The UK is a popular destination not just for tourists but also for those wanting to spend time with their loved ones. If you live in the UK and want to invite your overseas relative to visit you, they may need to apply for a UK Family Visitor Visa. This visa is a subcategory of the UK standard visitor visa. Your relative needs to apply for a UK standard visitor visa if you want to invite them to the UK. This visa is commonly used for family visits and allows relatives to stay in the UK for a short period.

What is a UK Family Visitor Visa?

The UK family visitor visa allows foreign nationals to visit their family members in the UK. This is a short-term visa that lasts for up to 6 months. There is a long-term UK family visitor visa also available. They last for 2, 5, and 10 years. However, in each stay, the visitor can stay in the UK for up to 6 months only.

People residing in the UK can invite their relatives to the UK and host them through a UK family visitor visa. This is a visa for visa nationals. Applicants can apply for a UK family visitor visa for up to 3 months before they plan to travel to the UK. They must leave the UK at the end of their visit.

If you are inviting your overseas relative to the UK, you must issue an invitation letter to them.

This visa is suitable for:

• Parents
• Siblings
• Children
• Grandparents
• In-laws
• Cousins, uncles, aunts (with the clear purpose of visit)

If your relative is a non-visa national, they may need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) instead.

Inviting Overseas Relatives to the UK

Inviting overseas relatives to the UK means your relative(s) wish to visit you in the UK. In other words, they would meet you and may stay in your place also. Your relative or the UK visitor visa applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements before making an application.

1. Their purpose is to visit their relative (you) in the UK only -

If you are inviting your relative, they must show that the purpose of their coming to the UK is to visit their family member (you) legally living in the UK.

2. Intention to Leave the UK -

Your relative must prove that they will leave the UK at the end of their visit. For this, they can show return or onward flight tickets.

3. Financial Capacity -

Your relative must demonstrate that they can financially support themselves during their stay or have financial support from their relative (you) in the UK.

4. Pay for Return or Onward Journey -

Your visiting relative must be able to pay for their return or onward journey. Their relative (you) can also fund their journey instead.

5. Adequate Accommodation -

They must provide details of accommodation arrangements made by their relative (you) in the UK.

6. Strong Ties to Their Home Country -

They must prove that they have strong ties to their home country (job, property, family) to show they will go back to their home country.

Documents Required

Your relative must submit the following documents:

• Valid passport or travel document - They must submit their passport or other valid travel document to prove their identity and nationality.
• Evidence of Your Legal Immigration Status - They also need to submit documents such as your passport identity page, your current UK visa, or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) showing your legal immigration status in the UK.
• Proof of Their Relationship with You - They will have to show how they are connected with you.  
• Letter of invitation from you - You must issue an invitation letter to your relative.Without an invitation letter, your relative will not be able to apply for a UK family visitor visa.

The invitation letter/ Sponsor Undertaking must include the following information:

1. Address the letter ‘To whom it may concern.’
2. Your full name and contact details
3. The name and relationship with the person you are inviting
4. Their passport number
5. Purpose of your relative’s visit
6. Duration of stay (start and end date of their visit)
7. Confirmation of accommodation and financial support (if provided)

• Bank statements (visitor’s and/or sponsor’s) - The bank statement or pay slips of your relative are required to prove that they have enough money to support themselves during their stay in the UK. On the other hand, if you are going to sponsor their trip (including flight tickets and accommodation costs), you will have to show your bank account statement or pay slips. This is required to prove that you can afford your relative’s trip cost as well as your living cost in the UK.
• Proof of accommodation (rental agreement or property ownership) - Your relative is most likely going to stay with you or in an accommodation arranged by you. If you have arranged accommodation for your family in a hotel or guest house, you should provide confirmation of the bookings, or if he/she is going to stay with you, a letter from your landlord or accommodation agency would be required to confirm their permission for your family member(s) to stay with you.
• Travel itinerary - This is optional but recommended. The travel itinerary can be used to show the trip details, places your relative will be visiting in the UK, and their return or onward journey confirmation.
• Evidence of employment or strong ties to the home country - This is required to show that your relative has strong economic and/or personal reasons to go back to their home country. They can submit documents such as employment letters, property ownership letters, relationship documents such as marriage certificates, etc.  

How Can They Apply?

You cannot apply on your relative’s behalf. However, you can help your relative apply for a UK family visitor visa. Here are the steps your relative needs to follow when applying for the visa.

1. Apply Online - They need to apply online on GOV.UK for a UK family visitor visa.
2. Pay the Visa Fee - They need to pay the visa application fee of £127 if they are applying for a visa for up to 6 months. If they are applying for a longer-term visa of 2, 5, or 10 years, they need to pay £475, £848, and £1059, respectively.
3. Submit the Documents - They need to upload the supporting documents mentioned above as part of the visa application process.
4. Book an Appointment at a Visa Application Center - While applying online, they need to make an appointment at a VAC (visa application center) in their country.
5. Enroll Biometrics - At the VAC on the date of appointment, they need to prove their identity through their passport or other valid travel document. They also need to enroll their biometric information (fingerprints and digital photograph).
6. Wait for the Decision - After having enrolled their biometric information, they need to wait for the decision from the home office. 
7. Receive the Decision - Usually, your relative should get a decision within 3 weeks through an email from the home office. They can also apply for ‘priority’ service for a quicker decision, provided this service is available at their VAC.

How Can We Help?

You can invite your relative(s) to the UK. They need to apply for a UK family visitor visa for this purpose. You can help them apply. You need to write a letter of invitation for your family member. They also need to meet other eligibility and document requirements.

We help you and your relative go through the visa process without discomfort. We understand how valuable it is for you to meet your family member. Our role starts with helping you understand the visa requirements. We help the applicant gather necessary documents in correct format. We also help you write a letter of invitation. Our role continues until receiving a UK family visitor visa successfully for your relative. At any stage of the visa process, you and your relative can contact us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261.