This page has been reviewed and verified by Michael Gibbons, UK Solicitor and Regulated Immigration Advisor, to ensure accuracy under current UK immigration policy. Confirm your visa requirements via Our UK Visa Guidance.
Sponsoring a family member to live in the United Kingdom means taking financial responsibility for their relocation and settlement. This guide explains the costs, eligibility criteria, and financial requirements for sponsoring family members under current UK immigration policy as of October 2025.
What Does Sponsorship Involve?
When you sponsor a family member to come to the UK, you must demonstrate that you can support them financially without relying on public funds. The Home Office assesses your income, savings, and accommodation arrangements to ensure you can meet the minimum income requirements for the visa category in question.
Sponsorship typically applies to the following family visa types:
- Parent Visa
- Spouse or Partner Visa
- Adult Dependent Relative Visa
- Family Visa Extension (from within the UK)
Cost of Sponsoring a Family Member to the UK
The total cost of sponsoring a family depends on the type of visa and the number of applicants. Below is a breakdown of the most common family sponsorship categories as of 2025:
- Spouse or Partner Visa: £1,846 if applying from outside the UK, or £1,048 from within the UK.
- Parent Visa: £1,846 per applicant (outside the UK).
- Adult Dependent Relative Visa: £3,250 per applicant.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per adult, per year of the visa.
Each application must include biometric enrolment, supporting documents, and proof that the sponsor meets the required financial thresholds.
Financial Requirements for Sponsors
The Home Office sets a minimum income threshold for family visa sponsorship. These requirements ensure that families can live in the UK without accessing public funds. The 2025 income thresholds are:
- £18,600 per year – for a spouse or partner.
- + £3,800 – for your first child.
- + £2,400 – for each additional child.
If you do not meet the income threshold through employment, you may use savings to cover the shortfall. To qualify using savings alone, you must show at least £62,500 held for six consecutive months. For combined income and savings, specific formulas apply — see Financial Requirements for a UK Parent Visa for details.
Additional Fees and Considerations
- Document Translation: £50–£150 per page if not in English or Welsh.
- Priority Processing: £500 for a decision within 5 working days.
- Super Priority Processing: £1,000 for a decision within 24 hours.
- Legal Representation: £800–£1,500 depending on case complexity.
For faster processing and document upload tips, visit UK Visa Supporting Documents – Digital Upload Guide.
Can Third Parties Help Meet the Financial Requirement?
In limited cases, a close family member may act as a third-party sponsor. This person must prove they have stable income or savings to provide long-term support to your family in the UK. However, the Home Office reviews such arrangements closely, and acceptance is not guaranteed. For reliable advice, consider consulting a regulated immigration advisor.
Related Guidance
- How Long Does It Take to Process a UK Family Visa?
- How Much Do I Need to Earn to Bring My Family to the UK?
- UK Visa Fees 2025
- UK Visa Priority Service Availability 2025
About This Page
Author: UK Visa Applications Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Michael Gibbons, UK Solicitor and Regulated Immigration Advisor
Last Updated: October 2025