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UK Immigration
Information Service
(UKIIS)

Bringing my family to the UK

Complete guide and information on spouse, partner and child visa applications \u2014 general information, not advice.

Important: This website provides general information about the UK immigration system only. It is not immigration advice and must not be relied on as advice about your individual circumstances. UK Immigration Information Service is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), and is not affiliated with the IAA, UK Visas and Immigration, the Home Office or any government body. For advice about your own situation, consult a regulated immigration adviser (check the IAA register) or a solicitor. Always check official guidance at gov.uk.

Partners and spouses

There are routes for partners and spouses of British citizens and people settled in the UK. They have their own eligibility rules covering the relationship, finances, English language, and accommodation.

Children

Children of British citizens or settled parents may be eligible to join or remain with them under specific family rules, with conditions that vary by age and circumstances.

Other relatives

Limited routes exist for adult dependent relatives and certain other family members. These tend to have stricter requirements than partner and child routes.

Where to read the rules

The full Home Office requirements for family routes are published on gov.uk. Whether you qualify depends entirely on your individual circumstances — this page does not assess your case.

Get the Bringing My Family to the UK information pack

£89

Downloadable PDF. The download link is unlocked automatically after a successful purchase — the PDF is not publicly available.

What's inside this pack

  • Overview of the main family routes: partner/spouse, fiancé(e), child, parent, and adult dependent relative.
  • The financial requirement in general terms — current minimum income thresholds, what counts as qualifying income, and the cash savings alternative.
  • English language requirement — accepted tests, exemptions, and where to book.
  • Accommodation and relationship evidence usually expected (tenancy/mortgage documents, cohabitation evidence, communication history).
  • How the 5-year and 10-year routes to settlement generally differ, and why that matters for cost and planning.
  • Applying from inside the UK vs from abroad (entry clearance) — typical processing times, fees, and IHS costs.
  • A document checklist you can start gathering today, plus links to the official gov.uk pages for each route.
Purchase Information

See gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/family-visas. For advice about your own case, see Get regulated help.