Immigration Matters

As parents you will need to know the procedures involved in bringing your children to the UK. It is generally wise, if possible to come to the UK and see what it is like first and make the necessary preparations for bringing your family to join you.

Information about children

The Immigration Rules about children coming to join their parents or a parent who is settled in the United Kingdom. They are only a guide and aim to answer frequently asked questions.

If this page does not answer your questions, please telephone or write to the IND for further information.

How do I qualify to bring my child to the United Kingdom?

You must be able to show that:

· you currently live and are settled in the United Kingdom legally, with no time limit on your stay;

· you have adequate accommodation where you can all live without help from public funds; and

· you are the child's parent (this includes the stepfather or stepmother of a child whose father or mother is dead, both the father and mother of an illegitimate child and an adoptive parent in certain defined circumstances).

How can my child qualify to join me in the United Kingdom?

Your child must show that:

· they are not leading an independent life, are not married and have not formed an independent family unit; and

· they are under 18.

Children cannot normally come to live in the United Kingdom if one parent is living abroad, unless the parent here has sole responsibility for the child or if there are serious reasons why the child must be allowed to come here. (Exceptions may be made in the case of children under 12.)

Your child must get entry clearance before they travel to the United Kingdom.

How long can my child stay?

If both you and your husband or wife are settled here or you have sole responsibility for the child, they will normally be allowed to stay here permanently from the date they arrive.

If your child comes here with your husband or wife, they will normally be given permission to stay in the United Kingdom for the same length of time as your husband or wife (usually a year). If your husband or wife is allowed to stay here permanently, your child will normally be allowed to stay here permanently as well.

Can I bring an adopted child to the United Kingdom?

There is information on how you can bring an adopted child to the United Kingdom in the adoption and inter-country adoption leaflets. The inter-country adoption leaflet also gives you details about the procedures involved in bringing children to this country so they can be adopted through the courts. If you want a copy, telephone or write to the IND.

What are public funds?

If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits. These are:

· Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA);

· housing and homelessness assistance;

· Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;

· Working Families' Tax Credit;

· a social fund payment;

· Child Benefit, or

· any disability allowance.

What is entry clearance?

Entry clearance is a visa or entry clearance certificate is given to you so you can travel to the United Kingdom. You must apply for entry clearance to the British High Commission in the country where your child lives. You can get guidance leaflets and information about visas from UK visas or you can write to:

Visa Correspondence Section
UKVisas
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom.

General enquiries: +44 (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: +44 (0)20 7008 8308
Fax numbers: +44 (0)20 7008 8359/8361

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Bringing your spouse

Information about husbands, wives, fiancés and fiancées

The Immigration Rules about husbands, wives, fiancés or fiancées coming to the United Kingdom with, or to join someone who is settled here. They are only a guide and aim to answer frequently asked questions.

Can my husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée come to the United Kingdom?

Your husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée may apply to come with you or join you in the United Kingdom as long as:

· you currently live and are settled in the United Kingdom; or

· you are returning to the United Kingdom with them to live here permanently

How does my husband or wife qualify?

He or she must also show that:

· you are legally married to each other;

· you are going to live together permanently as man and wife;

· you have met each other;

· you can support yourselves and any dependants without help from public funds;

· you have adequate accommodation where you and your dependants can live without help from public funds; and

· he or she is not under 16.

If you have more than one husband or wife, only one of them will be allowed to join you here as your husband or wife.

Your husband or wife must get entry clearance before they travel to the United Kingdom.

When your husband or wife arrives in the United Kingdom, they will be given permission to stay and work for 12 months. Near the end of the 12 months, if you are still married and plan to live together, your husband or wife may apply to remain here permanently.

How does my husband or wife apply to stay in the United Kingdom permanently?

You will need to complete an application form. Applications, except those for asylum and work permits or under European Community law, will not be valid unless they are made on the appropriate application form. You can get copies of application forms from this website.

To apply for further leave to remain, get form FLR(M).

To apply for indefinite leave to remain, get form SET(M).

If you are in any doubt as to which form you should use please telephone the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766.

You should send the completed form, by post, before your permission to stay ends. The application form will give you details of all the documents you will need to send with your application and where you should send it.

If you need to travel urgently you can apply in person at one of the IND’s public enquiry offices.

All documents should be originals unless you have a good reason why you cannot produce them with your application. We will not normally accept photocopies.

Can my husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée's children join us?

There is a separate page giving details about children coming to the United Kingdom.

What are public funds?

If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits. These are:

· Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA);

· housing and homelessness assistance;

· Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;

· Working Families' Tax Credit;

· a social fund payment

· Child Benefit; or

· any disability allowance.

What is entry clearance?

Entry clearance is a visa or entry clearance certificate you are given so you can travel to the United Kingdom. You must apply for entry clearance to the High Commission in the country where your husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée lives.

You can get guidance leaflets and information about visas from UK visas. Please write to:

Visa Correspondence Section
UKvisas
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom.

General enquiries: +44 (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: +44 (0)20 7008 8308
Fax numbers: +44 (0)20 7008 8359/8361

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Bringing your unmarried partner

How does my fiancé or fiancée qualify to come to the United Kingdom?

Your fiancé or fiancée must show that:

· you plan to marry within a reasonable time (usually six months);

· you plan to live together permanently after you are married;

· you have met each other;

· there is somewhere for him or her and any dependants to live until you are married without help from public funds; and

· they and any dependants can be supported without working or having to get help from public funds.

We will give your fiancé or fiancée permission to stay here for six months but they must not work. When you are married, your husband or wife may apply to stay here. If we approve the application, we will give your husband or wife permission to stay and work for 12 months. Near the end of 12 months, your husband or wife may apply to stay here permanently.

Your fiancé or fiancée must get a visa before they travel to the United Kingdom.

Information about unmarried partners

This page explains what the Immigration Rules say about unmarried partners, whether heterosexual or homosexual, coming to the United Kingdom with or to join someone who is settled here. It is only a guide but aims to answer frequently asked questions.

If this page does not answer your questions, please telephone us or write to us for further advice.

Can I bring my unmarried partner to the United Kingdom?

Your unmarried partner may apply to join you in the United Kingdom as long as you are present and settled in the United Kingdom. Settled means that you are living here lawfully with no time limit on your stay. If you are returning to the United Kingdom to settle, your unmarried partner can also apply to join you at the same time.

How does my unmarried partner qualify?

You must both be able to show that:

any previous marriage (or similar relationship) that either of you were in has permanently broken down;

you cannot marry each other under United Kingdom law (unless it is because of a blood relationship or because of age);

you have both been living together as if you are married for at least two years;

you both plan to live together permanently; and

you both have enough money to support and adequately accommodate yourselves and any dependants without help from public funds.

Your unmarried partner must get entry clearance before they travel to the United Kingdom.

If you have followed the procedures correctly, your unmarried partner will be given permission to stay and work in the United Kingdom for two years. Near the end of this time, if you are both still in the relationship and you both plan to live together permanently, your unmarried partner can apply to stay here permanently.

How does my unmarried partner apply to stay here permanently?

He or she will need to complete an application form. Applications (except those for asylum and work permits or under European Community law) will not be valid unless they are made on the appropriate application form. You can get details of which form to complete and copies of the forms from the IND website, or from:

Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND)
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road, Croydon
Surrey CR9 2BY.

Telephone: 0870 606 7766

Your partner should send the completed form, by post, before their permission to stay ends. The application form will give you details of all the documents you will need to send with your application and where to send it.

If your partner's permission to stay in the United Kingdom is running out, and they need to travel urgently, they can apply in person at one of the public enquiry offices.

All documents should be originals, unless there is a good reason why your partner cannot produce them with the application. Photocopies will not normally be accepted.

Can my unmarried partner's children join us?

There is a separate leaflet giving details about children coming to the United Kingdom.

What are public funds?

If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits. These are:

Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA);
housing and homelessness assistance;
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;
Working Families' Tax Credit;
a social fund payment;
Child Benefit; or
any disability allowance.

What is entry clearance?

Entry clearance is a visa or entry clearance certificate given to people so they can travel to the United Kingdom. Your partner must apply for entry clearance to the High Commission in the country where he or she lives.

You can also get guidance leaflets and information about visas from UK visas. Please write to:

Visa Correspondence Section
UK visas
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom.

General enquiries: +44 (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: +44 (0)20 7008 8308
Fax numbers: +44 (0)20 7008 8359/8361

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Bringing your parents

As Visitors

Information about visitors

These pages explain what the Immigration Rules say about visitors, people coming to the United Kingdom for medical treatment and visitors on their way to another country. They are only a guide and aim to answer frequently asked questions.

If this page does not answer your questions, please telephone or write to us for further information.

How do I qualify to come to the United Kingdom as a visitor?

You must be able to show that:

· you only want to visit the country for up to six months;

· you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit; and

· you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds.

Remember, if you are a visa national you will need a visa to enter the United Kingdom.

What are public funds?

If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits. These are:

· Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA);

· housing and homelessness assistance;

· Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;

· Working Families' Tax Credit;

· a social fund payment;

· Child Benefit, or

· any disability allowance.

Can I extend my stay as a visitor?

A visitor can only stay for six months. If we gave you permission to stay for less than six months, you can apply to extend your stay, up to six months in total.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete an application form. Applications (except those for asylum and work permits or under European Community law) will not be valid unless they are made on the appropriate application form. You can get copies of application forms from this website.

To apply for further leave to remain, get form FLR(O).

You should return the completed form, by post, before your permission to stay ends. The application form will give you details of all the documents you will need to send with your application and where you should send it.

If you need to travel urgently, you can apply in person at one of our public enquiry offices.

All documents should be originals unless you have a good reason why you cannot produce them with your application. We will not normally accept photocopies.

Can I do business during my visit?

You can do business in the United Kingdom either as a tourist or in connection with your work or business overseas.

You cannot:

· do paid or unpaid work;

· produce goods or provide services in the United Kingdom; or

· sell goods and services to members of the public.

You can:

· go to meetings with United Kingdom businesses or negotiate and enter into contracts with them;

· go to trade fairs, conferences and classroom training; and

· enter as a visitor if you are a sports person or entertainer coming to the United Kingdom for a trial or audition, or for a personal appearance which does not involve a performance.

A visitor can only stay for six months. People who regularly visit the United Kingdom for business can apply for a multiple-entry visa as a visitor that is valid for two or five years.

How do I qualify to come to the United Kingdom for private medical treatment?

You must be able to show that:

· you have made satisfactory arrangements for the consultation or treatment you need;

· you have enough money to pay for any treatment and to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds; and

· you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your treatment.

How do I apply to extend my stay to have, or continue to receive, private medical treatment?

You can apply to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate or in person at one of our public enquiry offices. You should apply before the date your permission to stay ends.

You should complete application form FLR(O).and send it with:

· your passport;

· a letter from a general practitioner who is a consultant for the NHS or who is in the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council, confirming that satisfactory arrangements for private medical treatment have been made, how long the treatment will last and, if your treatment has already started, how it is progressing;

· evidence that you have paid for your treatment; and

· evidence that you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself and to pay for further treatment (such as your bank statements or savings account book).

Medical Treatment on the National Health Service (NHS)

Visitors are not allowed to enter or stay in the United Kingdom to receive free medical treatment from the National Health Service (NHS). You will be charged for any treatment you receive. Please make sure you have enough medical insurance to cover your stay.

You can get more information from the Department of Health:

Website http://www.doh.gov.uk/overseasvisitors
Telephone 44(0)20 7210 4850
email dhmail@doh.gsi.gov.uk

How do I qualify to enter the United Kingdom when I am travelling to another country?

You must be able to show that:

· you are travelling to a country outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland (this is known as the Common Travel Area);

· you can continue to another country where you will be guaranteed entry;

· you have a confirmed travel ticket for your final destination; and

· you will leave for your intended destination within 48 hours of arriving in the United Kingdom.

People who live in certain countries or territories need a visa to pass through the United Kingdom. You can get guidance leaflets and information about visas from UK visas. Please write to:

Visa Correspondence Section
UKvisas
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom.

General enquiries: +44 (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: +44 (0)20 7008 8308
Fax numbers: +44 (0)20 7008 8359/8361

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To live permanently

Information about relatives who come to the United Kingdom

These pages explain what the Immigration Rules say about relatives (other than husbands, wives and children under 18) coming to the United Kingdom to join someone who is settled here. They are only a guide and aim to answer frequently asked questions.

If this page does not answer your questions, please telephone or write to IND for further information.

What relatives can I bring to the United Kingdom?

The Immigration Rules say that widowed mothers and widowed fathers aged 65 or over, and parents or grandparents travelling together, one of whom is 65 or over, can come to the United Kingdom. In certain circumstances, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, uncles and aunts over the age of 18, and also parents and grandparents under 65, may be allowed to come.

How do they qualify to come to the United Kingdom?

You must currently live and be settled in the United Kingdom legally with no time limit on your stay, and they must be able to show that:

· they are completely or mainly financially dependent on you;

· they do not have any other close relatives in their own country who can support them financially; and

· you have enough money to support and accommodate them without help from public funds.

If there are exceptional compassionate circumstances, children over 18, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and other parents and grandparents who live alone may come if they meet the requirements set out above.

They must get entry clearance before travelling to the United Kingdom.

What are public funds?

If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits. These are:

· Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA);

· housing and homelessness assistance;

· Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;

· Working Families' Tax Credit;

· a social fund payment;

· Child Benefit; or

· any disability allowance.

What is entry clearance?

Entry clearance is a visa or entry clearance certificate that is given to you so you can travel to the United Kingdom. You must apply for entry clearance to the British Embassy, High Commission or other British Diplomatic Mission (known as British Diplomatic Posts) in the country where your relatives live.

You can get advice about which British Diplomatic Posts can issue entry clearance from any British Diplomatic Post abroad.

You can get guidance leaflets and information about visas from UK visas. Please write to:

Visa Correspondence Section
UKvisas
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom.

General enquiries: +44 (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: +44 (0)20 7008 8308
Fax numbers: +44 (0)20 7008 8359/8361

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CHARGES INTRODUCED FOR IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS

From 1 August, foreign nationals living in the UK will be charged the costs of the immigration services they use, the Home Office announced on Thursday, July 10, 2003.

The new charges will mean that people applying for permission to extend their stay in the UK will pay a charge for processing their applications from 1 August, saving the taxpayer £90 million a year. Postal applications will cost £155, with a premium 'same day' service for personal callers costing £250.

The charges will apply to:

· applications for an extension of stay in the UK,

· applications for settlement, and

· permanent residency stamps being put in new passports.

Home Office Minister, Beverley Hughes said:

“We continue to welcome the many foreign nationals who choose to study, work and live in the UK - they boost our economy and add to our thriving cosmopolitan society. Many apply to extend their stay each year, and it is right that they should meet the costs of that. Charging for the cost of processing these applications will save the taxpayer £90 million a year.

“The Government has made significant investment in recent years to improve all aspects of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, including the standard of service people receive when they submit applications. Charging will help us to continue to improve the efficiency and speed with which we process these applications, leading to ever higher levels of customer service.”

1. Applicants who wish to submit their applications before the charge is introduced must ensure that they are received in IND before 23.59hrs on 31 July 2003.

2. From 1 August, all applications must be submitted on new forms which have payment details attached. These forms will be available from the Home Office website from today and on request in hard copy from 21 July 2003.

3. After 1 August, we aim to process postal applications within a maximum of 13 weeks, and 70 per cent should be within three weeks.

4. Premium applications can be made by personal callers at the Public Enquiry Offices in Croydon, Glasgow, Birmingham and Liverpool. These applications will be dealt with on the same day, as long as the application is fully complete and no further enquiries need to be made.

5. The charge will not be applied to:

· family members of European Economic Area nationals,

· applications for leave to remain under the European Community Association Agreement,

· European Union citizens. (This will also apply to nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia once they become full members of the European Union on 1 May 2004),

· people applying for indefinite leave to remain on the grounds of domestic violence who provide evidence that they are destitute, and

· applications for asylum, Discretionary Leave or Humanitarian Protection.

6. At the present time there is no charge for leave to remain applications for the following:

· holders of work permits, and

· participants in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme or the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme

7. The Home Office already charges for nationality applications, work permits and the issue of Travel Documents (for example to refugees or those with exceptional leave to remain).

8. Full details will be available on the Home Office website from later today www.homeoffice.gov.uk

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