Family Visitor Visa UK

You may need to apply for a UK Family Visitor Visa (a sub-category of the Standard Visitor Visa) if you're planning to visit family or friends in the UK.

For immediate assistance with your Family Visitor Visa application, call us at 0158 235 9990 or fill in the enquiry form.

What is a Family Visitor Visa UK?

The Family Visit visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor visa, allowing individuals to visit their family and friends who are legally residing in the UK.

Family Visitor visas are generally valid for up to 6 months. You must provide clear reasons for your visit, demonstrate your intention to return home after your stay, and show proof of sufficient funds.

During this time, you can attend family events, reunions, holidays, or simply spend time with your loved ones. However, you cannot work, study long-term, or access public funds on this visa.

What you cannot do with a Family Visitor Visa?

This visa has some limits. You can't:

• Work, paid or unpaid in the UK.
• Stay or work long-term in the UK.
• Get public funds like grants.
• Apply for business grants; you need to show you can support yourself.

Eligibility requirements for a Family Visitor visa

To apply for a UK Family Visitor Visa, you must meet certain eligibility criteria:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK.
• You must complete the online application form for the Standard Visitor Visa.
• You must prove that you are visiting a close family member or friend who is legally residing in the UK.
• You need to demonstrate your intention to leave the UK after your visit.
• You must show that you can financially support yourself during your stay in the UK.
• You must provide evidence of where you will be staying during your visit.
• You need to demonstrate that you have no criminal history or immigration violations.

Documents required for the UK Family Visitor visa

To apply for a UK Family Visitor Visa, you need to provide several important documents. These are needed to meet the general visa requirements:

• A valid passport or travel document.
• A completed online application form.
• A recent passport-sized photograph.
• Evidence of the purpose of the visit, such as a letter of invitation from a UK sponsor or travel itinerary.
• Proof that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, such as travel documents showing your planned dates.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of the visit, such as bank statements or payslips.
• Evidence of accommodation arrangements in the UK, such as hotel bookings or a letter of invitation from a host.
• Your immigration history and details of your travels in the past 10 years.
• Any criminal or immigration offences you may have committed.
• Additional documents related to the specific purpose of your visit.

To make your visa application stronger, gather a detailed portfolio of supporting documents. These should prove your eligibility and the purpose of your visit. Remember, any non-English or non-Welsh documents must be accompanied by a certified translation.

How to apply for a Family Visitor Visa to visit the UK?

The UK Family Visitor Visa application is online. Follow these steps:

1. Complete the Online Application

Go to the official UK government website for visas (GOV.UK) and fill out the online visa application form. You'll need to provide personal details, the purpose of your visit, and your travel history.

2. Pay the Visa Fee

The fee for a Family Visitor Visa is £115 for stays up to six months. If you need to stay longer, the fee might be higher.

3. Book an Appointment for Biometrics

After applying, book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) for your biometric information. These centres are in major cities worldwide.

4. Prepare Supporting Documents

Supporting documents are key to showing you meet the visa requirements. You'll need:

• Valid passport (with a blank page for the visa).
• Bank statements or payslips showing financial stability.
• Accommodation details (hotel reservations, invitation letters from family or friends).
• Travel itinerary (flight bookings, travel plans).

All documents should be in English or Welsh, or translated by a certified translator.

5. Attend the Visa Appointment

At your appointment, submit your biometric information and provide your documents. This step must be done in person.

6. Waiting for a Decision

After you've sent in your application and biometric data, it usually takes 3 weeks for a decision. You can check your application's status online. Sometimes, you might need to provide more documents or have an interview, which can slow things down.

UK Family Visitor Visa application fees

Long-term Family Visitor Visas are available for extended stays. These can be for 2, 5, or 10 years, at an extra cost. They let you enter and exit the UK many times without needing to reapply. But, each visit can only last up to six months.

• Short-term (up to 6 months) Visa: £115
• Longer-term (up to 2 years, with 6 months per visit) Multiple-Entry Visa: £432
• Longer-term (up to 5 years, with 6 months per visit) Multiple-Entry Visa: £771
• Longer-term (up to 10 years, with 6 months per visit) Multiple-Entry Visa: £963

What happens after you receive your visa?

When you get your visa, you'll see a vignette (sticker) in your passport. This vignette shows when your visa is valid and what you can do while you're there.

When you arrive in the UK, show your visa to the immigration officer. They might ask you questions to make sure you're visiting for the right reasons. Keep your travel plans and where you're staying ready to show them.

UK Family Visitor Visa processing time

UK Family Visitor Visa usually takes about 3 weeks to get a visa decision after you apply and give your biometrics. But, it can take longer depending on where you are.

Tips for a successful visa application

• Start Early: Apply for your visa at least 3 months before you plan to travel.
• Be Honest: Always give true and accurate information on your visa application.
• Double-check Documents: Make sure all your documents are complete and correct. Incomplete or wrong documents can cause delays or even refusal.
• Explain Your Intentions: Clearly state your plans to return home to avoid any worries about overstaying.