UK Family Visas for South Africans – Bringing Families Together

If you have a family member who is a UK citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a UK family visa. UK family visas allow South Africans to join their loved ones in the UK for an extended period of time, and can be a pathway to eventual settlement and citizenship. UK Visas for South Africans is here to help you understand the different types of UK family visas available, and guide you through the application process.

Navigation:

  • Spouse Visa: If you’re married to a UK citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a Spouse visa. We provide information on the eligibility requirements and application process for the Spouse visa, as well as tips for preparing a successful application.

  • Partner Visa: If you’re in a long-term relationship with a UK citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a Partner visa. We explain the eligibility requirements and application process for the Partner visa, and provide helpful tips for preparing a successful application.

  • Parent Visa: If you have a child who is a UK citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a Parent visa. We provide information on the eligibility requirements and application process for the Parent visa, and provide helpful tips for preparing a successful application.

  • Child Visa: If you have a child who is not a UK citizen or permanent resident, but you or your partner are, your child may be eligible for a Child visa. We explain the eligibility requirements and application process for the Child visa, and provide helpful tips for preparing a successful application.

UK family visas provide South Africans with the opportunity to join their loved ones in the UK and build a new life together. UK Visas for South Africans is here to help you understand the different types of UK family visas available, including the Spouse visa, Partner visa, Parent visa, and Child visa. We explain the eligibility requirements and application process for each type of visa, and provide helpful tips for preparing a successful application. With our help, you can navigate the UK visa application process with ease and reunite with your family in the UK.

UK Family Visas

If you have a family member who is a UK citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a UK family visa. MoveUp.co.za provides information on the different types of UK family visas available, including spouse visas, partner visas, parent visas, and child visas, along with their eligibility requirements and application processes.

Financial Requirements for UK Family Visas

The financial requirement for UK family visas is a minimum income threshold that must be met by the UK-based partner. As of April 11, 2024, this threshold is set at £29,000 per year, with further increases to £34,500 later in 2024 and £38,700 by early 2025. 

If the income requirement is not met, the applicant can demonstrate adequate savings, which must be at least £88,500 as of April 2024, increasing to £102,250 and £112,500 with the subsequent income threshold rises. 

The financial requirement can also be met through a combination of income and savings, as well as other means such as pensions and investments, provided they are equivalent to the required savings amount. 

Cash savings must be held by the applicant, their partner, or jointly for at least 6 months prior to the application date.

Common Reasons for UK Family Visa Rejections

Some of the most common reasons for UK family visa rejections include:

  • Insufficient evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship, such as a lack of documentation proving cohabitation, shared financial commitments, or communication records.
  • Failure to meet the financial requirement, either through income or adequate savings.
  • Incomplete applications or missing required documents like valid passports.
  • Inability to prove ties to the home country and intent to return after the visa expires, often due to insufficient supporting evidence like employer letters.
  • Previous visa rejections or a history of overstaying visas in the UK or other countries.
  • Applying for the wrong type of family visa, such as a spouse visa instead of a fiancé visa for those not yet married.
  • Not meeting the English language requirements for the visa.

To avoid a rejection, applicants should carefully review the eligibility criteria, provide extensive documentation as evidence, ensure the application is complete and accurate, and consider seeking guidance from an experienced immigration lawyer.

How to Appeal a UK Family Visa Decision

If your UK family visa application is refused, you may have the right to appeal the decision to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). 

To be eligible, the refusal must be based on human rights grounds, such as the right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The appeal must be filed within strict time limits – 14 days if you applied from inside the UK or 28 days if you applied from overseas. 

The appeal is made either online using the MyHMCTS service or by post using the appropriate paper form. You can seek help from a solicitor or immigration adviser when preparing your appeal.

A judge will consider the evidence from both sides before making a decision. 

It’s important to submit extensive documentation to support your case and show that you meet all the eligibility criteria for the family visa. 

If your appeal is dismissed, you may be able to apply for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal, but only if there was an error of law in the first decision.

Assistance in Appeals