Family reunion: caseworker guidance
Immigration staff guidance on family reunion applications.
Documents
Details
UK Visas and Immigration guidance on how staff make decisions on applications for family reunion.
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Last updated
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Removed reference to the application of the differentiation policy introduced under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. Added guidance on the new ‘unsafe journeys’ policy.
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Updated in line with the April 12 Immigration Rules changes to show the route for children applying to stay with or join non-parent relatives with protection status has been removed and placed into its own guidance product.
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Updated guidance in line with changes to the Immigration Rules.
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Updates to the biometric enrolment requirements for Family Reunion applications.
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Guidance changes in light of the Nationality and Borders Bill.
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Added detail of what will be covered by proposed amendments.
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Updated the guidance.
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Updated information on biometric enrolment for in-country applications.
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Updated document with a new version.
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Updated guidance.
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Updated guidance.
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First published.
Update history
2025-09-04 15:00
Changes following the Immigration Rules that came into effect on 4 September 2025.
2025-05-28 16:45
Updated guidance to clarify the definition of habitual residence under section ‘Relationship requirements for a partner’ and to clarify compelling compassionate circumstances.
2025-04-09 09:01
The appendix family reunion guidance has been updated.
2023-07-17 16:56
Removed reference to the application of the differentiation policy introduced under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. Added guidance on the new ‘unsafe journeys’ policy.
2023-04-12 01:00
Updated in line with the April 12 Immigration Rules changes to show the route for children applying to stay with or join non-parent relatives with protection status has been removed and placed into its own guidance product.
2022-11-09 00:15
Updated guidance in line with changes to the Immigration Rules.
2022-07-29 00:15
Updates to the biometric enrolment requirements for Family Reunion applications.
2022-06-28 00:15
Guidance changes in light of the Nationality and Borders Bill.
2022-04-01 17:01
Added detail of what will be covered by proposed amendments.