Citizenship Areas
Advice on joining family members with protection status, current family visa options and existing refugee family reunion cases.
Advice on applications made before the suspension and the next steps following a decision.
We assess available family routes for partners, children and eligible relatives of people with protection status.
Appendix Family Reunion (Sponsors with Protection) is closed to new applications pending review. Applications submitted before 3pm on 4 September 2025 continue to be considered under the applicable earlier rules.
New family cases need an assessment of another available route. This page does not offer a new application under the suspended reunion provisions.
We establish the sponsor’s status, the family relationship and whether the case concerns an existing application or a new family route.
Review protection status, family history and any earlier applications or decisions.
Assess the current options and identify any procedural or family issues requiring attention.
Help present the relevant information and prepare the appropriate application or representations.
Explain the outcome and advise on arrival, further permission or an available challenge.
During the family reunion suspension, eligible partners and children may apply under Appendix FM. We assess the appropriate route and any individual human rights considerations.
Related services include spouse and partner applications and child applications.
The fee arrangements for another family route differ from the former reunion process. We explain relevant charges and assess whether a fee waiver may be available in your circumstances.
A separate route may apply to eligible children joining a close relative with protection status. We assess the child’s circumstances and care arrangements.
Adult relatives need a separate assessment. A family connection to a refugee does not itself establish an entitlement to join them.
We consider the child’s welfare, existing family support and the sponsor’s immigration position when advising on the appropriate route.
For adults needing long-term care, we can review whether the Adult Dependent Relative provisions are relevant.
We review the submission date, previous correspondence and outstanding steps in an existing reunion case. The earlier rules and transitional arrangements must be considered.
We assess the decision, any appeal entitlement and the applicable deadline. Preparation depends on the reasons for refusal and the issues already considered.
If you have an existing application or appeal, tell us its current stage so we can advise on how new information should be raised.
We explain the grant, its conditions and any follow-up needed for travel or proof of status. The outcome depends on the route used and the sponsor’s position.
Further permission and settlement need a route-specific assessment. A successful family application does not necessarily give the family member the same status or settlement date as the sponsor.
We can assess any later citizenship application separately once the relevant circumstances are established.