invite parents to visit uk

UK Visa Guidance: Visitor Visa for Parents and Family

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As an international medical graduate (IMG) working in the UK, one of the toughest things that we have to deal with is homesickness, distance, and our separation from friends and family back home. There are only two ways you can alleviate that- 1) Racking up your annual leaves to visit home. 2) Apply for the UK visitor visa for your family and parents. Let’s talk about the second option in detail.

What type of UK visa can parents apply for?

It is commonly misunderstood that parents of an independent child (i.e. you) can apply for  ‘UK Family Visa’ .  No, they can not.  UK family visa as a parent can only be applied for if the child is <18 years of age and has either British citizenship or has ILR or some other specific circumstance.

For parents of an independent child who doesn’t hold a permanent visa in the UK (most of us), the only way they can come to the UK is via the  ‘Standard Visitor Visa’ . It is the  same visa  you may have applied for if you took  the PLAB 2 exam .

Previously there was a separate  family visitor visa  which is now all absorbed in the  standard visitor visa .

How to apply for a UK visitor visa for parents

The process of UK visa application is all very streamlined via the GovUK website. This is the link where you have to click  ‘apply now ‘ to start a  standard visitor visa   application . The whole process has the following steps:

Online application fill-up

Once you click  apply now  in the above link it will ask you a series of questions and finally, you will be able to submit that.

Registering with your local visa application centre (VAC)

GovUK will determine which service deals with UK visa applications in your country and will forward you their service/website once you have submitted the online application.

Submitting supporting documents and biometrics

VAC in your country will give you the option to either upload or submit the evidence and supporting documents as well as let you book an appointment to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo).

UK visitor visa requirements for parents

Online application form fill-up.

The following information is needed to successfully complete the online application form. Remember these questions have to be answered from  your parents’ point of view , not yours, even if you are filling the application form.

• Parent’s  name  (according to passport) and  address  (an address that you can provide evidence for)
• How long have you lived at this address?  –   In my mother’s case, it was in the years since she got married
• Passport details
• Nationality, country and date of birth
• What is your employment status?  – If you say one of your parents is  employed , remember you will have to show  no objection certificate  for travel from their employer as well as sufficient  bank statement  and  employment certificate  to prove employment.
• Do you have another income or any savings?  – It is very likely your parents will have some sort of savings.
• How much money are you personally planning to spend on your visit to the UK?  – For a 6 months visit it’s safe to assume that the total cost will be £4000 – £5000. Even if you are sponsoring the whole amount as they have some savings, they personally can plan to spend  one-fourth or one-fifth .
• What is the total amount of money you spend each month?  – For my mother, it is around 15000 BDT taking into account different bills, food, and medications.
• Will anyone be paying towards the cost of your visit?  – Yes.  Someone I know (for example, family or friend)  – then you add your name and address and the put the rest amount  three-fourth  or  four-fifth  of the total amount.
• Your planned travel information  – This is very  important . The visa will very likely start from the date as you put as  planning to arrive in the UK.  So make it as close to the real travel date as possible.
• What is the main reason for your visit to the UK?  –  Tourism  and then  Visiting Family.
• Give details about your first parent  – So you have to know the details of your grandparents.  Names and dates of birth.
• Do you have any family in the UK?  – Yes. Give your details here again. And if you have a Tier 2 visa like me –  you have a temporary visa.
• Will you be travelling to the UK as part of an organised group?  – In my mother’s case, it was no as she will travel independently.
• Staying with family – Tick box your name and provide your contact details. The date you will arrive at this address can easily correspond to the date of arrival in the UK.
• International travel history
• Breach of immigration law, war crimes, terrorist and extremist views, employment history, a question about good character etc will all hopefully be no.

That’s it.  These are all the information you need to have prior to starting this online application.

What’s the duration I should apply for?

If it is the first application, I would go for a 6-month visa. Later on, you can apply for a longer duration (2, 5, or 10 years) to minimize the hassle of the visa application. Remember- your parents cannot make the UK their main home by frequent and successive visits. If they are caught, they may get banned from visiting the UK entirely.

UKVI has no strict rule that states you can only stay ‘6 months in a year’, but for any visit the maximum your parents can stay is  six months at a stretch . So the safe frequency will be a few months in a year and clearly spending more time outside the UK than inside.

Required documents for visitor visa application

The list of documents that I attached for my mother’s visit visa to the UK :

• Cover letter
• Her bank statement showing her savings
• Her nationality certificate proving her address
• An invitation letter from me
• My passport copy
• My last 6 months bank statement  (which serves as a proof of my address)
• If you are renting , then also add a copy of your tenancy agreement.
• An employment letter from my trust.

Cover letter for UK visitor visa for parents

It does not have to be elaborate. Keep it simple, keep it short. If your parents have any income or major transaction, make sure you explain it here in brief.

You can download a  template of cover letter for parent’s UK Visa here.

Invitation letter from you

This also does not have to be lengthy. You should explain the nature of their visit, which is a short family visit and mention your visa status and accommodation arrangement currently.

Find a  redacted copy of my invitation letter here .

Employment letter from your trust

If you drop a line to your HR representative that you will require an employment letter because you are sponsoring a visit visa for your parents, they will happy to do so.

Make sure you ask them to mention the following:

• The date of your job commencement
• The contract duration
• Your job title
• Your salary

The letter has to be addressed to whom it may concern and printed in a headed paper containing trust’s official seal and HR rep’s contact information.

Visa fees for parents’ visitor visa

A standard visitor visa costs £95.

The fee for a long-term Standard Visitor visa depends on its length:

• 2 years – £361
• 5 years – £655
• 10 years – £822

There are also other costs associated with the services that you can buy from your local visa application centre.

How long does it take to get a UK visitor visa for parents?

The time frame may vary from country to country, but generally, a standard visitor visa application only takes  2 weeks  to give you a verdict. You should not apply more than three months before the intended travel date.

You may get a verdict on the application early if your VAC has the option of a premium visa application.

Can I bring my parents permanently in the UK?

As long as  you have a temporary visa (tier 2) , you can’t think of that. Why?  You are not even permanent.

After working for 5 years you can apply for a settled visa (indefinite leave to remain) and 1-2 years after that, you can apply for UK citizenship. So, after 5-6 years of service in the UK, you can  think  about bringing your parents permanently.

But this  elderly dependent visa   application  has a high threshold and evidential bar to be reached. The list below is not exhaustive, but you have to prove the following:

• Any parent or grandparent who is wholly dependent financially and emotionally on the permanent UK resident
• There is constant contact with the parent and grandparent
• The applicant has no close relatives in their home country that can be relied upon for support (very difficult to prove as close relatives may be sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and possibly nephews, nieces or in-laws)
• The UK relative has appropriate accommodation for the applicant as well as any dependents the applicant may bring to the UK

Evidence under this category needs to be provided by the applicant to prove that their circumstances are true and, most importantly, there is either financial dependency on the sponsor or most exceptional circumstances exist.

More often than not this type of applications are done via immigration agencies in the UK to the court. So the bottom line is, there is a way to bring you elderly parents to bring permanently in the UK, but it may not be applicable or achievable by many.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly i can apply for this visit visa for my parents and family.

I would wait to have a minimum of 6 months’ salary into your UK account before sponsoring your parents to visit the UK.

How long parents can stay on a visitor visa in the UK?

As mentioned already, for any visit, the maximum a visitor can stay is for 6 months. But utmost care should be taken so that the UK does not appear to be their home by frequent and successive visits.

What is the maximum stay a UK visitor visa allows?

How much bank statement is required for uk visit visa.

The key here is to prove you have regular income in your bank account which is quite easy as you are getting paid from the NHS every month. There no hard and fast amount that has to be in your account to sponsor.

A maximum of 6 months at a stretch.

Can I extend the visitor visa for my parents while they are in the UK?

The only case that applies to your parents would be if they paid for any private medical treatment and they have to stay for that.  Read more here.

Is a return ticket required for my parents to come to the UK with a visitor visa?

Yes. For any visit, having a return ticket solidifies your intention to visit only, not for breaching immigration law.

Can I sponsor a visit visa for my other family members (siblings, cousins etc)?

Yes. It will be the exact same process.

Can my parents avail of NHS services while on a visitor visa?

The NHS is only free at the point of emergency care for visitors. Anything beyond this would be at cost, so it is best to ensure you have arranged travel health insurance for them.

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Inviting friends and family to come visit you in the uk.

In this chapter I’ll detail:

Standard Visitor visa

Valid reasons for visiting the uk, proper and appropriate accommodations, access to sufficient funds to support themselves, strong ties to their home country, genuine relationship with you.

Your friends and family might wish to visit you in the UK so that you can spend time together as well as see and experience the various attractions around the country. If they are not exempt (this depends on their nationality), then they will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

The full requirements are available on the official UK Government page for Standard Visitor visas which also details what the visitors can and cannot do in the UK. The documents they will need to provide is extensive, as they will have to prove that (among other things) they have:

• Access to sufficient funds (either self-funded or by a third-party, such as you) to support themselves
• Strong ties to their home country where they will return to after their UK visit (i.e. they will not illegally over-stay in the UK)
• A genuine relationship with you

As a supporting document you should provide them a letter of invitation that they will include as part of their application. This is important especially if you’re helping them apply, as it establishes your relationship with them and makes clear what kind of support you will be providing them during their visit. A letter of invitation will strengthen their application, giving it a better case for approval.

I’m sharing the template I use; download the letter of invitation in support of a visitor visa application here . The template has placeholders for all the information noted above, and guidance on how to fill-out and print the document. Edit it accordingly, and send it (along with other required evidence from you) to the visitor so they can include it when they submit their application.

Visitors generally can perform tourist activities as well as business-related (not work – this is different) activities as outlined in the UK Government’s Visitor Rules . What they cannot do are:

• Do paid work
• Do unpaid work
• Live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits
• Get public funds
• Marry or enter into a civil partnership, or provide notice of marriage or civil partnership

A detailed guidance for visitors can be found at the official Visit Guidance by the UK Government.

You must ensure that the invitation letter clearly indicates the reasons the visitor is coming to UK, and that those reasons are valid.

If you are accommodating the visitors in your home then you’ll need to prove that:

• You legally live where you claim to live: this can be your lease agreement or your council tax bill
• Your residence is physically sufficient to house you and your guests: this can be your lease agreement showing the number of bedrooms your residence has, or a letter from your agent or landlord

If your visitors will be staying in paid accommodations then they will need to show that they can afford this on top of the other expenditures for their trip as well as their other expenditures in their home country while they are away.

Your visitors will need to show they have enough liquid funds to support themselves during their visit, and that they have had access to these funds for some time.

As the cost of living varies wildly in the UK depending on location, it is not prescribed how much these funds should be. The visitor should demonstrate that they understand what the costs are for where they are going and what they are planning to do, and that they have funds in excess of this, on top of the money set aside for regular expenditures (such as mortgage) in their home country. Additionally, they should be able to show that this money has been available in their account for some time; this duration is not prescribed but six months is a safe figure to use.

If you are paying for their visit then you’ll need to show that you can afford this on top of your own day-to-day costs of living in the UK.

The UK wants certainty that visitors will go back to their home country after their visit, and not stay in the UK illegally. Visitors thus will need to provide evidence that they have strong ties to their home country. This can be shown in a number of ways:

• The visitor has a stable job in their home country
• The visitor owns properties or businesses in their home country
• The visitor has other relatives that depend on them, living in their home country

All of these will have to be evidenced and included as part of their application. You should reiterate in your support letter that the visitor will return to their home country after they visit you in the UK.

You need to show how you are connected to the visitor. If you are friends or colleagues, you need to provide more detail (as opposed to if you were family); for instance, how you first met, or how long you have known each other.

If there are any problems with this page, be it in terms of factual inaccuracies, mistakes in spelling or grammar, technical website issues — anything at all — I would truly appreciate it if you let me know here so that I can get it corrected.

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UK Family Visitor Visa Requirements and Application

By Amar Ali, Immigration Solicitor

The UK family visitor visa is the same as the standard visitor visa and enables overseas nationals to visit family members in the UK for up to 6 months. For example, if you have overseas parents, they may be able to apply for a family visitor visa allowing them to visit you in the UK. It is possible to apply for a family visitor / standard visitor visa up to 3 months before you travel to the UK.

If you plan to make several frequent visits to the UK to visit your family, consider applying for a long-term standard visitor visa. Long-term standard visitor visas are granted for either 2, 5, or 10 years. Holders can enter and stay in the UK as many times as they wish during the period of their visa, but only for up to 6 months at a time.

It is important to note that you cannot get married on a family visitor visa UK. If you intend to get married in the UK during your stay, you will need to consider a different type of visa, such as a marriage visitor visa (if you don’t intend to live in the UK once married) or a fiancé visa (if you plan to live in the UK once married).

If you hold a current UK visa, such as a work visa , study visa, or business visa and want to bring your spouse or children to the UK for longer than 6 months, they may be eligible for a dependant visa. With a dependant visa , your spouse/partner and/or children will be able to stay in the UK as long as your visa remains valid.

A final point to bear in mind is that not everyone requires a visitor visa to come to the UK. For this reason, it is advisable to check if you need a visitor visa 1 on the Home Office website before you apply.

UK family visit visa requirements

To qualify for a UK family visitor visa, you must meet the following family visitor visa UK requirements:

• Hold a valid passport which will be valid for the total duration of your stay in the UK.
• Have evidence that you genuinely intend to depart the UK at the end of your visit.
• Have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependants during your time in the UK.
• Be able to pay for your return or onward journey.
• You must not intend to live in the UK or make the UK your main home by making frequent or successive visits.

If you do not have the necessary funds to support yourself and your dependants while in the UK or to cover the cost of your onward journey, you can ask your UK-based family member to cover your costs.

UK family visitor visa required documents

As part of the application process for a UK visa family visitor visa, the Home Office will ask you to provide certain information and documents. The UK family visitor visa documents required may include:

• Contact details of your employer
• Contact details of your family members in the UK
• Details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences
• Details of family members who are covering the costs of your trip and onward journey
• Details of your parents (i.e. name and dates of birth)
• Details of your planned travel to the UK (i.e. when you intend to arrive and leave)
• Estimate of your costs while in the UK
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependants (i.e. bank statements)
• TB test certificate, if required
• Travel history for the past 10 years
• Where you will stay during your visit
• Your annual income
• Your home address and duration of residence
• Your onward / return travel ticket
• Your partner’s details (i.e. name, date of birth and passport number)

Family visitor visa sponsor requirements

If you are being sponsored by another person to come to the UK, you may be asked to provide evidence of:

• the support they are providing (i.e. accommodation, support funds, and funds for your onward journey)
• how this support is being provided (i.e. bank statement showing savings or details of the accommodation being provided)
• the relationship between you and your sponsor (i.e. family member)
• your sponsor’s British passport or residence document

How to apply for a UK family visitor visa

To apply for a UK family visitor visa, you need to complete the following steps:

• Complete and submit the online application form 2
• Pay the application fee (see below)
• Book and attend an appointment at your nearest UK visa application centre (VAC) to provide your biometrics (fingerprint scan and photo)
• Upload any documents requested by the Home Office

In most cases, UK family visitor visas are processed within 3 weeks. You may be able to request a faster decision – the priority service costs £500 and provides a decision within 5 working days, and the super-priority service costs £800 and provides a decision within 1 working day.

Application fees for UK family visitor visa

Extending your uk family visitor visa.

You may be able to extend your family visitor visa if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months and you want to extend your stay up to the maximum of 6 months, e.g. if you have been in the UK for 2 months, you can extend your stay for 4 more months, but for no longer than 6 months in total.

You can only extend a visitor visa if you are an academic, or you are a graduate retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or doing a clinical attachment.

It is also possible to extend your visit under medical reasons. See our guide on the UK medical visit visa for more information.

How can Reiss Edwards help?

Reiss Edwards is a specialist in family immigration based in Central London. Our team of family immigration solicitors can handle all aspects of your family visitor visa and can help you with:

• Preparing and handling all aspects of your family visitor visa UK
• Overcoming any issues with your UK family visitor visa application including a UK visa refusal
• Applying for a UK family visa
• Explaining any other UK immigration options available to you

1 GOV.UK: Check if you need a UK visa

2 GOV.UK: Application form

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Letter of Invitation for friends and family to visit the UK – Guidelines and Samples

Tell Us What You Think?  

To apply for the UK visit visa it is required that the applicant submits an invitation letter. A letter of invitation for the UK visit visa is a letter written by a citizen or legal resident of the United Kingdom, addressed to a foreigner with whom they have family ties or friendship, inviting them to stay over at their house. It is also a confirmation that they have enough room for the visitor, for the entire period of their stay in the UK.

This letter, also known as a sponsorship letter for UK Visa, can also be written in another format. The letter can be written addressed to the UK consular officer, confirming that they are willing to admit an international with whom they have family ties or friendship, and also that they have enough room for the visitor for the entire period of their stay in the UK. Either version is acceptable.

In order for the letter to be valid and taken into account by the UK consular officer, the host who writes the letter must fulfil the following requirements:

• must be a UK citizen or lawful permanent resident
• must be a visitor’s friend, boyfriend/girlfriend or relative
• must have a registered place (home, flat)
• must have enough room for the visitor during their whole period of stay in the UK

How to Write a Letter of Invitation for a UK Visa?

Though writing an invitation letter might sound challenging especially for the host, it is actually a very simple thing to do. If you are the host, you will just have to write down why you are willing to admit this person in your house and how long they are going to stay. However, if you still feel clueless here you have a guideline on how to write a letter of invitation for a UK Visa. Download a sample invitation letter here .

Decide to whom you are going to address the letter, to your guest or the consular officer. It might seem a tricky decision to make, but it does not matter that much. The important thing is what you say and not to whom. In both cases, the consular officer is going to read it.

If you do not know where to start writing a letter of invitation for a UK visa, write the following information in a list:

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• Your full address and telephone number in the United Kingdom
• Your occupation
• Your status in the United Kingdom
• Visitor’s full name
• Visitor’s date of birth
• Visitor’s address and telephone number
• Visitor’s relationship to the host
• Visitor’s purpose of the trip
• How long the guest intends to stay in the UK (specific dates)
• Details on accommodation and living expenses
• Your signature

Every sponsorship letter for UK visa must contain the above-listed information. After writing all this information in a paper, then you can start arranging it in the form of a letter and shaping it.

Supporting Documents

In order for what is written in the letter to be taken into account by the consular officer, it is better for the host to send some additional documents alongside the Letter of Invitation. These extra requirements are not a must, but they are still a huge plus in visitor’s favour. These documents are as follows:

• A scanned copy of the host’s ID/passport
• Evidence of their status in the UK
• Evidence of means of subsistence (if the host will financially support the guest)
• Proof of home / flat ownership or rental contract
• You may also add any other document that you believe would help your visitor in getting their visa.

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Inviting family to the UK

You can invite your family member(s) to the UK if they want to visit you for a short period of time, or be here to attend your graduation.

The family member(s) you wish to invite to the UK must apply for the Standard Visitor Visa . These are usually issued for 6 months, however, your family should only stay in the UK for the duration of time that they outlined in their application. Holders of this type of visa cannot work or study in the UK.

Applications should be submitted via the U K Government website and the application fee is £93.

Your family member will be required to provide a number of original documents to support their application, details of these can be found on the UKVI website .

The following documents can also be forwarded by you to your family member(s) for them to use in support of their application.

Letter inviting your family member to come to the UK

You write this letter including the information below:

• address the letter ‘To Whom it May Concern'
• details of your course of study
• the name of the person you are inviting to the UK, and their relationship to you, for example, mother, brother, wife, husband, father etc
• your family members passport numbers
• your family member's start and end dates of travel
• the address they will be staying at while in the UK
• What you plan to do whilst they are here

Student Confirmation Letter

You can download this yourself from the Student Portal under the student record tile and it will be sent to you by email.  You can also print off your online graduation registration confirmation plus a list of the graduation ceremonies and dates from our website . 

Photocopy of your passport and visa

A copy of your passport identity page and a copy of your current UK visa.

Bank statements

Must be original bank statements and not copies but online statements can also be used as long as they provide relevant details of the account holder.

You are only required to provide these if you are paying for the trip. Your bank statement should show that you have sufficient funds to support your family member(s). There is no set amount you must have available so you must calculate how much they will need when they are in the UK.

Accommodation arrangements

1. If you have booked accommodation for your family you should provide confirmation of this, for example hotel or guest house reservations.

2. A letter from your landlord or accommodation agency confirming permission for your family member(s) to stay with you.

3. If you would like your family member(s) to stay with you in your Halls of Residence, you will need to check with your Warden. Please note that your family member(s) is only allowed to stay in your room for a maximum of 3 days. After this they will need to find alternative accommodation.

Student information desk

Our administration staff are available to answer your enquires through the Student information desk . You can also view frequently asked questions (FAQs) for many topics related to the student lifecycle.

Apply for a Standard Visitor visa for family or friends to visit

Updated on 30 August 2023

Learn how your family and friends can apply for visas to come and visit you in the UK, and what documentation you will need to provide for them

If you wish to invite a relative or friend to come and visit you in the UK, and they need a visa, they will need to apply for a visitor’s visa at their local British Embassy or High Commission.

Applying for a Standard Visitor visa

Visitors will need to  complete a Standard Visitor visa form  on gov.uk

The website contains a list of the documentation that your visitors will need to bring. There are several items that you need to provide:

• proof of student status letter at Dundee
• a letter of invitation from you
• a copy of your passport and visa, ID Card for Foreign Nationals (ICFN), or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
• if applicable, evidence of accommodation to support the visit

Proof of your student status at Dundee

The only formal document you normally need from the University is recent proof of your student status, from the University Registry. The University cannot provide you with an invitation letter.

• You should send your request by completing an online form for an original letter confirming your student status for family/friends visit visa purposes. Please allow two working days for the completion of your letter. Registry will email you when your letter is ready.
• If your visitor is coming to the UK to attend your graduation, please email [email protected] to receive a letter.

Invitation letter

Download and fill in the template for your invitation letter.

Send it together with proof of enrolment to your friend or relative so they can include them with their visa application. Do not send it directly to the Embassy.

International Advice Service

+44 (0)1382 385676

[email protected]

Inviting friends and family to the UK

Find out how to invite family members or friends to visit you in the UK.

You might like to invite family members or friends to visit you in the UK. If they're visa nationals, they'll need to apply for a visitor visa before travelling to the UK.

Find out if you need to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK on the UK government website .

Applying for Entry Clearance (visa nationals)

Your visitor should find out about the visa application process .

Your visitor must provide certain documents in support of their application. The information below gives an outline of which documents they'll need. You can also see a full and comprehensive list of supporting documents .

Documents your guests will need to provide

• The online application form for Standard Visitors .
• The correct fee — £115 in local currency.
• Bank statements or payslips to show your visitor can pay for the trip. They must have enough money to support themselves without working or getting public funds.
• Evidence of their current employment or studies, if they're working or studying.
• Evidence that they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit. This could be a letter from their employer confirming they have a job to return to, for example.

Documents you need to provide

• Your original confirmation of enrolment letter from your School Administrative Office. This confirms the dates of your course and the expected date of your graduation ceremony.
• formally invite your friend or relative to stay
• confirm you'd like your friend or relative to visit you in Nottingham
• include the dates you'd like them to arrive and leave
• mention they'll be staying in your student accommodation, if that's what they're going to do
• mention you'll provide for them financially, if that's what you're going to do.
• Three months' UK bank statements if you'll be financially supporting your visitor during their stay.
• A photocopy of your passport, showing your personal details.
• A photocopy of your current UK visa and your biometric residence permit (BRP).

Additional documents for guests attending your graduation ceremony

Your relatives or friends may be coming to the UK to attend your graduation ceremony. If you've bought tickets for them, you can email Academic Registry to ask for a letter.

Applying at the port of entry (non-visa nationals only)

Most non-visa nationals can request entry as visitors at immigration control when they arrive in the UK. This includes EU, EEA and Swiss nationals.

They must submit most of the documentation described above. They won't need to complete the application form or pay the visa fee. They must provide those documents to the Immigration Officer at their port of entry. Their port of entry could be an airport, a ferry port, etc. They should be prepared to answer any questions about their visit.

Your visitor may be able to use the eGates on their arrival in the UK and receive automatic entry as a visitor. They must:

• an EU or EEA country
• New Zealand
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• be aged 12 and over, and
• have a biometric passport carrying the biometric symbol.

If they enter via the eGates, they won't have to speak to an Immigration Officer and get a stamp in their passport.

Visas and Immigration for study in the UK

Inviting a visitor to the UK

During your studies, you may wish for a friend or family member to visit you in the UK from overseas.

If a friend or a relative wants to come to visit you in the UK and they need a visa to enter the UK, they should prepare to apply for a Standard Visitor visa . If they are a visa-national , they will need to submit the application at their nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in the country where there are living.

Non-visa nationals are allowed to request a visitor visa at the point of entry to the UK; however, they should still make sure they have the relevant documents with them in their hand luggage to show to border officials.

For a faster entry in the UK, some visitors may be able to access the e-Gates. The e-Gates are an automated self-service barrier operated by the UK Border Force and are an alternative to getting documents checked at the desk by an officer. You can find out who has access to the e-Gates by  reading the Home Office guidance .

Your visitor should enter their information at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa to find out the process relevant for them.

Your visitor/s should read the Standard Visit visa information on the UKVI website  carefully, before applying for their visa/s.

They will need to demonstrate that:

• They intend to visit the UK for no more than 6 months
• They intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit
• They have enough money to support themselves whilst in the UK, without working or needing any help from public funds

Please see below a list of documents we suggest your visitors to provide with their application, if relevant:

• Passport (this is mandatory)
• 2 passport photographs
• Application fee in local currency
• A photocopy of your passport including the photograph page and your visa/BRP card
• At least 6 months bank statements and/or payslips to show that they can fund their trip and any expenses. If you are funding their visit, you should provide proof of your finances for them to show
• Evidence that they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit (for instance, a letter from their employer).
• Details of where they intend to stay and their travel plans

Proof of your registration at the University of Greenwich

• A letter of invitation from you

To provide your visitor with proof of your registration at the university, you can get a 'student status letter', which you can  request online. This is the only formal document you normally need from the university in support of your visitor's visa application.

Your letter of invitation

If possible, you should write a letter of invitation for your visitor to provide with their application. Address the letter to the Entry Clearance Officer at the embassy/ high commission where your visitor is applying for their visa. You will need to include these details:

• Your visitor's full name and date of birth
• Your relationship to them (sibling, friend, etc.)
• The reason for their visit (graduation, holiday, etc.)
• Their planned arrival and departure dates
• Where they intend to stay. If they plan to stay with you, give your full address
• Your own immigration status in the UK (for example, Student Visa)

View our suggested template for the invitation letter for guidance on how to write this letter if you need it.

What to do next

Send your invitation letter, proof of registration (student status letter), copy of your passport, visa and any other applicable documents on the list of suggested documents to your friend or relative, so they can include them with their visa application. Do not send it directly to the Embassy.

You can contact the International Student Advice Service if you have questions or concerns regarding a UK Standard Visit visa application.

In this section

• Section Home
• Before you arrive
• When you arrive
• International Student Advice Service
• Extending your Student Visa
• When to extend your visa
• CAS for extending your visa
• Financial requirements
• Documents required
• Apply for your Student Visa in the UK
• Apply for your Student Visa outside the UK
• Applying with dependants
• Understanding UK Immigration Rules for Students
• The Schengen Visa Scheme
• Lost or stolen Passport or BRP Card
• After your study
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Brexit Information for EU/EEA students

Find your course

• Current Students
• Support Services
• International Student Support
• Visas for Friends and Family

Inviting Friends or Family to the UK (graduation)

Inviting friends and family to your graduation.

Useful information

Visas for family and friends to attend your graduation

If your parents, family or friends will be joining you to celebrate your graduation, it is likely that they will need to apply for a visa.

From 1st January 2021, EU/EEA nationals (except Irish Nationals) are also subject to immigration control and require visitor permission to enter the UK.

Certain nationalities are not required to formally apply for a visitor visa before travel. If the nationality is not listed in appendix 2 of the visa national list , then they are a "non-visa national" and can obtain permission at the border. If unsure, please check with us before travelling.

We recommend that those intending on following this route still carry the same documentation ready to show at the border as evidence of their intention to visit. 

If your visitors are "Visa-nationals", meaning they must formally apply for a visa prior to travel, then they can follow the instructions below.

They must apply for a Standard Visitor Visa from outside the UK. It is not possible to switch in to this category from within the UK.

Applications are made online via the  UKVI application website .

If their country does not support online applications, the application forms are available from the Home Office website .

• Evidence that they have enough money to support themselves whilst in the UK, for example, bank statements, payslips, or a letter from their employer. Unless you intend to support them financially during their visit (which is very unusual) they will not need your bank statements.
• A short invitation letter from you, confirming your relationship with them and the reason you are inviting them to come to the UK. This is not a letter that the University can produce for you.  A sample letter is available to download and modify according to your need  Sample Invitation Letter 32 KB
• A letter from the University which confirms you are enrolled at Aston. If your guests are visiting for your graduation ceremony, your graduation ceremony date should be included in the letter. You can request a ‘Letter to Confirm your Degree Ceremony Date’ via the Graduation container in MAP. A digital document will then be sent to your student email address. (The option appears after you have completed graduation registration and have indicated that you will be attending your graduation ceremony. Remember, this is only available after you have clicked on the link to confirm your graduation ceremony date).
• If you are currently in the UK, you should send a scanned image of your passport (the photograph page) and your current Student Visa/Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Do not send originals.
• Evidence that your friends or family have every reason to leave the UK at the end of their visit, for example, a letter from their employer and evidence of commitments.
• If you have plans (an itinerary) for their visit then write it down and give it to your visitors. For example Day 1: Collect from Birmingham Airport, Day 2: Tour of Birmingham shops, Day 3: Visit Worcester by train, Day 4: Coach trip to Warwick Castle etc. You can include details of hotel or tour bookings if you have any.

You can find further guidance on supporting documents on the Home Office website .

The following nationalities when arriving in the UK are permitted to use the “E-Gates” for quicker entry into the UK.

All EU/EEA nationals PLUS nationals of:

• New Zealand
• South Korea

This means that if they are a national of any of the above countries, they can choose to use the E-Gates at a UK airport instead of waiting in line to see a Border Officer. This is regardless of whether they have applied for their visa before travel or were planning to obtain permission at the border. It is not mandatory to use an E-Gate and they can still see a Border Officer if they want to.  More information can be found here .

All other nationalities still must see a Border Officer and present their visitor visa/passport in person when entering the UK.

Last updated: 12/08/2024 KB  

Inviting visitors to the UK

You may want to invite family or friends to visit you in the UK whilst you are studying at Southampton.

Check if they need a UK visa on: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

If your visitor doesn't need a visa, they may need electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before they travel to the UK. Check if your visitor needs an ETA on: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Some visitors can scan their passport at an eGate at the UK border instead of visiting an immigration officer. Check who can use eGates on: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coming-to-the-uk/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border#use-the-egates-for-quicker-entry

If you are an exchange or study abroad student coming to Southampton for less than 6 months, visit our page about making a short study visit to the University: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/visa-and-immigration/applying-for-your-visa/short-visit.page

How can I help my visitor apply for a Visitor visa?

Your visitor must be able to show that:

• they will leave the UK at the end of their visit
• they can support themselves during the trip (or have funding from someone else to support them)
• they are able to pay for their return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
• they will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home.

Evidence you could provide your visitor to support their Visitor visa application:

• images of your passport and UK visa or immigration permission
• a proof of enrolment letter for your study at Southampton
• evidence of the relationship between you and the visitor, for example an image of your birth certificate if they are your parent. You should not include personal photographs.
• evidence of the reason for their visit, for example, a letter of invitation to attend your graduation
• a letter of invitation from you explaining the reason for your visitor's trip. You can find a template letter in the Useful Downloads section at the bottom of this page but note this is only a template and you must adjust it to include your information and details.

Additional evidence you could provide if you are funding your visitor's travel, maintenance or accommodation for their trip:

• what support you will be providing
• how this support will be provided
• evidence you have enough funds to support yourself and your Dependents in addition to funding the visitor’s trip

The University Visa and Immigration Student Advice Service don't offer advice about applications for visitors. If your visitor needs advice, they can find an immigration advisor external to the University on: https://www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser

Please note: The University of Southampton cannot accept responsibility for the content of external websites.

Useful Downloads

• Template for a Letter of Invitation

Useful Internal Links

Enrolment letter

You can request a proof of enrolment letter online

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My Sponsorsip Letter for Parents as a Sample

Moderators: Casa , Amber , archigabe , batleykhan , ca.funke , ChetanOjha , EUsmileWEallsmile , JAJ , John , Obie , push , geriatrix , vinny , CR001 , zimba , meself2 , Administrator

Post by RoyalFlush » Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:17 pm

Post by shendean » Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:53 pm

Post by aakkoo » Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:25 am

Post by z18runway » Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:05 pm

aakkoo wrote: Thx RoyalFlush for such a detailed guide. I just want to know one more thing ur parents applied as a general visiter or family Visiter. Is there a difference in general visit and family visit? I want to invite my parents and my sister as well so little but confused ??

Re: My Sponsorsip Letter for Parents as a Sample

Post by prasad394 » Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:07 pm

RoyalFlush wrote: Hi, I have used the below letter of sponsorship for my parents. I currently have ILR. List of documents included in the last page. They received 5 year visas. Thought it might be useful to others. Don't forget to adapt it to your own circumstances. Good luck. [YOUR FULL NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [DATE] The Entry Clearance Officer British High Commission Visa Section British High Commission Pretoria PO Box 13611 or 13612 Hatfield Dear Sir/Madam Re: Sponsorship of Visa Applicants (Parents) – [PARENTS FULL NAMES] I am writing in support of the applications by the above named persons as family visitors for a period of 6 months (maximum as per regulations) to enable them to visit me in the UK. The above named, [PARENTS NAMES], are my biological parents residing in Cape Town, South Africa. I am willing to sponsor their visit and pay all the necessary travelling costs and any other expenses that they might incur during their stay in the UK. My parents’ visit would enable them to spend some time with me as I am currently unable to visit them due to work commitments. My parents live with my brother and grandmother, with whom they are very much attached. They fully support and care for my grandmother. My parents intend to return to them after their visit to the UK. I presently work as a [YOUR JOB TITLE] for [COMPANY], and have a salary of [YOUR SALARY]. I am currently renting my home which is a 3 bedroom semi-detached house. I currently occupy one double bedroom with my partner. The second double bedroom and a single bedroom are both vacant and available. There is ample space for my parents during their stay. I give you my full assurance that I can support, maintain and accommodate my parents without any recourse to public funds. Attached is my Sponsorship Declaration. I will pay for any medical treatment that they may have which is not covered by their travel insurance. You have my word that they will return to South Africa after their stay with me. I would therefore be grateful if you can kindly issue the visas to them. Yours faithfully, [SIGNED] [YOUR NAME] ------------------------------------------------------------ END OF PAGE -------------------------------------------------------- Sponsorship Declaration 1. Sponsors Full Name: [YOUR FULL NAME] 2. Date and Place of Birth: [YOUR DETAILS HERE] 3. Address in UK: [YOUR DETAILS HERE] 4. Sponsor’s Occupation: [YOUR DETAILS HERE] 5. Sponsor’s Employer/Address: [YOUR DETAILS HERE] 6. Sponsors Earnings: [YOUR DETAILS HERE] per annum 7. Accommodation Details: Semi Detached, 3 bedrooms (2 double, 1 single), Bathroom, Toilet, Dining room, Lounge, Garden, Spam 8. Number, Date, Place Issue of Sponsor’s Passport: [YOUR DETAILS HERE] 9. Sponsors Current UK Immigration Status: ILR (permanent residency permit number RCxxxxxxxxx) 10. Name, Relationship and Address of dependants in (South Africa) who are being sponsored: [PARENTS DETAILS HERE] Declaration I Mr [YOUR DETAILS HERE] hereby solemnly and sincerely declare that if the sponsored persons named above are granted leave to remain in the UK (in the case of a visitor on a temporary basis) I shall be responsible for their support, maintenance and accommodation in the UK throughout the period of their leave. I also undertake to repatriate them at my cost if and when necessary and to bear all the cost of any medical treatment that they may receive. Furthermore I agree to bear all the costs of burial or cremation in the event of their death in this country. I further understand that I may be committing an offence and liable to prosecution if, after I have given this undertaking, I do not support the sponsored person named above [SIGNED] [YOUR NAME] ------------------------------------------------------------ END OF PAGE --------------------------------------------------------  As proof of my identity and right to live in the UK please find attached the following documentation: i. Copy of main page of current passport ii. Copy of biometric residence permit (ILR) iii. Original letter from UKBA stating that ILR was approved As proof of being able to provide accommodation please find attached the following documentation: i. Council Tax Bill for 2012/2013 in my name and stated address ii. TV License in my name and stated address iii. Most recent landline telephone bill in my name and stated address iv. Tenancy agreement for the stated address As proof of my ability to support my parents financially stay, please find attached the following documentation: i. Employment history tax certificate from HM Revenue covering tax years 2006 to 2011 (2012 tax year has not yet ended) ii. Salary slips for the past six months (note that I changed employer in August 2012) iii. Bank statements for the last six months iv. Letter from employer stating my current salary and that I am a permanent employee Thank you for your consideration and time in reviewing the attached documentation. [SIGNED] [YOUR NAME] ------------------------------------------------------------ END OF PAGE --------------------------------------------------------

Post by fielddrive » Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:27 am

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Getting a visa for your adult family member to join you in the UK

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

Bringing family members from Ukraine to the UK

There are special rules for family members who are Ukrainian nationals. Check the rules about bringing family members from Ukraine to the UK .

Your adult family member can only apply to join you in the UK if they have long-term care needs and they can show they need your support in the UK.

They’ll need to apply for an ‘adult dependent relative visa’. These visas are very hard to get and they cost over £3,000 - your family member won’t get their money back if their application is refused.

The rules are different if you want to sponsor your partner. Check if your partner can get a visa to live in the UK .

If your family member applies as an adult dependant you’re called their ‘sponsor’.

If their family member’s application is successful, they’ll usually get the right to stay in the UK permanently. This is called ‘indefinite leave’.

You’ll need to check:

if you can sponsor your adult family member

who can apply as an adult dependant

if you have enough income and savings to sponsor your adult family member

that where your adult family member will live is safe and suitable

Check if you can sponsor an adult family member

You can sponsor your adult family member to apply as an adult dependant if you have one of the following:

British citizenship

Irish citizenship - you must be living or have lived in the UK

indefinite leave to remain or right of abode

settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme

pre-settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme - you must have come to the UK by 31 December 2020

refugee status or humanitarian protection

If you’re a citizen of the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Your parent, grandparent or child might be able to apply for pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme. It’s free and easier than applying for an adult dependent relative visa.

They might be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

You can check if your adult family member can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

You can check which countries are in the EU on GOV.UK .

If you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020

If you applied and got pre-settled status as a family member, your adult family member can’t apply as an adult dependant or apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you’re in this situation, you’ll need to wait until you get settled status before your adult family member can apply as an adult dependant. Check the rules about switching from pre-settled to settled status .

If you were born in Northern Ireland

Your parent, grandparent or child might be able to apply for pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme. It's free and easier than applying for a visa. 

Your adult family member might be able to apply for pre-settled or settled status if you have British or Irish citizenship - or both. When you were born one of your parents must have had either:

British or Irish citizenship - or both

an immigration status that let them live in the UK permanently - for example, indefinite leave to remain

You must have been living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

If you were born in Northern Ireland, check how your adult family member should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme on GOV.UK .

Check who can apply as an adult dependant

Your adult family member can only apply as an adult dependant if they’re your:

grandparent

brother or sister aged 18 or over

child aged 18 or over

Your adult family member must need long-term care. For example they might need someone to cook them meals or help them get dressed.

Your adult family member must not be able to get or afford the care they need in the country they live in - even with your help. There must be no-one else who could reasonably care for them, like a partner or close relative.

Your adult family member can’t apply if they owe £500 or more to the NHS.

Your adult family member can only apply for a dependent adult visa if they’re outside the UK. Get help from a specialist adviser if they’re already in the UK.

Check the rules about your income and savings

You must show you’ll have enough income to look after your adult family member. This is called the ‘adequate maintenance’ test.

You’ll need to sign a form that says you’ll support your adult family member - this is called a ‘maintenance undertaking’. If you’re a refugee or you have humanitarian protection, you only have to sign a maintenance undertaking if you have indefinite leave.

You can get a copy of the maintenance undertaking on GOV.UK .

To check if you can pass the adequate maintenance test, you need to first work out how much income the government says you need each week. You then need to check if you have enough income.

Work out how much income you need each week

To work out how much income the government says you need each week, add together:

£77 if you’re single or £121.05 if you live with a partner

£77 if your adult family member is aged 25 or over, or £61.05 if they’re aged under 25

£70.80 for each child aged under 18 who lives with you

your housing costs - these are your rent or mortgage payments plus your council tax

When you’re working out your housing costs, don’t include any part of the costs that will be covered by Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

The Home Office will look at the amount of benefits you’ll get and the council tax you’ll have to pay when your adult family member lives with you.

When your adult family member lives with you, a ‘non-dependant deduction’ will be taken off your benefits. If you get the housing element of Universal Credit, the non-dependant deduction is £17.97 each week. If you get Housing Benefit, the non-dependant deduction is at least £16.45 - it will be more if your adult family member will be earning when they live with you. 

If you get a single person discount on your council tax at the moment, it will usually stop when your adult family member moves in.

Monique’s father is applying for a visa to come to the UK - he is 65 years old. Monique lives with her wife and their son, who is aged 8.

The total weekly income Monique needs to sponsor her father is £121.05 plus £77 for her father, plus £70.80 for her son, plus her housing costs.

Monique’s rent is entirely covered by the housing element of Universal Credit. When her father lives with her there will be a non-dependant deduction - this means she’ll have to pay £17.97 of her rent each week.

Monique’s council tax is £30 each week. She gets Council Tax Reduction of £10 each week. £30 minus £10 is £20. This means she needs £20 income for council tax each week.

Monique’s housing costs are £17.97 plus £20. This is £37.97.

The total income Monique needs each week is £121.05 plus £77 plus £70.80 plus £37.97. This is £306.82.

Check if you have enough income

Work out how much income you’ll get each week after tax. If you live with a partner, you can add their income to yours. You can include earnings, pensions and income from things like rent or shares.

If you have any savings, you can add them to your income - you must have had the savings for at least 6 months. Divide the amount of your savings by 52 - this is how much you can add to your weekly income.

If your total income is high enough, you meet the adequate maintenance test.

Monique’s father is applying for a visa to come to the UK. The total weekly income she needs to sponsor her father is £306.82.

Monique’s weekly earnings after tax are £120. Her wife’s weekly earnings after tax are £150. They have no other income.

£120 plus £150 is £270.

Monique and her wife have had £2,600 in savings for the last 6 months. £2,600 divided by 52 is £50. This is added to their income.

£270 plus £50 is £320. Monique’s total weekly income is £320. This is more than the government says she needs, so Monique can sponsor her father.

If your total income isn’t high enough

When you work out your total income, you might be able to include other benefits you get - for example some parts of Universal Credit. It depends on your circumstances.

If you need help working out if you meet the adequate maintenance test, talk to an adviser .

Check that where they'll live is safe and suitable

Your adult family member will have to show that there’s somewhere they can live in the UK that is safe, suitable and large enough for them and anyone they will live with.

Your adult family member needs somewhere they can stay long term. For example they might have a tenancy agreement or a room of their own in your home.

If you live in council housing or your landlord is a housing association, you can check how many people are allowed to live in your home. This is called the ‘permitted number of persons’ (PNP). The PNP is usually on your tenancy agreement, or you can ask your landlord. Children under 1 year old aren’t included in the total, and children between 1 and 10 years old count as half a person.

If your landlord isn't a council or housing association, check your local council’s guidance about overcrowding. You can find your local council on GOV.UK .

Check how long your adult family member’s visa will last

If your adult family member’s application is successful, they’ll usually get ‘indefinite leave’. This means they can stay in the UK permanently.

They will usually only lose their indefinite leave if they’re outside the common travel area for more than 2 years in a row. The common travel area is the UK, Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

The rules are more complicated if both of the following apply:

you have refugee status or humanitarian protection

you don’t have indefinite leave

In this situation, your adult family member will get a visa which lasts until the end of your leave. When you’re able to apply for indefinite leave, your adult family member can also apply - it doesn’t matter how long they’ve been in the UK. They’ll need to show exactly the same things as when they first applied for their adult dependent relative visa. You’ll have to sign a maintenance undertaking.

Check your adult family member’s rights if they get a visa

Your adult family member will have the right to:

work or study

rent or buy somewhere to live

use the NHS

leave the UK and return as many times as they want

Getting benefits and help with housing

Because you have to sign a maintenance undertaking, there are special rules if your adult family member wants to claim benefits or help with housing. The rules end 5 years after they arrive - or earlier if their sponsor dies.

The rules depend on whether your adult family member has indefinite leave.

If they have indefinite leave, they can’t claim the following benefits:

Universal Credit

Pension Credit

Housing Benefit

tax credits

income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Income Support

They also can’t apply for council housing, or make a homeless application to your local council.

They can claim any other benefits, for example Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance.

If your adult family member doesn’t have indefinite leave, they can’t claim any public funds. This is called having a ‘no public funds condition’. They’ll only be in this situation if you’re a refugee who didn’t have indefinite leave when you signed the undertaking. Check what counts as public funds and what they can still claim .

Applying for a dependent adult visa

Check how your adult family member can apply as an adult dependant .

It can be very difficult to get an adult dependent relative visa. Get help from a specialist adviser before applying.

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Page last reviewed on 11 July 2022

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Family visas: apply, extend or switch

Apply as a parent.

You can apply to live in the UK to care for your child.

If you’re eligible to apply as a partner , you must do that instead of applying as a parent.

Your child must either:

• be under 18 on the date you apply
• have been under 18 when you were first granted leave

Your child must:

• live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
• not be married or in a civil partnership

Your child must be living in the UK. One of the following must also be true:

• they’re a British or Irish citizen
• they’ve settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence
• they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
• if you’re applying in the UK, they must have lived in the UK for 7 years continuously and it would not be reasonable for them to leave

If your child has settled or pre-settled status you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit .

Parental responsibility

You need to have sole or shared parental responsibility for your child.

If you share parental responsibility, the child’s other parent must not be your partner. They must also either:

• be a British or Irish citizen
• have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence
• be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

If the child lives with their other parent or carer, you must have access to the child in person, as agreed with the other parent or carer or by a court order.

What you’ll need to prove

You must be able to prove that you’re taking an active role in your child’s upbringing and you plan to continue after you apply.

Send evidence that:

• comes from the government, school, court or a medical professional
• shows you’re living with or caring for your child
• is less than 4 years old

You can use things like:

• a letter from your child’s school confirming you take them to school or go to parent evenings
• a letter to your address from the local authority confirming your child’s school
• a letter from your child’s doctor, dentist, or health visitor confirming that you take them to appointments
• court order paperwork confirming that your child lives with you or that you’re taking an active role in their upbringing

You need permission from the court to use court order paperwork as evidence in your application. Send written proof that the court has given you permission when you apply - for example, a letter from the court.

If you do not have any evidence that meets this criteria, there is other evidence you can provide instead. However, it’s less likely that you’ll be given a visa in this case.

Other evidence you can provide includes:

• a parental agreement drafted by a solicitor and signed by you and the child’s other parent
• a letter from HMRC confirming that you’re claiming Child Tax Credit
• social services paperwork confirming that you spend time with your child, or that you’re applying for access

Things like greetings cards, photographs and text or social media messages are not considered strong evidence of your role in your child’s upbringing and are unlikely to help your application.

English language and financial requirements

You must also prove you:

• have a good knowledge of English
• can financially support yourself without claiming public funds

The caseworker uses your income and housing costs to check if you can support yourself.

If your child or any other dependants live with you, you must also prove you can financially support them without claiming public funds.

Check the information and evidence you’ll need to prove your income.

If you do not meet the English language and financial requirements you can still extend your permission to stay if:

• your child in the UK is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years
• it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. After this you’ll need to apply to extend your stay.

If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

How to apply

You’ll need to prepare information and evidence to provide with your application.

How you apply depends on whether you’re in the UK or not.

Outside the UK

You must apply online outside the UK . You must also complete Appendix 5 .

You must apply online in the UK .

Read the guidance for parents before applying.

If you cannot pay the fee

You can apply for a fee waiver if you cannot pay the fee because you:

• do not have a place to live and cannot afford one
• have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
• have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Apply for a fee waiver online from outside the UK .

Apply for a fee waiver online from inside the UK .

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online visa application form if you:

• do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
• do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

How long it takes

If you apply outside the UK you’ll usually get a decision within 24 weeks.

If you apply inside the UK it currently takes about 12 months to get a decision.

You may be able to pay for a faster decision .

Applying with other children

You can add other children to your application as dependants if one of the following applies:

• they are under 18 on the date you apply
• they were under 18 when they were first granted leave on a family visa

They must also:

When you can settle permanently

The earliest you can apply to settle in the UK (called ‘indefinite leave to remain’) is after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years continuously on a family visa as a parent.

You cannot include time you’ve spent in the UK on any other visa.

The rules are different if you applied before 9 July 2012.

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