The United Kingdom’s immigration authorities rigorously verify the genetic link between the sponsor and the applicant in family reunification applications. It’s to ensure that only genuine people with actual family ties to their sponsors are allowed to enter their territory. As they receive thousands of application requests from applicants around the globe, sometimes it becomes challenging to validate and speed up the visa process.
Usually, the UK immigration authorities rely on the official documents, like a birth certificate, submitted by applicants to verify their family ties with their sponsors. Unfortunately, in some applications, such documents are rejected due to suspicion. Therefore, DNA evidence becomes the only reliable way to confirm the petitioner (sponsor) and the dependent’s (applicant) biological connection.
A DNA test provides concrete evidence of genetic connections between individuals. Moreover, this report is admissible in official use cases, such as for family reunification and court-related matters. As a result, a DNA test for UK immigration helps many applicants to strongly prove their family link with their sponsors for a seamless visa approval.
Understanding the Need for DNA Tests in Family Reunification
Upon suspecting the visa documents for certain reasons, embassy officials can reject the sponsored immigration request. Besides, sometimes they demand a DNA test under a strict chain of custody procedure, which involves additional formalities to make the report embassy-admissible.
In this process, the DNA samples from the sponsor and applicant are collected under the supervision of an embassy official. The official continues to monitor the process until the samples are securely sealed to avoid tampering and contamination.
Additionally, the chain of custody process requires extra cost, as paperwork formalities are included to make the report admissible in the embassy. It also consumes time, as there are hassles involved. Therefore, to avoid such scenarios, it’s always advisable to submit a DNA test report along with the primary visa documents.
It improves the legitimacy of the visa application, which further helps in a seamless approval. For example, let’s say that you applied for a family visa with primary documents, but somehow those documents failed to prove the family ties. In this scenario, the chances of visa rejection or a chain of custody procedure are very high. But a DNA test report submitted along with the other documents can eliminate such scenarios.
Types of Family Links in Sponsored Immigration
The following family ties are confirmed in the DNA test for immigration in the UK to serve the different needs of applicants:
Paternity – to confirm the father-child genetic link in a sponsored application.
Maternity – this verifies the mother-child biological relationship.
Siblingship – it validates if the siblings are truly biologically related.
Grandparentage – the family link between a grandparent and a grandchild is often confirmed using this test.
Avuncular – this test verifies the family ties of an uncle/aunt with their niece/nephew.
Immigration DNA Testing Procedure
An immigration DNA test for the UK is performed using the following straightforward steps:
1. Appointment Schedule & Sample Collection
Initially, the sponsor and the applicant schedule an appointment at the lab to have their DNA samples collected. A lab expert collects the DNA samples using a cheek/buccal swab method. In this procedure, the cotton swab is rubbed against the inside of the cheek walls to obtain the epithelial cells. It’s a painless and non-invasive procedure for individuals of all ages.
2. Lab Transportation & Analysis
The obtained samples are then securely sealed in a tamper-proof package and sent to a lab for DNA analysis. The experts in the lab analyze and compare the DNA samples to find the biological match between tested individuals.
3. The Final Result
After finishing the analysis, a final report is prepared, stating clear results regarding the biological link between individuals. This report is then confidentially sent to the address of the tested individuals.
But in the case of a chain of custody procedure, the report isn’t sent to the tested party. Instead, it’s sent to the embassy that requested the test to maintain the privacy and integrity of the report.
The Cost of Immigration DNA Test for the UK
The cost of a DNA test for immigration in the UK depends on several factors. It’s because the cost of DNA tests is measured on the basis of different metrics, such as:
Purpose of the Test – A test performed for peace of mind purposes costs less, as it doesn’t involve additional paperwork or formalities. Only DNA samples are enough. On the other hand, a DNA test, such as a chain-of-custody for immigration or for court-admissible evidence, costs more as they include legal paperwork.
Number of People in the Test – The DNA test cost depends on how many people are involved in the test. Usually, a DNA test is between two individuals, but when an additional person is included, it will result in an extra cost.
Special Procedures – Tests, such as GPS Origins (ancestry) and non-invasive prenatal paternity, cost more as they involve extensive procedures to generate accurate results.
Express Delivery of Final Report – For the urgent need of final reports, individuals can choose the express delivery method. It can deliver the final report in 24-48 hours of testing at an extra cost. The typical time for report delivery is around 4-5 business days.
Why Opt for the DNA Forensics Laboratory for Sponsored Immigration?
DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., also called DFL, is one of the prominent and trustworthy labs in India for all types of DNA testing services. For sponsored immigration cases, we partner with DDC Laboratories India to provide accredited and admissible DNA test reports. With accreditations from organizations such as NABL, NATA, CIC, MOJ, and AABB, we make sure that your report is admissible in international embassies like the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
This makes DFL one of the best DNA testing labs for reliable results. Besides, DFL is the only private DNA testing company in India whose DNA test reports are legally admissible in the honorable courts of law.
For more information or to book a DNA test for the UK immigration, call us at +91 8010177771. You can also send a message on WhatsApp at +91 9266615552.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is a DNA test required for immigration in the UK?
Yes. When the primary visa documents fail to establish the sponsor-applicant’s biological relationship, a DNA test becomes mandatory. Though it’s always recommended to submit a DNA test report along with the sponsored visa documents.
Q2. How long does an immigration DNA test take?
An immigration DNA test usually takes a few minutes, as it initially involves the sample collection. Then you have to wait for 4-5 business days for the final report.
Q3. What is the purpose of DNA testing for immigration?
The primary purpose of DNA tests in sponsored immigration is to verify the biological relationship between the sponsor and applicant.
Q4. What is the most common mistake in the UK visa application?
Incomplete or missing documents are some of the most common mistakes made by applicants. As a result, their visa requests are often denied. But a DNA test report can strongly prove their family ties with their sponsors.
Q5. How much is a DNA test for the UK immigration?
The cost of a UK immigration DNA test depends on factors like the number of people in a DNA test or if the applicants need express delivery of the report. There’s no fixed price for a DNA test.
