Can I bring my family members with me if I am applying for an Unmarried Partner visa?

The requirements and procedure for bringing you family members to the UK can be complex, especially when you are applying for an unmarried partner visa. In this blog, we set out the overview of the relevant factors to keep in mind when considering bringing your family to the UK under this route.

Your children can apply for visas as your dependants at the time of your application as an unmarried partner, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

It is important to note that your children must meet the following requirements, amongst other factors. They must:

• be under the age of 18,
• not be married or in a civil partnership,
• not have formed an independent family unit,
• not be leading an independent life.

Your dependent children can be from your unmarried partner, or from a previous relationship. If the children are from a previous relationship, you must demonstrate that you have had, and continue to have, sole responsibility for your children’s upbringing.

If you do not have the sole responsibility for your children, you may still be able to bring them to the UK if you can evidence serious and compelling family considerations, and by making suitable arrangements for the children’s care. Please note that these applications are not straightforward, and therefore it is best to seek legal advice.

Your children must also meet the financial requirements under this category.

As an unmarried partner, you are not usually permitted to bring other family members to the UK. However, the facts of each case differ and a detailed legal analysis is required to confirm the eligibility.

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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