Family visa in United Kingdom

• You and your partner must both be 18 or over, and you must intend to live together permanently in the UK after you apply.
• Your partner (the sponsor) must be a British or Irish citizen, or settled in the UK, or an EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein national with pre-settled status who started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, or hold a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa, or have protection status, or be a stateless person who received permission before you became their partner.
• You show the relationship in one of four ways: a marriage or civil partnership recognised in the UK, living together for at least 2 years when you apply, being a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner who will marry or form a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving, or a relationship of at least 2 years where you cannot live together (for example for work, study or cultural reasons) with an ongoing commitment. Evidence must be less than 4 years old.
• The Immigration Rules define an unmarried partner as someone in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years before the date of application.
• A visit of 6 months or less needs a Standard Visitor or Marriage Visitor visa, not a family visa. The same GOV.UK guide has separate categories for a parent, a child, an adult coming to be cared for by a relative, and private life.
• If your partner is a Skilled Worker, you join as a dependant on their visa rather than on this route.
• You may still qualify without meeting every test if you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen, or has lived in the UK for 7 years, and it would be unreasonable for them to leave, or if refusing you would breach your human rights.

Sources: GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026.

• The standard test is a combined gross income of about £29,000 a year. To be safe, have more than £30,000 a year.
• If your partner receives certain disability or carer's benefits, there is no minimum income. You must instead show that you can house and support yourselves without public funds.
• Someone extending a partner visa first granted before 11 April 2024, with the same partner, faces a lower income test of about £18,600 a year. To be safe, have more than £19,000 a year.
• In extension cases children add to the income test: about £3,800 a year for the first child and about £2,400 for each further child, and the total is capped at the standard figure. To be safe, have more than £3,900 a year. No extra is needed for children who are British or Irish citizens, have pre-settled status or are settled in the UK.
• The Immigration Rules let savings count in place of some income: savings of about £16,000 (to be safe, more than £17,000) plus 2.5 times the shortfall in annual income. Relying on savings alone for the income test, that works out to about £88,500; to be safe, have more than £89,000. GOV.UK's guide page gives no formula, so the figure comes from the rules text.
• If you do not meet the financial requirement, the earliest you can apply for settlement is after 10 years in the UK.

Sources: GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026.

• You need your current passport or other valid travel ID, with copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps from previous passports.
• For relationship proof you are asked how you met, how often you see each other and what you pay for together. Proof of living together includes items such as council tax bills.
• For financial evidence examples include bank statements, six months of payslips or a dated letter from an employer on headed paper. Self-employed income is based on at least the last six months.
• You also give your parents' dates of birth and nationality when applying from outside the UK, details of previous immigration applications and any criminal convictions. The page does not ask for a criminal record certificate.
• A certified translation is needed for any document not in English or Welsh, and a tuberculosis test result if you are from a country where one is needed.
• You need an email address for the online application, and your national insurance number if you have one.

Sources: GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026.

• You apply online from outside the UK, then attend an appointment to give your fingerprints and a photo. The centre may be in another country, and your passport is usually returned the same day.
• A decision takes about 12 weeks from outside the UK.
• From inside the UK a decision takes about 8 weeks if you meet the financial and English requirements, or about 12 months if you do not. A super priority service costs an extra £1,000 and is not available from outside the UK.
• If you hold a visitor visa, you will usually need to leave the UK to apply for a family visa.
• If you apply as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, you cannot work or study until you marry or form a civil partnership and your extension is approved.

Sources: GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026.

• The application fee from outside the UK is £2,064, and £2,064 for each dependant on the application. From inside the UK it is £1,407 each.
• The healthcare surcharge for an adult is £2,587.50 for 2 years and 6 months, £3,105 for 2 years and 9 months, or £5,175 for 5 years.
• For a child the surcharge is £1,940 for 2 years and 6 months, £2,328 for 2 years and 9 months, or £3,880 for 5 years.
• A fee waiver may be available if you cannot afford somewhere to live or your essential living costs.

Sources: GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026.

• The first permission from outside the UK lasts up to 2 years and 9 months. For a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner it is 6 months.
• An extension or switch gives up to a further 2 years and 6 months, and you can extend more than once.
• When you extend to stay with the same family member, up to 28 days of your remaining stay are added to the new visa.
• You can work and study on a partner visa. You generally cannot get benefits or other public funds.

Sources: GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026.

• The earliest you can apply for indefinite leave to remain is after 5 years continuously on a family visa as a partner. The Immigration Rules say settlement follows a continuous period of at least 60 months.
• Time on other visas, or as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, does not count towards the 5 years.
• If your partner dies, or you were a victim of domestic abuse while on partner permission, you may be able to apply to settle sooner.

Sources: GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026.

• You are UK tax resident if you meet an automatic UK test or the sufficient ties test and no automatic overseas test; 183 or more days in the UK in a tax year (6 April to 5 April) meets the first automatic UK test. Family ties count in the sufficient ties test.
• UK residents normally pay UK tax on income from the UK and abroad, and the year you arrive is usually split into a non-resident part and a resident part. If you have not filed before, tell HMRC by 5 October after the tax year in which you had foreign income.
• For 2026 to 2027 outside Scotland the Personal Allowance is £12,570, then 20% up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140 and 45% above. Scotland sets its own bands for wages, pensions and most other income.
• Capital gains are taxed at 18% and 24% for individuals, with a £3,000 annual exempt amount.
• The 4-year foreign income and gains regime can apply in your first 4 years as a UK tax resident after at least 10 years as a non-UK tax resident. Foreign earnings are not eligible, and claiming it loses the tax-free allowances for Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

Sources: HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK), legislation.gov.uk (UK Parliament), GOV.UK (HM Revenue and Customs). Checked 16 October 2026.

• Work permit in United Kingdom

• Visas in United Kingdom
• United Kingdom

1. Family visas: knowledge of English, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. Nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA are exempt; first application needs at least level A1 for those who are not exempt.
2. Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants: countries where you need a test, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not appear on the list.
3. US citizens abroad: filing requirements, Internal Revenue Service. Checked 16 October 2026. US citizens abroad file in the same way as those at home, on worldwide income.
4. UK-USA income tax convention of 2001 (full text), US Department of the Treasury. Checked 16 October 2026. Article 1(4) saving clause and 1(5) exceptions, Article 4 residence and tie-breaker, Articles 10 to 12 dividends, interest and royalties, Article 14 employment income, Article 17(3) social security payments, Article 24 relief from double taxation.
5. USA: tax treaties, HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK). Checked 16 October 2026. The 2001 convention as amended by the 2002 protocol is in force; entered into force on 31 March 2003; effective in the UK from 6 April 2003 for Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.
6. U.S. international Social Security agreements, overview: Internet Archive copy of 12 May 2026, US Social Security Administration. Checked 16 October 2026. United Kingdom agreement in force from 1 January 1985; detached-worker rule generally for assignments of 5 years or less; certificates of coverage.
7. Canada: tax treaties, HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026: lists the 1978 Canada-UK Double Taxation Convention as in force.
8. Australia: tax treaties, HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026: lists the 2003 Australia-UK Double Taxation Convention as in force.
9. New Zealand: tax treaties, HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026: lists the 1983 UK-New Zealand Double Taxation Convention as in force; a 2026 convention was added on 10 June 2026 and is marked not in force.
10. Family visas: partner or spouse, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. Sponsor types, relationship tests, initial permission up to 2 years and 9 months, extension up to 2 years and 6 months, settlement after 5 years, about 12 weeks from outside the UK.
11. Family visas: financial requirements for a partner or spouse, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. Combined income of at least 29,000 pounds a year; 18,600 pounds for an extension first granted before 11 April 2024 with the same partner; child additions of 3,800 and 2,400 pounds in extension cases, capped at 29,000 pounds; no minimum for some disability or carer benefits; savings may be used but the page gives no formula.
12. Immigration Rules Appendix FM: family members (updated 8 October 2026), GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026. E-ECP.3.1: gross annual income of at least 29,000 pounds, or specified savings of 16,000 pounds plus additional savings of 2.5 times the shortfall; GEN.1.2: unmarried partner means a relationship similar to marriage for at least 2 years; D-ECP.1.1: entry clearance for an initial period not exceeding 33 months; settlement after a continuous period of at least 60 months.
13. Family visas: apply, extend or switch, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. Partner or spouse, parent, child, adult coming to be cared for by a relative, and private life.
14. Family visas: family life in the UK, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. Fees 2,064 pounds from outside the UK and 1,407 pounds from inside; healthcare surcharge 2,587.50, 3,105 and 5,175 pounds per adult; super priority 1,000 pounds from inside the UK only; 28 days added on extension; visits of 6 months or less need a visitor visa.
15. Skilled Worker visa: your partner and children, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026: a partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants on separate applications; for a job listed as medium skilled, a partner or child outside the UK can join only if you have been continually employed in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa in a medium skilled job since before 22 July 2025, or the child was born in the UK.
16. Family visas: information and evidence you must provide, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. Passport, relationship evidence, tuberculosis test if required, certified translations, financial evidence (bank statements, six months of payslips, employer letter), parents' dates of birth and nationality when applying from outside the UK, details of convictions, proof of English.
17. Family visas: after you apply, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. Biometrics appointment with fingerprints and a photo; passport usually returned the same day; decision given as an eVisa; you can work and study but generally cannot get public funds.
18. Family visas: how much it costs, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. Partner, parent or child 2,064 pounds from outside the UK; each dependant 2,064 pounds; healthcare surcharge per adult 2,587.50 (2 years 6 months), 3,105 (2 years 9 months), 5,175 (5 years); per child 1,940, 2,328, 3,880; fee waiver possible.
19. Family visas: apply from outside the UK, GOV.UK (Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026; the page shows no update date. A holder of a visitor visa will usually need to leave the UK to apply for a family visa; visits of 6 months or less need a Standard Visitor or Marriage Visitor visa.
20. Tax on foreign income, HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK). Checked 16 October 2026. UK residents normally pay UK tax on all income whether from the UK or abroad; Statutory Residence Test automatic UK and overseas tests; tax year 6 April to 5 April; split-year treatment; Self Assessment; claiming relief when taxed twice.
21. Finance Act 2013, Schedule 45: Statutory Residence Test, legislation.gov.uk (UK Parliament). Checked 16 October 2026. The law behind the automatic UK tests, the automatic overseas tests and the sufficient ties test.
22. Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances (tax year 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027), HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK). Checked 16 October 2026. Personal Allowance 12,570 pounds; 20 percent to 50,270 pounds; 40 percent to 125,140 pounds; 45 percent above; allowance reduced above 100,000 pounds; bands differ in Scotland.
23. Income Tax in Scotland, GOV.UK (HM Revenue and Customs). Checked 16 October 2026. Read on 16 October 2026: 2026 to 2027 Scottish bands after the £12,570 Personal Allowance: 19% to £16,537, 20% to £29,526, 21% to £43,662, 42% to £75,000, 45% to £125,140, 48% above.
24. Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances, HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK). Checked 16 October 2026. From 6 April 2026 rates of 18 and 24 percent for individuals; annual exempt amount 3,000 pounds; no annual exempt amount in a year you claim the foreign income and gains regime or Overseas Workday Relief.
25. Check if you can claim the 4-year foreign income and gains regime, HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK). Checked 16 October 2026. From 6 April 2025 the regime replaced the remittance basis; qualifying resident after at least 10 years non-UK resident; maximum 4 years; claimed on Self Assessment; foreign earnings not eligible; allowances lost.
26. Finance Act 2025, Part 2: replacement of the special rules for foreign income and gains, legislation.gov.uk (UK Parliament). Checked 16 October 2026. Chapter 1: new rules for foreign income and gains of individuals becoming UK resident; Schedule 9: no remittance basis for tax years after 2024-25.