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You may be able to apply to join or stay with a close relative in the UK if youre a child with no-one else to look after you.
Eligibility
You must be under 18 with no family members who can support or care for you (other than your close relative in the UK).
Your relative must be a close relative but not your parent. They must have protection status (permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection) but must not be settled in the UK or a British citizen.
To join a parent who has protection status or is now settled (has indefinite leave to remain) after having protection status, youll need to apply for family reunion instead. To join a relative who is settled in the UK or is a British citizen, youll need to apply for a family visa instead.
How much it costs
Youll usually need to pay an application fee. How much it costs depends on whether youre applying from outside or inside the UK.
Youll also need to pay the healthcare surcharge if either:
- youre applying from inside the UK
- youre applying from outside the UK to stay for more than 6 months
You might not need to pay the fees if you can prove that you cannot afford it.
Check how much money youll need.
How to apply
How you apply depends on whether youre applying from inside or outside the UK.
As part of your application, youll need to prove your identity and your relationship to your relative.
How long it takes
If youre applying from outside the UK, youll usually get a decision within 12 weeks.
What you can and cannot do
You can usually stay in the UK for as long as your close relative has permission to stay.
You can do the following:
- study
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as indefinite leave to remain) when your close relative applies or once they are settled
You usually cannot apply for most benefits (public funds).