Bringing your family to the UK is a big step. Whether you’re sponsoring a spouse, child, or parent, the process can be long and expensive. Many applicants underestimate the cost of immigrating to the UK—which can lead to delays, unexpected fees, or even visa refusals.
If you’re applying for a UK family visa, you need to know:
✔️ How much it costs (visa fees, healthcare surcharge, hidden expenses)
✔️ How long it takes (processing times and delays)
✔️ What documents you need (to avoid rejection)
This guide will break down the UK family visa timeline and costs so you can prepare, budget, and speed up your application.
1. Who Needs a UK Family Visa?
If you want to live in the UK with your family, you’ll need a family visa if you are:
✔️ The spouse/partner of a British citizen or settled person
✔️ The child of a British citizen or settled person
✔️ The parent of a British child
✔️ A dependent relative (only in exceptional cases)
📌 Important: If you are from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you may not need a family visa if you have settled/pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
2. Cost of Immigrating to the UK: Visa Fees & Hidden Costs
The cost of a UK family visa is more than just the visa fee. You’ll also pay for the immigration health surcharge (IHS), document processing, and legal fees.
📌 UK Family Visa Costs (2024)
| Visa Type | Visa Fee (Standard) | Health Surcharge (IHS) | Total Cost (5-Year Visa) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse/Partner Visa | £1,846 | £3,105 | £4,951 |
| Child Dependent Visa | £1,846 | £3,105 | £4,951 |
| Parent of a British Child Visa | £1,846 | £3,105 | £4,951 |
| Adult Dependent Relative | £3,250 | £3,105 | £6,355 |
🚀 Pro Tip: The health surcharge (IHS) is paid upfront for the entire visa duration. If your visa is for 2.5 years, you pay £1,552.50 instead of the full £3,105.
💰 Other Costs to Consider:
✔️ Biometric Fee → £19.20
✔️ Priority Processing (Faster Decision) → £500 to £1,000
✔️ English Test (If Required) → £150
✔️ TB Test (If Required) → £65 to £150
✔️ Translation of Documents → £50+ per document
✅ Total Estimated Cost for a UK Family Visa: £5,000+ per applicant
3. UK Family Visa Processing Timeline
The processing time for a UK family visa depends on:
✔️ Your country of application (inside or outside the UK)
✔️ Visa category (spouse, child, parent)
✔️ Whether you use priority processing
📌 UK Family Visa Processing Times (2024)
| Application Type | Standard Processing | Priority Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Applying from Outside the UK | 6–12 months | 6–8 weeks (£500 fee) |
| Applying from Inside the UK | 3–6 months | 2–4 weeks (£1,000 fee) |
🚀 Pro Tip: Using priority processing speeds up your decision by months—but it’s expensive.
4. Financial Requirements for a UK Family Visa
One of the biggest reasons for visa rejections is failing the financial requirement.
📌 Minimum Income Requirement (2024)
| Who You’re Sponsoring | Minimum Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Spouse/Partner (No Children) | £18,600 |
| Spouse + 1 Child | £22,400 |
| Spouse + 2 Children | £24,800 |
| Each Additional Child | +£2,400 |
✅ Income Can Come From:
✔️ Salary from a UK job (for at least 6 months)
✔️ Savings over £16,000 (calculated using a formula)
✔️ Self-employment, pension, or rental income
🚀 Pro Tip: If you don’t meet the income requirement, a job offer in the UK or significant savings can help.
5. Required Documents for a UK Family Visa
To avoid delays or rejection, you must submit a complete application with supporting documents.
📌 Key Documents Required:
✔️ Proof of Relationship (marriage certificate, photos, messages)
✔️ Financial Evidence (payslips, tax records)
✔️ Accommodation Proof (rental agreement, house deeds)
✔️ English Language Test (if required)
✔️ Tuberculosis Test (TB Test) (if required for your country)
🚀 Pro Tip: Submitting strong relationship proof (joint bills, letters, travel history) helps avoid suspicions of a fake marriage.
6. What Happens After Visa Approval?
✔️ Your visa is valid for 2.5 years (spouse, partner, parent visas).
✔️ You must renew your visa before it expires.
✔️ After 5 years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) (permanent residency).
✔️ After one more year on ILR, you can apply for British citizenship.
🚀 Pro Tip: Keep a record of your time in the UK—travel history, tax returns, and bank statements are important for ILR and citizenship applications.
7. Common Mistakes That Lead to UK Family Visa Refusals
🚫 Not Meeting the Financial Requirement → Have at least 6 months of payslips or savings.
🚫 Weak Proof of Relationship → Submit messages, call logs, and letters from family/friends confirming your relationship.
🚫 Incorrectly Filled Forms → Even small mistakes can cause long delays.
🚫 Applying Without English Proficiency Proof → If required, take an IELTS Life Skills A1 test before applying.
🚀 Pro Tip: If your visa is denied, you can appeal—but it takes months. It’s better to apply correctly the first time.
Final Thoughts: How to Budget for a UK Family Visa
The cost of immigrating to the UK for a family visa is expensive, but proper planning helps avoid financial stress and delays.
✔️ Expect to spend at least £5,000 per applicant
✔️ Visa processing takes 6–12 months, unless you use priority service
✔️ You must prove income of £18,600+ to sponsor a spouse
✔️ The visa leads to permanent residency after 5 years
If you’re planning to apply, start gathering documents and financial proof now—the sooner you prepare, the faster you can reunite with your family in the UK.
