Apply to join family living permanently in the UK

You’ll need a ‘family of a settled person’ visa if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and you want to join, for 6 months or more, a partner or family member who’s living in the UK permanently.

Partner of a British Citizen or a settled person in the UK

 Partner visa category allows spouses, unmarried or same-sex partners and fiancé(e)s of UK citizen or permanent resident to come and live with their family in the UK.

 A partner is a:

• Spouse (husband, wife); or
• Civil partner; or
• Unmarried partner; or
• Same-sex partner; or
• Fiance(e);
• Proposed civil partner.

 If you wish to come to the UK under partner visa category, you are usually required to be of a minimum 18 years of age, meet English language, accommodation and financial requirements. You are also required to demonstrate that you have a genuine and existing relationship.

 Spouse Visa

 If you have married to a British Citizen or settled person in the UK you can apply for a spouse visa. If you are outside the UK, you can apply for entry clearance a spouse by making VAF4A online Application. If you are already in the UK with a valid visa under a different immigration category, you can switch into spouse visa from inside the UK by making FLR (M) application to the Home Office.

 Unmarried Partner Visa

 If you are an unmarried or same sex partner of a British Citizen or of a settled person in the UK, you can apply for UK unmarried partner visa. If you are outside the UK, you can apply for entry clearance as an unmarried partner by making online application. If you are already in the UK with a valid visa under a different immigration category, you can switch into an unmarried partner visa from inside the UK by making FLR (M) application to the Home Office.

 Fiance(e) Visa

If you are a fiance(e) of a British Citizen or a settled person in the UK and you are currently outside the UK, you can apply for entry clearance as a fiancée by making an online application. If you application is successful, you will be issued a visa for six months. During your stay in the UK as a fiancée, you can register your marriage with the Registry office. After you have registered your marriage, you can switch into spouse visa by making FLR (M) application to the Home office.

 Proposed Civil Partner Visa

If you are a proposed civil partner of a British Citizen or a settled person in the UK, you can apply for entry clearance as a proposed civil partner by making an online application. If your application is successful you will be issued with a six months visa. During your stay as a proposed civil partner in the UK, you can register your civil partnership with your civil partner. After you have registered your civil partnership, you can switch into a civil partner visa by making FLR (M) application to the Home Office.

 Civil partner Visa

If you are a civil partner of a British Citizen or of a settled person in the UK, you can apply for UK civil partner visa. If you are outside the UK, you can apply for an entry clearance as a civil partner by making an online application. If you are already in the UK with a valid visa under a different category, you can switch into civil partner visa from inside the UK by making FLR (M) application to the Home Office.

 You don’t need a ‘family of a settled person’ visa to visit your family for up to 6 months, but you should check if you need a Family Visitor visa.

Your family member can:

• be a British citizen
• have settled in the UK
• have asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to:

• join your partner (spouse, fiancé(e), civil or unmarried partner)
• join your parent
• come to look after your child
• come to be looked after by family

Exceptions

You may need to apply in a different way if:

• your partner is from the EEA
• you’re inside the UK
• you want to reunite with a partner or parent who has asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK

How long it takes

You should get a decision on your visa within 12 weeks.