UK Family Visa Guide 2026

Are you planning to join your family in the United Kingdom in 2026? The rules for UK family visas can seem hard to follow. The UK government changes things often. This guide explains the main rules in simple words. We talk about the high salary needed, how to prove your relationship, and the new digital system. This will help you understand what you need for a successful application.

Many people apply for a UK Spouse Visa or a UK Fiancé Visa that later becomes a spouse visa. The big change is the income rule of £38,700 per year. Also, physical BRP cards are gone. Now everything is online with e-Visas.

The Financial Gate: Meeting the £38,700 Threshold

The biggest problem for most people is money. This is called the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). If you want to bring your partner to the UK, the sponsor (the person in the UK) must show they earn at least £38,700 each year before tax.

This rule comes from Appendix FM of the immigration rules. The sponsor is usually a British citizen, someone with settled status, or an EU citizen with pre-settled status under special rules.

Ways to Meet the Money Rules

There are a few ways to show you have enough money.

• Employment Income You can use your salary from a job. You need to give payslips for at least the last 6 months. You also need bank statements that show the money going in. The Home Office looks at your basic salary, not extra pay like bonuses or overtime in most cases.
• Savings Route If your salary is less than £38,700, you can use savings. The savings must be more than £16,000. The extra amount above £16,000 helps cover the gap in salary. For example, if your salary is low, you need a lot more savings than before. The rules are stricter now, so calculate carefully.
• Adequate Maintenance Test Some people do not need to meet the £38,700 rule. This happens if the sponsor gets certain benefits. Examples are Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance, or Carer’s Allowance. In these cases, you only need to prove you can look after your family without asking for more money from the government. This is called adequate maintenance.

Common Question: How to Use Pension for the Income Requirement in 2026?

Many people ask about pensions. Good news: state pension, work pension, or private pension all count. You must show pension statements. Also give proof that the money comes regularly, like bank statements with deposits. This can help meet the £38,700 rule if your other income is not enough.

Proving a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship

The Home Office wants to know your relationship is real. They check if you really love each other and plan to stay together. They look at proof of contact when you are apart. This is sometimes called “intervening devotion”.

You must give strong evidence. Fake relationships get refused.

Relationship Evidence Checklist

Here are the main things you need to show:

• For Unmarried Partners – The Two-Year Cohabitation Rule If you are not married or in a civil partnership, you must prove you lived together like a married couple for at least 2 years. This is very important.
• Shared Responsibilities Show you share life together. Examples: joint bank accounts, tenancy agreements in both names, utility bills for the same address, or insurance policies for both people.
• Other proof can include photos, messages, travel tickets together, letters, or statements from friends and family.
• English Language Requirement Most people who apply must take an English test. For the first visa, you need level A1 on the CEFR scale (basic level). For later applications or settlement, it goes up to A2 or B1. Some people are exempt, like if you are from certain English-speaking countries or have a degree taught in English.

The Digital Framework: Goodbye BRP, Hello UKVI e-Visa 2026

A big change in 2026 is no more plastic BRP cards. The Biometric Residence Permit is finished. Now all visas are digital. This is called the UKVI e-Visa system.

This makes things faster and more modern, but you need to learn how it works.

How the New System Works

1. Identity Check App Most people use a free app on their phone. You scan the chip in your passport. This checks your identity. In many cases, you do not need to go to a visa centre in person.
2. Share Codes To show you can work or rent a house, you go to your online UKVI account. You make a share code. The employer or landlord uses this code to see your status. It is quick and secure.
3. What to Do with Old BRP Cards If you have an old BRP card, link it to your digital account right away. If you do not, you may have problems travelling or proving your status.

This digital change helps stop lost cards and makes updates easier.

UK Family Visa Processing Times 2026

Waiting times are important when you plan to move. Here are the current times in 2026.

Processing Times Table

• Standard Service
  • From outside the UK: Up to 24 weeks
  • From inside the UK: 8 weeks
• Priority Service
  • From outside the UK: 30 working days
  • From inside the UK: 5 working days
• Super Priority Service
  • From inside the UK only: Next working day

Note: Priority and super priority cost more money in 2026. Always check the official Home Office website for the latest fees before you pay.

The Path to Settlement: From Visa to ILR

A family visa is not forever. It starts with a temporary visa. Most people get it for 2.5 years (30 months) if applying from inside the UK, or 2 years and 9 months (33 months) from outside.

This starts the 5-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR means you can stay in the UK forever.

Steps on the Way

• FLR M Application Before your first visa runs out, apply for Further Leave to Remain (FLR M). This gives you another 30 months usually.
• Life in the UK Test You need to pass this test for your final ILR application. It is about British life, history, and rules.
• 10-Year Route If you cannot meet the £38,700 rule but have strong reasons (like British children or long family life in the UK), you may go on a longer 10-year path. This uses human rights rules.

FAQ: Navigating 2026 Pain Points

Here are answers to common questions.

Final Words

The UK family visa process in 2026 has high money rules and new digital steps. But many people succeed every year with good preparation.

If you need help with your application, ask questions in the comments. Share this guide with friends or family who plan to move. Sign up for updates on Home Office changes.

Disclaimer: This guide is for information only. Immigration rules change often. Always check the official UK government website (gov.uk) or talk to a qualified immigration lawyer before you apply. Do not make decisions based only on this article. Good luck with your family reunion!