Unmarried or same-sex partner: applications on or before 8 July 2012
Bringing your children
This section explains how your children can apply to enter or remain in the UK with you, if you are (or are applying as) the unmarried or same-sex partner of a British citizen or a person settled here.
Children aged under 18
The Children of British citizens and settled people section describes the requirements that your children must meet if they want to enter or remain in the UK. It also explains how they can apply from abroad.
If you are applying for a visa to come to the UK as an unmarried or same-sex partner, and you want to bring your children with you, you must name them on your visa application. However, they will also need to apply for their own visas.
If you and your children are already in the UK in a different immigration category, and you want to 'switch' into the the category of unmarried or same-sex partner, you can include your children in your FLR(M) application. They will not need to make their own applications. See the Applying from inside the UK page.
If you have completed your probationary period in the UK and are applying for permision to settle here permanently (known as 'indefinite leave to remain'), you can include any children aged under 18 in your SET(M) application if they do not already have indefinite leave to remain. See the Settlement page.
Children aged 18 or over
If you have children who are aged 18 or over, they cannot apply as your child dependants. They may be able to apply to enter the UK as other dependent relatives in exceptional circumstances.
If you have completed your probationary period in the UK and are applying for permision to settle here permanently (known as 'indefinite leave to remain'), you must not include any children aged over 18 in your application (even if they were under 18 when they were given permission to stay as your dependent children). If they are not already settled here, they must apply for settlement separately using application form SET(F).