Parent of a Child Visa
Your future in the UK starts here. Our legal experts simplify the immigration process, ensuring a smooth transition.
What is the Parent of a Child Visa?
The Parent of a Child Visa UK is a specific UK family visa route designed for non-UK nationals who wish to live in the UK to care for their British child or a child who has settled status. This visa is essential for parents who are not in a relationship with the child’s other parent, but who wish to remain as a parent or come to the UK to take an active role in the child's life.
Under the UK immigration rules, this visa allows you to stay in the UK as the parent of a child who is either:
A British citizen
Has settled status (including Indefinite Leave to Remain application)
Has lived in the UK for seven years continuously
This parent of a child visa is not just about legal presence; it is about maintaining meaningful access, care, and responsibility for your child in the UK. It forms part of the wider UK parent visa and child visa route under Appendix FM of the UK Immigration Rules.
Who is the Parent of a Child Visa For?
The parent of a British child visa is intended for individuals who:
You may also need to apply as a parent if your child has been living in the UK for 7 years continuously and it would not be reasonable to expect the child to leave the UK.
This visa route is intended for a parent who is British, or for a non-British parent whose child is British or settled parent in the UK.
What is the Parent of a Child Visa Application Process Like?
The application for a parent visa depends on whether you are:
Outside the UK and applying for entry clearance, or
Inside the UK and applying to switch or extend your current stay
Step-by-step Application Process
Prepare your documentation
You must show proof of your relationship, parental responsibility for your child, and legal access to the child (if you are not the main carer).Submit the online application form
Make an application on the UK Visas and Immigration website. This is known as the parent visa application.Attend biometric appointment
Whether you’re inside the UK or applying from outside the UK, you as a parent must attend a biometrics appointment and provide fingerprints and a photograph.Pay visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge
Wait for a decision
Processing times can vary but typically it is 12 weeks.
If your application as a parent is successful, you will be granted a visa to stay in the UK for 2 years 9 months. After that you can apply to extend or switch your visa.
What Are the Requirements?
To be eligible for a UK visa as a parent, you must meet several key requirements under Appendix FM and other sections of UK immigration law.
Relationship to the Child
You must be:
Parental Responsibility
You must have:
You also need to show:
Financial Requirement
Unlike the partner visa, there is no specific financial threshold. However, you must prove you can support yourself and the child without relying on public funds. This includes showing:
English Language Requirement
You must meet the English language requirement. You can meet this by:
Key Benefits of the Parent of a Child Visa
The parent of a child visa provides a legal path to live in the UK with your child, especially if the child is British or has settled status.
Key benefits include:
Once granted, the visa allows you to remain in the UK as a parent for an initial period of 2 years and 9 months, with the possibility to extend your stay or apply for indefinite leave after five years.
Why Choose Bekenbey?
At Bekenbey, we specialize in UK family visas, including the parent of a child visa, parent of a British child visa, and complex child visa applications.
Here’s why families trust us:
We understand the emotional and legal complexities of caring for a child in the UK
We assist in both entry clearance and in-country switch applications
Our team prepares your parent visa application with precision
We help prove parental responsibility for your child
We support you through court-related documents if needed
If your application will be made under special or humanitarian grounds, we can prepare a case with the appropriate legal strategy, drawing on UK immigration rules and case law.
Apply for a Parent of a British Child Visa Today with Bekenbey
If you are a parent who has responsibility for a child living in the UK, whether you're applying from outside the UK or you're already in the UK, we are here to help.
This visa route is for parents who are:
Separated from the child’s other parent
Granted access by a family court or agreed with the other parent
Able to demonstrate their presence is in the child’s best interests
Whether the child is British, has settled status, or has lived in the UK for 7 years, you may be eligible to apply. The UK government recognizes the need for ongoing involvement in your child’s life, especially after the breakdown of a relationship.
Let Bekenbey guide you through:
Completing the application for a parent visa
Gathering all necessary supporting documents
Navigating issues related to court in the UK or legal access
Helping you apply to extend or switch if you are inside the UK
We will ensure that your application reflects your right to care for the child and complies fully with the UK immigration law.
Needed Documents
We’ve listed all the key documents required for your visa application to make your process as smooth as possible. Here are some common documents you may need to provide:
If you are already in the UK, you may also need to provide:
All documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
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Questions, Answered
Have questions about UK immigration? We’ve got you covered. If you have more questions, you can contact us.f