Family Visa: Bring Your Loved Ones to Live With You Abroad
A family visa lets you reunite with your spouse, children and (in some countries) parents in another country. From the UK and Canada to the USA, Australia and Europe, Westside Visa guides Pakistani families through every step eligibility, documents, income rules and the full application process.
What Is a Family Visa?
A family visa (also called family reunification or dependent visa) allows a citizen or legal resident of a country to bring their close family members to live with them. "Family visa" is the umbrella term it covers several routes depending on who you want to bring and which country you're applying to.
Each country decides which relatives qualify, what income the sponsor must show, and how long it takes. Below is an honest, up-to-date (2026) guide to who can be sponsored, the main destinations for Pakistani families, the documents you'll need, and the full step-by-step process.
Spouse / Partner
Husband, wife or long-term partner the most common and widely available family route.
Dependent Children
Unmarried children under the age limit (usually 18) can join a parent who is settled or moving abroad.
Parents / Elderly
Some countries allow parents or grandparents but rules are strict and waits are often long.
Who Can You Sponsor on a Family Visa?
The exact list depends on the country, but family visa routes generally fall into these categories. Some are straightforward; others (like parents) are limited and competitive.
Spouse or partner
Available almost everywhere. You'll need to prove a genuine, ongoing relationship and usually meet an income requirement. See our dedicated spouse visa guide for full details.
Dependent children
Unmarried children under the age limit (often 18) can usually join a parent. Apply before the child turns 18 after that, they typically need a separate route.
Parents & grandparents
Some countries (Canada, Australia) run parent programs, but with long waits and high income rules. The UK rarely approves parent visas; the USA allows citizens to sponsor parents.
Other dependents
In limited cases adult dependent relatives with a disability, or siblings in specific US categories sponsorship may be possible, but conditions are strict.
United Kingdom — Family Visa
The UK family visa lets British citizens or settled residents bring a partner and dependent children. It's popular with Pakistani families, but the financial requirement is strict and each applicant pays their own fee.
Who can apply
- Partner of a British citizen or person with settled status (ILR).
- Dependent child under 18 of a parent applying or already settled.
- Adult dependent relative only in very limited care-need cases.
Key requirements
- Income: minimum £29,000/year for the partner route (higher if also sponsoring non-British children).
- English (A1) for partners, plus a TB test for applicants from Pakistan.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035/year per adult, £776/year per child — paid upfront.
- Each applicant pays a separate fee there is no family discount.
Canada — Family Sponsorship
Canada has one of the most family-friendly systems spouses and dependent children are sponsored directly for permanent residence, with no minimum income to sponsor a spouse or child. Parents and grandparents have their own (competitive) program.
Main family routes
- Spouse / common-law partner PR, no fixed income requirement.
- Dependent children can be included with a spouse or sponsored directly.
- Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) limited intake by lottery; a Super Visa is a popular long-stay alternative for parents.
Key requirements
- Sponsor is a Canadian citizen or PR, 18+, living in (or returning to) Canada.
- Genuine relationship; income rules apply for parents/grandparents (not for spouse/child).
- Medical exams, biometrics and police clearances.
United States — Family-Based Green Card
The USA lets citizens and green-card holders sponsor family for a Green Card. "Immediate relatives" of US citizens (spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents) have no annual cap and move fastest; other relatives fall into capped "family preference" categories with long waits.
Who a US citizen can sponsor
- Immediate relatives (fastest): spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents.
- Family preference (limited, slower): adult/married children and siblings.
- Green-card holders can sponsor a spouse and unmarried children (no parents/siblings).
Key requirements
- File Form I-130 to establish the relationship.
- Affidavit of Support (I-864) sponsor income at least 125% of the poverty guideline.
- Medical exam and interview at the US Embassy (Islamabad for Pakistan).
Australia — Family Migration
Australia's family migration program covers partners, children and parents. Partner and child routes lead to permanent residence; parent visas exist but the low-cost option has a very long wait, while the contributory option is faster but expensive.
Main family routes
- Partner visa (820/801 onshore, 309/100 offshore) two-stage to PR.
- Child visa (101 offshore / 802 onshore) for a dependent child of an Australian parent, around AUD $2,710.
- Parent visas standard (Subclass 103) is cheaper but has a 25–30+ year wait; contributory parent visas are far faster but cost significantly more.
Key requirements
- Sponsor is an Australian citizen, PR or eligible NZ citizen.
- Genuine relationship (partner) or dependency (child/parent).
- Health and character checks; some parent visas have a "balance of family" test.
Europe — Family Reunification
To join family in a European country (Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, etc.) you apply for that country's family reunification route a national long-stay (type D) visa, followed by a residence permit after arrival. Most EU countries allow spouses and minor children; parents are usually harder.
Common requirements across Europe
- The sponsor has legal residence (citizen, permanent resident or valid residence permit).
- Proof of a genuine relationship and, for children, proof of parentage/custody.
- Adequate income, suitable accommodation and health insurance.
- Some countries require a basic language level (e.g. Germany often asks for A1 German for spouses).
Family Visa Comparison at a Glance
Approximate 2026 figures to help you compare who you can bring and what it involves. Processing times and fees change often treat these as a guide and confirm with the official source or with Westside.
| Country | Spouse | Children | Parents | Income rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 UK | Yes | Yes (under 18) | Very limited | £29,000/yr |
 Canada | Yes (PR) | Yes | PGP / Super Visa | None for spouse/child |
 USA | Yes | Yes (under 21) | Yes (citizens) | 125% poverty line |
 Australia | Yes | Yes | Long wait / contributory | None fixed (fee-based) |
 Europe | Yes | Yes (minors) | Usually limited | Income + housing |
The Family Visa Process — Step by Step
Although the details differ by country, almost every family visa follows the same core journey. Here's how Westside Visa takes you through it.
- Free eligibility assessmentWe confirm who you can sponsor, which country and route fits best, and whether you meet the income and relationship rules honestly, before you spend money.
- Gather & attest documentsPassports, marriage/birth certificates, proof of relationship and funds with NADRA registration, MOFA attestation and certified translation where needed.
- Prepare the sponsor's evidenceIncome, employment, accommodation and any sponsorship undertaking or affidavit of support required by the destination country.
- Submit the application & pay feesWe complete the correct forms for each family member and pay the government fees and any health surcharge.
- Biometrics, medicals & interviewBook biometrics, complete medical exams, and prepare for any embassy interview (we coach you for this).
- Decision & reunionOn approval, your family members travel and join you and we guide you on residence permits or next steps after arrival.
Documents You'll Usually Need
Every country and family member has its own checklist, but these documents form the backbone of nearly every family visa application. For Pakistani applicants, most also need proper attestation and certified translation.
Passports & photos
Valid passports and recent photographs for every family member applying.
Relationship certificates
Marriage certificate (for spouse) and birth certificates (for children) NADRA-registered, attested and translated.
Proof of genuine relationship
Photos, communication, visits and shared finances for a spouse; proof of parentage and custody for children.
Sponsor's financial evidence
Payslips, bank statements, tax records and employment letter to meet the income threshold.
Accommodation proof
Evidence of suitable housing for the family in the destination country.
Forms, clearances & consent
Correct application forms, police certificates, medicals, and a consent letter from the other parent for a child where required.
Common Family Visa Mistakes to Avoid
Most refusals are avoidable. These are the errors we see most often and exactly what we help you get right the first time.
- Falling short of the income rule. The UK's £29,000, the US Affidavit of Support, or Europe's income tests presented in the wrong format or amount.
- Applying for a child after they turn 18. Age limits are strict apply before the birthday or the child needs a different route.
- Missing attestation or apostille. Pakistani certificates without proper legalisation/translation are a very common cause of delay.
- No consent letter for a child. Single-parent or separated cases usually need the other parent's written consent.
- Weak relationship evidence. Thin proof of a genuine marriage or parentage raises doubts and refusals.
- Assuming parents are easy to bring. Parent routes are limited and slow plan realistically.
- Forgetting per-person fees. Each family member usually pays their own fee and health surcharge budget for the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a family visa, spouse visa and dependent visa?
Can I bring my parents to live with me abroad?
Can my whole family apply together?
Do I need a certain income to sponsor my family?
Can my family work or study once they arrive?
My previous visa was refused. Can I still apply?
Can Westside Visa handle the whole family visa process?
Ready to Reunite Your Family Abroad?
Tell us who you'd like to bring and which country they'll join — and our expert consultants in DHA Lahore will map out the exact route, requirements, costs and timeline, with an honest assessment of your chances.
