To qualify for a visa on the basis of your private life, you must fall into one of several categories.

• If you are under 18 years old and have lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years, you must prove that it would be unreasonable to expect you to leave the UK.
• Alternatively, if you are between 18 and 24 years old, you must have spent more than half your life living in the UK. For those who are 18 or older but have been in the UK for less than 20 years, you must demonstrate that you would face significant difficulties living in the country to which you would have to return.
• Finally, you may also be eligible if you have lived in the UK continuously for 20 years or were born in the UK to a parent who has or is applying for permission to stay based on their private life.

When applying for a UK family visa, it is essential to gather and prepare a comprehensive set of information and evidence to support your application. This includes details not only for yourself but also for any dependants applying alongside you.

Passport Requirements for Visa Placement

• For applicants submitting their application from outside the UK, it is essential to have a blank page available in your passport for the visa. This page will be used by UK immigration authorities to place the visa if your application is successful.

Immigration History and Criminal Record Disclosure

• The application process requires you to disclose your immigration history, including details of any previous applications you have made to the UK Home Office. You must also provide information regarding any criminal convictions, as this is a critical aspect of the assessment.

Additional Information for Applications from Outside the UK

• If you are applying from outside the UK, additional information is necessary. You will need to provide your parents’ date of birth and nationality. If you are from a country where a tuberculosis test is required, the results of this test must be submitted along with your application. It is also important to ensure that any documents not in English or Welsh are accompanied by a certified translation.

Proving Your Financial Eligibility for a UK Family Visa

• When applying for a UK family visa, it is essential to demonstrate that you meet the financial requirements specific to the type of visa you are pursuing. The financial criteria are assessed based on the income of either the applicant, the family member they are joining in the UK, or both. The ability to meet these financial thresholds is crucial to ensure that you and your dependents can support yourselves without relying on public funds once in the UK.

Essential Documentation for Financial Evidence

• To substantiate your financial eligibility, you will need to provide comprehensive documentation along with your visa application. For employed applicants or family members, relevant documents include bank statements that reflect income deposits, six months’ worth of payslips, and an employer’s letter. This letter should be on official headed paper and must confirm key details such as employment status, job title, duration of employment, type of contract, gross income before tax and National Insurance, and the authenticity of the payslips. This evidence is critical in verifying that the income being claimed meets the necessary criteria for the visa.

Special Considerations for Non-Employment Income

• If the income comes from non-employment sources, such as self-employment, running a limited company, savings, or a pension, additional guidance must be followed to ensure accurate reporting. Similarly, if you or your family member has taken maternity or paternity leave within the past six months, or if you plan to combine multiple income sources to meet the requirements, you will need to provide specific documentation and adhere to additional guidelines.
• Meeting the financial requirements for a UK family visa is a critical aspect of the application process. By understanding what qualifies as income, gathering the appropriate documentation, and following the specific guidelines for your income type, you can strengthen your application and improve your chances of success. Whether your income comes from employment, self-employment, savings, or other sources, thorough preparation and accurate reporting are key to demonstrating your financial stability and securing your right to live in the UK with your family.
• Our expert and experienced team of immigration visa experts can guide you with the required list of documents throughout the application process, ensuring that all necessary evidence is provided to support your financial claims.

Ensuring a Complete and Accurate UK Family Visa Application

• Preparing a UK family visa application involves gathering a wide range of personal information and supporting evidence. By ensuring that all required documents are in order and that every detail is accurate, you can significantly enhance the likelihood of a favourable outcome. Thorough preparation, including the translation of any non-English documents and disclosure of relevant personal history, is essential for a smooth application process. This careful approach will help you navigate the complexities of the UK immigration system and increase your chances of securing the visa you need.

When applying for a UK family visa, demonstrating your knowledge of the English language is often a key requirement. This requirement ensures that individuals entering or remaining in the UK can effectively integrate into the community. However, there are specific situations where you may be exempt from proving your English language proficiency.

Methods to Prove Your Knowledge of English

• For those required to demonstrate their English proficiency, there are two primary methods: providing an academic qualification or passing an approved English language test. If you have earned a degree or another academic qualification that was taught or researched in English, this can serve as proof of your language ability. If your qualification was obtained from a UK institution, you only need to submit your degree certificate. However, if your qualification is from a university or college outside the UK, you must obtain a certificate from Ecctis (formerly known as UK NARIC) that confirms your degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and that it was taught in English.

Requirements for Academic Qualifications from Outside the UK

• If your academic qualification is from a university or college outside the UK, the type of certificate you need from Ecctis depends on the country where the qualification was earned. For degrees obtained from countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States, a statement of comparability is required. However, if your degree is from a different country, you will need a visa and nationality statement to verify that your qualification meets UK standards and was taught in English.

Taking an Approved English Language Test

• Another option to prove your English proficiency is by passing an approved English language test. For your first visa application, you must pass a test at least at level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. If you pass at level B1 or higher, this result can also be used when applying for settlement after five years, provided the test remains on the approved list and the certificate has not been withdrawn.

When You Are Exempt from Proving English Proficiency?

• Certain applicants are not required to demonstrate their knowledge of English. For example, if you are applying as a child or as an adult who needs care from a relative, you do not need to meet the English language requirement. Additionally, if you have already spent five years in the UK on a family visa and are extending it as a partner or parent, you are exempt. Other exemptions include individuals who are over the age of 65 or have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement. Moreover, nationals from specific English-speaking countries and territories are automatically exempt from proving their knowledge of English. These countries and territories include Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

English Language Requirements for Extending Your Visa

• If you need to extend your visa after 2.5 years, you may be required to pass a higher level on the CEFR scale. The level you need to achieve depends on the level you passed during your initial application. For instance, if you initially passed level A1, you must pass at least level A2 in speaking and listening for your extension. If you passed level A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2, you may reuse the same test result, provided the certificate remains valid and has not been revoked.

• Applying for a UK visa based on your private life requires a deep understanding of the specific eligibility criteria and a well-prepared application that demonstrates your strong ties to the UK. Whether you are seeking to remain in the UK temporarily or aiming for long-term settlement, it is crucial to provide comprehensive evidence that highlights the significant personal connections you have established over the years. By following the correct procedures and timelines, you can improve your chances of securing a successful outcome and achieving the stability and security that comes with living in the UK.
• AGCL Services can help you with rest of the visa process from completing the relevant visa applications forms to submit your application along with all the necessary and supporting documents.

For professional, up-to-date, and reliable advice on your visa requirements, connect with our experienced and accredited team of immigration visa experts. Call us on 020 3911 1115, send your inquiry via this form, or email us at ukvisa@agclservices.com. You can also request a callback by providing your contact details here, and we will respond you promptly.

Currently, it takes approximately 12 months to receive a decision on an application based on private life. However, depending on your circumstances, there may be an option to pay for a faster decision, which can significantly reduce the waiting time. It is important to plan accordingly and ensure that all necessary documentation is provided, and application is prepared and submitted accurately to avoid delays. Do not hesitate to contact one of our experienced consultants if you need professional advice from AGCL Services Ltd.

The cost of applying for a UK family visa varies depending on whom you are joining and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. If you are joining your partner, parent, or child, the fee is £1,846 when applying from outside the UK and £1,258 when applying from within the UK. These fees apply to each applicant, meaning that if you are adding dependents to your application, the cost per person remains the same.

Additional Healthcare Surcharge

• In addition to the visa application fee, you may be required to pay the healthcare surcharge, which grants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. The amount you need to pay depends on the length of your visa and the age of the applicant. For adults aged 18 or older, the surcharge is £2,587.50 for a stay of 2 years and 6 months, £3,105 for a stay of 2 years and 9 months, and £5,175 for a stay of 5 years. For children under 18, the surcharge is slightly lower, costing £1,940 for 2 years and 6 months, £2,328 for 2 years and 9 months, and £3,880 for 5 years.

Expedited Decision Option

• If you are applying from within the UK, you may have the option to expedite your application by paying an additional £1,000 for the super priority service. This service aims to provide a faster decision on your visa application.

Professional Services Fees

• If you choose to use our professional services for your visa application, the fee will range between £800 and £1,200, depending on the complexity of your case and the number of applicants involved. Please note that these fees are separate from the government fees and charges outlined above. Our services provide expert guidance and support throughout the application process, ensuring that all requirements are met, and your chances of a successful outcome are maximized.

If you need to extend your stay, you can apply for a visa extension of two years and six months. This extension is available to those who continue to meet the eligibility requirements under the private life category. Ensuring that your application is thoroughly prepared and supported by relevant documentation is essential to securing your continued right to remain in the UK.

• The pathway to settlement in the UK varies depending on your age and the length of time you have lived in the country. If you are under 18 and have lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years, or if you are between 18 and 24 and have spent half your life in the UK, you can apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after five years of residence on a private life visa.
• If you are 18 or older and have lived in the UK for less than 20 years, or if you were born in the UK to a parent who holds or is applying for permission to stay based on private life, you will need to wait 10 years before you can apply for settlement.