A UK family visa is a route to join your spouse, partner, parent, or child in the UK based on family life and Appendix FM is a comprehensive document that sets out the rules and requirements for overseas nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of family life. Appendix FM sets out the legal requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible and granted permission to enter or remain under this route.

Relative in the UK that the applicant wants to join must be:

• A British citizen or
• A person with UK settled status in the UK or
• A person in the UK with limited leave as a refugee or someone granted humanitarian protection

Appendix FM also guides the Home Office to ensure a balance between the right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Applying as Parent of a Child

The requirements to apply for family life as a parent of a child is provide under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules under Paragraphs E-ECPT in case of entry clearance application and E- LTRPT:

• Your child’s age must be under 18 years at the date of application
• Your child must be living in the UK;
• The child must have not formed an independent family unit or be leading independent life,
• The child must be British, Settled in the UK or in the UK with limited leave under Appendix EU; or
• The child must have lived in the UK for continuously 7 years;
• The applicant must be living with the child or have sole responsibility or have an agreement with the child’s other parent with whom the child lives or have a child contact order;
• You must show that you will be able to meet the financial requirements that is you must be able to adequately maintain and yourself and the child unless Exception applied under EX1 of the Appendix FM.

How to Apply?

You need to apply online. You will have to pay a Home Office fee as well as an Immigration Health Surcharge for the use of the National Health Service at the time of application. 
If your application is successful, you will be granted leave to remain for two and a half years. 

 If you are looking to apply under this route, please contact one of our lawyers on 02034111261 or email us [email protected]