Table Of Contents
- What is a UK Child Visa
- Types of UK Child Visa
- Eligibility requirements
- How to apply for a UK child visa
- Life after your child joins you in the UK
- Conclusion
If you are a parent living in the UK or planning to go there, and you want to bring your child or children to come and live with you, it is necessary to understand the child’s visa process. The UK offers those parents, especially, a visa to bring their children with them or to join them later in the UK. This type of visa falls under the UK family visa category and allows children to live in the UK with their parents.
Here is a detailed explanation of eligibility criteria, how to apply for a UK child visa, and important points to consider when applying for a UK child visa.
What is a UK Child Visa?
The UK child visa is a visa route for children whose parent(s) are either a British Citizen, settled or applying to settle, have leave to enter or remain, or applying for it. This visa allows children below the age of 18 to live in the UK with their parent(s).
The application process varies depending on the immigration status of the parents, whether they are British citizens, have an indefinite leave to remain, or have a work or student visa.
Types of UK Child Visa
There are many routes for children to join their parents in the UK. The most common child visa routes are mentioned below:
- Dependent Child Visa under family visa route: If parents are British citizens or acquire ILR, their children can apply to join them as dependents.
- Skilled worker dependent visa: This visa applies to children whose parent(s) are on a work visa, such as a skilled worker, health and care worker, global talent, or innovator visa in the UK.
- Student visa-dependent children: If parent(s) are on a student visa in the UK, their children can apply to join them under this route.
Eligibility requirements
Eligibility for a child’s visa varies depending on the child’s age, the immigration status of the parents, and other factors.
Below are some general eligibility requirements:
Child age:
The child’s age should be less than 18 at the time of application.
Child Marital Status:
The child must not be married and must not be leading an independent life.
Immigration status of parents:
At least one parent must be a British citizen or have or be applying to settle (ILR) in the UK, and the other parent is applying for, or has been, granted limited leave to enter or remain to join them as a partner; or
- One parent is applying for or has been granted leave to enter or remain with a view to settlement and has the sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or
- One parent is in the UK but does not have the ‘sole responsibility’ for the child, but this can show that there are serious and compelling family considerations that make the child’s exclusion undesirable.
Financial requirement:
Parents must prove that they have enough money to support the child without using public money.
Parent responsibility:
Parents should demonstrate they have shared responsibility for the child, and in cases where only one parent is in the UK, they have to show that they have the ‘sole’ responsibility for the child.
Housing:
You must meet the adequate accommodation in the UK requirement. There should be a suitable arrangement for a child that meets the UK housing standards.
Evidence of Relations:
Parents must provide documentation to prove the relationship between parents and children, such as birth certificates or adoption papers.
How to apply for a UK child visa?
The application process for the UK Child Visa includes several stages:
1. Apply Online
Parents need to submit an online application on the official UK government visa website. This includes creating an account and filling out the required form for child visas.
2. Pay a visa application fee
The visa fee depends on the type of visa and its duration. You need to pay the visa application fee. If you are applying for a UK Child Visa application from outside the UK, the visa fee is currently £1,523. If you are applying for a child visa to switch into the Child Visa category from within the UK or extend a Child Visa, the visa application fee is currently £1,033.
In addition to visa fees, an immigration health surcharge (IHS) may need to be paid to provide the child with access to healthcare services through NHS.
3. Collecting required documents
Supporting documents should be presented to prove eligibility. This includes:
- A valid passport for a child
- Evidence of parents’ relationship (birth certificate, adoption letter)
- Proof of the immigration status of parents in the UK (e.g., British passport, visa)
- Evidence of parents’ financial capacity to support the child
- Documentation showing accommodation arrangements in the UK
4. Providing biometric information as part of the application
The child will need to provide biometric information, including a fingerprint and a picture, at a local visa application center.
5. Waiting for a decision
Once the application is submitted, the home office reviews the application. If the Home Office is satisfied and does not require further documents or evidence depending on the type of visa it should usually take the decision usually takes 3 to 12 weeks.
You can get quicker decision by paying for the priority service or super priority service.
6. Visa approval and arrival in the UK
Once the visa is approved, the child will receive a sticker on his passport that will allow them to travel to the UK. After arrival, the child will be issued a biometric residence permit (BRP), which serves as proof of their immigration status.
Life after your child joins you in the UK
Your child can live with you under the conditions specified by the visa. Depending on the visa type, if as parents you apply to switch to a different visa or apply for an extension of your current visa, you may also apply for your child switching or extending their visa at the same time.
Over time, the child may be eligible for indefinite leave to remain or even British citizenship.
Conclusion
Bringing your child to the UK is an important life decision for you and your child. So, you should understand how to apply for a UK child visa so that you can bring your child to the UK to live with you smoothly. Whether you are a British citizen, already have or are applying for the settled status such as ILR, or already have or are applying for a leave to enter or remain via a valid visa, you should ensure that you and your child meet the eligibility criteria, submit the supporting documents, and follow the UK Child visa application process properly.
The UK child visa has been designed to unite children with their parents in the UK. Depending on the child’s parent immigration status, the child visa application needs to be submitted accordingly.