ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥

You may be able to apply to join or stay with a close relative in the UK if you’re a child with no-one else to look after you. 

Eligibility

You must be under 18 with no family members who can support or care for you (other than your close relative in the UK).

Your relative must be a close relative but not your parent. They must have protection status (permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection) but must not be settled in the UK or a British citizen.

Check if you can apply.

How much it costs

You’ll usually need to pay an application fee. How much it costs depends on whether you’re applying from outside or inside the UK.

You’ll also need to pay the healthcare surcharge if either:

• you’re applying from inside the UK
• you’re applying from outside the UK to stay for more than 6 months

You might not need to pay the fees if you can prove that you cannot afford it.

Check how much money you’ll need.

How to apply

How you apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and your relationship to your relative.

How long it takes

If you’re applying from outside the UK, you’ll usually get a decision within 12 weeks.

What you can and cannot do

You can usually stay in the UK for as long as your close relative has permission to stay.

You can do the following:

• study
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) when your close relative applies or once they are settled

You usually cannot apply for most benefits (public funds).

To be eligible to apply to join or stay with a close relative in the UK you must:

• be under 18 when you apply
• have no other family members that can support or care for you
• not be leading an independent life (for example, you must not be married or have moved into your own home)

Your relative

Your relative must:

• be your close relative (grandparent, sibling, stepparent, aunt or uncle) but not your parent
• have protection status (permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection) 
• not be settled or be a British Citizen
• have enough money to care for you without needing to apply for benefits (public funds)

How much it costs to apply depends on whether you’re applying from outside or inside the UK.

It costs:

• £424 to apply from outside the UK
• £1,321 to apply from inside the UK

Healthcare surcharge

You might also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. This allows you to access the NHS free of charge.

You’ll need to pay this if either:

• you’re applying from inside the UK
• you’re applying from outside the UK to stay for more than 6 months

The healthcare surcharge costs £776 per year if you’re under 18.

The total amount you’ll need to pay will depend on how long your close relative has permission to stay in the UK. For example, if your close relative has permission to stay for another 2 years, you’ll have to pay the healthcare surcharge for 2 years.

If you cannot afford the fees

If you cannot afford the application fee or healthcare surcharge, you can apply for a fee waiver.

How you apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

If you’re applying from outside the UK

You’ll need to before you apply to join your close relative.

If you’re applying from inside the UK

Send a completed fee waiver request form along with your completed FLR(P) application form.

Documents you’ll need to provide

You’ll need to provide documents or other evidence that you cannot afford to pay the fees.

For example, you or your relative can provide:

• details of any support you get from charities or local authorities
• bank statements for the 6 months before you applied
• your monthly income and costs
• details of any other income or expenses

You’ll need to provide documents or other evidence to prove:

• your identity
• your relationship with your close relative
• that your relative has enough money to support you

Proving your identity

To prove your identity, you’ll need to provide a valid passport.

If you do not have this, you could provide:

• an expired passport or travel document
• a national identity card
• another official document - for example, a driving licence or an adoption certificate
• a certified copy of an official document that proves your identity

You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at:

• a visa application centre - if you’re outside the UK 
• a Visas and immigration Service and Support Centre - if you’re inside the UK

You’ll be asked to make an appointment when you apply.

Proving your relationship to your close relative

To prove your relationship, you’ll need to provide documents such as:

• birth certificates
• family photos that are clear and of good quality
• statements from you, your close relative and other family members that confirm your relationship
• phone records or messages such as emails, letters or social media messages
• evidence of money transfers such as bank statements

You can also provide DNA samples. You’ll need to arrange and pay for this yourself using a laboratory that meets Home Office requirements.

Proving that your relative has enough money to support you

You or your relative can provide:

• details of any support you get from charities or local authorities
• bank statements for the 6 months before you applied
• details of any income and expenses
• your monthly income and costs
• details of any other income or expenses

How to provide your documents

You can either:

• upload your documents when you make your appointment at the visa application centre or service point
• have them scanned at your appointment (you’ll normally need to pay a charge)

Apply from outside the UK

if you’re outside the UK.

You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.

Apply from inside the UK

Apply for permission to stay with a close relative using form FLR(P) - if you’re inside the UK.

Fill in the form and post it to: 

You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a Visas and immigration Service and Support Centre.

If you applied from outside the UK

You’ll get an email with a decision on your application within 12 weeks of having your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken.

If you applied from inside the UK

You’ll get a decision letter through the post.

If your application is approved

You’ll be given permission to stay in the UK for as long as your close relative has permission to stay. This could be up to 5 years.

If you’re given permission to stay for longer than 6 months, you’ll be able to access an online record that shows this (called an eVisa). 

This will also allow you to enter the UK - if you applied from outside.

What you can and cannot do

With permission to stay, you can:

• study
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) when your close relative applies or once they are settled

You usually cannot apply for most benefits (public funds).

You’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do when your application is approved.

Applying for settlement

Settlement (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) gives you the right to:

•  live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like
•  apply for benefits if you’re eligible

When you can apply

You can apply for settlement if all of the following apply:

• you’ve already been given permission to join or stay with a close relative in the UK
• you’re already living in the UK
• your close relative is already settled in the UK - or is applying for settlement at the same time as you
• you’re not leading an independent life (for example, you must not be married or have moved into your own home)
• your relative is able to show that they can care for you until you are an adult

Find out how to apply for settlement.