If you are settled in the UK and your child lives abroad and you want to bring them to live with you, they will need to apply for a UK Child Visa. The Child Visa under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules is the route for children under 18 joining a parent who is already here.The application involves more than many parents expect. The Home Office will look closely at parental responsibility, the position of the other parent, financial support, and accommodation. Where family circumstances are not straightforward, the application needs to be prepared carefully. We will handle the process on your behalf so you can focus on your family.
If you have a child visa issue or matter you wish assistance with, contact Reeds Solicitors by calling 0333 240 7373, or by emailing [email protected].
Who Can Apply for a UK Child Visa?
A Child Visa under Appendix FM allows a child to join a parent who is a British or Irish citizen, holds Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status, has settled status, or in some circumstances pre-settled status, under the EU Settlement Scheme , or holds limited leave to remain under a qualifying family or protection route. The child must generally be under 18 at the date of application, not married or in a civil partnership, and not living independently. The route is intended for children who remain part of the parent’s household and family unit.
In some cases, a child who was under 18 when they were first granted leave on the family route may continue to hold leave as a dependant after turning 18, provided they meet the relevant conditions. We will advise on whether this applies in your child’s situation.
Parental Responsibility and the Other Parent
The Home Office looks carefully at who has parental responsibility and what the position of the other parent is. If the sponsoring parent has sole parental responsibility, Sole parental responsibility means that one parent has primary responsibility for the child’s upbringing and makes the important decisions about the child’s life. This needs to be evidenced clearly through appropriate documentation. Sole responsibility is a specific legal concept and the Home Office takes it seriously. Applications that claim sole responsibility without adequate supporting evidence are frequently refused.
If both parents are alive and involved, the consent or circumstances of the other parent need to be addressed. This may involve providing written evidence of the other parent’s consent, or in some cases a court order confirming the arrangements. Where there is a dispute between parents, legal advice is important before the application is submitted.
Financial Requirements and Accommodation
The sponsoring parent must show that they can support and accommodate the child in the UK without needing access to public funds. The threshold you need to meet depends on your visa category. For parents on the partner route, the current income threshold applies, For some applications, particularly where the sponsoring parent is on the partner route, minimum income requirements apply. Transitional provisions may also apply in cases linked to applications made before 11 April 2024. The property must be large enough for the family and not overcrowded. Evidence typically includes property ownership documents or a tenancy agreement, along with information about the current occupancy of the home.
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Proving parental responsibility and the other parent’s position are the areas where child visa applications most often run into difficulty. When family circumstances are complex, the application needs to be carefully considered before anything is submitted.
At Reeds Solicitors, we take time to understand your situation fully and prepare applications that address the questions the Home Office is likely to ask. Where matters involve both immigration and family law, we can draw on expertise across both areas.
We start with a full assessment of your child’s eligibility, confirming which route applies, checking the child’s circumstances, and identifying any issues with parental responsibility or the other parent’s position that need to be addressed before the application goes in.
We help you put together the evidence needed to establish parental responsibility and address the position of the other parent. This is one of the most important elements of the application and one that is worth getting right. Sole parental responsibility means that one parent has primary responsibility for the child’s upbringing and makes the important decisions about the child’s life.
Where there is a dispute between parents, we work alongside our family law colleagues at Reeds so that the immigration application and any family court proceedings are handled consistently.
We check whether the financial threshold is met and prepare a complete financial evidence package. We also advise on the accommodation evidence needed and help you put together documentation that satisfies the Home Office that the home is adequate for the family.
We complete and review all forms, compile the supporting evidence, advise on biometric enrolment, and manage communications with the Home Office. If a caseworker asks for further information, we respond promptly.
A successful initial child visa is granted for 30 months, in line with the sponsoring parent’s visa. We advise on extensions and on the pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years on the family route. For young people approaching 18, we advise on their options as they move into adulthood.
Our immigration team at Reeds Solicitors handles child visa applications carefully and thoroughly, and we can draw on our family law expertise where circumstances require it.
You can contact us through the Reeds Solicitors contact page on our website, by calling 0333 240 7373, or by emailing [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
A Child Visa under Appendix FM allows a child to join or remain with a parent who is settled in or has leave to remain in the UK. It is the standard route for children under 18 joining a sponsoring parent who is a British citizen, holds Indefinite Leave to Remain, has settled status, or holds a qualifying family visa.
In most cases, yes. The child must be under 18 at the date of application. In limited circumstances, a child who was under 18 when first granted leave on the family route can continue to extend their leave after turning 18, provided they are not leading an independent life and meet the other relevant conditions.
Sole parental responsibility means that one parent has primary responsibility for the child’s upbringing and makes the important decisions about the child’s life . It is a specific legal concept that the Home Office examines closely. Evidence can include court orders, legal declarations, evidence of the other parent’s absence or lack of involvement, and a written explanation of the circumstances. Applications claiming sole responsibility require strong supporting evidence and are closely scrutinised by the Home Office.
If the other parent is alive, involved, and does not agree to the child moving to the UK, the application is likely to face significant difficulties. In those circumstances, the matter may need to be resolved through the family courts before the immigration application can proceed. We work alongside our family law colleagues at Reeds in those situations.
Yes, children under 18 can generally be included as dependants in a parent’s family visa application. We advise on whether to include your child as a dependant or apply separately, depending on your circumstances.
The financial evidence required depends on the visa category of the sponsoring parent. For those on the partner route, the relevant threshold must be met, currently £29,000 for new applications, with additional amounts for each dependent child. Evidence typically includes payslips, bank statements, and an employment letter.
A Child Visa is typically granted for 30 months, in line with the parent’s visa. It can be extended for a further 30 months. After five years on the family route (although some may qualify sooner through a parent, or may have different settlement timelines), the child may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Children under 18 are generally exempt from the English language requirement. The requirement applies to adult applicants. If your child is approaching 18 and will be extending their leave, we will advise on whether it becomes relevant.
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