VizaHow to join family members abroad — spousal visas, dependent visas, and family reunion permits for major countries.
Understanding Family and Spouse Visas
Family reunion and spouse visas allow foreign nationals to join a family member who is legally resident or a citizen of another country. These visas are distinct from tourist or visitor visas — they grant longer-term residence rights and often include the right to work in the host country.
The legal framework for family visas is based on the fundamental right to family life recognised in international human rights law. However, all countries impose requirements designed to ensure the sponsoring family member can genuinely support the incoming family member without recourse to public funds.
The most common categories are spousal visas (for married partners), unmarried partner visas (for cohabiting couples who have been together for a qualifying period), and dependent child visas. Some countries also have provisions for adult dependent relatives, though these tend to have stricter requirements.
UK Spouse and Family Visas
The UK Family Visa allows spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, children, and certain adult dependent relatives of British citizens or those with Indefinite Leave to Remain to join them in the UK. The visa is called the UK Family Visa and is applied for at gov.uk/uk-family-visa.
The financial requirement is one of the most discussed aspects of UK family visas. The sponsoring partner must typically earn at least £29,000 per year (raised from £18,600 in 2024). This threshold is set to increase further to £38,700 by early 2025 as part of government policy to reduce net migration. The requirement can be met through salary, non-employment income, or savings above a certain level.
Processing times for UK Family Visas are typically 12 weeks for applications made outside the UK. The initial visa is granted for 30 months (2.5 years), after which an extension can be applied for. After 5 years of continuous residence under the family route, the holder can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement).
US Spousal and Family Immigration
The US family immigration system distinguishes between immediate relatives of US citizens and family preference categories. Immediate relatives — including spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of US citizens — are not subject to annual visa caps and can therefore be processed more quickly.
The spouse of a US citizen applies for an IR-1 (immigrant visa) or CR-1 (conditional resident, for marriages under 2 years old) visa if living outside the US, or adjusts status within the US. The process involves a petition (Form I-130) filed by the US citizen sponsor, followed by visa processing through the National Visa Center and a consular interview.
Processing times for US spousal immigration have been a significant challenge in recent years. From petition filing to visa issuance typically takes 12–24 months or longer. The K-1 fiancé visa is an alternative that allows a foreign fiancé to enter the US to marry, after which they adjust status to permanent resident, but total processing is similarly lengthy.
EU Family Reunion Rights
EU law provides strong family reunion rights for EU citizens who have exercised their free movement rights by moving to another EU member state. Under the EU Free Movement Directive, EU citizens have the right to be joined by their family members (including non-EU family members) when living in another EU member state.
This right does not automatically apply within one's own member state of citizenship — the rules for bringing non-EU family members to your own EU country are governed by national law, which can be significantly more restrictive. The EU free movement rights apply when an EU citizen has moved to and resides in another EU member state.
Canada and Australia Family Sponsorship
Canada's Spousal Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. Processing times depend on whether the sponsored person is inside or outside Canada and the specific processing office, but typically range from 12 months for inland applications to 12–18 months for outland (outside Canada) applications.
Australia's Partner Visa (subclasses 309/100 for offshore, 820/801 for onshore) is a two-stage process. The temporary partner visa is granted first, followed by the permanent visa after 2 years (or immediately if the relationship is over 3 years old or there are children). The application fee is significant — AUD $8,085 as of 2024 for the combined application.
Proving a Genuine Relationship
A consistent theme across all family and spouse visa programs is the requirement to prove the relationship is genuine. This involves submitting evidence that the relationship is real, ongoing, and not entered into purely for immigration purposes.
Evidence of a genuine relationship typically includes joint financial accounts, shared lease or property documents, correspondence over time, photographs together in different settings, evidence of visits, declarations from friends and family who know the couple, and where applicable, evidence of communication (phone records, messaging history) especially for long-distance couples.
- Provide a timeline of the relationship with supporting evidence for each stage
- Include photographs from throughout the relationship, not just recent ones
- Joint financial accounts, shared bills, or shared lease agreements are strong evidence
- Statutory declarations from people who know the couple add credibility
- For long-distance couples, provide evidence of communication and visits
- Be consistent — both partners should tell the same relationship story
Financial Requirements
All major family visa programs require the sponsoring family member to demonstrate they can financially support the incoming family member without relying on public benefits. The specific requirements vary considerably by country.
In the UK, the earning threshold approach (a fixed minimum salary) is common. In the US, sponsors must demonstrate income at or above 125% of the federal poverty level for their household size. Canada uses a different approach for spousal sponsorship — income requirements are relatively modest and focus on ensuring the sponsor is not receiving social assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a UK spouse visa take?
Typically around 12 weeks from outside the UK. An optional priority service can reduce this to around 5 working days for an additional fee.
What is the income requirement for a UK family visa?
As of 2024, the sponsoring partner must earn at least £29,000 per year. This threshold is set to increase to £38,700 under current government policy.
What is the difference between a CR-1 and IR-1 US visa?
The CR-1 (Conditional Resident) is issued for marriages under 2 years old. The IR-1 (Immediate Relative) is for marriages over 2 years. Both lead to permanent residence; CR-1 holders receive a 2-year conditional green card, then apply to remove conditions.
How do I prove my marriage is genuine for visa purposes?
Provide evidence across multiple areas: joint financial accounts, shared accommodation, photographs together, correspondence, statutory declarations from people who know you, and evidence of meeting in person.
Can my spouse work on a family visa?
In most major destination countries, spouses and partners on family visas have the right to work. Check the specific conditions of the visa for your destination country.
Disclaimer: Visa rules change frequently. Always verify requirements with the official embassy or consulate before travel. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
VizaHunt Editorial Team
Visa & Travel Research
The VizaHunt editorial team researches visa policies, passport rankings, and travel regulations across 195 countries. Our data is sourced from official government immigration portals, bilateral treaty records, and embassy publications, cross-referenced for accuracy before publication.