Family Visitor
Overview: Visiting loved ones in the UK? The Family Visitor visa opens the door for short stays with relatives, while keeping within clear immigration rules. Simple purpose, strict conditions — but full of warm reunions.
A family visitor may visit a family member in the UK who is a:
- spouse, civil partner, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister;
- grandfather, grandmother, grandfather, grandson or granddaughter;
- spouse or civil partner’s father, mother, brother, or sister;
- son, or daughter’s spouse or civil parter;
- stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother or stepsister; or
- a person they have be been living with in a genuine and subsisting relationship, like marriage or civil partnership, for at least 2 years before the day of applying.
The UK family member must:
Be a British citizen; be settled in the UK; have been granted asylum in the UK; or have Humanitarian Protection status.
Requirements
In addition to the above, the applicant must also be able to show that they:
- are 18 or over,
- intend to visit the UK for no more than 6 months (or 12 months if accompanying an academic visitor);
- intend to leave the Uk at the end of the visit;
- have enough money to support and accommodate self without working or help from public funds, or that they and any dependents will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends;
- can meet the cost of the return or onward journey and
- are not in transit to a country outside the “Common Travel Area” (Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Mann and the Channel Islands)
This visa allows the successful applicant to visit family and stay for up to six months. There are some limitations on what he/she can do there such as work, get married or receive medical treatment.
Take Away Points
🇬🇧 Visit loved ones — Spend quality time with family in the UK.
🛂 Short stay only — Usually up to 6 months per visit.
📄 Simple documents — Show proof of relationship and travel plans.
💬 No work allowed — This visa is for visiting, not earning.
✈️ Plan ahead — Apply early to avoid last-minute stress.