Visa category guide
Family visas let you join or accompany a relative who lives abroad or is moving there. The sponsor — your spouse, parent or child abroad — carries much of the application: their status, income and housing decide whether you qualify, and your evidence must prove the relationship is genuine.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-10-13
Typical stay
Long-term, linked to sponsor
Work allowed?
Often yes for spouses
Main gate
Sponsor status + genuine relationship
Leads to residence?
Frequently, over time
Overview
Family routes split into two groups. Dependant visas let a spouse and children accompany someone on a work or student visa. Settlement-type family visas let relatives join a citizen or permanent resident, usually with stricter income and accommodation tests.
Relationship evidence is the heart of the file. For spouses this means a marriage certificate plus proof of a real, continuing relationship — photos over time, communication, joint finances, visits. For parents and children it means birth certificates and, for children, consent from the other parent where needed.
Short family visits are different: visiting your relatives abroad for a holiday is a visitor visa, not a family visa.
At a glance
Dark marker = this category. Light dots = the other 11 categories. Positions are a typical, qualitative comparison and vary by country.
Visas in this category
Open any guide for permitted activities, full documents, process steps, refusal reasons and FAQs.
Family / Dependent Visa
Allowing dependants (spouse, children, sometimes parents) to join a resident or principal visa holder.
Read guideSpouse / Partner Visa
Joining a settled spouse or recognised partner in their country of residence.
Read guideFiancé / Marriage Visa
Travelling to marry a settled partner in their country within a set period.
Read guideParent Visa
Allowing parents of a settled adult child to join them abroad.
Read guideChild Visa
Allowing a minor child to join a parent abroad.
Read guideFamily Reunion Visa
Reuniting separated family members with a settled relative abroad.
Read guideFlowchart
The general path most applications in this category follow. Exact steps differ by country.
Are you just visiting family for a short holiday?
Yes
Use a travel & visitor visa
No
A family or partner visa fits
Check the sponsor’s status
Worker, student, permanent resident or citizen — each allows different relatives.
Check sponsor requirements
Income, accommodation and sometimes language.
Collect relationship evidence
Certificates plus proof the relationship is genuine.
Apply & attend biometrics
Often one linked application per family member.
Join the sponsor
Travel and register locally where required.
Compare
| Visa | Best for | How you usually apply |
|---|---|---|
| Family / Dependent Visa | Close family members of someone legally resident or on a qualifying visa in the destination. | Application sponsored by the principal resident with relationship and funds proof. |
| Spouse / Partner Visa | Husbands, wives and sometimes unmarried partners of a citizen or resident. | Sponsored application with marriage/relationship proof and sponsor support evidence. |
| Fiancé / Marriage Visa | People engaged to a citizen or resident who plan to marry in the destination. | Sponsored application with engagement proof and intent to marry. |
| Parent Visa | Parents who meet age, dependency or care requirements, sponsored by a settled child. | Sponsored application with relationship, dependency and funds proof. |
| Child Visa | Minor children (and sometimes young adult dependent children) of a citizen, resident or visa holder. | Sponsored application with birth, custody and consent documents. |
| Family Reunion Visa | Close family of a settled resident, often a refugee or long-term resident. | Sponsored application with relationship proof and the sponsor's status documents. |
A Krosz visa expert can match your trip to the right category and checklist.
Documents
A starting checklist for this category. Your destination and visa type decide the final list.
Marriage / birth certificates
Officially issued, translated where needed.
Relationship evidence
Photos, chats, joint accounts, travel together.
Sponsor’s status
Visa, residence permit or passport of the sponsor.
Sponsor’s income
Payslips, employer letter, bank statements.
Accommodation
Lease or property proof with enough space.
Consent documents
Other parent’s consent or custody order for children.
Avoid refusals
For Indian passport holders
FAQ
Tell us where you're travelling and our visa experts will guide you on the right visa and documents.
Explore
Travel & visitor visas
Holidays, short stays and visiting family
Business visitor visas
Meetings, conferences and business trips
Work & skilled visas
Employment, sponsorship and skilled work
Nursing & care pathways
Named routes for nurses and care workers
Student & exchange visas
University, school and exchange programmes
Investor & founder programs
Investment, startups and business ownership
Permanent residence
Settlement and long-term immigration
Transit visas
Travel through a country en route elsewhere
Digital nomad & remote work
Work online while living abroad
Protection & humanitarian
Humanitarian and protection pathways
Other named pathways
Specific roles and circumstances
Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Rules change — confirm the current requirements for your destination before applying. Last reviewed: 2026-10-13.
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