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Family Visa for the United Kingdom

7
Oct

Process to travel to the United Kingdom with a Family Visa.

  • By:Julio Reyes
  • 0 Comment

In this article we will explain the detailed process as well as the requirements to obtain a Family Visa for the United Kingdom. Since there are several interested people who write us their concerns every day, regarding the ideal way to live in the United Kingdom with their couples.

To achieve this objective, in the United Kingdom there is the recognized family visa, consisting of an authorization document issued by the British immigration authorities that allows you to enter, stay temporarily or indefinitely in the United Kingdom.

Couples intending to live together in the United Kingdom must prove one (1) of the following conditions, depending on the circumstances of their relationship:

A) They are in a common-law relationship or a legal marriage recognized in the UK.

B) They have lived together in a relationship for at least two (2) years.

C) They are a common-law couple, intending to marry in the United Kingdom within (maximum) 6 months after meeting up in the UK.

Meanwhile, the foreign citizen who intends to live in the United Kingdom with their couple must demonstrate that they:

  • Have good knowledge of the English language; and,
  • They can financially support themselves once they are in the UK. Otherwise, their couple will have to prove that they have sufficient income to do so.

Those who do not meet the above may still apply for this visa if they meet one (1) of the following circumstances:

1) They have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or who has lived in the UK for seven (7) years, and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK;

2) There would be a very significant hardship for you and your couple if you were unable to live together within the UK; or,

3) Your human rights would be violated if you were prevented from going to the UK.

That said, the most common questions about the Family Visa for the United Kingdom are:

How can I prove my English language skills?

Your English language skills can be demonstrated by an academic qualification or by taking a proficiency test. Below we explain what both situations consist of.

Academic Qualifications: 

You can prove your English language skills if you have an academic degree or qualification taught or researched in English. If your degree is from a UK university or college, you will only need your degree certificate.

Suppose your degree is from a university or college outside the UK. In that case, you will need to provide a certificate from Ecctis (previously known as UK NARIC), the UK recognition body, showing that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and has been taught in English.

English Language Test:

Another way to demonstrate your English language skills is passing one of the UK approved tests, which will depend on how long you plan to live in the UK:

If you plan to reside for less than 2.5 years, you must take the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) A1 in speaking and listening.

If you plan to reside for more than 2.5 years, you must take the CEFR A2.

In the Dominican Republic, you may choose one of the following places to take your English language test:

Instituto Cultural Dominico Americano. Provider: LanguageCert; Address: Avenida Abraham Lincoln No. 21, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana; Phone: 809-535-0665.

Instituto Tecnológico de las Américas (ITLA). Provider: Pearson; Address: Autopista Las Américas, KM. 27, Edificio No. 4, Parque Cibernético, 9999, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana; Phone: 809-738-4852.

SDQ Training Center. Provider: PSI; Address: Calle Lea de Castro No. 256, Local 4B, Gazcue, 10207, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana; Phone: 809-333-7610

When taking your test, you will need to provide a valid identity document (ID card or Passport) showing your general information and signature. Please note that your results will only be good for two (2) years if you pass the test.

How can I prove my income?

The applicant and their couple must have a combined income of at least £18,600 per year. If they have children, The couple should add £3,800 for their first child and, if applicable, £2,400 for each additional child after the first.

  • Both the applicant and their partner are allowed to use the following types of income:
  • Earned income before taxes and Social Security payments.
  • Income from self-employment or as a partner in a company.
  • Cash savings over £16,000.
  • Money received from a pension.
  • Income received from unearned share income (e.g. from rental property or dividends).

Please note that you must prove that your income has been received for at least six continuous months.

How can I prove my relationship?

During the evaluation of your application file, the UK immigration authorities will consider the authenticity of the relationship in question. For this reason, it is recommended that you provide documentation confirming how long you have been a couple, showing times when you have lived together, as well as obligations that you share. You can use documents such as:

  • Marriage Certificate or Affidavit of Civil Partnership;
  • Lease contracts, along with utility or tax bills confirming that you live at the same address or pay bills together;
  • Household bills in the couple’s name;
  • Certification demonstrating that the couple is registered on the electoral roll at the same address;
  • Bank statements from a joint account or, if separate, confirming that they live at the same address;
  • Medical letter confirming that they live at the same address;
  • Common lodging reservations and travel tickets for visits;
  • Record of social media conversations or text messages, as well as phone calls, made to each other;
  • Photographs of the couple, sharing moments and with family and friends; and,
  • Any other documents that may confirm the relationship.

Can I include my children in the application?

You may add children to your application as dependents, as long as they are under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of the application. Exceptionally, if this is not the first time you are applying for a visa, children who are minors at the time of your first application may also be granted a visa.

It is worth noting that if the child involved is living an independent life, i.e. does not live in the same house as their parents, is married and/or has had children; even if they may be a minor, they will not be eligible to apply for this visa as a dependent.

How long can I stay in the UK?

Couples who are married can stay in the UK for two (2) years and nine (9) months on this visa. On the other hand, only engaged or cohabiting partners are allowed to stay for up to six (6) months. If one of these terms expires, it is possible to request an extension, usually for two (2) years and six (6) additional months.

Once the foreign family members have at least five (5) consecutive years of stay in the United Kingdom on a family visa, they will be eligible to apply for an indefinite residence permit. Please note that the period of this term cannot include time spent in the UK on any other visa (e.g. visitor visa) or fiancé(e) or cohabiting partner status.

How do I apply?

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is a division of the UK Home Office responsible for the UK visa system. UKVI has a portal available where applicants can access and properly apply for all types of visas, including family visas.

When the application is initiated, a form must be completed in English with some personal data of the couple so that the UKVI authorities can adequately know the profile of the interested parties. You will also have to proceed to pay the corresponding fees for the issuance of the visa.

After the application is completed through the UKVI portal, an appointment must be reserved with the visa application center called VFS Global. The latter will take the biometric data of the applicant, as well as receive the application file and forward it to the UK immigration authorities.

The family visa can take from one (1) to three (3) months from the time the file is deposited at the visa application center.

What do you suggest for a successful application?

In order to apply for this type of visa, the applicant will have to provide sensitive information, which will influence the decision made by the immigration authorities when making a decision. The smallest detail is essential since any mistakes in the file may result in its return and possible denial of the visa. Therefore, it is recommended to review as many times as possible the answers of the application form, confirm that the applicant meets each of the requirements; and, obtain all the necessary documentation before the moment in which it is planned to attend an appointment with the visa application center.

If you are interested in initiating the necessary arrangements to apply for the Family Visa for the United Kingdom, do not hesitate to consult with one of our representatives to receive advice on the subject. We are aware of the importance and delicacy of the visa application process, so we encourage you to learn about the appropriate and legal way to obtain this type of visa from the United Kingdom before taking the first step.

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Posted in: Dominicans abroad, Immigration
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