People who have a close family member living and working abroad can apply for a family visa. Find out how to apply, what documents to prepare, how long it takes and what the cost is depending on the country

A family visa allows people whose relatives live and work abroad to move to another country for permanent or temporary residence. It most often applies to close relatives: husband, wife, children, parents, brothers, sisters, etc. A family reunification visa is usually long-term, and the qualification requirements may vary depending on which family member is sponsoring you.

You can apply for a family visa in the USA, Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia, Germany or Austria.

When planning a trip abroad, be sure to take care of a travel insurance policy that will protect you from unforeseen situations during the trip and compensate for unplanned expenses - for medical treatment, in case of lost luggage, flight cancellation, etc.

Read about the basic rules and types of family visas in this article.

What are the types of family visas?

Depending on the circumstances, countries issue different types of family visas:

- Spouse visa – this type of family visa can be applied for by a husband or wife who is in an officially registered partnership with an expat or citizen of a foreign country.

- Parent visa – this type of family visa is suitable for those who have a child who can act as a guardian in another country. However, not all countries issue this type of visa.

- Child visa – the applicant is eligible for this type of visa if one of his parents lives in another country. Usually, to obtain this visa, you must be a minor, but in some countries there are exceptions.

- Another type of family visa is a visa for immediate relatives: a brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather or other close relative who can sponsor the applicant. However, this type of visa is rarely issued - only a few individual countries issue it.

How to apply for a family visa?

The procedure for obtaining a visa for family reunification has several stages:

Stage 1 – Find the appropriate visa center

The application for a family visa must be submitted to the appropriate visa department – ​​this can be an embassy or consulate or even an application center in a neighboring country. Once you have found the right application center, you need to make an appointment for a visa interview to process the documents.

Stage 2 – Prepare a package of documents

To complete the application, you need to collect a certain list of documents, an approximate list:

- Passport valid for 6 months;

- Photo;

- Confirmation of family ties: marriage certificate, birth certificate, confirmation of joint residence (joint bank accounts, rental agreements), document on joint custody of the child, etc.;

- Certificate of absence of criminal records;

- Residence data;

- Biometric data;

- Paid visa fee (if necessary);

- Medical insurance.

Important! Some of your documents (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, birth certificate, etc.) may require a translation or an apostille certified according to the instructions of the visa department.

Visa centers may ask to pay the visa fee on the day of the interview or require payment in advance and bring a receipt with the documents - you will be informed about this.

Stage 3 - Fill out the application form for a family visa

You can obtain the application form from the relevant visa department or find it on the Internet. The application form must indicate current and truthful information and certify it with your own signature.

Stage 4 - Attend the visa interview

After collecting the documents, the applicant must go through a visa interview and submit an application. Most often, the interview must be attended together with a family member who will act as a sponsor. The diplomatic mission representative may ask questions about your family relationship to confirm your intention to apply for a family visa.

How long does it take to apply?

The processing time depends on the country:

- USA: from 9 to 64 months, depending on the type of visa and the processing center.

- Canada: from 12 to 34 months (especially long in the province of Quebec).

- Great Britain: about 3-6 months.

- Australia: in some cases, a residence permit is issued for the waiting period.

Visa fee for family visa in 2025

- USA – $325 + additional processing and medical fees;

- Canada – 1,040 CAD (~$770);

- UK – £1,938 + IHS (from £2,587 to £5,175);

- Australia – from 9,365 AUD (~$6,200);

- Germany – 75 euros (~$80).

Amounts may vary, check on consulate websites.

Sponsor income requirements in 2025

- UK – minimum £29,000 per year (expected to increase to £38,700).

- USA – sponsor’s income must be at least 125% of the federal poverty level (from $24,650 for 2 people).

- Canada – parents/grandparents must have a stable income that covers the needs of the sponsor and the applicant.

For how long is a family visa issued?

Most visas are issued for the duration of the sponsor’s visa or with the possibility of extension:

- United Kingdom – for 2.5 years with the possibility of extension up to 5 years;

- USA – after a Green Card, citizenship is possible;

- Canada and Australia – the applicant often receives the right to permanent residence (PR).

Is it possible to work on the basis of a family visa?

In most cases – yes. In Canada, Australia, Great Britain and the USA, a family visa gives the right to work. In some cases, there are restrictions on the number of working hours.

Is it possible to stay in the country while waiting for a visa?

- Australia – yes, it is possible to stay in the country with a temporary permit.

- USA – if you are already in another status (for example, tourist), you can apply for a change of status.

- UK and Canada – you usually have to wait for a decision outside the country if you do not have another status.

A family visa is not just a document, but a chance to reconnect with your family, even if they live thousands of kilometers away. The process of obtaining it requires attention to detail, preparation of documents and compliance with the requirements of the destination country.

In 2025, most countries continue to support family reunification policies, but introduce new financial criteria and restrictions on the type of family ties. To avoid mistakes and delays, it is important to prepare carefully, contact official sources and, if necessary, consult a lawyer. Regardless of the country, family immigration is a path worth the effort for the sake of a shared future with loved ones.

Order the help of a migration lawyer to avoid mistakes and speed up the process of obtaining a family visa.

Reminder! The Belgian Immigration Office has announced new requirements for obtaining an expedited visa for family reunification, including the minimum income of sponsors. We have already told you who needs a visa, what are the conditions for applying and what documents are required to obtain it, as well as what will change for foreigners after the new law.