Family reunion is a core principle of UK immigration law. It recognises that the bonds of family life should not be broken by borders or bureaucracy and that, where lawful and proportionate, families should be able to live together in the United Kingdom. The modern framework blends domestic legislation, the Immigration Rules, and international human rights standards to safeguard family unity while maintaining effective immigration control.
This principle operates across multiple routes: partner, child, and dependent relative applications under the Immigration Rules (principally Appendix FM and the evidential standards in Appendix FM-SE); dedicated provisions for family members of refugees and those with humanitarian protection under Part 11 and policy; and human rights-based outcomes where refusal would disproportionately interfere with Article 8 ECHR rights. Decision-making is structured by public-interest considerations in section 117B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, ensuring proportionality remains central to any assessment that affects family life.
Recent policy changes have tightened certain eligibility thresholds while preserving humanitarian channels. For example, the family visa financial requirement is now generally £29,000 gross per annum (with specified savings combinations available), and biometric enrolment and identity verification are embedded across routes. Refugee Family Reunion remains fee-free and does not require applicants to meet income or English language requirements, reflecting its humanitarian character, though eligibility primarily covers pre-flight partners and children. Post-Brexit, EEA citizens and their family members (other than those protected by the Withdrawal Agreement and the EU Settlement Scheme) fall under the same domestic family routes as other nationalities.
What this article is about
This article explains the legal and policy architecture that underpins family reunion in the UK. It sets out the human rights foundations (Article 8 ECHR), the Immigration Rules that operationalise family migration (Appendix FM, Appendix FM-SE, and Part 11), and the refugee family reunion policy. It then details the principal routes and eligibility rules; the humanitarian and discretionary mechanisms (including Leave Outside the Rules and the EX.1 exception); the appeals and judicial review framework; and the current policy balance and future outlook. The aim is to provide a comprehensive, practice-ready guide that helps applicants, sponsors, and employers understand how family unity is protected within a controlled immigration system.
Section A: Legal Framework for Family Reunion in the UK
Family reunion in the United Kingdom rests on a combination of domestic legislation, the Immigration Rules, and international human rights obligations. The framework aims to safeguard the integrity of family life while maintaining effective immigration control. This section explains the principal sources of law and policy that govern decision-making: Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Immigration Rules (notably Appendix FM, Appendix FM-SE, and Part 11), and the UK’s refugee protection commitments. It also highlights proportionality and the public-interest factors that caseworkers must weigh when determining whether separation of a family is justified.
1. Article 8 ECHR and the Right to Family Life
Article 8 ECHR guarantees the right to respect for private and family life. The right is qualified, not absolute, meaning the state may interfere only where lawful, necessary, and proportionate in pursuit of legitimate aims such as immigration control. In practice, caseworkers and tribunals conduct a structured proportionality assessment that asks whether refusing entry or leave would cause a disproportionate interference with family life when balanced against the public interest in maintaining a controlled immigration system.
Domestic statute guides this balancing exercise. Section 117B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 sets out public-interest considerations relevant to Article 8 cases, including the importance of effective immigration control, financial independence, English language ability, and little weight attaching to private life established when immigration status is precarious or unlawful. Where children are affected, section 55 of the 2009 Act requires decision-makers to treat a child’s best interests as a primary consideration. Leading appellate authority recognises that, even where the Rules are not met, a grant may be required if refusal would be disproportionate in the circumstances.
This human-rights framework operates as both a freestanding safety net and as an interpretive lens for applications under the Rules, ensuring that decisions reflect the realities of family life and the consequences of enforced separation.
2. Immigration Rules and Family Reunion
The Immigration Rules operationalise family migration. The principal route is Appendix FM (Family Members), supported by Appendix FM-SE (specified evidence). These set eligibility criteria for partners, parents, and children, including relationship genuineness, accommodation, maintenance, English language, and suitability. For partners, the general financial requirement is currently a £29,000 gross annual income threshold, with permitted combinations of income sources and cash savings; where relying solely on savings, a figure of £88,500 typically satisfies the threshold when calculated under Appendix FM-SE rules. Applicants must enrol biometrics and verify identity through mandated processes.
Relationship routes. Spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner applications proceed under Appendix FM. Grants are commonly for 33 months (entry clearance) or 30 months (leave to remain), with progression to the five-year settlement route if all requirements continue to be met. Where an applicant cannot meet a requirement, the EX.1 exception may apply, allowing leave on the ten-year route where refusal would unjustifiably harshly impact family life, particularly involving a qualifying child or insurmountable obstacles to family life continuing outside the UK.
Children and dependent relatives. Children must generally be under 18, not leading an independent life, and part of the family unit. The Adult Dependent Relative route is narrowly drawn: the applicant must require long-term personal care that is unavailable or unaffordable in their country of residence and can only be provided in the UK by the sponsor. Evidential standards are exacting and set out in Appendix FM-SE and policy guidance.
Appendix FM functions alongside other parts of the Rules and policy. For example, British and settled sponsors returning to the UK with non-UK family members must use Appendix FM; EU free-movement routes are closed other than protections preserved by the Withdrawal Agreement for those within scope of the EU Settlement Scheme.
3. The Refugee Convention and Family Reunion Rights
For those granted protection, Refugee Family Reunion sits outside Appendix FM and is governed by Part 11 of the Immigration Rules and dedicated policy. Recognised refugees and persons with humanitarian protection can sponsor their pre-flight partner and children under 18 who formed part of the family unit before flight. The route is fee-free and does not require meeting income or English language tests, reflecting its humanitarian purpose and the practical difficulties many refugees face evidencing finances or language shortly after displacement.
Applications are usually made from overseas using the prescribed form and processed by UKVI. Successful applicants are granted leave in line with the sponsor. Where a family relationship was formed post-flight or involves extended relatives, eligibility is not automatic; decision-makers may consider Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR) where refusal would breach Article 8 ECHR, applying a flexible evidential approach where appropriate. Recent legislative changes, including the framework introduced by the Illegal Migration Act 2023, may affect sponsorship eligibility for some cohorts depending on mode of entry and future commencement provisions, and should be checked against current guidance at the time of application.
Section Summary
UK family reunion law is anchored in Article 8 ECHR’s protection of family life, implemented through Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE for family migration and Part 11 for refugee family reunion. Decision-makers must assess proportionality against public-interest factors in section 117B, give primary regard to children’s best interests, and apply a humane, evidence-based approach. Where strict Rules are not met, LOTR and the EX.1 exception ensure that genuinely compelling family circumstances can still be accommodated within a controlled system.
Section B: Family Reunion Routes and Eligibility
The United Kingdom provides several immigration routes designed to facilitate family reunion, each reflecting the sponsor’s immigration status and the applicant’s relationship to them. These routes range from partner and child visas under Appendix FM to humanitarian channels for refugees under Part 11. While the principle of family life underpins all, each route carries its own evidential and eligibility requirements that applicants must meet in full unless an exception applies.
1. Partner and Spouse Routes
The partner and spouse visa routes enable spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, fiancé(e)s and proposed civil partners of British citizens, persons settled in the UK, or those with refugee or humanitarian protection to join or remain with them. Governed by Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE, these applications require proof that the relationship is genuine and subsisting, that the couple intend to live together permanently, and that the sponsor meets the financial requirement—currently a minimum income threshold of £29,000 gross per annum. Where income is insufficient, the shortfall can be offset through eligible cash savings, usually at least £88,500 when relying solely on savings.
Applicants must also demonstrate adequate accommodation and satisfy the English language requirement at level A1 (entry clearance) or A2/B1 (extensions and settlement). All applicants are required to enrol biometrics and verify identity digitally or in person as directed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
The fiancé(e) and proposed civil partner visa allows entry to the UK for six months to marry or register a civil partnership. Once completed, the individual can apply to switch into the spouse or civil partner route from within the UK. Successful partner or spouse applicants are normally granted leave for 33 months (entry clearance) or 30 months (further leave), progressing to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence. Applicants who cannot meet all requirements but demonstrate exceptional circumstances may be granted leave on the ten-year route under EX.1.
2. Dependent Children and Family Members
Under Appendix FM, children can apply to accompany or join a parent who is British, settled, or has refugee or humanitarian protection. The child must be under 18, not married or in a civil partnership, and not leading an independent life. The sponsoring parent must show sole responsibility for the child or that the child is part of the family unit in the UK. Adequate accommodation and financial maintenance without recourse to public funds are required.
The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) route, while providing for family reunion beyond the nuclear family, is tightly restricted. Applicants must prove that they require long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability that is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country, and that such care can only be provided in the UK by their sponsor. Success rates are low, and strong medical and financial evidence is essential.
These provisions show the Home Office’s intent to maintain close family unity while preventing the extended expansion of dependency-based migration, striking a balance between compassion and control.
3. Refugee Family Reunion Applications
Refugee Family Reunion allows individuals granted refugee status or humanitarian protection to reunite with their pre-flight partner and children under 18 who formed part of their family before they fled. Applications are made from outside the UK via UKVI using the Family Reunion form (VAF4A) and processed in line with Part 11 and the Family Reunion policy. There is no fee, and applicants are exempt from the financial and English language requirements that apply under Appendix FM.
Successful family members are granted leave in line with the refugee sponsor’s status. After the sponsor qualifies for Indefinite Leave to Remain, dependants can also apply for settlement. Family members who do not meet the narrow eligibility criteria—for example, post-flight partners or extended relatives—may still be considered for Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR) if refusal would breach Article 8 ECHR, especially in cases involving compelling or compassionate circumstances.
Refugee family reunion continues to be a vital mechanism through which the UK meets its humanitarian obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention, reaffirming the principle that individuals granted protection should be able to rebuild their lives in safety with their immediate family members.
Section Summary
The UK offers a comprehensive range of family reunion pathways, from partner and child routes under Appendix FM to humanitarian provisions for refugees and those with protection status. Each route imposes distinct evidential and eligibility criteria—proof of relationship, maintenance, accommodation, and English language ability—ensuring applicants demonstrate both genuine family ties and self-sufficiency. Where these criteria cannot be met but separation would cause disproportionate hardship, the Rules and policy allow for discretion under EX.1 or Leave Outside the Rules, ensuring family unity remains achievable within a fair and regulated framework.
Section C: Humanitarian and Discretionary Considerations
While the Immigration Rules set out the structured criteria for family reunion, not every family’s circumstances fit neatly within those boundaries. The UK’s immigration framework therefore incorporates humanitarian and discretionary provisions designed to uphold fairness and protect family life where strict application of the Rules would lead to unjust or disproportionate outcomes. This section examines the scope of discretion under Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR), the operation of exceptional circumstances and compelling factors, and the legal routes for challenging adverse decisions.
1. Discretion Outside the Rules
Where an applicant does not meet the technical requirements of the Immigration Rules but a refusal would breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Home Office may grant Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR). This discretion provides a vital humanitarian safeguard ensuring that family unity is not destroyed by procedural rigidity. Each case is assessed on its individual merits, with decision-makers required to consider the proportionality of refusal in light of section 117B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and the Home Office Family Policy Guidance.
Factors influencing the exercise of discretion include the nature and depth of the family relationships, the length of residence in the UK, the immigration status of those involved, and the potential consequences of separation. The best interests of any affected children—mandated as a primary consideration under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009—must always be weighed. LOTR decisions are exceptional but central to maintaining compliance with the UK’s international human rights obligations.
2. Exceptional Circumstances and Compelling Factors
The concept of “exceptional circumstances” underpins much of the Home Office’s humanitarian flexibility. Appendix FM’s EX.1 provision allows applicants to succeed where refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences for family members, particularly children or partners who cannot reasonably relocate abroad. These provisions ensure that human impact and proportionality are integral to lawful decision-making.
Exceptional or compelling factors might include serious illness, disability, or dependency of a vulnerable family member; the unavailability of medical or social care in the country of origin; or the practical impossibility of family life continuing elsewhere. For refugees, the Home Office’s guidance recognises additional challenges such as conflict, displacement, and lack of documentation, and instructs caseworkers to adopt a flexible evidential approach.
Discretionary grants on these grounds do not undermine immigration control; rather, they ensure that control is exercised lawfully and humanely. In practice, they bridge the gap between the rules-based system and the realities of diverse human experience.
3. Appeals and Judicial Review
Where a family reunion application is refused, applicants may have recourse through the appeals and judicial review mechanisms that underpin procedural fairness in UK immigration law. An appeal may be brought under section 82 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 where the refusal engages human rights grounds, most commonly Article 8 ECHR. Appeals are heard by the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), which independently reviews whether the Home Office’s decision lawfully balanced family life against the public interest in immigration control.
If no right of appeal exists, applicants may pursue a judicial review under Part 54 of the Civil Procedure Rules. Judicial review is not a rehearing but a supervisory remedy that examines whether the Home Office acted lawfully, rationally, and fairly. Successful challenges can result in the decision being quashed and reconsidered by the department. These remedies collectively reinforce accountability, ensuring that immigration control remains consistent with the rule of law and human rights standards.
Section Summary
The humanitarian and discretionary provisions of UK immigration law provide essential balance within the family reunion system. Through LOTR, EX.1, and the structured appeal and judicial review frameworks, the Home Office and the courts retain the flexibility to uphold family unity even in complex or compassionate cases. These mechanisms demonstrate that the UK’s commitment to human rights extends beyond the written Rules, ensuring that justice and proportionality remain integral to family immigration decisions.
Section D: Policy Balance and Future Outlook
Family reunion in the United Kingdom sits at the intersection of compassion and control. The government must continually reconcile its humanitarian commitments with the operational need to regulate immigration and manage public resources. This section examines how UK policy balances these competing priorities, how post-Brexit reforms and recent legislation have reshaped family reunion rights, and what trends are likely to influence the future direction of this area of immigration law.
1. Balancing Immigration Control and Family Unity
The Home Office’s policy approach to family reunion is rooted in the principle that individuals should be able to live with their loved ones, but within a system that ensures fairness and sustainability. To achieve this, the Immigration Rules impose eligibility thresholds that help assess both the genuineness of relationships and the ability of families to support themselves without undue reliance on public funds. Measures such as the financial requirement and English language tests serve this regulatory function while supporting integration.
At the same time, the UK’s legal framework ensures that immigration control cannot be exercised arbitrarily. The principle of proportionality—derived from Article 8 ECHR—requires decision-makers and the courts to weigh the interference with family life against the public interest in immigration control. Where refusal would cause unjust hardship or separate families contrary to the best interests of children, discretion can and should be exercised. The courts have consistently affirmed this balance in judgments such as Huang v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] UKHL 11 and subsequent appellate authority.
This equilibrium between control and compassion is a defining feature of the UK’s immigration ethos: maintaining secure borders while upholding the nation’s human rights commitments.
2. Evolving Policy and Post-Brexit Changes
The UK’s departure from the European Union has transformed the framework for family reunion. The end of free movement means that EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who are not covered by the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) must now meet the same criteria as non-EU nationals under Appendix FM. Those protected by the Withdrawal Agreement retain certain rights to sponsor family members, but new arrivals are subject entirely to the domestic system.
For refugees and individuals with humanitarian protection, the Illegal Migration Act 2023 introduces complex future considerations. Although core refugee family reunion provisions under Part 11 remain in force, the Act restricts settlement and family sponsorship for individuals arriving irregularly in the UK once its relevant sections are commenced. This policy direction reflects the government’s emphasis on deterring irregular migration routes while preserving resettlement and safe legal pathways for those genuinely in need of protection.
Other policy refinements include digitisation of applications, enhanced identity verification, and ongoing consultation on the income threshold and evidential flexibility under Appendix FM-SE. Together, these reforms mark a shift towards a more data-driven and regulated model of family migration management.
3. Future Policy Considerations
Looking ahead, the trajectory of UK family reunion policy will likely be shaped by political priorities, judicial oversight, and evolving humanitarian obligations. Debate continues over whether the current financial thresholds disproportionately affect lower-income sponsors and whether the scope of refugee family reunion should be expanded to include post-flight or extended family members. There is also growing advocacy for faster decision times and greater legal aid access to ensure equality of representation in appeals.
Technological innovation is expected to streamline evidence submission and status verification, while global displacement trends will test the system’s capacity to adapt. The enduring challenge for policymakers is to reconcile control with compassion: maintaining an immigration framework that protects public confidence while safeguarding the universal human right to family life.
Section Summary
The UK’s family reunion policy continues to evolve within a framework that prioritises both immigration control and human rights. Post-Brexit reforms, new legislation, and technological developments have tightened regulation while preserving key humanitarian routes. The future of family reunion law will depend on how effectively these dual objectives—security and compassion—are balanced, ensuring that the principle of family unity remains a defining element of the UK’s immigration system.
FAQs
The following frequently asked questions address key aspects of family reunion within UK immigration law. They provide practical clarity for applicants, sponsors, and practitioners navigating the system.
1. What is family reunion in UK immigration law?
Family reunion refers to the process by which family members separated by borders or displacement can live together in the United Kingdom. It embodies the right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Routes include partner, child, and dependent relative visas under Appendix FM, and Refugee Family Reunion under Part 11 of the Immigration Rules.
2. Who qualifies for family reunion in the UK?
Eligibility depends on the sponsor’s status and the applicant’s relationship. Qualifying categories typically include:
- Spouses, civil partners, or unmarried partners of British citizens or settled persons
- Dependent children under 18 of a British citizen, settled person, refugee, or person with humanitarian protection
- Pre-flight partners and minor children of refugees
Extended relatives can only apply in limited cases, such as under the Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) route or via Leave Outside the Rules in exceptional circumstances.
3. Can refugees bring extended family members to the UK?
Generally, Refugee Family Reunion covers only a refugee’s pre-flight partner and children under 18. Extended relatives—such as parents, siblings, or adult children—are not automatically eligible. However, where separation would breach human rights obligations or cause disproportionate hardship, the Home Office may grant Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR). Each case is assessed individually on humanitarian grounds.
4. What happens if a family reunion application is refused?
If a family reunion application is refused, applicants may appeal under section 82 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 if the refusal engages human rights grounds. Appeals are heard by the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), which determines whether the Home Office lawfully balanced family life against immigration control. Where no right of appeal exists, applicants may seek judicial review under Part 54 of the Civil Procedure Rules.
5. How does Article 8 of the ECHR affect family reunion decisions?
Article 8 ECHR safeguards family life by requiring public authorities to justify interference only when necessary and proportionate. In practice, this means that even if an applicant fails to meet all Immigration Rule requirements, leave may still be granted where refusal would cause unjustifiably harsh consequences for family members or breach the UK’s human rights obligations.
6. How long does it take to process a family reunion application?
Processing times vary according to route and complexity. Partner and child visa applications under Appendix FM usually take between 12 and 24 weeks. Refugee Family Reunion cases are typically decided within 3 to 6 months. Complex or incomplete applications, or those requiring additional verification, may take longer.
7. Can family reunion applications be made from inside the UK?
Most family reunion applications must be made from outside the UK, unless the applicant already has valid leave that allows switching into a family route. Refugee Family Reunion applications are almost always made from abroad. Those lawfully in the UK under another visa type may apply to switch into a partner or parent route if they meet the eligibility criteria.
8. What evidence is required for a family reunion application?
Applicants should provide clear and consistent documentation to prove identity, relationship, and eligibility. Typical evidence includes:
- Passports and birth or marriage certificates
- Proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship (photos, correspondence, joint finances)
- Proof of income and savings under Appendix FM-SE
- Evidence of adequate accommodation
- For refugees, proof that the relationship existed before flight
Providing complete evidence at the outset helps prevent delays and refusals.
9. Do family reunion visas lead to settlement?
Yes. Most family reunion routes can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after continuous lawful residence. For partners under Appendix FM, the standard route is five years; for those on the human rights-based ten-year route, settlement follows after ten years. Refugee family members normally obtain settlement in line with their sponsor once eligibility requirements are met.
10. What if I cannot meet the financial or English language requirements?
Applicants who cannot meet the financial or English language requirements may still qualify under Appendix FM EX.1 if refusal would cause unjustifiably harsh consequences for the family, or through Leave Outside the Rules where necessary to comply with Article 8 ECHR. The Home Office must consider children’s best interests and all relevant compassionate factors before refusing an application.
Conclusion
Family reunion remains one of the most human and legally significant areas of UK immigration law. It reflects the nation’s commitment to preserving family life while maintaining a fair and regulated immigration system. Through frameworks such as Appendix FM, Appendix FM-SE, and Part 11 of the Immigration Rules, the UK seeks to reconcile compassion with control — ensuring that those who can demonstrate genuine relationships and meet the eligibility criteria are able to live together lawfully in the United Kingdom.
At its core, the family reunion framework embodies the principles of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), guaranteeing the right to family life. Yet this right exists within a system of public-interest considerations, where immigration control and economic self-sufficiency also carry significant weight. The inclusion of mechanisms such as EX.1, Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR), and the structured appeals process ensures that proportionality remains at the heart of decision-making, allowing the law to adapt to exceptional human circumstances.
For refugees and individuals granted humanitarian protection, family reunion represents more than an administrative procedure — it is the restoration of dignity, stability, and the ability to rebuild life in safety. The UK continues to facilitate such reunions through fee-free applications under Part 11, affirming its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
While the regulatory environment has tightened with higher income thresholds and expanded verification measures, the humanitarian commitment to family unity endures. Legal and policy developments, from the post-Brexit adjustment to the ongoing implementation of the Illegal Migration Act 2023, will continue to shape the contours of family reunion law. Nonetheless, the UK’s obligation to uphold human rights and fairness remains constant.
Ultimately, family reunion stands as a test of the system’s ability to balance security with compassion. It is both a legal right and a moral principle — one that underscores the enduring importance of family within the broader framework of UK immigration law.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Family Reunion | The legal process allowing family members separated by immigration, displacement, or conflict to live together in the UK. |
| Appendix FM | The section of the UK Immigration Rules setting out eligibility requirements for family and partner visas, including relationship, accommodation, and maintenance criteria. |
| Appendix FM-SE | The evidential appendix specifying the documents required to meet the financial and maintenance requirements of Appendix FM. |
| Article 8 ECHR | The provision of the European Convention on Human Rights guaranteeing the right to respect for private and family life. |
| Refugee Family Reunion | A process under Part 11 of the Immigration Rules that allows refugees or those with humanitarian protection to reunite with their pre-flight partner and minor children. |
| Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR) | Discretionary leave granted by the Home Office where refusal under the Immigration Rules would breach human rights, particularly Article 8 ECHR. |
| Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) | A visa route allowing an elderly or dependent family member to join a sponsor in the UK when long-term care is required and cannot reasonably be provided abroad. |
| Exceptional Circumstances | Situations where a strict application of the Immigration Rules would cause unjustifiably harsh or disproportionate consequences, warranting discretion. |
| First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) | The independent judicial body that hears immigration and asylum appeals, including human rights-based family reunion refusals. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permanent settlement status that allows an individual to live and work in the UK without immigration time restrictions. |
| 1951 Refugee Convention | The international treaty defining refugee rights and state obligations, including the principle of family unity for recognised refugees. |
| EX.1 Provision | An exception within Appendix FM that permits leave to remain despite unmet requirements where refusal would unjustifiably interfere with family life. |
| Illegal Migration Act 2023 | UK legislation affecting asylum and irregular migration routes, with potential implications for future refugee family reunion eligibility. |
| Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 | The statute setting out public interest factors (section 117B) and appeal rights (section 82) relevant to human rights-based immigration decisions. |
Useful Links
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK – Family reunion for refugees | https://www.gov.uk/family-reunion |
| GOV.UK – Family visas: apply, extend or switch | https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa |
| GOV.UK – Human rights and immigration | https://www.gov.uk/human-rights-immigration |
| GOV.UK – Immigration Rules Appendix FM | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-family-members |
| DavidsonMorris – Family Reunion Visa | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/family-reunion-visa/ |
| DavidsonMorris – Spouse Visa UK | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/spouse-visa-uk/ |
| Xpats.io – Family Reunion Visa | https://www.xpats.io/family-reunion-visa/ |
| Xpats.io – Spouse Visa UK | https://www.xpats.io/spouse-visa-uk/ |
