Moving Abroad

UK Family Visas: Who Can Apply, Types and What They Cost

4 min read

In this guide
  1. Who can apply from outside the UK?
  2. What other routes exist?
  3. Who cannot apply?
  4. What does it cost?
    1. Healthcare surcharge
  5. What else do you need to check?
  6. How to prepare
  7. Common mistakes to avoid
  8. FAQ
    1. When do I need a family visa?
    2. Can a visitor switch to a family visa in the UK?
    3. How much is the application fee?
    4. Is there a faster service?
    5. What if my family member is on a work or student visa?
  9. Key takeaways
  10. Related guides
  11. Sources

Quick answer: You need a UK family visa to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months. GOV.UK says that from outside the UK, a spouse or partner, fiancé or fiancée, child, parent or relative who will provide long-term care can apply. Application fees listed on GOV.UK are £2,064 from outside the UK and £1,407 from inside the UK for joining a partner, parent or child, plus the healthcare surcharge.

Family reunion is one of the main reasons people move to the UK. The system is expensive and the rules are detailed, so it helps to see the overall picture before you start. This guide covers the overview that GOV.UK publishes: the types, who cannot apply and the listed costs. The financial and English requirements have separate pages, so check them for your own route.

Who can apply from outside the UK?

  • Spouse or partner.
  • Fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner.
  • Child.
  • Parent.
  • A relative who will provide long-term care for you.

What other routes exist?

  • Extending. If you are already in the UK on a family visa, you can apply before your current permission expires.
  • Switching. You may be able to switch to a family visa as a spouse or partner, child or parent, before your current permission expires.
  • Private life. This may help if you have lived in the UK for many years.

Who cannot apply?

  • Anyone whose family member is in the UK on a work or student visa. They can apply to stay as a dependant instead. See our guides to the Skilled Worker visa and the Student visa.
  • Visitors, and people on visas of 6 months or less, usually must leave the UK to apply. GOV.UK notes exceptions for some fiancé and fiancée visas and for permission linked to a family court case or divorce.

What does it cost?

Application Outside the UK Inside the UK
Joining a partner, parent or child £2,064 £1,407
Each dependant added £2,064 per person £1,407 per person
Adult cared for by a relative (relative has temporary protection status) £452 £1,407
Adult cared for by a relative (otherwise) £3,635 £1,407

Healthcare surcharge

Length Per adult (18+) Per child (under 18)
2 years 6 months £2,587.50 £1,940
2 years 9 months £3,105 £2,328
5 years £5,175 £3,880

If you apply from the UK, GOV.UK lists a super priority service for an extra £1,000, which is not available for adults applying to be cared for by a relative. Fees change, so always confirm the amounts on GOV.UK.

What else do you need to check?

GOV.UK’s overview page includes sections on financial requirements, knowledge of English and evidence, but their details are on separate pages. Read those pages for your own route before you apply, because refusals often come from missing evidence.

How to prepare

  1. Identify your route from the list above.
  2. Check the financial and English requirements for that route on GOV.UK.
  3. Gather your evidence and keep copies. See our guide to documents you need before moving abroad.
  4. Budget for the fee and the healthcare surcharge together.
  5. Apply before your current permission expires if you are already in the UK.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Applying under the wrong route, for example as a partner when you should apply as a dependant.
  • Forgetting the healthcare surcharge when planning costs.
  • Leaving a visitor visa application to the last minute when you must leave the UK to apply.
  • Trusting agents who promise approval. Read how to avoid visa and job offer scams.

FAQ

When do I need a family visa?

To live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months.

Can a visitor switch to a family visa in the UK?

GOV.UK says visitors, and people on visas of 6 months or less, usually must leave the UK to apply, with some exceptions.

How much is the application fee?

GOV.UK lists £2,064 from outside the UK and £1,407 from inside the UK for joining a partner, parent or child.

Is there a faster service?

If you apply from the UK, a super priority service costs an extra £1,000, according to GOV.UK.

What if my family member is on a work or student visa?

You cannot apply for a family visa. You can apply to stay as a dependant instead.

Key takeaways

  • A family visa is for living with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months.
  • Partners, children, parents and some relatives can apply from outside the UK.
  • Costs add up: application fee plus the healthcare surcharge.
  • Check the financial and English requirements for your route.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Visa rules and fees change often, so confirm everything on GOV.UK before you apply. Last updated: October 2026.

Sources

  • GOV.UK: UK family visas

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