UK Family Visit Visa

What is the UK Family Visit Visa

The UK Family Visit Visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route designed for overseas nationals who wish to visit family members in the UK. You can apply for this visa up to three months before your planned travel date.

Visa nationals must apply for this visa if they are on the Home Office's list of nationalities that require a Visit Visa before travelling to the UK. The Home Office has issued a list of nationalities that must obtain a Visit Visa before travelling to the UK as a visitor.

The UK Family Visit Visa provides options to suit different needs. You can choose a short-term visa valid for up to 6 months or opt for long-term visas that allow multiple entries over 2, 5, or even 10 years. This flexibility enables regular visits to the UK without the need for frequent reapplications. However, each stay in the UK can be at most 6 months.

Permitted Activities

Under the UK Family Visitor Visa, the Home Office allows visa holders to participate in a range of activities, including:

• Visiting friends and family in the UK
• Travelling to the UK for a holiday or vacation
• Passing through the UK on the way to another country (transit)
• Engaging in certain business activities, such as attending meetings or interviews
• Volunteering for up to 30 days with a registered charity
• Participating in a school exchange program
• Taking part in educational exchanges or visits with state-funded, academy, or independent schools
• Attending a course of study (excluding English language courses) for up to 30 days
• Joining a recreational course of up to 30 days, such as a dance course

Eligibility Criteria for the Family Visit Visa

To qualify for the Family Visit Visa, applicants must demonstrate that they are genuine visitors who intend to leave the UK after their visit. Additionally, applicants must prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependents during their stay.

All visitors must individually meet the Visitor route requirements regardless of whether they are travelling in a group.

Genuine Visitor Requirement

Meeting the genuine visitor requirement involves proving your intention to return home after your visit. This can be demonstrated through evidence of strong personal ties, such as stable employment or ongoing education. Documents like an employer’s letter, business registration papers, or a supporting letter can further substantiate your intent to leave the UK after your visit. A history of previous international travel can also help establish your credibility as a genuine visitor.

Sufficient Funds

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover their stay in the UK, including travel, accommodation, and living expenses. This can be proven through financial documents like bank statements or building society books. Alternatively, a third party, such as a family member, can cover the costs, provided evidence of a genuine professional or personal relationship with the applicant.

Exceptions to Multi-Entry

While most visit visas allow multiple entries into the UK during their validity, certain exceptions apply, including:

• Visits by children sponsored by charities
• Attending the funeral of an immediate family member
• Visiting an immediate family member who is pregnant or seriously ill
• Acting as a key witness in a criminal, civil, or family court case

Additionally, a family member may come to the UK to care for a child, provided the visit is short and does not constitute employment as a child-minder. The visitor should not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits.

Required Documents

To apply for the UK Family Visit Visa, you must provide the documents including:

• Valid Passport: Must have at least one blank page.
• Information about Your Circumstances: Details about your situation in your home country and the purpose of your visit to the UK.
• Sponsor Documentation: If a sponsor (such as a family member or employer) is providing for your travel, maintenance, or accommodation, include evidence of your relationship, such as a family connection or employment status.
• Proof of Relationship: If your family name differs from your parent or guardian, provide evidence of the relationship, such as a birth or adoption certificate or a marriage or divorce certificate of your parent or guardian.
• Proof of Earnings: A letter from your employer showing your salary.
• Previous Passports: Copies showing evidence of travel to other countries.
• Proof of Legal Residence: Documentation confirming your legal residence in your home country.
• Financial Documents: Bank statements or building society books detailing the source of funds.
• Sponsor's Legal Status: If applicable, proof that your sponsor is legally in the UK, such as a British passport or residence document.

Processing Times

The processing time for a UK Family Visit Visa is generally around 3 weeks. However, to account for any unexpected delays, it is advisable to apply well before your intended travel dates.

Actual processing times can vary due to several factors, including:

• The complexity of your case
• The volume of applications being processed
• The time of year, with potential delays during peak travel seasons
• The need for further investigations or interviews

Priority Family Visit Visa Processing

For those who need to expedite their UK Family Visit Visa application, premium processing options are available:

• Priority Service: For an additional £500 on top of the standard application fee, this service aims to provide a decision within five working days.
• Super Priority Service: For an additional £1000, this service typically delivers a decision by the end of the next working day following your appointment, provided the appointment is on a weekday.

UK Family Visit Visa Fees

The cost of a UK Family Visit Visa varies based on the duration of the visa. Longer-term visas have higher fees. The current fees are as follows:

• Short-term visa (up to 6 months): £115
• 2-year visa: £432
• 5-year visa: £771
• 10-year visa: £963

How to Apply for a Family Visit Visa

To apply for a UK Family Visit Visa, you need to complete and prepare everything and then apply online. You can apply up to three months before your planned travel date, and it’s advisable to allow extra time in case of any unexpected issues.

1. Online Application Form:
   • Complete the online application form available on the official UK government website. You can save your progress and complete the form later if needed. Ensure all required information is accurate, including travel dates, accommodation details, estimated travel costs, and your current home address.
2. Pay the Application Fee:
   • Pay the non-refundable application fee. Check the current fee schedule on the official website.
3. Upload Supporting Documentation:
   • Upload the required supporting documents and ensure all documents are clear, legible, and meet the Home Office requirements.
4. Book an Appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC):
   • Book an appointment for submitting biometric information. Biometric data, including fingerprints and a digital photograph, are required for identity verification.
5. Complete the Declaration:
   • Complete a declaration confirming the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
6. Attend Your VAC Appointment:
   • Attend the Visa Application Centre to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and digital photographs.

Family Visit Visa Refusal

Common Reasons for Refusal

• Insufficient Evidence: Failing to provide adequate documentation to meet the eligibility criteria or if it has not been possible to verify the information provided.
• Unclear Purpose of Visit: Not clearly stating the main reason for your visit can lead to denial.
• Suspicion of Misusing the Visitor Visa Scheme: If the Home Office suspects that you intend to settle in the UK rather than visit, your visa may be refused.
• National Security Concerns: Any perceived threat to national security is a common ground for refusal.
• Past Breaches of Immigration Rules: A history of non-compliance with immigration regulations can negatively impact your application.
• Unspent Criminal Convictions: Any criminal history, especially unspent convictions, may result in visa denial.
• Genuine Visitor Concerns: Failing to prove that you are a genuine visitor or lacking sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay can result in refusal.
• Lack of Ties to Home Country: Having few or no family and economic ties to your country of residence, especially if you have several family members in the UK, can be seen as a risk factor for not returning home.

Next Steps After Refusal

If your visa application is refused, you will receive an email explaining the reasons and outlining the next steps. You can either:

1. Make a Fresh Application: In many cases, this will be the fastest and most efficient way to proceed. There is no specific time limit or deadline for reapplying for a UK Family Visit Visa. However, you should address all the issues identified in the refusal. Ensure that all requirements are met and provide additional supporting evidence as needed.
2. Challenge the Decision: If you believe the decision was unlawful, unreasonable, or procedurally improper, you may consider applying for a Judicial Review. Challenging the decision on legal grounds is complex, and we always advise seeking expert advice to assess the chances of success.

Get Legal Support and Advice

Our team of expert immigration lawyers can assist and support you through every stage of your family visitor visa application process. We have successfully helped thousands of individuals navigate the complex UK visa application process. Our experience can help you avoid the stress and uncertainty often associated with applying for a visa, ensuring that you submit the strongest application possible.

From understanding eligibility criteria to completing the application process and knowing the costs involved, we provide guidance at each step of the process, including:

• Document Check: We thoroughly review your documents to ensure they meet all necessary requirements for your application.
• Letter of Representation: We prepare a detailed Letter of Representation to accompany your application. This letter outlines your case, highlights its merits, and references relevant UK immigration laws in support of your application.
• Liaison with the Home Office: We communicate with the Home Office throughout your application process, addressing any concerns or queries they may have.