Family Immigration Route
The ‘family route’ is the main route for family migration to the UK. This includes non-EEA nationals entering, remaining in or settling in the UK on the basis of a relationship with a British citizen or a person settled in the UK. This includes fiancé(e)s, spouses, civil partners, or unmarried, dependent children and adult and elderly dependent relatives. People can either apply for a visa to enter the UK on the family route, or they can ‘switch’ into the family route after having entered the UK on another basis, for example to work or study. Those on the family route can settle in the UK if they fulfil the appropriate requirements, and some are granted immediate settlement on arrival known as indefinite leave to enter.