The world is undergoing many crises like wars, gender base violence, race induced violence. These crises have birthed numerous humanitarian issues all over the world. The UK as part of her policy to protect human rights made it easy for victims of these issues to migrate to her. The migration process might not be easy for a whole family to move to the UK at the same time hence the need for family and relative reunification visa policy. Family unity is an important human right. If you were separated from your family before or during your flight, you may apply for them to join you in the UK, under specific conditions. Whether your family can join you ultimately depends on the type of legal status you are granted and the nature of your relationship. The Family Reunion Visa UK allows family members of refugees or individuals with humanitarian protection to join them in the UK. This visa applies to spouses, civil partners, and children under 18. The sponsor must hold refugee or humanitarian protection status to qualify, and applicants must provide identity documents and proof of relationship. In most cases, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) will have to validate the refugee status of any international personality in crisis before they move to the UK and then letter ask for their family to Join. The Family Reunion Visa allows close family members of individuals with refugee or humanitarian protection status in the UK to reunite. This visa ensures families separated due to conflict or persecution can live together in the UK.
Eligibility for Family Reunion Visa
The applicant is qualified for a family reunion if he or she is a spouse, civil partner, and child of an individual in the UK holding Refugee or humanitarian status. Family members must prove a legitimate relationship. The sponsor in the UK must have official refugee status or humanitarian protection. This status allows them to invite immediate family members to join them in the UK.
An alternative option of reunification with a person is also possible, even if the applicant is not officially married or in a partnership. In this case, it is enough to:
- a person received legal refugee status or rights under the humanitarian protection program on or after October 9, 2006;
- the applicant has provided all documents, and evidence and has been in the UK since October 9, 2006, with refugee status or under humanitarian protection, and has been in a marriage or civil partnership relationship for at least 2 years.
How to Apply
The UK government has made it easy for foreign individuals to apply for any type of Visa as every bit of the application is done online
The family reunion scheme is entitled to both the partner and the applicant’s child.
Main requirements:
- the applicant has an official refugee status;
• family members have a strong family relationship with the applicant and can prove it;
• family members of the applicant, who live in the territory of the kingdom, the application is submitted for the first time.
Requirement for a Family Reunion Visa
Applicants for a family unification Visa must provide the following
- Have a sponsor that is, someone in the UK with a Residence permit with the status of a refugee or resides in the UK on humanitarian ground
- Applicants must provide identity documents,
- proof of the relationship with the sponsor (e.g., marriage or birth certificates), and
- proof of the sponsor’s status in the UK.
- For children, the child must be under 18 years of age;
- The child Must be planned to live with the parent as he or she arrives in the UK
- The child is not married and does not have a civil partner.
Reasons why some Applications are Rejected
There are four possible reasons why some visa applications on humanitarian grounds fail
- Incorrect Application Submission: here the candidate fails to complete the application properly this could lead to the application being rejected
- Insufficient Documentation: The refugee status of the applicant sponsor must be well documented probably by the UNHCR or similar organizations in the applicant country’s home
- Ineligibility of family members: The application may be denied if a family member does not meet the eligibility criteria, such as being over 18 years.
Processing Time
The application can take several months, depending on the complexity of the case. During this time, applicants appeal to work closely with legal representatives to strengthen their case.
Validity of a family reunion Visa
The visa when issued is valid as long as the visa of the refugee sponsor is valid.
