Family Reunion

Your partner or child can apply to join or stay with you in the UK if:

• you were separated when you were forced to leave your country
• you’ve been given asylum or 5 years’ humanitarian protection but don’t yet have British citizenship

Your partner or child can’t apply if:

• you haven’t received a decision on your asylum application
• you’re under 18

If their application is successful, your family members will be allowed to come to or stay in the UK with the same permission (‘leave’) as you.

Eligibility

Your partner and any children must meet the following requirements.

Partner

Your partner is someone you’re in a genuine relationship with. You must be able to prove one of the following:

• you’re married
• you’re in a civil partnership

If you’re not married or in a civil partnership, your partner can apply if:

• you were given refugee status or humanitarian protection on or after 9 October 2006
• you’ve lived together in a relationship like in a marriage or civil partnership for 2 years and you’ve been given asylum or humanitarian protection after 9 October 2006

You and your partner must intend to live together and continue your relationship after they apply.

Children

Your child is:

• under the age of 18
• going to live with you and your partner
• going to be supported by you without using public funds
• not married or in a civil partnership
• not in full-time employment