If an asylum-seeker makes a successful asylum claim they then become a refugee, and they are given leave to remain in the UK for five years. After this they may be able to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), which enables them to live in the UK permanently.

In some cases the asylum-seeker has left their home country and their spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner and children remain there. If the asylum-seeker succeeds in their asylum claim in the UK then UK immigration law allows their partner and/or children (if aged under 18) to apply to come to the UK to be reunited with them under the Family Reunion route. (This route can work when the refugee holds refugee leave or refugee settlement leave, but not if they have acquired British citizenship.)

The applicant must in all cases show that the family relationship was existing before the asylum-seeker left the home country.

This type of application is relatively straightforward compared to other types of visa application: there is no financial requirement or English language requirement.