Family routes are not limited to partners. GOV.UK lists visas for children, parents and for an adult relative who needs long-term care. Each has its own tests, and the status of the person in the UK matters.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- GOV.UK lists family visas for a child, a parent, and an adult relative who needs long-term care, as well as for partners.
- You need a family visa to live with a family member in the UK for more than 6 months, and financial and English language requirements apply.
- GOV.UK has separate guidance for a child applying to join or stay with a close relative who has protection status (refugee permission or humanitarian protection). The child must be under 18 with no family members who can support or care for them other than that relative, and the relative must not be settled or a British citizen.
- If that relative is settled in the UK or is a British citizen, GOV.UK says the child should apply for a family visa instead.
- Switching inside the UK is limited to a spouse or partner, child, or parent.
What usually decides the outcome.
- The status of the parent, relative or sponsor in the UK.
- The child’s age and who has parental responsibility, including where the other parent is abroad.
- For an adult relative, the evidence that long-term personal care is required and who can provide it.
- Financial evidence and English language requirements.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.