Family Visit Visa

The requirements to apply are the same as those for the Standard Visitor Visa.

To be eligible, you must:

• be at least 18 years old (unless applying under the Child Visitor Visa category)
• have intentions to leave the UK after your visit the UK;
• be able to show evidence of your financial support once in the UK (this can be from your family member); and
• have enough funds to pay for your journey to the UK.

As the Family Visit Visa is part of the Standard Visitor Visa route, you will need to provide evidence of your reason for travelling and where you will be staying. You will also need to show that you can afford to travel to and from the UK.

Visitor Visas also require clear evidence that you will return to your home country after your visa has expired. You will need to provide documents that show you have commitments back home that you must return to.

The Family Visit Visa will also require evidence of your family relationship before you can enter the country.

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.

At IAS, our team of expert advisers can help assist and support you through each stage of your visa application process.

Our services include:

• checking your documents to ensure that they are sufficient for your application;
• preparing a Letter of Representation to accompany your application. This letter details your case and its merits as well as referencing any relevant UK immigration laws in support of your application;
• liaising with the Home Office during your application process;
• completing each part of your application form to the highest standard.

Contact us on 0333 363 8577 or make an enquiry online to speak to one of our immigration lawyers.