Parent Of A Child Visa Application Guide

• Published date: 23 November 2022
• Subject Matter: Immigration, General Immigration, Work Visas
• Law Firm: Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers
• Author: Nina Reinach

If you are a parent of a child that lives in the UK, but you live outside of the UK and wish to move to the UK, there is an immigration route available to you. The Parent of a Child Visa route in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rulessets out various requirements that you must satisfy in order to qualify for a UK visa on the basis of your family life as a parent of a child in the UK.

Parent of a Child Visa Requirements for A Child

In order to qualify for a UK Parent of a Child Visa, you will need to be a parent of a child who is:

• Under the age of 18; and
• Living in the UK; and
• A British or Irish citizen; or settled in the UK (i.e. has indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence); or is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and has pre-settled status under Appendix EU.

Your child must be physically present in the UK at the date of application and you should intend to make the UK your home with your child. The Parent of a Child route is not appropriate if your child is overseas.

If your child turns 18 after your Parent of a Child Visa application is submitted, then this does not mean per se that your application will be refused, provided your child has not formed an 'independent life.' You would need to show that your child is still dependent on you or another parent/career, wholly or mainly, for financial and emotional support, and that they have not yet formed an independent family unit. Your child therefore must not have a partner, and must still be living with a parent/carer, unless they are attending school, college or university, on a full-time basis.

Parent of a Child Visa Relationship Requirement

In order to qualify for a Parent of a Child Visa, you will either need to have sole parental responsibility for your child or you will need to share parental responsibility with the parent or carer with whom your child normally lives.

If you have shared parental responsibility with the other parent or carer of your child must not be your partner and must also either be a British or Irish citizen; or have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or permanent residence in the UK; or have pre-settled status under Appendix EU.

Who Qualifies as a Parent?

According to paragraph 6 of the Immigration Rules, a 'parent' includes a natural parent, a step-father or step-mother, parents of illegitimate children (where proven), and adoptive parents. The Rules also consider that where a child is born in the UK, and is...