Family Visitor Visa UK from Pakistan
Pakistanis and other foreign nationals can spend up to six months visiting their family in the UK with a family visitor visa. This visa falls under the UK standard visitor visa category and is ideal for citizens of Pakistan who plan to visit the UK for a maximum of six months at one visit.
We advise contacting an immigration lawyer to assist you with the application process, as visa applications can be complex. Call our legal team at Total Law on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online to begin your journey in applying for a family visitor visa.
Do Pakistani Citizens Need a Family Visitor Visa for UK
If you and your UK-residing family member fulfil the qualifying conditions, you can visit them and stay for six months. You must prove that the person you want to see is a relative or an unmarried partner. For example, you may visit your child or spouse who lives in the UK.
If you intend to visit your family in the UK multiple times, you may apply for a long-term standard visitor visa, which can be obtained for two, five, or ten years. During the validity of the visa, Pakistanis and other eligible nationals are permitted entry to remain in the UK for a maximum of six months at a time.
You can take an exam, have a medical checkup, enrol in a recreational course, travel to the UK for tourism, or spend time with your family members when you have a UK family visitor visa. But you cannot get public benefits or work (paid or unpaid).
Consider a different visa if you want to marry in the UK. For example, if you want me to register a civil partnership, you can seek a marriage visitor visa. Otherwise, it would be best if you got a fiancé visa.
Page Contents
- Overview of the Family Visitor Visa UK
- UK Family Visitor Visa Eligibility Requirements
- UK Family Visit Visa Required Documents and Information
- Sponsor Requirements
- Steps to Apply for a UK Family Visitor Visa From Pakistan
- Applying for a UK Long-Term Standard Visitor Visa
- Application Fees for UK Family Visitor Visa
- Processing Time for Family Visitor Visa UK
- Extending Your UK Family Visitor Visa
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
UK Family Visitor Visa Eligibility Requirements: Who Qualifies?
If you are a Pakistani who wants to visit a family member in the UK, you must meet the visa eligibility requirements for a UK family visitor visa. The requirements are as follows:
- Your passport, which includes blank pages, should show the validity of your stay.
- Proof that you have enough financial resources for you and your dependants throughout your stay in the UK or evidence that you are being supported financially.
- Evidence that you will return to Pakistan or leave the UK at the end of your visit and when your visa expires. In that case, you must prove that your return ticket will be paid for or already paid for.
- Evidence of authentic relationship with the person you wish to see in the UK. The person should also have valid permission to be in the UK.
- Your required documents should be written in English or provide translation if written in another language.
UK Family Visit Visa Required Documents and Information
You must submit the following required documents to apply for a UK family visitor visa from Pakistan.
- Provide the name, phone number, passport number, email and resident address of your family member in the UK you wish to visit.
- Provide criminal record details or other offences if you have committed any.
- Provide the financial statement if you are sponsoring yourself, such as a bank statement.
- Your Pakistani passport.
- You will need to show your travel history and the date you wish to travel to the UK.
- Your address in Pakistan
- Names of your parents and their dates of birth
- Your return travel ticket
- Medical proof of a tuberculosis test if you apply for a long-term standard visitor visa.
Note: Your biometric details, which include your passport photograph, will be provided by VFS to UKVI.
Sponsor Requirements for Visit Visa UK from Pakistan:
If someone is sponsoring your trip to the UK, they must meet the sponsor requirements:
- Information and proof of the kind of support they want to render. For example, a return ticket or accommodation and bank statements.
- The British passport of your sponsor or their proof of residence permit showing that they are legal residents of the UK.
- To prove your connection with your sponsor, your sponsor must show:
- Government-issued marriage certificate if your sponsor is your spouse
- Medical certificate to confirm your relationship with your sponsor if biologically related
- Birth certificate or Adoption papers of your child if the sponsor is your child
- Your birth certificate or adoption papers if the sponsor is your parent.
How to Apply for a UK Family Visitor Visa from Pakistan
Applying for a standard visitor visa or family visitor visa can be done three months before departure to the UK.
Step 1: Online application
UK family visitor visa applications usually begin online at the UKVI website. Before filling out the form, please click the appropriate category of visa you are applying for, which is tourism or visiting family and friends under the standard visitor visa category.
Put in your details as requested in the online form. You must be a resident of Pakistan if you wish to click on Pakistan as your biometric provider. After filling in the details, you will be asked to pay the visa fees to continue the process.
Step 2: Make an Appointment at the Visa Centre
Schedule a visa appointment at the nearest centre to you in Pakistan. VFS partners with UKVI for visa applications from Pakistan. They have centres in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Mirpur.
You can check the exact address on the VFS website. With a prior visa booking, VFS staff will attend to you. The essence of the initial booking is for VFS to collect biometric readings.
Step 3:Upload the Required Document
The required document can be submitted by yourself to the UKVI site or with the help of VFS staff at the visa application centre. Using the VFS scanning service usually costs a service fee.
Scanning your documents can be done before your visa appointment or interview. Ensure that you upload the correct documents requested by the UKVI.
Step 4: Interview Appointment
Getting to the visa centre on time for your visa appointment is advisable. Getting to the centre 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled time would be best. Your biometric details, such as your fingerprint and photograph, will be taken, making it necessary to attend the interview yourself. No one can go on your behalf.
If you apply for your children under five, their fingerprints will not be taken, only passport photographs. It is necessary that children also attend their visa appointments.
Step 5: Track the Progress of Your Visa Application
An email will be sent to you when your visa decision is ready. SMS notification service is also available to those with challenges accessing their email. However, a service fee applies.
Step 6: Collect Your Passport
After deciding on the application, the home office will contact you for your visa collection. You could request a courier service to pick up your passport or do it yourself. Utilising the former means that you will pay an additional fee.
Although some VFS centres only have the option of using a courier service. Inquire about which service is available at your centre.
How to Apply for a Long-Term UK Family Visitor Visa from Pakistan
Pakistanis can apply for a long-term standard visitor visa for multiple visits. You will only be granted this visa if you meet the requirements.
UKVI may give you a shorter visa, resulting in a return of your application fee. If you apply under 18, your visa will only be valid six months following your 18th birthday. In this case, the visa fee is non-refundable.
UK Family Visit Visa Fee from Pakistan
The Family Visitor Visa fee is £115 for a single-entry visa that permits entry for up to six months. You can apply for a multiple entry visa, but the maximum permitted stay at a time is unchanged, and is always six months for this type of visa. Extensions are available only in exceptional circumstances.
| Single Entry – 6 months | £127 |
| Multiple Entry – 6 months (for 2 years) | £475 |
| Multiple Entry – 6 months (for 5 years) | £848 |
| Multiple Entry – 6 months (for 10 years) | £1059 |
| Extension based on ‘exceptional circumstances’ | £1,100 |
| Priority Processing (within 5 days) | £500 |
| Super Priority Processing (within 2 days) | £1000 |
UK Family Visitor Visa Processing Time: How Long Does It Take?
The visa processing time usually takes three weeks. The visa process begins after you have attended the interview and submitted all necessary documents, including biometric details.
You will usually get an email from UKVI at the end of three weeks.
The email will give details on whether your visa was accepted. The VfS centre in Pakistan should be contacted to collect the passport once you have received the email.
Factors That Can Prolong the Usual Processing Time
Several factors can extend your visa application process. Some of them are:
- Inaccurate information on your application
- Incomplete information provided in your application
- Unverified supporting documents
- A criminal record requiring further investigation
- There has been an increase in UK visa applications
Extend UK Family Visitor Visa: Can You Extend Your Stay?
The best time to apply for an extension is when your visa is still valid, and you are in the UK. As a Pakistani, you can not apply for an extension of your family visitor visa for more than six months.
As a standard visitor visa holder, you can apply for an extension of more than six months if you need medical attention in the UK. However, you must pay the extension fee to be granted extra months in the UK.
Differences Between Family Visitor Visa and Standard Visitor Visa
Both the Family Visitor Visa and Standard Visitor Visa are in the same category. Both mean:
- You must leave the UK before your 6 month visa expires, and prove you will return home
- You cannot work or study (except short-term study)
- You must prove you (or your family sponsor) can financially support you in the UK
- The Standard Visitor Visa is for anyone to visit the UK for tourism, business, visiting friends and family, but does not have close family ties.
The Family Visitor Visa is intended for those wishing to visit close family in the UK. Here are the key things you must prove to be eligible for a Family Visitor Visa:
- You must provide evidence of your purpose of visit, to visit family. This should be a letter from your UK family sponsor
- Your UK family member must be a British citizen, have settled status, or have refugee/humanitarian protection status
- Your family member must be close, e.g., a spouse, child, parent, or sibling
Exceptional Circumstances for Extending a Family Visitor Visa
It is not usually possible to extend your UK Family Visitor Visa, and can only be done in exceptional circumstances such as:
- Family emergencies
- Conflict or changes of circumstances in your home country
- You are in need of urgent medical treatment in the UK preventing your from travelling
Family Visitor Visa Extension Cost & Fee Waiver
The cost of a Family Visitor Visa extension is £1,100. In some situations, you may be able to get a fee waiver, for example, if you need to stay in the UK based on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, relating to family and private life. This is uncommon for Visitor Visa applications, however, can be relevant in some exceptional circumstances.
Ensuring Smooth Entry Clearance at UK Border Control
Border control can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Coming prepared with details that prove your purpose of stay, return flights and financial support can mean a smooth transition through border control, even if immigration officials do question you. Typically an immigration official will manually review your passport and visa, and may ask you some questions to determine your reason for staying matches your permissions. In some circumstances, you may be asked to provide these documents, or be asked further questions.
Multiple Entries in the UK
If you decide upon a Family Visitor Visa for multiple entries in the UK, you may visit as many times as you want within the period of your visa validity, which could be 2 years, 3 years, 5 years or 10 years. You must have a genuine reason for regular visits to the UK.
Unlike the 180 days in a year rule for the Schengen Visa in Europe, there is no specific time limit stated for the UK Visitor Visa. You may enter the UK shortly after your first visit. However, if it is deemed you are seeking to stay long-term, live in the UK or work in the UK, you may have your visa refused or cancelled. Excessive use of the visa for longer stays may prompt questioning or penalties.
Options: Review, appeal or reapplication when you are refused a visa
If your Family Visitor Visa is rejected you may have:
- Provided incorrect or outdated information
- Provided insufficient evidence that you can support yourself or your family member can support you
- Provided insufficient proof of accommodation with a family member, or the sponsor letter from a family member doesn’t have the required information
Normally, if you made a mistake or provided insufficient proof, you won’t have a legal case for an appeal. You will however, be told if you can appeal your application in your letter of refusal. In the cases above, the best action may be to reapply.
In other cases, you may consider an appeal or judicial review. This could be because:
- You believe the decision is unjust or based on weak evidence
- You believe the decision was unlawful or a procedural error occurred in the decision-making process
Reapplying
There is no time limit for reapplying, so it is the fastest solution. But you must correct all the original errors in your application, and address the reasons for rejection.
Judicial Review
Often, judicial reviews are for circumstances that should have been considered, but weren’t considered in your application. For example, if the outcome has a disproportionate affect on family life.
Appeal
You will be told if you can appeal your application rejection in your letter of refusal. Similarly to the Judicial Review, this might be due to a decision you believe to be incorrect because it violates your human rights.
Overstaying your visa
Overstaying your visa is a criminal offence, and is punishable in the following ways:
UK Re-entry ban for serious overstays
- If you leave the UK voluntarily and at your own expense after an overstay of more than 30 days, you will be banned from re-entering the UK for 1 year
- If you leave voluntarily but were on the government’s assistance for your departure (e.g., deportation program) you will be banned for 2 years
- If you are deported from the UK or leave voluntarily after being removed at the government’s expense you will be banned for 5 years
- If you were removed from the UK and re-enter unlawfully or attempt to you will be banned for 10 years
Other Consequences of Overstaying
Even if you may avoid formal re-entry bans, any overstay is taken seriously by immigration officials and could significantly harm visa applications in the future, in the UK and elsewhere. Even if you overstay by a single day, this may affect your immigration record. In some cases, you may avoid repercussions:
Up to 14 days: If you have a valid reason (exceptional circumstances) for overstaying by up to 14 days, your overstay might not affect future applications and you may avoid penalties.
How Total Law Can Help with Your UK Family Visitor Visa Application?
The UK family visitor visa falls in the standard visitor visa category. It is ideal for citizens of Pakistan who plan to visit their family in the UK for a maximum of six months at one visit.
Total Law can assist you if you wish to enter the country through this immigration route or a different route.
Regarding immigration matters, Total Law has experienced lawyers who have helped many Pakistanis achieve their dreams and goals of visiting the UK.
We do not leave you in the dark. We hold your hand through it, giving you immigration advice and helping you file an appeal when necessary.
Our professional lawyers can assist you with various immigration matters, such as allowing you to understand the eligibility criteria for a visitor visa or figuring out the documents you need to submit.
Knowing how challenging it can be to apply for a visa, we aim to assist you and lessen the burden.
Don’t hesitate to contact Total Law today at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or complete our online form. Let us help you achieve your immigration dreams.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Each family member must have their application, including paying the visa fees. They will also need to attend their interview at the visa centre. However, you can apply for a family member who cannot do it themselves.
If your application was refused, you will get an email explaining why your visa was denied. Our immigration lawyers at Total Law can help you fill an appeal or apply for an administrative review.
You will need a different visa if you are applying to visit the UK For more than six months. In that case, you must apply for a ‘family visa‘ instead of a ‘family visitor visa’.
