Family Visitor Visa UK
The UK boasts a diverse population, meaning many UK residents have family members overseas. As such, many of the tourists to the UK each year are visiting UK-based family members.
However, if you are planning to enter the UK in order to see family, you may require a visa. In most cases, the Family Visit visa will be the best fit. But obtaining a UK visa can be complicated. At Birmingham Immigration Lawyers, our legal experts are adept at helping with cases exactly like this. Contact us today on 0121 667 6530 to learn more.
Page Contents
- Visa for Visiting your Family in the UK: Overview
- Navigating the UK Family Visitor Visa Application Process
- Understanding Family Visitor Visa Eligibility Requirements
- Application form for Family Visitor visa UK
- Supporting Documents for Family Visitor visa UK
- Financial Requirements for a Family Visitor Visa
- Sponsor Requirement for a Family Visitor Visa UK
- Application Cost for UK Family Visitor Visa
- How long does it take to get a Family Visitor Visa UK?
- Can I extend my Family Visitor Visa in the UK?
- Common Reasons for Family Visitor Visa Refusals
- How Can We Help with Family Visitor Visas
- Frequently Asked Questions
Visa for Visiting your Family in the UK: Overview
If you are from a country whose passport does not allow visa-free access to the UK, you will need to obtain a visa in order to visit UK-based family members.
In most cases, the visa which you will need to obtain in such circumstances is the Standard Visitor visa, which allows UK visits of up to 6 months. However, the UK also offers a number of other Visitor visas, as shown below:
| Visa Name | Length of Permitted Stay |
| Standard Visitor visa | 6 months |
| Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons | 11 months |
| Standard visitor visa for academics | 12 month |
| Long-term Standard Visitor visa (2 years) | 6 months per each visit |
| Long-term Standard Visitor visa (5 years) | 6 months per each visit |
| Long-term Standard Visitor visa (10 years) | 6 months per each visit |
If you plan to visit your family on numerous occasions over a number of years, one of the Long-term Standard Visitor visas is likely to be a better fit for your circumstances.
Before applying for a UK Visitor visa, you should check that you do indeed need a visa in order to enter the UK. Not all nationalities require a visa in order to visit the UK for shorter stays. In the case of the US, Canada, and EU countries, for instance, citizens can generally visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing to obtain a visa.
There are a number of steps which you will need to complete when applying for a UK Family Visit visa.
Firstly, you should make sure to gather the necessary documentation and evidence which you will be expected to provide in support of your application.
Secondly, you should submit the application form online, making sure to answer each section thoroughly and accurately.
As part of your application, you will likely also be required to attend an appointment at a visa application centre, where you will need to provide your biometric information (specifically your photograph and fingerprints). These centres can be found in numerous global locations.
Once you have completed each of the necessary steps, you will then need to wait for a decision to be made on your application. This should occur within 3 weeks of your submission date.
If you successfully obtain a UK Visitor visa, you can then use this visa to enter the UK.
Understanding Family Visitor Visa Eligibility Requirements
When entering the UK on a Visitor visa, there are a number of eligibility criteria which you will be expected to satisfy. These include the following:
- Possess a valid passport or similar travel document
- Demonstrate that you plan to leave the UK before your visa expires
- Demonstrate that you are able to support yourself and any dependants who are travelling with you for the duration of your trip
- Demonstrate that you are able to pay for the return journey to your home country
- Provide evidence that you do not plan to live in the UK under your Visitor visa (i.e. to visit frequently and for extended periods so that you essentially live in the UK)
There are also additional eligibility criteria which you will need to satisfy if you are entering the UK under either a Medical or Academic Visitor visa. However, if you are entering the UK in order to visit family, it is unlikely that either the Medical or Academic Visitor visas are the right routes for you. Instead, the Standard Visitor visa is likely to be the best fit.
Application form for Family Visitor visa UK
When applying for the UK Visitor visa, you can find the application form online, on the UK government website. You will need to provide a range of information when filling out the form, such as where you intend to stay within the UK, the dates of your trip, the anticipated budget, and evidence that you can cover the trip fees of both yourself and any dependants.
Filling in the form correctly is an important step in ensuring that your application is processed quickly and you receive a successful outcome.
Supporting Documents for Family Visitor visa UK
There are a number of documents which you will be expected to provide when proving your eligibility for a UK Visitor visa. While the exact documents will vary depending on your circumstances, you will generally need to provide the following:
- Valid passport (or equivalent travel document)
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your trip (based on the trip budget which you outline as part of your application)
- Your home address
- The personal details of your parents
- Details of any past criminal activity
- Negative tuberculosis test results (if applicable – not all countries’ nationals are expected to provide this)
- Your annual salary (if applicable)
- The details of the person paying for the trip (in some cases, if applicable)
Financial Requirements for a Family Visitor Visa
There are no specific financial requirements you need to satisfy in order to qualify for a UK Family Visitor visa. Rather than meeting a minimum income or savings threshold, you will instead be expected to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to cover the entirety of your trip (and your return journey) based on your planned budget.
It is important that you are able to comfortably meet the proposed cost of your trip. If it is deemed unlikely that you would be able to cover any unexpected costs, for example, your Family Visitor visa may be unsuccessful.
Sponsor Requirement for a Family Visitor Visa UK
You will not require a sponsor in order to obtain a UK Family Visitor visa. However, in some cases, you may be asked for the personal details of any family members in the UK, your partner, your home employer, or the person funding your trip (if applicable).
Note that, if you are instead applying for a UK Work visa, it is likely that you will require a UK sponsor. In most cases, you will require an employment offer from a UK company in order to successfully obtain a Work visa.
Application Cost for UK Family Visitor Visa
The cost of your application for a UK Family Visitor visa will depend on the specific Visitor visa for which you apply. In general, the shorter the visa duration, the cheaper the application fee.
| Visa Name | Visa Fee |
| Standard Visitor visa | £135 |
| Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons | £234 |
| Standard visitor visa for academics | £234 |
| Long-term Standard Visitor visa (2 years) | £506 |
| Long-term Standard Visitor visa (5 years) | £903 |
| Long-term Standard Visitor visa (10 years) | £1,128 |
While the Long-term Visitor visas are significantly more expensive, they allow you to enter the UK multiple times during their period of validity, meaning that you will not need to pay for multiple applications during that time.
How long does it take to get a Family Visitor Visa UK?
In general, you should receive an answer on your Visitor visa application within 3 weeks. However, if multiple other applications are simultaneously being processed then the waiting time may be longer.
Your application may also face additional delays if it contains errors or is missing any documentation. Make sure to submit your application accurately and fully in order to minimise delays.
Can I extend my Family Visitor Visa in the UK?
In most cases, the UK Visitor visa only allows visits of up to 6 months. As such, if your original visa granted you permission to stay for less than 6 months, you may be able to extend your visa in order to stay for a total of up to 6 months, including the duration of your original visa.
If you are in the UK on a Medical or Academic Visitor visa, you may also be able to extend your stay. In the case of the Medical Visitor visa, you may be able to extend your stay for up to a total of 11 months, including the duration of your original stay. In the case of the Academic Visitor visa, this increases to 12 months. However, in both cases you will need to meet the respective eligibility criteria.
When applying for a Visitor visa extension, you should make sure to submit your application from within the UK and before the expiry of your current visa.
Common Reasons for Family Visitor Visa Refusals
There are many common reasons why applications for Family Visitor visas are unsuccessful. Many applicants fail to provide sufficient evidence of their financial means to cover the entirety of their trip. Many also fail to show sufficient links to their home country in order to demonstrate their intention to leave the UK at the end of the trip.
Many unsuccessful applications are also due to failure to submit the application correctly.
In general, in order to maximise your chance of a successful application, you should make sure to provide as much evidence as possible, check your application form carefully to ensure that no information is missing or incorrect, and respond promptly if asked to provide further information.
How Can We Help with Family Visitor Visas
The UK is a popular travel destination for many individuals with family in the UK. Cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester have strong connections with numerous communities around the world, and many with family members based in the UK choose to visit. The UK boasts a thriving culture, strong travel connections, and numerous areas of natural beauty, making it a great place for visiting family.
However, the UK’s immigration rules are complex and subject to change. As such, many applicants opt to seek legal assistance with their application. At Birmingham Immigration Lawyers, we can help to ensure that you are supported at every step of the way. Contact us today on 0121 667 6530 to learn more about our services and to get started with your application.
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 Birmingham Immigration Lawyers before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on September 2nd, 2025 at 1:31 pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
There is no specific minimum bank balance which you will need to prove before obtaining a UK Visitor visa. However, you will be expected to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your trip based on your planned budget. For instance, if your planned trip is set to cost £5000, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you can comfortably cover this amount (including accommodating any unexpected expenses).
In general, you should receive a decision on your application within 3 weeks. However, the decision may take longer in certain circumstances, such as if a high number of other applications are simultaneously being processed or if your application is missing certain information which you are then asked to provide.
In the event that you are contacted for further information before a decision can be made on your application, make sure to provide the requested information as quickly as possible in order to minimise delays.
No, unlike most UK Work visas, you will not require a sponsor in order to obtain a UK Family Visit visa. However, you will be expected to provide the details of your expected accommodation during your stay and, in some cases, the contact details of any UK-based family members.
If someone else is paying for your trip, you may also be asked to provide their personal information.
In contrast, if you are applying for a UK Work visa, you will generally need to have an offer of employment from a UK employer which is licensed with the UK Home Office. If you wish to remain in the UK for over 6 months, you should consider Work visa routes instead.
