A family reunion visa lets family members separated by migration or displacement join a settled relative in their country of residence. It is commonly used by refugees, settled migrants and long-term residents to reunite their family.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Published 2026-09-15 · Updated 2026-09-15
Purpose
Reuniting separated family members with a settled relative abroad.
Who is it for?
Close family of a settled resident, often a refugee or long-term resident.
Typical application method
Sponsored application with relationship proof and the sponsor's status documents.
Can Krosz help?
Krosz helps you understand the family reunion route and prepare documents. We are a private service and not a government authority.
Krosz does not publish fabricated processing times, fees, validity or stay durations. Country-specific figures appear only when pulled from Krosz's verified visa database.
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
Overview
A family reunion visa lets close family members join a relative who is lawfully settled in another country. It is a key route for refugees and long-term residents to bring over a spouse, children or sometimes parents.
It is designed for families separated by migration or displacement. The sponsor must usually hold a recognised protection status or long-term residence and meet support and accommodation requirements.
It differs from a dependent visa (family of a work or study visa holder) and from a spouse visa (specifically for a husband or wife).
Exemptions depend on your nationality, the destination and your circumstances — always confirm for your exact combination.
Activities
Reuniting
Living with the sponsor in the destination.
Work
Most reunion routes allow work; some restrict it initially.
Schooling
Children attending school in the destination.
Travel in & out
Entering and leaving during the stay.
What you normally cannot do
Documents
Only documents relevant to this category are shown. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.
Passport
Valid with sufficient validity and blank pages.
Photograph
Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.
Application form
Completed family reunion application.
Relationship evidence
Marriage and birth certificates proving family ties.
Sponsor status
Proof of the sponsor's protection status or residence.
Support proof
Evidence the sponsor can house and support the family.
Checks
Health and character checks where required.
Process
A category-specific application timeline. Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.
Confirm sponsor status
Check the sponsor's status allows family reunion.
Prove relationships
Gather marriage and birth certificates.
Show support & accommodation
Prove the sponsor can house and support the family.
Apply & pay
Submit the family reunion application.
Processing
The authority verifies status, relationships and support.
Decision
Receive the visa, often with a path to longer stay.
Krosz tool
Tell us where you want to travel and your passport. We'll route you to the right Krosz visa page.
Destinations
Only destinations where Krosz has verified data for this purpose are shown. We never claim every country offers a visa with the same name.
Krosz does not currently process this visa category for specific destinations.
Contact the relevant embassy or authority for the country you plan to visit, or for guidance.
Comparison
| Point of comparison | Family Reunion Visa | Dependent Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor | Settled resident or protection-status holder | Principal work/study visa holder |
| Who | Close family reuniting after separation | Family joining the principal during the visa |
| Settlement | Often leads toward settlement | Linked to the principal's visa |
| Work | Usually allowed | Varies by route |
Be prepared
General, educational reasons relevant to this category. We never publish invented refusal rates.
Practical
FAQ
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
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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. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.
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