Family Visa (Appendix FM)

Eligibility is determined by your specific relationship to your UK-based "sponsor."

Partner or Spouse

To qualify as a partner, both you and your sponsor must be 18 or older. You must fall into one of these categories:

• You are legally married or in a civil partnership.
• You have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years.
• You are a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner (you must marry within 6 months of arriving).
• Genuine Relationship: You must provide evidence that your relationship is "subsisting" (ongoing) and that you intend to live together permanently in the UK.

Parent

You can apply if your child lives in the UK and is either a British/Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for at least 7 years. You must have sole or shared parental responsibility and prove that you are taking an active role in the child's upbringing.

Child

Children must be under 18 at the time of application, must not be leading an independent life (e.g., they cannot be married or have their own children), and must be supported financially by the parent in the UK.

Adult Dependent Relative (ADR)

This is the most difficult category to satisfy. You must prove that due to age, illness, or disability, you require long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks (such as washing or cooking). Crucially, you must demonstrate that this care is not available or affordable in your home country, even with the financial support of your UK sponsor.

The Financial Requirement

As of March 2026, most partner and child applications must meet a Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) of £29,000 per year.

• Income: This can be met through the sponsor’s salary, self-employment, or non-employment income (like rental income).
• Savings: If your income is below £29,000, you can use cash savings to bridge the gap. However, only savings above £16,000 count. To meet the entire requirement through savings alone, you must hold £88,500 for at least six months.
• Exemptions: If your sponsor receives specific disability-related benefits (e.g., Personal Independence Payment), you do not need to meet the £29,000 threshold. Instead, you must show "Adequate Maintenance"—proving you have enough money to live on after housing costs are paid.