Family & partner
Spouse, partner, dependant and family sponsorship routes, with evidence lists.
Family visas let a settled resident or citizen sponsor a spouse, partner, child or parent. Two tests dominate: the sponsor's income (the UK minimum is £29,000; Canada and Australia use a low-income cut-off) and the genuineness of the relationship, proved through shared finances, photographs, chat history and travel.
Processing is slow relative to other routes, typically eight weeks to over a year, so timing the application around a wedding, a birth or a job move matters.
How the process works
- 1
Sponsor qualifies
Citizenship or settled status plus the income or assets threshold for the family size.
- 2
Relationship evidence
Marriage or partnership proof, cohabitation records, joint finances and communication history.
- 3
Applicant checks
English test at the required level, TB test where needed, and accommodation proof.
- 4
Decision and settlement track
Most family visas lead to permanent residence after two to five years of continuous residence.
Why applications get refused
- Income evidence that does not meet the exact six-month or twelve-month rule
- Thin relationship evidence for couples who have lived apart
- Accommodation that does not meet the size or ownership rule
- Undisclosed previous marriages or immigration history
