Personal Immigration

Personal immigration covers every application made by an individual or family — bringing a spouse to the UK, reuniting with children, achieving settled status after years of lawful residence, or applying for British citizenship. The rules are detailed, the thresholds have risen and the consequences of errors are serious. We advise on the full range of personal immigration matters, from the initial visa through to settlement and nationality.

1. What Is Personal Immigration?

Personal immigration is the broad category of UK immigration applications made by individuals and families — as opposed to employer-sponsored or business routes. It covers entry clearance for a foreign spouse, leave to remain for a parent joining a settled child, student visas, visit visas, applications for ILR after qualifying residence, and applications for British citizenship or a British passport.

Unlike work-related routes, most personal immigration applications are made on the basis of family ties, long residence, or international student status. Many routes lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain and, ultimately, to British citizenship — making the decisions you take early in the process significant for the long term.

2. Spouse and Partner Visas

The spouse visa (formally the partner visa under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules) is the route for the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner of a British citizen or settled person to live in the UK. It is one of the most applied-for — and most refused — entry clearance routes in the immigration system.

Key requirements

• Financial requirement: the sponsor must earn at least £29,000 gross per year
• Genuine relationship: UKVI must be satisfied the relationship is genuine, subsisting and that the couple intend to live together
• English language: the applicant must pass a Secure English Language Test at B1 level (speaking and listening)
• Adequate accommodation: the couple must have access to accommodation that is not overcrowded

Initial leave is granted for 33 months (entry clearance from outside the UK) or 30 months (switching inside the UK), leading to a further 30-month extension and then ILR after five years on the family route.

For full detail on requirements, documents and common refusal reasons, see our UK Spouse Visa guide.

3. Family Visas

Beyond the spouse visa, the UK immigration rules allow other family members to join or remain with settled relatives in certain circumstances. The rules vary significantly by relationship type.

Children

A child under 18 can join a parent or parents in the UK provided the sponsoring parent has settled status or leave to enter or remain. Both parents usually need to consent, or the applying parent must have sole parental responsibility. Children born in the UK to a settled parent may be British citizens from birth.

Adult dependent relatives

Parents and grandparents aged 65 or over may apply as adult dependent relatives if they require long-term personal care that is not available in their home country and the sponsoring child in the UK can meet a significant financial threshold. This is one of the most difficult family routes — refusal rates are high and the requirements are strictly applied.

Family reunion for refugees

Recognised refugees and those with humanitarian protection can apply for their immediate family members to join them under the refugee family reunion route. Different financial requirements apply compared to the standard family route.

4. UK Visit Visas

A visit visa (Standard Visitor Visa) allows nationals of non-visa-exempt countries to enter the UK for tourism, to visit family or friends, for business meetings, or for short-term medical treatment. It does not allow work or study on a substantive course.

What UKVI assesses

• whether the applicant genuinely intends to leave the UK at the end of their visit
• whether the applicant has strong ties to their home country (family, employment, property)
• whether the applicant has sufficient funds to support themselves during the visit
• whether the applicant's immigration history gives cause for concern

Visit visa refusals are common and often poorly reasoned. An administrative review or fresh application with stronger evidence addresses many refusals. Our visit visa refusal guide explains what UKVI caseworkers are looking for and how to present a compelling application.

For a full breakdown of requirements, fees and the application process, see our UK Visit Visa guide.

5. UK Student Visas

The Student Visa allows nationals of non-visa-exempt countries to study at a licensed UK education provider. The Child Student Visa covers those aged 4–17 studying at an independent school.

Core requirements

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): issued by the sponsoring institution
• English language: typically B2 level (varies by institution and course)
• Financial requirement: evidence of funds to cover tuition fees and living costs for the first year
• Academic progression: the course must represent genuine academic progress

For full detail, see our UK Student Visa guide.

6. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the gateway to permanent settlement in the UK. Once granted, it does not expire (though it can be lost through extended absence) and allows the holder to live and work in the UK without time restriction.

Qualifying periods by route

• Spouse / partner route: 5 years
• Skilled Worker route: 5 years
• Global Talent route: 3 years (Exceptional Promise/Exceptional Talent)
• Long residence route: 10 years of continuous lawful residence
• Innovator Founder route: 3 years

Common ILR requirements

• No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during the qualifying period
• Life in the UK test (unless exempt)
• English language requirement — B1 or equivalent (unless exempt)
• No serious criminal convictions
• Continuous lawful status throughout the qualifying period

For a full breakdown including continuous residence rules and the Life in the UK test, see our ILR guide.

7. British Citizenship

British citizenship is the final step in the UK immigration journey for most applicants. Once naturalised, a person can hold a British passport and return to the UK without immigration conditions.

Naturalisation requirements (most common route)

• ILR or EU Settled Status (unless applying as the spouse of a British citizen)
• 5 years of continuous residence in the UK (3 years if spouse of a British citizen)
• No more than 450 days outside the UK in the five-year period (270 for spouses)
• No more than 90 days outside the UK in the final 12 months
• Life in the UK test
• English language at B1 level or above
• Good character — no serious criminal convictions or immigration offences

Children born in the UK to a parent who was a British citizen or settled at the time of birth are usually British citizens from birth. Children born overseas to a British parent may be able to register or be registered as British citizens depending on the parent's own status at the time.

For the complete guide to naturalisation, registration and British passports, see our British Citizenship guide.

8. eVisa and Digital Immigration Status

Since 31 December 2024, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have been replaced by eVisas for most visa categories. An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status linked to your UKVI online account.

• Sharing status: generate a share code from your UKVI account to prove your right to work, rent or travel
• Passport renewals: update your UKVI account when you renew your passport — your eVisa is linked to your travel document
• Previous BRP holders: if you held a BRP issued before 2025, create or update your UKVI account to transition to an eVisa

9. How We Help

We advise individuals and families at every stage of the personal immigration journey. Our approach is specific to your situation rather than based on a standard checklist.

What our service includes

• Initial eligibility assessment — identifying the correct route and realistic prospects
• Document review — checking your evidence before submission and identifying gaps
• Application preparation — completing online forms, structuring your document bundle, and drafting a covering letter where appropriate
• Fee and timeline advice — explaining all costs upfront, including IHS and priority service options
• Post-submission support — responding to any requests for further information from UKVI
• Refusal advice — if your application is refused, we advise on appeal, admin review, or a fresh application
• Extension and settlement planning — we advise on your next step at each stage of the journey

We offer fixed-fee consultations and fixed-fee application support for most standard personal immigration routes. Contact us to discuss your circumstances.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Page last reviewed: June 2026. Immigration rules change regularly — always verify current requirements and fees on GOV.UK before submitting an application. Gateway Immigration Services is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).