UK Family Visa

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A quick guide to the UK Family Visa, covering the essential information families need: who qualifies, how long it lasts, and why short visits to your child are usually better covered by a Visitor Visa.

UK Family Visa General Information

The Family Visa is a long-term route for people joining a close family member who is settled in the UK, such as a spouse, partner, parent or child who is a British citizen or holds settled status. It is designed for living in the UK permanently with family, not for visits. A Family Visa is usually granted for around 2 years and 9 months, can be extended, and can lead to settlement in the UK after 5 years of continuous residence.

Who is it for?

The Family Visa is for people who intend to live in the UK with a qualifying family member on a long-term basis. It is important to understand what it does not cover:

• having a child studying at a UK boarding school or university does not by itself make parents eligible for a Family Visa
• parents wishing to visit their child for open days, half-terms, graduations or holidays should use the Standard Visitor Visa or an ETA instead, see our UK Visitor Visa guide
• parents of younger children, aged 4 to 11, studying at an independent fee-paying school may be eligible for the separate Parent of a Child Student visa, which allows a parent to live in the UK while caring for their child

For most families of international students, guardianship combined with short visits on a Visitor Visa or ETA is the practical arrangement, which is exactly the role British Guardianship fulfils during term time.

How can British Guardianship help?

Our team can support and guide families to some extent with the UK Child Student Visa and Student Visa, as these are the routes where preparation and evidence matter most. The Family Visa is a complex long-term immigration route, and if you believe it applies to your situation, we recommend seeking professional immigration advice. What we can do is help you decide whether you actually need one: in most cases, a Visitor Visa or ETA covers everything a parent needs, with our guardianship service providing continuous care for your child in the UK. Always leave enough time to deal with any visa before travelling. If you are unsure which route applies to you, contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Where to find the official information?

Official guidance on the Family Visa and the Parent of a Child Student visa, including current fees, financial requirements and processing times, is always published on the official UK Government website. We recommend checking it before making any plans, as requirements can change.