Exploring Family Visa Applications in the UK

The UK government offers various family visa options for individuals who wish to join or remain with their loved ones in the country. In this article, we will discuss the different types of family applications available in the UK, including FLR(M) and FLR(FP), and the requirements for each.

Types of Family Applications

FLR(M) - Family Visa Extension

This form is used to apply to remain in the UK as a family member, partner, or child of various categories, including British nationals, settled individuals, EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status holders, refugees, and Turkish ECAA visa holders. If your FLR(M) application is approved, you will be granted permission to stay in the UK for a further 30 months, after which you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Apply as a Partner or Spouse

To apply as a partner, both you and your partner must be 18 years or older. Your partner should meet specific criteria, such as being a British or Irish citizen, having settled status, or holding certain types of visas.

Additionally, you must prove that you are in a recognized civil partnership or marriage, have lived together for at least 2 years, or are a fiancé(e) planning to marry in the UK within 6 months.

You would need to meet English Language and Financial requirements.

Apply as a Parent

Parents can apply to live in the UK to care for their child if the child is under 18 or was under 18 when the parent was first granted leave. Specific conditions apply, including the child living in the UK and meeting certain nationality or status requirements.

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
• 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.

Apply as a Child:

Children born in the UK to parents with permission to stay can either be added to their parent's application as dependants or apply separately. Age, permission to stay, and parent's immigration status are factors that determine eligibility.

a. If You Were Born in the UK: If you were born in the UK, you can get the same permission to stay as your parent. You have the option to be added to your parent's next application as a dependant or apply separately. Specific residency and marital status requirements apply.

b. If You Were Born Outside the UK: Whether you can apply depends on your age and how your parent applied. Certain conditions need to be met, including living with your parent, not being married or in a civil partnership, and having your parent apply on your behalf based on their immigration status.

If You're Under 18: One of your parents must be applying or have applied for a visa or to extend their permission to stay as a partner or a parent. They must also have sole parental responsibility for you. Exceptions may apply in case of serious reasons to let you come to or stay in the UK with plans for your care.

If You're 18 or Over: Your parent can include you in their application as a dependant, or you can apply separately if you have permission to stay in the UK on a family visa that started when you were under 18.

FLR(FP) - Family and Private Life Extension

This form is used for applications based on human rights and is designed for individuals who wish to extend their stay in the UK under certain circumstances.

a. Family Life as a Partner or Parent:

Individuals applying under the 10-year route for family life as a partner or parent need to demonstrate their eligibility, including the continuous nature of their stay and meeting financial and language requirements.

b. Dependent Child:

Dependent children of individuals with limited leave to remain in the UK can also apply under the 10-year route, provided they meet specific criteria.

c. Private Life in the UK:

This route is for those who wish to extend their stay based on their private life in the UK. Eligibility is determined by factors such as age, duration of residence, and significant human rights problems living in another country.

Form Type	Requirements
FLR (M) This form is used to apply to remain in the UK as a family member, partner, or child of various categories, including British nationals, settled individuals, EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status holders, refugees, and Turkish ECAA visa holders.	Applicants under this route your have to demonstrate that you: 1. Are still married or in a civil partnership with their British or settled partner, or 2. Are still a dependent child living with their British or settled parent 3. Are able to meet the financial requirements Possess English language skills at the required standard
FLR (FP) This form is used for applications based on the basis of private life (i.e. human rights) in the UK for 5 and 10-year routes.	Applicants under this route have to demonstrate that they:   1. If you're under 18 and have lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years, and it would be unreasonable to expect you to leave the UK. 2. If you're between 18 and 24 and have lived continuously in the UK for more than half of your life. 3. If you're 18 or over, have spent less than 20 years in the UK, and would face very significant problems living in the country you would go to. 4. If you're 25 or over and have been in the UK continuously for 20 years.