Family Visa UK from Philippines
The UK is a destination which offers many appealing benefits, such as a strong economy, rich culture, and stable environment in which to raise a family. As such, many Filipino citizens living in the UK choose to have their family members join them.
If you are a Filipino citizen living in the UK and you wish for your family members to join you, they are likely to require Family visas. Contact Total Law today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online to learn more.
UK Family Visa: Join Your Family in UK from Philippines
Filipino citizens who want to join their partner, child, parent or another eligible family member in the UK may be able to apply for a UK Family Visa. The correct route depends on their relationship and the immigration status of the person they are joining.
- Family Visa: If your family member is a British or Irish citizen, settled in the UK or holds another qualifying status, you may be eligible for a Family Visa.
- Fiancé Visa: If you intend to marry or enter a civil partnership with an eligible partner in the UK, you may be able to apply for a Fiancé Visa. This normally allows six months to marry or register your partnership, after which you can apply to remain as a spouse or civil partner.
- Dependant Visa: If your family member is in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa or another eligible temporary visa, you may need to apply under the relevant dependant route instead.
- Standard Visitor Visa: If you only intend to visit relatives or your partner for a short period, you will generally need a Standard Visitor Visa rather than a visa intended for settlement.
This guide explains the available routes, documents commonly required from the Philippines, application process, costs and processing times. See our UK Family Visa guide for more information about general eligibility requirements.
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How Long is the Route to UK Settlement On a Family Visa
The timeline to UK settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) depends on the route you are taking in the UK and when you apply for a visa. There are the current rules and the earned settlement rules due to be effective in 2027.
Current ILR Rules
Under the current rules, applicants on the standard five-year Family Visa route can generally apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing five continuous years in the UK on qualifying permission, provided they meet the other settlement requirements. However, the government has confirmed a new Earned Settlement framework, which is expected to begin taking effect from late 2026 and during 2027.
If you are already eligible for ILR, you can still apply under the current rules while they remain in force. However, being partway through a five-year route does not automatically guarantee that the existing requirements will apply when you become eligible. Applicants who are not yet eligible, including those applying for their first UK visa, should consider how the new framework could affect their future settlement options.
New ILR Rules
Under the new Earned Settlement framework, the standard qualifying period for ILR will increase from five to ten years, although important exceptions will apply. For Family Visa applicants, the distinction between the immigration status of the person they are joining will be particularly important:
- Family members of British citizens: Eligible partners, parents and children of British citizens will retain a five-year pathway to settlement, subject to the applicable requirements.
- Family members of settled residents: Those joining someone who holds ILR or another qualifying settled status, but is not a British citizen, will not automatically benefit from the same protected five-year pathway. They may instead be subject to the new ten-year standard route or another qualifying pathway.
- Dependants of work visa holders: Their settlement timeline will generally depend on the main applicant’s qualifying pathway and their own eligibility under the new rules.
The framework also introduces additional requirements relating to English language ability, financial contribution, immigration compliance and the Life in the UK Test, with exemptions applying in certain circumstances. The new settlement framework is confirmed government policy, but the detailed Immigration Rules and implementation dates have not yet been finalised.
Types of UK Family Visas & Eligibility Requirements
There are a number of visa types for which the family of Filipino citizens living in the UK might apply. The details of the main different options are outlined in this section:
Partner or Spouse visa UK
In order for your spouse or partner to be eligible to join you under Spouse visa route, you must satisfy the following conditions:
- Be a British or an Irish citizen
- Have permanently settled in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or permanent residence). You will need to be able to prove your status
- Be a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have pre-settled status. Note that you will need to have lived in the UK since before 1st January 2021
- Have protection status (i.e. refugee status or humanitarian protection)
- Have permission to stay in the UK due to being stateless
- Intend to live permanently with your partner upon their arrival in the UK
Upon successfully receiving the visa, the applicant will generally be able to live, work, and study in the UK. However, if the marriage or civil partnership has not yet taken place, they will not be able to work or study in the UK until the service has occurred. They will then need to apply for permission to extend their stay. Once this is granted, they will then be able to work and study in the UK.
You will also generally need to prove your relationship status and that you were living together previously. If there were reasons why it was not possible for you to live together, for example cultural considerations, you will need to provide alternative evidence of your relationship status.
In the case of marriage or civil partnership, successful applicants can stay in the UK for up to 2 years and 9 months. In the case of engagement to be married or a proposed civil partner, successful applicants can stay for up to 6 months, and can apply to extend their stay once the wedding or civil partnership has taken place.
After living in the UK for at least 5 years, the applicant will be able to apply for permanent residence. Note that time spent in the UK under any other visa type does not count towards this 5 years.
Parent Visa UK
If you wish for your parent to join you in the UK, the following eligibility criteria must be satisfied:
- You are either under 18 when you submit your application or were under 18 at the point when you were granted leave to remain in the UK
- Your parent lives with you (except if you are receiving full-time education which is away from home, e.g. boarding school or university)
- You are not married or in a civil partnership
- The applicant has sole or shared parental responsibility for you. In the case of shared parental responsibility, the other parent must not be the applicant’s partner
- One of the following applies
- You are a British or Irish citizen
- You have permanently settled in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or permanent residence). You will need to provide evidence of your status
- You are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have pre-settled status. Note that you must have been living in the UK since before 1st January 2021
- If your parent is applying from within the UK, they must have been living with you continuously for at least 7 years
If the applicant has other dependent children, they can also be added to the application. However, they must generally also be under 18, living with the applicant, and not married or in a civil partnership.
If successful, the applicant will be able to stay in the UK for up to 2 years and 9 months. They will then be able to apply to extend.
After 5 years, the applicant can apply for permanent settlement. Note that time spent in the UK under any other visa will not count towards this 5 years.
Child Visa UK
If you wish for your child to join you in the UK, they will generally need to satisfy the following criteria:
- They must live with you in the UK, unless they live away to receive a full-time education (e.g. boarding school or university)
- They must not be married or be in a civil partnership
They can either be included as a dependent in your next application or apply separately in their own right.
Generally, one of the following will need to apply to you (the parent):
- You have British or Irish citizenship
- You have permanently settled in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or permanent residence). You will need to provide evidence of your status
- You are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have pre-settled status. Note that you will need to have lived in the UK since before 1st January 2021
- You have protection status (i.e. refugee status or humanitarian protection)
- You have permission to stay due to being stateless
Adult Dependent Visa UK
If you are a Filipino citizen living in the UK and wish to provide care to a family member, this is likely to be the best visa option. In order for your family member to receive this visa, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
- Your family member requires long-term care and cannot complete everyday tasks themselves, without this care
- Your family member is 18 or over
- The care which you would be providing cannot be provided in your home country, whether due to availability or cost
- You must have the resources to care for your relative for the duration of their stay
- You have permanently settled in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or permanent residence). You will need to provide evidence of your status
- You are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have pre-settled status. Note that you will need to have lived in the UK since before 1st January 2021
- You have protection status (i.e. refugee status or humanitarian protection)
How to Apply for a Family Visa UK from Philippines: Step-by-Step Guide
Whilst the exact application process differs depending on the family relationship in question, the application steps will generally be as follows:
First, the applicant will need to check their eligibility and to gather the necessary documents. This includes completing the relevant Appendix form, which will depend on the particular nature of the family relationship. Then, they will need to submit their application online, via the UK government website. They will also need to pay the relevant application fee, although it may be possible to receive a fee waiver in certain circumstances.
Next, the applicant will be asked to attend an appointment at a UK visa application center, in order to submit their biometric information (their photo and fingerprints). In the Philippines, these centers can be found in Cebu and Manila.
Once all of the necessary steps have been completed, the application will then be processed. If the application is successful, the applicant will then be granted a UK visa, which can be used to legally enter the UK.
What Documents Are Required for UK Family Visa for Filipino Applicants
What Documents Are Required for a UK Family Visa from the Philippines?
The supporting documents depend on the route and your personal circumstances. Filipino applicants should pay particular attention to civil records issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Common documents include:
- A valid Philippine passport and relevant previous travel documents.
- Evidence of the UK-based family member’s nationality or immigration status.
- A PSA birth certificate, where relevant to establishing a family relationship.
- A PSA marriage certificate for married applicants.
- A Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR), where relevant to establishing marital status.
- Evidence of previous marriages ending, where applicable.
- Financial and accommodation evidence required for the chosen route. In the case of partner/spouse applications, your combined annual income will generally need to be at least £29,000.
- Evidence of the relationship, particularly where a couple has lived apart.
- English language evidence and a tuberculosis certificate, where required.
Note that all documents will need to be translated into either English or Welsh. The translation must be completed by an authorized translation service.
PSA Certificates and Name Discrepancies
Applicants should ensure that their PSA documents are consistent with their passport and other supporting evidence. Where names, dates or spellings differ between documents, provide an explanation and supporting records. For example, a change of surname following marriage may be explained through the relevant marriage certificate.
A CENOMAR may be useful where marital status is relevant, but it is not a universal requirement for every Family Visa applicant. Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a translation meeting UKVI’s requirements.
Evidence for Couples Living Apart
Filipino applicants whose partners work or live in the UK may not have been able to maintain a shared household.
Where this is relevant, evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship may include:
- Records of visits and travel between the Philippines and the UK.
- Communications demonstrating regular contact.
- Financial support or shared financial responsibilities.
- Evidence of time spent together and involvement in each other’s lives.
- Plans to establish a shared home in the UK.
The evidence should explain the circumstances of the relationship rather than simply provide a large volume of messages or photographs.
English Language and TB Requirements
Filipino citizens applying for a UK Family Visa may need to meet English language and tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements, depending on their visa route and circumstances.
English Language Requirements
Most first-time adult Spouse, Partner and Parent Visa applicants must demonstrate English language ability at a minimum of CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening. This can generally be achieved through an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), an eligible academic qualification or another accepted form of evidence. Higher English language requirements may apply when extending a visa or applying for settlement. Exemptions are available, including for applicants aged 65 or over and those with qualifying medical conditions.
Tuberculosis Testing
Applicants who intend to stay in the UK for six months or longer will generally need a TB certificate if they have lived in the Philippines for at least six months and were living there, or in another listed country, within the previous six months. TB tests must be completed at a Home Office-approved clinic. Approved testing facilities are available in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro. Certificates are normally valid for six months from the date of the chest X-ray.
UK Family Visa Processing Time: How long does it take?
The current processing time for a UK Family visa is 24 weeks. If the applicant is already in the UK, this processing time reduces to around 12 weeks.
However, note that the exact processing time is subject to change based on a number of factors, such as how many other applications are currently being processed and whether the application is submitted correctly.
In order to minimize waiting time, applicants should make sure to submit all of the necessary documentation at the time of application and to promptly provide any additional information which is requested.
UK Family Visa Fees for Filipino Applicants: How much does it cost?
The exact cost of a Family visa will depend on the specific visa in question. Generally, it costs £2,064 for a partner, parent, or child visa, if the applicant is outside of the UK or in Philippines.
If they are applying from within the UK, it will instead cost £1,407. The same cost will be added per every dependent included in the application.
If the application is for an adult relative who you will be caring for, the cost depends on whether or not the applicant has ‘protections status’ (i.e. is a refugee or has humanitarian protection). If so, the cost will be £452 for applicants from outside the UK and £3,635 for applicants applying from within the UK.
It is also likely that the applicant will need to pay an annual health surcharge. The exact cost varies based on whether or not the applicant is an adult and how long they intend to stay in the UK.
In some cases, it will also be necessary to pay for the application documents to be translated into either English or Welsh. The exact cost will depend on the specific translation provider. Some applicants also choose to pay for legal assistance with the application. Contact Total Law +44 (0)333 305 9375 to learn more about how we can help you with this.
UK Visa Application Centres in the Philippines
Filipino applicants can attend UK visa biometric appointments at VFS Global centres in Manila and Cebu, with additional premium and mobile appointment options available in other locations. The two main centres are:
| Location | Address | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Manila (Makati) | 6th Floor, Makati Circuit Corporate Center Tower Two, A.P. Reyes Street, Barangay Carmona, Circuit Makati, Makati City 1207 | Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–4:00 pm |
| Cebu City | Units 01–04, 7th Floor, Faustina Centre, F. Cabahug Street, Kasambagan, Cebu City 6000 | Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–4:00 pm |
The Cebu centre charges an additional £76.50 user-pay fee, which must be paid online after booking and before attending the appointment. This is separate from the UK visa application fee.
Additional UK Visa Appointment Locations
VFS Global also offers optional Premium Application Centres in Bonifacio Global City (Taguig), Davao City and Cagayan de Oro, alongside a Mobile Visa Application Centre in Balanga, Bataan. These provide alternatives for applicants who would otherwise need to travel to Manila or Cebu. However, appointments operate on selected days and involve additional charges. For example, the Premium Application Centre in Bonifacio Global City currently charges PHP 9,174. Applicants should compare the additional appointment fees against the cost of domestic travel and accommodation before choosing a location.
What Happens at Your Appointment?
After completing your online UK visa application, you will be directed to VFS Global to book an appointment.
You will normally need to:
- Bring your passport and appointment confirmation.
- Provide your fingerprints and a digital photograph.
- Submit any supporting documents not already uploaded, following the appointment instructions.
- Follow the instructions concerning passport submission or retention.
VFS Global offers optional services, including Keep My Passport, courier return and premium appointments, subject to availability and additional fees. These services do not improve your chances of visa approval.
How Can Total Law Help with Your UK Family Visa Application from Philippines?
The UK is a popular choice for Filipino nationals, offering a strong economy, numerous work opportunities, and a safe and diverse environment in which to raise a family. As such, many Filipino citizens who are living in the UK choose to pursue Family visas for their immediate family.
However, the immigration rules surrounding UK Family visas are often complicated and change depending on the exact family relationship in question. At Total Law, we have many years of experience in providing assistance on cases just like this.
Our immigration experts are able to provide you with bespoke legal advice based on your specific circumstances. Contact Total Law today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online, to learn more about how we can help you secure a UK family visa.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact validity period of a UK Family visa will depend on the family relationship in question. In many cases, visas can also be extended once they expire. It may also be possible for the holder to apply for permanent residence after living in the UK for a sufficient amount of time to be eligible.
If your family member plans to stay in the UK for under 6 months, it is likely that a Standard Visitor visa is a better fit. This will allow them to live with you for up to 6 months. However, if they plan to stay in the UK for longer than this, they will need to apply for a long-term Family visa.
Yes, UK Family visas do generally allow you to work in the UK. However, note that if you are in the UK as a fiance or a proposed civil partner, you will not be able to work in the UK until the ceremony has taken place. You will then need to apply to extend your stay. Once this has been granted, you will then be able to legally work in the UK on your UK Family visa.
