Personal Immigration · IAA Regulated F201000109
UK Family Visas
Family visas allow close relatives to join loved ones in the UK — partners, parents, children and dependent relatives. We prepare and present applications that meet the Immigration Rules first time, and challenge refusals where they are wrong.
Family reunion applications turn on evidence, not good intentions. Our advisers assess your relationship, finances and accommodation against the current rules, tell you honestly where the risks are, and build an application the Home Office can grant without further enquiry.
Who this is for
These routes are for families where a relative outside the UK needs permission to join a British citizen, an Irish citizen, or a person with settled status, Pre-Settled Status or qualifying leave in the UK.
They commonly apply to a child joining a parent who has moved to the UK for work; a parent seeking contact with a British child; an elderly relative who can no longer manage independently overseas; or a Commonwealth citizen with UK ancestry who wants to live and work here. Each has separate requirements and its own evidential standard, so the first step is confirming which route actually fits.
Family visa routes we handle
Child Visa
For a child under 18 joining a parent or relative who is British, settled or holds qualifying leave in the UK. The child must be unmarried, financially dependent and adequately cared for and accommodated in the UK. Where only one parent is relocating, evidence of sole responsibility or the other parent's consent is normally required.
Parent Visa
For the parent of a British, Irish or settled child living in the UK. You must show sole parental responsibility or direct access to and involvement in the child's upbringing, and that you are not applying as a partner. This is a document-heavy and frequently refused route where careful preparation matters.
Adult Dependent Relative Visa
For elderly parents, grandparents or seriously disabled relatives who need long-term personal care. The care required must be unavailable or unaffordable in their home country. It is one of the most demanding routes in the Immigration Rules and depends on strong independent medical and country evidence.
UK Ancestry Visa
For Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK. The route permits work and self-employment, allows dependants to join you, and can lead to settlement after a qualifying period of continuous residence. Birth and marriage certificates linking each generation are essential.
EU Settlement Scheme family routes
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members who were resident in the UK before the end of the transition period may still qualify for Settled or Pre-Settled Status, including late applications supported by reasonable grounds.
Learn morePartner & spouse routes
If you are joining a spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e) or unmarried partner rather than a parent or child, the partner routes will usually be the correct application. We advise on which route best fits your circumstances.
Learn moreEligibility essentials
Almost every family application is assessed against three pillars. Weakness in any one of them is the most common cause of refusal.
Relationship evidence
You must prove the relationship is genuine and, where relevant, subsisting. That means official documents such as birth, marriage or civil partnership certificates, plus a consistent evidential trail of contact and dependency.
- Certificates establishing each link in the family relationship
- Evidence of ongoing contact, care or financial support
- Consent or sole responsibility evidence for children where applicable
Financial requirement
Sponsors must show they can maintain and accommodate the applicant without recourse to public funds. Depending on the route this is either a specified minimum income threshold or an adequate maintenance test.
- Payslips, bank statements and employer letters over the specified period
- Self-employment or company accounts where relevant
- Savings held for the required continuous period
Income thresholds and permitted evidence change periodically — we confirm the figures that apply on the date of your application.
Accommodation
You must show adequate accommodation is available and will not be overcrowded under statutory standards.
- Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement or land registry title
- Letter of permission from the property owner where you live with family
- Property inspection report in overcrowding-sensitive cases
Our process
A clear, four-stage process from first conversation to decision — with a named adviser throughout.
- 01
Consultation
We review your circumstances, confirm the correct route and set out realistic prospects, timescales and costs before you instruct us.
- 02
Document review
You receive a tailored document schedule. We check every item against the specified evidence rules and flag gaps early.
- 03
Application
We complete and submit the application with a legal representations letter addressing the requirements and any weak points head-on.
- 04
Decision
We handle Home Office correspondence, respond to requests for further information and advise on next steps, including appeal rights if needed.
Refused family visa applications
Family refusals frequently rest on evidential shortfalls rather than genuine ineligibility — missing specified documents, an unclear sole responsibility position, or income calculated on the wrong basis. Depending on the decision you may have a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, a right to administrative review, or the option of a better-prepared fresh application. We will tell you which is the strongest route and why.
Bring your family together with confidence
Speak to an IAA-regulated adviser about your family visa options. We will explain exactly what you need to prove, and what it will cost, before you commit.