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Partner and family visas

Bringing a partner, spouse, fiance, child or dependent relative to live with you in the UK, and extending or settling once they are here.

Who can sponsor

The UK-based partner must normally be a British or Irish citizen, or hold indefinite leave to remain, or hold EU Settlement Scheme status based on residence before 1 January 2021, or have protection or stateless leave, or be a Turkish Businessperson or Worker.

Partner, spouse and civil partner

• Both people must be 18 or over and intend to live together permanently in the UK.
• The relationship is proved by a marriage or civil partnership, or by living together for at least two years, or as a fiance or proposed civil partner.
• The first grant is normally two years and nine months, then an extension of two years and six months, with settlement usually available at the five-year point.
• The fiance route gives six months with no right to work; you marry in the UK and then switch.

Financial requirement

The minimum income requirement is £29,000 a year, set on 11 April 2024. People who applied before that date continue under the older figures of £18,600 plus additions for children. Where the sponsor receives qualifying disability or carer benefits, an adequate maintenance test applies instead.

In August 2025 the Migration Advisory Committee recommended a lower range of roughly £23,000 to £25,000. No change has been made - £29,000 remains the requirement in August 2026. Cash savings can be used as an alternative or a top-up; the exact calculation depends on Appendix FM-SE and should be checked case by case.

English language

• First application: CEFR A1.
• First extension: A2 in speaking and listening.
• Settlement: B1 today, rising to B2 on 26 March 2027 - this affects people already part-way through a five-year route.
• Exemptions cover applicants aged 65 or over, adult dependent relatives, certain medical conditions and nationals of specified majority English-speaking countries.

Parent of a child in the UK

For a parent who does not qualify as a partner. The child must be under 18 at the date of application, live in the UK and be British or Irish, settled, or otherwise qualifying. There is no minimum income requirement, but you must show adequate maintenance without public funds and have sole responsibility or direct access rights.

Adult dependent relative

A demanding route. The applicant must need long-term personal care for everyday tasks because of illness, disability or age, and that care must be unavailable or unaffordable in their home country. Where the sponsor is British, Irish or settled, a successful application usually results in indefinite leave to enter immediately.

Fees and timing

• Partner, parent or child: £2,064 from outside the UK, £1,407 from inside, per person.
• Adult dependent relative: £3,635 from outside the UK.
• Health surcharge for a two years nine months grant: £3,105 adult, £2,328 child.
• Decisions: around 12 weeks outside the UK and eight weeks inside where the requirements are met.

How PRIMEVISA helps

• Structuring the financial evidence, including self-employment, dividends, savings and combined income.
• Relationship evidence and witness statements that address the caseworker guidance directly.
• Exception cases: Article 8, insurmountable obstacles, exceptional circumstances and applications after a refusal.
• Timing the five-year route around the March 2027 English language change.

This page summarises guidance published on GOV.UK and was last reviewed on 18 August 2026. It is general information, not immigration advice on your own case. PRIMEVISA LTD is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, registration F201600043.

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