UK Immigration
Family Visa

UK Family Visa Applications - Immigration Solicitors Manchester

Individuals who wish to join family members in the United Kingdom must apply under the UK family immigration rules. These rules allow certain relatives of British citizens or persons settled in the UK to live together in the United Kingdom.

At TM Fortis Solicitors, our experienced immigration solicitors in Manchester assist families with a wide range of family visa applications, including spouse visas, fiancé visas, dependant visas and UK Ancestry applications.

Family visa applications must meet strict requirements relating to relationships, finances, accommodation and immigration status, and careful preparation is essential to avoid refusals.

Family Members Who Can Apply to Join Relatives in the UK

UK immigration law allows certain family members of British citizens or individuals with settled status to apply for permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom.

These may include:

Spouses or civil partners
Unmarried or long-term partners
Fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners
Children
Adult dependent relatives in limited circumstances
Commonwealth nationals applying under the UK Ancestry route

Each immigration route has its own requirements under the Immigration Rules.

Spouse and Civil Partner Visas

If you wish to live in the United Kingdom with your husband, wife or civil partner who is a British citizen or settled in the UK, you will normally need to apply for a Spouse Visa.

Applicants must generally demonstrate that:

The relationship is genuine and subsisting
The couple intend to live together permanently in the UK
The financial requirements of the Immigration Rules are met
There is suitable accommodation available
The applicant meets the English language requirement

Successful applicants are normally granted permission to stay in the UK for an initial period of 30 months.

After completing five years of residence under the spouse route, applicants may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and later British citizenship.

During the visa period, the applicant is normally permitted to work in the United Kingdom.

Fiancé(e) and Proposed Civil Partner Visas

Individuals who intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the United Kingdom with a British citizen or settled person may apply for a Fiancé(e) visa or Proposed Civil Partner visa.

This visa allows the applicant to enter the UK for up to six months in order to marry or form a civil partnership.

Once the marriage or civil partnership has taken place, the applicant can apply from within the UK for a Spouse Visa or Civil Partner Visa.

Applicants must demonstrate that:

The relationship is genuine
The couple intend to marry or enter a civil partnership within six months
The financial requirements are met
There is suitable accommodation available

Children and Dependants

Children may be able to join a parent in the United Kingdom if the parent is a British citizen or settled person.

Applications must demonstrate that:

The child is under the age of 18
The child is not living an independent life
The parent in the UK has sole responsibility for the child or there are serious and compelling family circumstances

Children granted permission to join a parent in the UK may later qualify for settlement.

Adult Dependent Relative Visas

In limited circumstances, elderly relatives may be able to apply to join family members in the United Kingdom under the Adult Dependent Relative visa route.

This route is available where the applicant: