If you are from outside of the EEA and you intend to live with a family member in the UK for longer than 6 months, you may need to apply for a family visa.

You can apply for a family visa to live with your spouse or partner, fiancé or proposed civil partner, child, parent or relative who will provide long-term care for you.

The eligibility requirements differ depending on the category under which you are applying.

Visa Duration/ Settlement

Spouse or partner: the visa will be issued for an initial duration of 2 years and 6 months. Following this the visa can be extended for a further 2 years and 6 months and you may be eligible to apply for settlement after a period of 5 years.

Fiance/ proposed civil partner: the visa will be issued for an initial duration of 6 months. You must get married and apply to switch your status into the spouse/ civil partner category within the validity of the 6-month visa.

Parent: the visa will be issued for an initial duration of 2 years and 6 months. Following this the visa can be extended for a further 2 years and 6 months and you may be eligible to apply for settlement after a period of 5 years.

Child: the visa will be issued in line with the status of the parent.

Parent or relative who will provide long-term care: the visa will be issued for an unlimited period if you applied to join a family member who is British or settled in the UK – you will not need to apply to extend or settle; or as long as your family member’s stay if they have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK – in this situation need to apply to extend or settle when they do.

Please contact us to discuss this further.