Family Visitor Visa UK

The Family Visitor Visa allows overseas nationals to visit family members in the UK for up to six months. It permits visitation for weddings, family events, graduations, and general visits. You must show clear reasons for your visit, that you will return home following your stay, and proof of funds.

Call IAS on +44 (0)333 414 9244 for immediate help and assistance with your Family Visitor Visa for UK travel. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone or online.

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Benefits of Choosing IAS For Your Visitor Visa Application

If you are planning to travel to the UK and require a visitor visa, then our immigration lawyers are on hand to provide advice and application assistance.

Whether this is your first application or you applied on your own before but were refused the visa, we can help.

No matter the reason why you plan to visit, the IAS range of expert services can help ensure your application is submitted quickly and to a high standard. Benefit from:

Tailored advice to ensure you are applying for the correct visa.

A personal immigration lawyer who can answer all queries.

Access to UK-specific knowledge of the immigration routes.

Confidence your application will be complete and comprehensive.

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What is a Family Visit Visa UK?

If you are from outside the European Economic Area (a non-EEA national) and want to travel to the UK to visit a UK-based family member, you will need a Family Visit Visa. This visa is valid for up to six months. It is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor Visa.

UK Family Visitor Visas have very strict requirements and are, therefore, difficult to obtain. You must prove that you have a reason to return home once your six months are up and that you can fund your stay.

The Family Visitor Visa does not allow you to work, claim public funds or bring dependents. This means each visiting family member must apply for a separate visa for their UK stay.

Family Visitor Visa UK Requirements

Family Visitor Visa UK requirements are the same as those for the Standard Visitor Visa.

To be eligible, you must:

Be at least 18 years old (Under 18s must apply under the Child Visitor Visa category)
Have intentions to leave the UK after you visit the UK;
You must show evidence of financial support once in the UK (this can be from a family member) and have enough funds to pay for your journey to make a Family Visit UK visa application. It is possible to sponsor a family member to visit the UK temporarily.

Family Visitor Visa UK Fees

The application fee for a UK family visitor visa is £127, matching the visa costs for a standard visitor visa. For those requiring longer-term visits, the fees are higher: a 2-year visa costs £475, a 5-year visa is £848, and a 10-year visa costs £1059.

How to apply for Family Visitor Visa UK?

The UK family visitor visa application process starts with an online submission through the UK Home Office website. Applicants may also need to visit a visa application centre to provide biometric information and additional documentation, though this can be done online in many cases.

The visa typically takes three weeks to process. You can apply up to three months before your trip. It is advisable to leave extra time. It is usually non-refundable, even if you do not receive your visa in time. Priority services are available if you have urgent visitation requirements.

Priority Service: Processes your visa in 5 working days for an additional fee of £500.
Super Priority Service: Processes your visa in a single working day for an additional fee of £1000.

Ensuring all required documents are complete and accurate is crucial to avoid delays or refusals.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments online, in-office or over the phone. Whether you’re unsure where to start, need an airtight application or need an urgent visa, we can help.

UK family visitor visa documents required for application

As the Family Visitor Visa UK is part of the Standard Visitor Visa route, you must provide relevant documents to support your application, including:

A passport valid for three months or more beyond your return date from the UK. You’ll need to submit your passport number on the online application form.
You must submit biometric information online or at a visa application centre. This will require fingerprints and digital photographs.
You must show where you will stay in the UK. This could be hotel reservation details or contact details for the UK family member supporting or sponsoring your application.
You need to show you can afford travel to and from the UK. Recent bank statements are the most common proof of funds.
The UK Home Office requires evidence you will return to your home country after your UK stay. Documents that can show commitments back home may be: employment, property, or family ties.
You must provide proof of your relationship with the UK family member you are visiting.
You need to provide evidence of the purpose of your visit. This could include an invitation to a graduation ceremony, a wedding, or a civil partnership.

General visiting is allowed, in which case you might need to provide extra information such as:

Invitation Letters from family members, stating the purpose of your visit and the duration.
A trip itinerary featuring a detailed plan of your activities in the UK, including places you intend to visit and dates.
Any additional supporting documents, such as tickets for events, or proof of booked tours or excursions.

How can IAS help with a UK family visitor visa application?

Our team of highly qualified lawyers can assist you with your application for a Family Visit Visa. One of our lawyers will work with you to assess your eligibility and complete your Family Visit Visa application to the highest standard.

Your appointed immigration solicitor can perform a full document check and prepare a Letter of Representation to support your application. This letter will detail your case and its merits, as well as reference any relevant UK and immigration rules and laws supporting your application for family visas or other UK visas.

Contact us using our online enquiry form or by calling +44 (0)333 414 9244 to arrange your first meeting with an immigration lawyer today.

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Written by Immigration Advice Service

Ono Okeregha

Director – Immigration Advice Service

Ono Okeregha is the director of the Immigration Advice Service. He is a committed human rights and immigration lawyer. He was awarded the IoD North West SME of the year award and commended for his work in equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Family members can include:

parents;
children;
siblings (including half siblings and step siblings);
grandparents; and
grandchildren.

As of July 2012, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins have been excluded from the definitions of the family members allowed Entry Clearance through the Family Visitor Visa.

They can still apply for a normal Visitor Visa, however, they will not be able to appeal against a refusal.

You may be able to appeal a decision to refuse Entry Clearance if you are visiting a close family member. An immigration officer will say which members of the family qualify for this appeal.

We recommend that you apply for Entry Clearance in your country of residence before travelling to the UK.

For frequent travellers, long-term visitor visas are available, allowing multiple entries over 2, 5, or 10 years. Although each stay is limited to six months, these visas offer greater flexibility for multiple visits. While these visas are more expensive, they provide significant convenience for those needing to visit the UK regularly.

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