1. Main UK Immigration Categories

Work Visas

Examples:

• Skilled Worker
• Health and Care Worker
• Global Talent
• Temporary Worker

Official guidance:
Work Visas

Family Visas

Examples:

• Spouse visa
• Civil partner visa
• Unmarried partner visa
• Parent visa
• Child visa

Official guidance:
Family Visas

Study Visas

Examples:

• Student visa
• Child Student visa

Official guidance:
Study Visas

Settlement & Citizenship

Examples:

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• British citizenship
• Naturalisation

Official guidance:
Settlement and Citizenship

2. Spouse & Partner Visas

A British citizen or settled person can sponsor:

• Husband/wife
• Civil partner
• Unmarried partner
• Fiancé(e)

Main route:

Appendix FM

Official guidance:
Family Visa Partner Guidance

Main Requirements

Usually:

• Genuine relationship
• Financial requirement
• English language requirement
• Accommodation requirement

Financial Requirement

Rules can change, but generally involve:

• Minimum income thresholds
• Savings alternatives
• Combined income evidence

Official financial guidance:
Family Visa Financial Requirement

3. Parent Visas

A parent may apply if:

• Child is British or settled
• Parent has active role in upbringing

Official guidance:
Parent Visa Guidance

4. Child Visas

Children may apply:

• As dependants
• Under family routes
• Through adoption/special guardianship

Official guidance:
Child Family Visa Guidance

5. Immigration & Family Courts

Family courts and immigration law frequently overlap.

Common situations:

• Child contact disputes involving visas
• Parent deportation
• International relocation
• Abduction concerns
• Domestic abuse
• Immigration status disputes

Main family law legislation:
Children Act 1989

6. Family Court Orders Affecting Immigration

Family court orders may affect:

• Visa applications
• Parent rights
• Human rights claims
• Deportation appeals

Examples:

• Child Arrangements Orders
• Specific Issue Orders
• Prohibited Steps Orders
• Special Guardianship Orders

Official family court guidance:
Family Court Applications Involving Children

7. Immigration Status & Child Welfare

Courts prioritise:

The child’s welfare

A parent’s immigration status does not automatically remove parental rights.

Courts assess:

• Stability
• Safety
• Emotional welfare
• Relationship with both parents

8. Deportation & Family Life Rights

Under:

Article 8 ECHR

(Right to Family and Private Life)

Deportation may be challenged if:

• A genuine parental relationship exists
• Removal harms child welfare
• Exceptional circumstances apply

Official human rights guidance:
Article 8 Immigration Guidance

9. Immigration Appeals

Appeals often go to:

First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)

Then possibly:

• Upper Tribunal
• Court of Appeal
• Supreme Court

Official tribunal guidance:
Immigration and Asylum Tribunal Guidance

10. Immigration Appeal Forms

IAFT Forms

Used for tribunal appeals.

Official forms list:
Immigration Tribunal Forms

Judicial Review Form

Form N461

Used for immigration judicial review.

N461 Judicial Review Form

11. Domestic Abuse & Immigration

Victims on spouse visas may still apply to remain.

Possible routes:

• Domestic Violence ILR route
• Destitution Domestic Violence Concession

Official guidance:
Victims of Domestic Abuse Immigration Guidance

Domestic Violence Indefinite Leave to Remain

Available where:

• Relationship broke down due to abuse
• Applicant held qualifying partner visa

Official application guidance:
Domestic Violence Settlement Route

12. Children & Immigration

Courts consider:

• Citizenship
• Schooling
• Stability
• Cultural ties
• Welfare impact
• Relationship with parents

Children may have:

• British citizenship rights
• Human rights protections

13. International Relocation Cases

A parent cannot usually permanently remove a child from England & Wales without:

• Consent of everyone with parental responsibility
  OR
• Court permission

These are:

Relocation Applications

International Child Abduction

Governed by:

Hague Convention 1980

Official guidance:
International Child Abduction Guidance

ICACU

International Child Abduction and Contact Unit

14. Asylum & Refugee Claims

People may claim asylum if fearing:

• Persecution
• Violence
• Political/religious harm

Official asylum guidance:
Claim Asylum in the UK

15. No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

Some migrants cannot access:

• Benefits
• Housing assistance

However exceptions may exist involving:

• Children
• Human rights
• Domestic abuse

Official NRPF guidance:
NRPF Guidance

16. Family Court & Cafcass

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) may investigate:

• Safeguarding
• Child welfare
• International concerns
• Domestic abuse allegations

Official site:
Cafcass

17. Social Services & Immigration

Local authorities may become involved where:

• Child welfare concerns exist
• Homelessness occurs
• Safeguarding concerns arise

Main safeguarding guidance:
Working Together to Safeguard Children

18. Human Rights Claims

Immigration cases may involve:

• Article 8 family life
• Child welfare
• Medical issues
• Exceptional circumstances
   

19. Immigration Detention

People may be detained:

• Pending removal
• During immigration investigations

Rights include:

• Bail applications
• Legal advice
• Judicial review

Official detention guidance:
Immigration Detention Guidance

20. Legal Aid

Legal aid may be available for:

• Asylum
• Domestic abuse
• Child protection
• Some family cases
• Immigration detention

Official checker:
Check Legal Aid Eligibility

Find solicitor:
Find a Legal Aid Adviser

21. Key Immigration Forms

FL401

Domestic abuse injunctions.

FL401 Form

C100

Child arrangements applications.

C100 Form

N161

Appeals.

N161 Appellant Notice

Immigration Appeal Forms

Immigration Appeal Forms Collection

22. Important Courts & Tribunals

Court/Tribunal

Handles

Family Court

Children/family disputes

First-tier Immigration Tribunal

Immigration appeals

Upper Tribunal

Immigration appeals

High Court

Judicial review

Court of Appeal

Higher appeals

Supreme Court

Final appeals

23. Important Contacts

UK Visas & Immigration

UKVI Contact Information

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice Immigration Help

Refugee Council

Refugee Council

Shelter

Housing and homelessness support.

Shelter

24. Common Immigration & Family Court Problems

• One parent threatening deportation
• Child passport disputes
• International relocation disputes
• Immigration abuse/coercive control
• Visa expiry during proceedings
• False allegations affecting immigration
• Contact blocked due to status
• Child abduction fears

25. Important Practical Advice

Keep Evidence

Save:

• Immigration letters
• Visas
• Child evidence
• Financial evidence
• Relationship evidence

Avoid Missing Deadlines

Immigration deadlines are strict.

Get Specialist Advice

Immigration + family law overlap can become highly complex.

26. Key Official Resources

• UKVI Main Site
• Family Visas
• Immigration Appeal Forms
• Children Act 1989
• International Child Abduction Guidance
• Check Legal Aid Eligibility
• Find a Legal Aid Adviser