Overview
If you want to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months, you need to apply for a family visa. You can apply for a family visa from outside the UK to live with your spouse, partner, child, parent, or relative who will take care of you.
If you are coming to the UK for less than 6 months, you should check if you need a different visa. If you are already in the UK on a family visa, you can apply to extend your stay with your family member at any time before your visa expires.
If you are extending your visa to stay with the same family member, you can only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa. Before extending your visa, check how much time you need to live in the UK before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain.
If you already lived in the UK for many years, you might be able to apply to stay on the basis of your private life. If you came to the UK on a different visa, you might be able to switch to a family visa to stay with your spouse, child, or parent before your current visa expires.
How long it takes
If you apply outside the UK, a decision will usually be made within 24 weeks. However, if you submit your application within the UK, the standard service aims to provide a decision within 8 weeks from the date of application. For faster processing, you can opt for the super priority service, which offers expedited decision-making. Under this service, if you attend a biometric information appointment on a weekday, a decision will typically be made by the end of the next working day. Alternatively, if your appointment falls on a weekend, the decision will usually be made within 2 working days after providing your biometric information. It is important to note that working days are defined as Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. It is worth mentioning that the processing time may be extended if your application is deemed complex. Complexities may arise if you fail to meet the minimum income requirement, cannot provide evidence of your English language proficiency, are required to attend an interview, have not submitted all the necessary evidence requested by the Home Office, or possess a criminal conviction or other personal circumstances that necessitate further review.
Other ways you can stay
There are alternative avenues to consider if you wish to remain in the UK. Firstly, if you have been a victim of domestic abuse or if your partner has passed away, you may be eligible to apply for settlement. This option is available to those who previously had permission to stay in the UK as a partner. Additionally, if you have a family member who has been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK, you can explore the possibility of applying for “family reunion” to join them. This applies specifically to partners or parents with refugee status or humanitarian protection.
For individuals or families from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, there are specific considerations. If you or a close family member started residing in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may qualify for the free EU Settlement Scheme. This scheme enables you to secure your status in the UK. However, if you do not meet this criterion, you will need to obtain a visa or family permit to enter and reside in the UK.
It is important to note that Irish citizens enjoy different privileges in this context. They do not need to apply for a visa or for the EU Settlement Scheme.
However, please be aware that there are circumstances where applying for or switching to a family visa may not be feasible.
Your family member has a work visa or student visa
If your family member is temporarily in the UK on a work visa or student visa, you are not eligible to apply for a family visa. Instead, you can consider applying to stay with them as a dependant. This route allows you to accompany and reside with your family member during their stay in the UK.
You have a visitor visa or a visa for 6 months or less
In the event that you hold a visitor visa or a visa with a duration of 6 months or less, it is typically necessary to leave the UK in order to apply for a family visa. This applies if you have been granted permission to be in the UK as a visitor or if your visa has a duration of 6 months or less. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. If you possess either a 6-month family visa as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, or if you have been granted permission to stay in the UK pending the outcome of a family court case or divorce, you might be able to switch to a family visa while remaining in the UK.