Guidance

Appendix family reunion: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on family reunion applications.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Published: 5 July 2011
• Last updated: 28 May 2025 — See all updates

Documents

Appendix family reunion (sponsors with protection)

PDF, 416 KB, 38 pages

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Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance on how staff make decisions on applications for family reunion.

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Published 5 July 2011

Last updated 28 May 2025 + show all updates

1. 28 May 2025

   Updated guidance to clarify the definition of habitual residence under section ‘Relationship requirements for a partner’ and to clarify compelling compassionate circumstances.

2. 9 April 2025

   The appendix family reunion guidance has been updated.

3. 17 July 2023

   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.

4. 12 April 2023

   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.

5. 9 November 2022

   Updated guidance in line with changes to the Immigration Rules.

6. 29 July 2022

   Updates to the biometric enrolment requirements for Family Reunion applications.

7. 28 June 2022

   Guidance changes in light of the Nationality and Borders Bill.

8. 1 April 2022

   Added detail of what will be covered by proposed amendments.

9. 31 December 2020

   Updated the guidance.

10. 9 January 2020

    Updated information on biometric enrolment for in-country applications.

11. 19 March 2019

    Updated document with a new version.

12. 29 July 2016

    Updated guidance.

13. 27 July 2016

    Updated guidance.

14. 5 July 2011

    First published.