have to deal with the stress of doing the application on my own. We made the right choice of continuing to work with QC Immigration. Thank you so much!!!
Mary
Outstanding service! QC provided precise, easy to follow advice and support throughout my permanent residence application process. The team is friendly, very professional, with invaluable in depth knowledge and advice that made the all process a pleasant experience. Highly recommended!
Ching-Fei L.
QC Immigration handled our application in a way that was truly professional, clear and to the point. They explained all the options and procedures clearly to us and showed great respect for our privacy. The whole process was trouble-free and the result successful! Great value for money!
Jessica C.
The are truly amazing and lovely as well as extremely professional. They not only helped us with all the paper work but also were supportive when we were worried and getting anxious. I will definitely contact them again when the next step comes and I highly recommend them.
Warwick B.
QC guided me from application to naturalisation and passport with efficiency, knowledge, patience and care. They were recommended to me by a prestigious Law firm and I recommend them to you...
Anna R.
Having engaged QC Immigration to support my citizenship application I could not have been more satisfied with the service. My case was handled consistently by the same person. Ligia guided me through the process and made it all very simple. Any questions I had along the way were answered promptly. I have been putting off my application for years feeling overwhelmed by the bureaucracy involved. With QC Immigration support I was able to secure a successful outcome quickly and with no stress whatsoever. Charge for the service was very reasonable considering the quality of support and the responsiveness.Read the full review
Diego G.
Xiaohan was so helpful with the process and we got accepted!
Tala A.
My partner and I had a great experience with QC. Both Dorota and Ninder were professional and attentive. I’d definitely work with them again.
Scott C. I recently engaged the services of QC Immigration to assist me in getting my first British passport. I applied from outside the British Isles and my situation was somewhat complex. Ninder and Dorota from QC treated me with the utmost of professionalism and courtesy. They took the time to review and explain my situation, and guide me through the steps of the application process, ensuring that my application stayed on track. With their expert assistance, my application was processed smoothly by HMPO and I received my new passport with no issues. I would highly recommend the services of QC Immigration to anyone who needs assistance navigating immigration, citizenship, or a VISA application to the UK.Read the full review
Maria R. We couldn’t be happier with QC Immigration. My partner and I applied for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa from Italy and received the decision in only 5 days after the biometrics appointment: truly incredible. Dorota followed us with exceptional kindness and professionalism, always available and supportive despite the large amount of documents we had to prepare. A special thank you also to Ninder! We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the entire process. We are over the moon and extremely grateful. Absolutely recommended!Read the full review
Nicholas S.
QC Immigration successfully secured British Citizenship through descent for my son. It was by no means guaranteed, but their extremely thorough approach and direction ensured that everything was done clearly and successfully. A special thanks to Ligia W. who supervised the whole process with patience and diligence. Many thanks! they are extremely good at what they do and they deliver!Read the full review
Anamaria C. I am deeply grateful to Ninder J. for her invaluable support regarding my son’s citizenship application. After waiting for over a year without progress, she kindly advised me to reach out to our regional MP for assistance. Thanks to her guidance, the application was successfully reviewed and resolved. What stands out most is that Ninder offered this advice freely, without charging, simply as a gesture of good citizenship and genuine care. Her professionalism, generosity, and commitment to helping others truly impressed me. I wholeheartedly recommend Ninder J. to anyone seeking honest, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal guidance. Her support made a real difference for my family, and I will always be thankful.Read the full review
Holland W.
Just an amazing experience with this team and their information, service and advice have been amazingly helpful.
Nikul K.
My experience with QC Immigration was outstanding. Ninder provided the most accurate and straightforward guidance. She explained every detail with great clarity and honesty, which made the whole process easy to understand and stress-free. Her expertise and professionalism are truly impressive. I’m very thankful for her support and would strongly recommend QC Immigration to anyone who wants reliable and clear immigration adviceRead the full review
Solomon P. Good service 👍
Ramzi H.
I want to thank QC Immigration, especially Dorota, and Ninder for their great support. My case wasn’t easy at all – I had received a refusal with a 10-year ban because the Home Office considered one of my documents suspicious. It was a very stressful time, but Dorota took over my application and handled everything with so much care and attention. She always explained things clearly, kept me updated . What really makes Dorota special is not only her professionalism, but also her passion and the way she genuinely cares. She fought hard for fairness in my case. After months of waiting, I finally received a positive outcome, and I am sure this wouldn’t have happened without her. I’m truly grateful to Dorota. If you are looking for someone who is not only highly professional but also kind, supportive, and truly dedicated, I can’t recommend her enough.Read the full review
Emilie W.
Competent, empathetic and knowledgable support and guidance through my application for a student visa !! A special thank you to Sara and Xiaohan who supported me through it and who was always quick with answers.
Hakunawadi P.
The team is exceptionally professional, and meticulous. No excuses. I would recommend them to anyone in need any day. Thank you very much.
Questions about UK family visas
For route-specific questions, see each guide.
Possibly, through the adult dependent relative visa, but it’s one of the hardest routes. Your parent must need long-term personal care because of age, illness or disability, and you must show that care isn’t available or affordable where they live. We assess this carefully before anyone applies.
Usually, yes. If you’re British or settled, your child can apply for a child visa. If you’re on a work or study visa that allows dependants, they apply as your dependant instead. Where only one parent is in the UK, you may need to show sole responsibility or serious reasons for the move.
Commonwealth citizens aged 17 or over who can prove a grandparent was born in the UK, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and who plan to work here. You must be able to support yourself without public funds. You don’t need a job offer before you apply.
No. A child visa is for joining a British or settled parent. A child dependant visa is for joining a parent who’s in the UK on a work, study or other visa that allows dependants. The rules, length and route to settlement follow the parent’s visa.
Most do. Adult dependent relatives are granted indefinite leave from the start. Other routes can lead to settlement once the qualifying period in their rules is met. Current qualifying periods may change under government proposals, so we confirm the position for your case.
Depending on the decision, you may be able to apply again with stronger evidence, ask for an administrative review or appeal. Family and human rights refusals often carry a right of appeal. The refusal letter sets out your options and the deadline, so act quickly.
Tell us what you need help with
A regulated adviser reviews your situation and comes back with an honest next step within one working day.
- An IAA-regulated UK immigration adviser reviews your case.
- A personal reply with your next step, within one working day.
- No payment required. Fixed fees if you proceed.
- 4.9 on Google
- IAA Level 3 · the highest tier
- 7,000+ clients helped
- Fast-track support
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