Parent visa or spouse visa?

[andrewgibson]

My wife is applying for her visa under the five year route. It gives her two options: to apply as a parent (we have a six year old son born in the UK) or as a spouse. Is there any practical difference between the two options? Is one cheaper than the other? Does one need less paperwork? Anything else we should know?

Grateful for any advice.

Thanks,
Andrew

[Ticktack]

My wife is applying for her visa under the five year route. It gives her two options: to apply as a parent (we have a six year old son born in the UK) or as a spouse. Is there any practical difference between the two options? Is one cheaper than the other? Does one need less paperwork? Anything else we should know?

Grateful for any advice.

Thanks,
Andrew

Is this her first visa or a renewal?

Cheaper "No".

[CR001]

Spouse visa route is her only option.

No cheaper option.

Parent route is for when you do NOT live with your partner/spouse and is under different immigration rules, meaning her clock resets to zero and a new 5 year route.

[andrewgibson]

My wife is applying for her visa under the five year route. It gives her two options: to apply as a parent (we have a six year old son born in the UK) or as a spouse. Is there any practical difference between the two options? Is one cheaper than the other? Does one need less paperwork? Anything else we should know?

Grateful for any advice.

Thanks,
Andrew

Is this her first visa or a renewal?

Cheaper "No".

It's a renewal

[andrewgibson]

Spouse visa route is her only option.

No cheaper option.

Parent route is for when you do NOT live with your partner/spouse and is under different immigration rules, meaning her clock resets to zero and a new 5 year route.

Thanks, good to know. Would be an expensive mistake then to go for the parent route.