CHILD VISAS

A UK Child Visa is not a single immigration category. It is a general term often used to describe several visa routes for children who wish to enter or remain in the UK, including children applying to join, accompany or stay with a parent, sponsor or relative, and children applying in their own right.

If you are considering a child visa for the UK, the correct route will depend on the child’s circumstances, the immigration status of their parent or relative, whether the child is applying from outside or inside the UK, and whether the application is for temporary permission, settlement or, in some cases, British citizenship.

1. Overview of UK Child Visa Routes

The correct application route for a child will depend on whether the child is applying:

• As the child of a parent who has, or is being granted, leave as a partner or parent under Appendix FM;
• As the child of a parent who has protection status in the UK under Appendix FM;
• As the child of a parent, parents or close relative who is present and settled in the UK, or being admitted for settlement;
• As a dependent child under a work, study, business, BN(O), private life, protection, armed forces or other route where dependants are permitted and Appendix Children applies;
• As a child coming to the UK to be adopted, or as a child who has already been adopted overseas, under Appendix Adoption;
• As a child applying to join or stay with a close relative who has protection status under Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection);
• As a child applying in their own right, for example as a Child Student or under another route-specific provision.

If the child is British, has indefinite leave to remain, or is otherwise settled in the UK, they will not need a visa in order to live in the UK. Where a child’s nationality or immigration status is uncertain, this should be checked before a visa application is made.

2. UK Child Visa Route Comparison: Which Route Is Likely to Apply?

The correct UK child visa route will usually depend first on the immigration status of the child’s parent, sponsor or relative in the UK, and secondly on whether the child is applying from outside the UK, from within the UK, or for settlement.

Child’s circumstances	Route likely to be considered	Status usually relied on	Application type
Child of a parent applying for, or already holding, leave as a partner or parent under Appendix FM, or with protection status	Appendix FM child application	Parent has, or is being granted, Appendix FM partner or parent leave, or has protection status	Entry clearance or permission to stay; settlement may be considered later where the relevant requirements are met
Child seeking settlement with a parent, parents or close relative who is settled or being admitted for settlement	Part 8 child settlement route	Parent, parents or close relative is present and settled, or being admitted for settlement	Usually entry clearance for indefinite leave to enter; in some cases indefinite leave to remain
Child of a parent on a work, study, business, BN(O), private life, protection, armed forces or other route where dependants are permitted	Route-specific dependant child application, usually with Appendix Children requirements	Parent has, is applying for, or is being granted permission on the relevant route	Entry clearance, permission to stay or settlement, depending on the parent’s route
Child applying to join or stay with a close relative with protection status who is not settled	Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection)	Close relative in the UK has protection status and is not settled	Entry clearance or permission to stay; settlement may be possible later where the Rules allow
Child applying in their own right, for example as a Child Student	Route-specific application in the child’s own right	The child’s own eligibility, with parental consent and care arrangements where required	Entry clearance or permission to stay, depending on the route
Child coming to the UK to be adopted, or already adopted overseas	Appendix Adoption	Adoptive parent or parents’ status, residence and adoption arrangements	Usually entry clearance; settlement or further permission will depend on the adoption route and facts

Entry clearance means an application made from outside the UK. Permission to stay means an application made from within the UK to remain in the UK. Settlement means indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain.

These routes are not interchangeable. A child who appears to meet the relationship requirement under one route may still be refused if the wrong application is made, the parent or sponsor’s status does not fit the selected route, or the application seeks limited permission when the correct route requires settlement, or vice versa. The child’s nationality, age, location, previous immigration history and the parent or relative’s exact status should therefore be checked before the application is submitted.

The Immigration Rules, Home Office guidance, application forms, fees and processing arrangements change from time to time. Before submitting a child visa application, the current requirements for the selected route should always be checked.

3. UK Child Visa Requirements: Key Issues to Check

The requirements for a UK Child Visa will depend on the route applied under. However, most child visa applications will require careful consideration of the child’s age, relationship to the parent, sponsor or relative in the UK, care arrangements, financial support, accommodation and immigration history.

Common issues include whether the child:

• Meets the relevant age requirement;
• Has not formed an independent family unit;
• Is not leading an independent life;
• Has the required relationship with the parent, sponsor or relative in the UK;
• Has suitable care and accommodation arrangements in the UK;
• Meets any relevant parental consent, sole parental responsibility or serious and compelling considerations requirement;
• Meets the financial or maintenance requirement for the route;
• Satisfies the validity and suitability requirements.

The precise requirements should always be checked against the route being relied on. A child who meets the requirements of one route may not meet the requirements of another.

4. Child Visa, Settlement or British Citizenship?

Before a child visa application is made, it may be necessary to check whether the child is already British. A British citizen does not need immigration permission to live in the UK, and a visa application may be unnecessary if the child has already acquired British citizenship by birth, parentage, adoption or another provision of nationality law.

This issue commonly arises where a child was born in the UK. A child born in the UK will generally be British automatically if, at the time of birth, at least one parent was British or settled in the UK. Where a child was born in the UK before a parent became settled or British, registration as a British citizen may need to be considered instead.

Registration may also be relevant where a child was born in the UK and a parent later becomes settled, or where the child has lived in the UK for a lengthy period. In other cases, including some children born outside the UK, nationality law may need to be checked to see whether there is an entitlement to register or whether a discretionary registration application may be available.

Permission to stay, settlement and citizenship are different legal statuses. Permission to stay is time-limited immigration leave. Settlement is indefinite leave to enter or remain, but it is not British citizenship. British citizenship is nationality status and may allow the child to apply for a British passport.

The current British Nationality Act 1981, nationality regulations and Home Office nationality guidance should be checked before applying. The correct approach will depend on the child’s date and place of birth, the parents’ nationality and immigration status at the relevant time, and any later change in the parents’ status.

5. Child of a Partner or Parent under Appendix FM or of a Person with Protection Status

If the parent of the child holds, or is being granted, leave as a partner or parent under Appendix FM, or has protection status in the UK, the child may be eligible to apply under Appendix FM.

A child may apply for entry clearance from outside the UK, or for permission to stay from inside the UK, where the relevant requirements are met.

In broad terms, the child will need to show that:

• They are under the age of 18 at the date of application, or, for an application for permission to stay, that they were under 18 when first granted permission as a child under the route;
• They are not married or in a civil partnership;
• They have not formed an independent family unit;
• They are not leading an independent life;
• One of their parents is in the UK, or is being granted permission, as a partner or parent under Appendix FM, or has protection status in the UK;
• The relevant relationship requirement is met;
• The relevant financial requirement is met;
• There is adequate accommodation for the family;
• The validity and suitability requirements are met.

The relationship requirement will depend on the family circumstances. It may be met where the child’s parent’s partner is also the child’s parent, where the sponsoring parent has sole parental responsibility for the child, or where there are serious and compelling family or other considerations which make exclusion of the child undesirable and suitable arrangements have been made for the child’s care.

For applications from inside the UK, the relationship requirement may also be met in certain circumstances where the child normally lives with the relevant parent and not with their other parent.

Where the child’s parent has protection status in the UK, the correct route should be checked carefully. Appendix Family Reunion (Sponsors with Protection) is currently closed to new applications, subject to transitional provisions for applications made before 15:00 on 4 September 2025. In other cases, a child seeking to join or stay with a parent who has protection status will generally need to consider Appendix FM, unless another route applies.

6. Children Seeking Settlement with a Settled Parent, Parents or Close Relative

A child may be able to apply for indefinite leave to enter the UK under Part 8 of the Immigration Rules where they are seeking settlement with a parent, parents or close relative who is present and settled in the UK, or being admitted for settlement.

This UK Child Visa route is distinct from Appendix FM. It is most relevant where the child is applying from outside the UK for settlement.

In broad terms, the child must show that they:

• Are under the age of 18;
• Are not leading an independent life;
• Are unmarried and not in a civil partnership;
• Have not formed an independent family unit;
• Have made a valid application for entry clearance;
• Meet the relevant suitability requirements;
• Can be adequately maintained and accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds;
• Meet one of the specified parental or close-relative relationship requirements.

The relationship requirements include cases where both parents are present and settled in the UK or being admitted for settlement; where one parent is present and settled and the other is being admitted for settlement; where one parent is present and settled or being admitted for settlement and the other parent is dead; where one parent is present and settled or being admitted for settlement and has had sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or where one parent or a close relative is present and settled or being admitted for settlement and there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the child settlement, provided the remaining requirements of paragraph 297 or 298 are met.

7. Children of Parents with Limited Leave on Other Routes

Where a child’s parent has limited leave in the UK on a work, study, business, BN(O), private life, protection, armed forces or other route, the child may need to apply as a dependent child under the relevant route-specific Immigration Rules.

These UK Child Visa applications are sometimes described as “PBS dependent” applications, although in fact many child dependent applications are now governed by the relevant route-specific appendix together with Appendix Children.

Appendix Children sets out common requirements that apply across a number of dependent child routes. Depending on the route, the child may need to show that:

• They meet the age requirement;
• They have not formed an independent family unit;
• They are not leading an independent life;
• Suitable care and accommodation arrangements are in place;
• They are the child of a parent who has, is being granted, or is applying for permission on the relevant route;
• Both parents are applying, have permission, are settled or are otherwise covered by one of the permitted exceptions, such as sole responsibility or serious and compelling reasons.

The financial and maintenance requirements will depend on the parent’s route. For example, the rules for a dependent child of a Skilled Worker, Student, Global Talent migrant, BNO status holder or person on another route may differ.

8. Children Applying to Join or Stay with a Close Relative with Protection Status

A child may be able to apply under Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection) where they are seeking to join or stay with a close relative in the UK who has protection status and is not settled.

This UK Child Visa route is for children who are under 18 and who do not have family, other than the UK-based close relative, who could reasonably be expected to support or care for them.

The child will need to show that:

• They are under 18;
• The UK-based sponsor is a close relative with protection status;
• There is a genuine family relationship between the child and the close relative;
• The child meets the independent life and care requirements;
• There is no other family who could reasonably support or care for the child;
• The child can be adequately maintained and accommodated in the UK.

If the close relative is British or settled in the UK, a different route may need to be considered.

9. Children Applying in Their Own Right

Some children apply for a UK Child Visa in their own right rather than as the dependent child of a parent or relative. This may include, for example, a Child Student application or another route-specific application.

Where a child is not applying as a dependent child, Appendix Children may still require evidence of parental consent and suitable care arrangements, depending on the route.

A child who has lived in the UK for a significant period may also need to consider whether an application under Appendix Private Life is available. For example, a child born in the UK who has lived here continuously for at least seven years may be able to qualify for settlement under the Private Life route, where the relevant requirements are met.

10. Children Coming to the UK for Adoption

A child who is coming to the UK to be adopted, or who has already been adopted overseas, may need to apply under Appendix Adoption rather than under Appendix FM, Part 8 or a general dependent child route.

Appendix Adoption covers a number of adoption situations, including Hague Convention adoptions, recognised overseas adoptions, de facto adoptions and children coming to the UK for adoption under UK law. The correct route will depend on where and how the adoption has taken place, whether the adoption is recognised in the UK, the status and residence of the adoptive parent or parents, and whether the child is coming to the UK before the adoption is completed.

In broad terms, the child will need to be under 18, meet the relevant Appendix Children requirements, satisfy the adoption-specific requirements and show that appropriate care, financial and accommodation arrangements are in place. The Home Office may also need to be satisfied that the adoption is not one of convenience arranged to facilitate the child’s admission to the UK and that any required UK authority or Central Authority certificate has been issued.

Adoption cases can also raise nationality issues. Where a child has been adopted overseas, or will be adopted after arrival in the UK, it may be necessary to consider separately whether the child is already British, whether British nationality consequences arise from the adoption, or whether the child will need immigration permission before any later registration or passport application.

The current Appendix Adoption rules, Home Office adoption guidance, nationality guidance and any relevant adoption law requirements should be checked before the application is prepared.

11. Children Born in the UK

A child born in the UK does not automatically become British simply because they were born here. Their nationality and immigration position will depend on the status of their parents at the time of birth and on any later changes in the parents’ status.

Where a child is born in the UK and is not British, they may be able to apply for permission in line with a parent, or may be eligible to register as British in certain circumstances. The correct route will depend on the facts.

12. Sole Parental Responsibility

Where only one parent is in the UK, or only one parent is applying in the relevant route, it may be necessary to show that the sponsoring parent has sole parental responsibility for the child.

Sole parental responsibility does not simply mean that the child lives with one parent or that one parent provides financial support. The question is whether one parent has, and has exercised, ultimate responsibility for the child’s upbringing and for the major decisions in the child’s life.

Relevant evidence may include who makes decisions about the child’s education, health, religion, residence and general welfare; who provides financial and emotional support; the child’s living arrangements; the level of contact with the other parent; and the extent to which any other person is involved in the child’s upbringing.

13. Parental Consent, Absent Parents and Disputed Care Arrangements

Parental consent may be relevant where a child is applying for entry clearance, permission to stay or settlement, particularly where the Home Office needs to be satisfied about the child’s care arrangements, travel to the UK, reception arrangements and the position of any parent who is not applying or is not in the UK.

Where the other parent is absent, uncontactable or does not consent, the application should explain the position clearly and support it with evidence. It should not simply assert that consent is unavailable. Relevant evidence may include a death certificate, court order, birth certificate, evidence of previous care arrangements, school or medical records, correspondence with the other parent, evidence of attempts to contact them, evidence of non-involvement, or witness statements from relatives, carers or professionals involved in the child’s life.

The legal issue should also be identified correctly. Sole parental responsibility concerns whether one parent has continuing overall responsibility for the child’s upbringing and for the major decisions in the child’s life. Serious and compelling family or other considerations are different. They may need to be considered where sole parental responsibility cannot be established, but the child’s circumstances are such that exclusion from the UK would be undesirable and suitable arrangements have been made for the child’s care.

A non-consenting parent, or a disputed care arrangement, will not automatically establish either sole parental responsibility or serious and compelling family or other considerations. The evidence should address the child’s actual circumstances, the role each parent has played, the child’s welfare and best interests, and the care arrangements proposed in the UK.

14. Serious and Compelling Family or Other Considerations

Where the requirements for a UK Child Visa are not met through both parents applying, or through sole parental responsibility, it may be possible to rely on serious and compelling family or other considerations.

This is a high threshold. It is not enough to show that the child would have better education, healthcare, financial support or general opportunities in the UK. The application should explain why, in the child’s particular circumstances, exclusion from the UK would be undesirable and why suitable care arrangements are available in the UK.

The Home Office will consider all the circumstances of the child, including their welfare, best interests, care arrangements, family support, living conditions and any relevant medical, social or safeguarding issues. Depending on the route and the identity of the sponsor, the decision-maker may focus principally on the child’s circumstances overseas, or may also consider circumstances affecting the parent or relative in the UK.

Evidence may include documents relating to the child’s current care arrangements, family support overseas, living conditions, school attendance, medical needs, safeguarding concerns, the absence or inability of a parent or relative to provide care, and the proposed care arrangements in the UK. Suitable arrangements must also be in place for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK.

Serious and compelling family or other considerations should not be confused with sole parental responsibility. Sole parental responsibility concerns whether one parent has had continuing overall responsibility for the child’s upbringing. Serious and compelling considerations involve a broader assessment of the child’s circumstances and whether exclusion from the UK would be undesirable.

15. How the Home Office Assesses the Child’s Welfare and Best Interests

In UK Child Visa applications, the child’s welfare and best interests may be relevant to the assessment of relationship requirements, care arrangements, serious and compelling family or other considerations, and any wider discretion available under the relevant route.

The child’s best interests are a primary consideration, but they are not the only consideration. The Home Office will consider the child’s circumstances in the context of the Immigration Rules that apply to the application being made.

Evidence may include documents relating to the child’s education, health, emotional needs, living arrangements, day-to-day care, relationship with each parent or relative, safeguarding concerns and proposed care arrangements in the UK. Depending on the facts, relevant evidence may include school records, medical letters, social services records, court documents, evidence from carers or relatives, and documents showing who has been responsible for the child’s practical and emotional support.

Assertions about a child’s welfare or best interests should be supported by documents where possible. General statements that a child will have better opportunities in the UK, or that it would be preferable for the family to live together, may not be sufficient without evidence explaining the child’s particular circumstances and why the relevant requirements are met.

16. Independent Family Unit and Independent Life

A child applying under a child route must generally show that they have not formed an independent family unit and are not leading an independent life.

A child will generally have formed an independent family unit if they have a partner or their own child. This may include circumstances where the child is married, in a civil partnership, has formed a relationship akin to marriage, or has a child of their own.

Whether a child is leading an independent life will depend on the facts. Relevant considerations may include whether the child lives with their parent or family unit, whether they are financially and emotionally dependent on their parent or sponsor, whether they are in full-time employment, and whether they have established a separate household.

Temporary or route-specific circumstances should be considered carefully. For Appendix Children cases, a child will generally not be treated as leading an independent life only because they are living away from home for boarding school, college or university, provided they remain dependent on their parent and have not formed an independent family unit.

This requirement may be particularly important where an applicant is now aged 18 or over but previously held permission as a dependent child and is applying to extend permission or settle in line with a parent. Evidence of continued dependency, residence and family support may be needed.

17. Financial Requirement for Appendix FM Child Applications

The financial requirement for a UK Child Visa depends on the parent’s route and status. A child applying under Appendix FM will generally need to meet the same financial requirement as the parent they are applying to accompany or join.

Where the child is applying in connection with a parent who is, or is being granted leave as, a partner under Appendix FM, or where the parent has protection status in the UK, the minimum income requirement will usually apply unless an adequate maintenance provision applies.

For new Appendix FM partner route cases, the minimum income requirement is generally £29,000. Under the current post-11 April 2024 financial requirement, there is no separate additional child element for new applicants.

Transitional financial requirements may apply in some cases, particularly where the relevant partner route application was made before 11 April 2024 and the parent continues to meet the transitional conditions. In those cases, the relevant threshold may continue to be £18,600, plus £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child, capped at £29,000.

Where the child is applying as the child of a parent under Appendix FM, the requirement may be one of adequate maintenance rather than the minimum income requirement. Adequate maintenance may also apply where the relevant parent or parent’s partner receives a specified benefit and the Rules provide for an exemption from the minimum income requirement.

The evidence required will depend on the financial category relied on, such as employment income, self-employment income, pension income, non-employment income, cash savings, specified benefits or adequate maintenance. The correct financial category, calculation period and specified documents should be identified before the application is submitted.

The current Immigration Rules, Appendix FM-SE and Home Office financial requirement guidance should be checked before drafting, as the applicable threshold and evidence will depend on the parent’s route, the date and type of application, any transitional protection and whether the case falls under the minimum income requirement or adequate maintenance.

18. Accommodation Requirement

Accommodation requirements differ depending on the child visa route. In Appendix FM and Part 8 child applications, the child will usually need to show that there will be adequate accommodation in the UK. In Appendix Children and route-specific dependent child applications, the focus may be on whether there are suitable care and accommodation arrangements for the child in the UK.

Where an adequate accommodation requirement applies, the accommodation should normally be owned or occupied exclusively by the family, must not be overcrowded and must not contravene public health regulations. It must also be available without recourse to public funds, unless the relevant Rules allow otherwise.

Evidence may include a tenancy agreement, mortgage statement or title document, a letter from the landlord or owner confirming that the child may live at the property, council tax or utility evidence, and details of the number of rooms and occupants. In some cases, a property inspection report may assist, particularly where there is a risk of an overcrowding issue.

Where the child is under 18, the application should also address the practical care arrangements in the UK, including who the child will live with, who will be responsible for their day-to-day care, and how the proposed arrangements meet the requirements of the relevant route.

19. UK Child Visa Documents and Evidence Checklist

The documents required for a UK Child Visa application will depend on the route, the child’s age, the parent or sponsor’s status and whether the application is for entry clearance, permission to stay or settlement.

In most cases, evidence is likely to include:

• The child’s passport or other identity document;
• The child’s birth certificate, adoption order or other relationship evidence;
• Evidence of the parent or sponsor’s immigration status in the UK;
• Evidence of the child’s current and proposed care arrangements;
• Parental consent, where required;
• Evidence relating to sole parental responsibility, serious and compelling family or other considerations, or an absent parent, where relevant;
• Financial and accommodation evidence;
• School, medical, safeguarding or social services evidence, where relevant;
• Evidence of the child’s previous immigration history and continued dependency, where relevant.

The checklist should be tailored to the route. A document that is sufficient in one child visa category may not address the requirements of another.

Children under the age of 18 applying as children are not generally required to satisfy an English language requirement. However, where an applicant is now aged 18 or over and is applying for settlement under a route that permits continuation as a child dependent, any route-specific English language or Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement should be checked.

20. Timing the Application: Age, Parent’s Status and Applying Together

Timing can affect whether a child meets the requirements of the relevant UK Child Visa route. A child may qualify under one route while a parent has limited leave, but may need to rely on a different rule if the parent later becomes settled, changes immigration route, or applies for settlement.

Age is often critical. Many child routes require the applicant to be under 18 at the date of application, although some routes allow a person who has turned 18 to continue as a dependent child where they were previously granted permission as a child and have not formed an independent family unit or begun leading an independent life. Where a child is approaching 18, the application strategy and evidence should be considered carefully before delay.

In some cases, the child should apply for a UK Child Visa at the same time as the parent. In others, the child may apply after the parent has been granted permission or settlement, provided the relevant requirements are still met. The correct approach will depend on the parent’s route, whether the child is applying for entry clearance, permission to stay or settlement, and whether Appendix FM, Part 8, Appendix Children or a route-specific appendix applies.

A change in the parent’s status can also change the correct application route. For example, if a parent becomes settled, the child may need to consider whether they qualify for settlement, limited permission in line with the parent, or a route-specific dependent child application. If a parent changes route, the child’s eligibility may depend on whether they can apply on the same route as the parent or whether another child route is available.

The current Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance should be checked before submission. Timing decisions should take account of the child’s age, previous grants of permission, the parent’s current and intended immigration status, and whether the child is applying with the parent or separately.

21. How to Apply for a UK Child Visa

The application process for a UK Child Visa will depend on the route and whether the child is applying from outside the UK or from within the UK. In most cases, the application is made online using the form for the relevant route.

Before applying, the correct child visa route should be identified, the child’s nationality and immigration status should be checked, and the parent, sponsor or relative’s status in the UK should be confirmed.

In broad terms, the application process may involve:

• Selecting the correct online application form;
• Preparing the child’s identity, relationship, financial, accommodation and care evidence;
• Paying the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, where required;
• Uploading supporting documents or attending a visa application centre or UKVCAS appointment;
• Providing biometric information, where required;
• Waiting for a decision from the Home Office.

Where the application involves one parent, an absent parent, a child approaching 18, settlement, protection status, adoption or possible British citizenship, the application strategy should be considered before the form is submitted.

22. Switching into a Child Route from Within the UK

A child who is already in the UK may be able to apply for permission to stay as a child, depending on the route and their current immigration status.

Under Appendix FM, an applicant applying for permission to stay as a child must be under 18 at the date of application or must have been under 18 when first granted permission as a child under the route.

Other routes have their own switching, validity and suitability requirements. These should be checked before an application is made.

A child in the UK as a visitor, or with permission for six months or less, may not be able to switch into a family route from within the UK unless a route-specific exception applies.

23. UK Child Visa Fees and Processing Times

There is no single application fee for a “UK Child Visa”. Fees vary depending on the route, whether the application is made inside or outside the UK, and whether the application is for entry clearance, permission to stay or settlement.

Depending on the route, the Immigration Health Surcharge may also be payable. A fee waiver may be available in some in-country family or private life applications where the relevant affordability criteria are met.

At the date of writing, the current Home Office fee table includes different fees for route to settlement applications, leave to remain applications, indefinite leave to remain applications, student applications and route-specific dependent applications. The current Home Office fee table should always be checked before submission.

For Appendix FM family visa child applications, the Home Office currently states that applications made outside the UK usually receive a decision within 12 weeks, while applications made inside the UK usually receive a decision within 8 weeks. Where the child’s parent is on the 10-year route to settlement, the application may take about 12 months.

Processing times and priority services vary between routes and application locations.

24. How Long Is a UK Child Visa Granted For?

Where a child is granted permission under Appendix FM, the period of permission will usually be in line with the parent’s leave. Where the parent has protection status, the child’s leave will also generally be granted in line with the parent’s protection-based permission.

Where a parent is settled but the child does not qualify for settlement, the child may be granted limited leave, generally for 30 months, if the relevant requirements are met.

Where a child qualifies under Part 8 paragraph 297, they may be granted indefinite leave to enter. Where a child applies as a dependent child on another route, the length of permission and settlement requirements will depend on the route-specific rules.

A child granted under Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection) will generally receive permission in line with the close relative’s protection-based permission and may later be able to apply for settlement if the requirements are met.

25. What Conditions Will Apply if the Child Visa Is Granted?

The conditions attached to a child’s permission will depend on the route under which permission is granted. They should not be assumed to be the same across all child visa routes.

Families should check the grant notice, decision email and eVisa carefully. These should confirm the type and length of permission granted and any conditions attached to the child’s stay in the UK.

Depending on the UK Child Visa route, the conditions may address study, work, access to public funds and travel. A child granted limited permission may, for example, be subject to a no recourse to public funds condition unless the relevant route or decision allows otherwise. Conditions may differ where the child is granted settlement rather than time-limited permission.

It is also important to check the expiry date of the child’s permission. Where further permission is required, an application should normally be made before the child’s current permission expires. The timing of the child’s application may also need to be considered alongside the parent’s permission, extension or settlement application.

26. Common Reasons UK Child Visa Applications Are Refused

Child visa applications may be refused where the wrong route has been selected, the parent or sponsor’s status does not match the route applied under, or the application has been made for limited permission when settlement, or a different route-specific application, should have been considered.

Refusals may also arise where the relationship evidence is insufficient. This can include missing or inconsistent birth certificates, adoption documents, court orders, evidence of parental relationships, evidence of previous care arrangements, or documents showing that the child forms part of the relevant family unit.

In cases involving one parent, an absent parent or disputed care arrangements, the Home Office may refuse an application if the evidence does not adequately address parental responsibility, parental consent, the child’s day-to-day care, or the proposed care arrangements in the UK. Where the application relies on sole parental responsibility or serious and compelling family or other considerations, general assertions are unlikely to be sufficient without supporting documents.

Financial and accommodation issues are also common refusal points. These may include relying on the wrong financial requirement, using the wrong calculation period, failing to provide specified evidence, or not adequately addressing overcrowding, exclusive occupation, public funds or suitable care and accommodation arrangements.

Applications may also be weakened by inconsistencies between the application form, supporting statements and documents. Differences in dates, addresses, household members, parental involvement, school history, previous applications or travel history should be explained where relevant and supported by evidence where possible.

Legal advice may be useful before submission where the correct route, parental responsibility, financial evidence or care arrangements are unclear. It may also be useful after refusal, to assess whether the better course is to challenge the decision, submit a fresh application with stronger evidence, or consider a different route.

27. What Can You Do if a UK Child Visa Application Is Refused?

If a child visa application is refused, the refusal decision should be reviewed carefully before any further step is taken. The reasons for refusal, the route applied under, the evidence submitted, the child’s current location and immigration status, and any right to challenge the decision should all be checked.

The available options will depend on the route and the decision made. In some cases, the appropriate course may be a fresh application with stronger evidence. In others, it may be possible to seek administrative review, bring an appeal, or consider judicial review. The refusal decision should state whether a right of appeal or administrative review is available, but this should still be checked against the current Rules and procedural requirements.

Time limits are important. Administrative review, appeal and judicial review procedures each have their own time limits and procedural rules. Delay may reduce the options available or create further immigration difficulties, particularly where the child is already in the UK or where the parent’s status is also time-sensitive.

Further evidence may assist where the refusal was caused by missing documents, inadequate relationship evidence, unclear parental responsibility evidence, weak financial or accommodation evidence, or unexplained inconsistencies. However, where the refusal identifies a legal route problem, a fresh application with more documents may not resolve the issue unless the correct route is selected.

The current Immigration Rules, Home Office guidance and relevant procedural rules should be checked before drafting any challenge or fresh application. Legal advice may be useful to assess whether the UK Child Visa refusal is legally wrong, whether further evidence can address the concerns raised, and whether the better course is to challenge the decision or submit a new application.

28. Frequently Asked Questions: About UK Child Visas

What is a Child Visa in the UK?

A Child Visa is not a single immigration category. It is a general term used to describe several different routes for children who wish to enter or remain in the UK, depending on their circumstances and the immigration status of their parent, relative or sponsor.

Which UK visa route should a child apply under?

The correct route will depend on the child’s circumstances, including whether they are applying as the child of a parent under Appendix FM, as the child of a settled parent or close relative, as a dependant under another route, as a child joining or staying with a close relative with protection status, or in their own right.

What evidence is needed for a child visa application?

The evidence required will depend on the route. It will usually include evidence of the child’s identity and nationality, the parent or sponsor’s status, the relationship between the child and the parent or sponsor, and the child’s care and accommodation arrangements in the UK.

Depending on the application, evidence may also be needed of parental consent, sole parental responsibility, serious and compelling family or other considerations, financial resources, accommodation, school attendance, medical needs, safeguarding issues, previous immigration history and the child’s continued dependency on the parent or sponsor.

Can a child apply for a UK visa if one parent remains overseas?

A child may be able to apply for a UK visa where one parent remains overseas, but the correct route and evidence will depend on the family circumstances. In some cases, it may be necessary to show that the UK-based parent has sole parental responsibility for the child, or that there are serious and compelling family or other considerations which make exclusion of the child undesirable.

In other routes, including dependent child applications under Appendix Children, the Rules may require both parents to be applying, have permission, be settled, or fall within a permitted exception. The other parent’s role, consent, contact and ability to care for the child should be addressed carefully.

What happens if the other parent will not give consent?

A lack of consent from the other parent does not automatically mean that a child visa application must fail. However, the issue should be addressed clearly and supported by evidence.

The application may need to explain whether the other parent has parental responsibility, whether they are involved in the child’s life, whether there is a court order, whether the sponsoring parent has sole parental responsibility, or whether there are serious and compelling family or other considerations. If consent is required under the relevant route, the application should explain how that requirement is met or why an exception applies.

What does sole parental responsibility mean in a child visa application?

Sole parental responsibility concerns whether one parent has, and has exercised, ultimate responsibility for the child’s upbringing and for the major decisions in the child’s life. It does not simply mean that the child lives with one parent or receives financial support from one parent.

Relevant evidence may include documents showing who makes decisions about the child’s education, health, religion, residence and general welfare, who provides financial and emotional support, and what role the other parent has played in the child’s upbringing.

What are serious and compelling family or other considerations?

Serious and compelling family or other considerations may be relevant where the usual relationship requirements are not met through both parents applying or through sole parental responsibility.

This is a high threshold. The application should explain why, in the child’s particular circumstances, exclusion from the UK would be undesirable and why suitable care arrangements are available in the UK. Relevant evidence may include documents relating to the child’s welfare, best interests, care arrangements, family support, living conditions, medical needs or safeguarding concerns.

Can a child apply after turning 18?

Some child routes require the applicant to be under 18 at the date of application. However, in certain routes, a person who has turned 18 may be able to continue applying as a dependent child if they were previously granted permission as a child, continue to meet the route-specific requirements, and have not formed an independent family unit or begun leading an independent life.

This is a timing-sensitive issue. The rules differ between Appendix FM, Appendix Children, Part 8 and route-specific dependent child applications, so the child’s previous permission, age, dependency and current circumstances should be checked carefully.

Does a child born in the UK need a visa or British citizenship application?

In some cases, it may be appropriate to consider whether the child is already British or whether they may be eligible to register as a British citizen, rather than applying for a visa.

This may arise where a child was born in the UK, where a parent has become settled or British, or where the child has lived in the UK for a lengthy period. Permission to stay, settlement and British citizenship are different legal statuses, so the child’s nationality position should be identified before deciding which application to make.

How much does a UK Child Visa cost?

There is no single fee for a UK Child Visa. The application fee will depend on the route, whether the child is applying from inside or outside the UK, and whether the application is for entry clearance, permission to stay or settlement. The Immigration Health Surcharge may also be payable, unless an exemption applies.

How long does a UK Child Visa application take?

Processing times vary depending on the route, where the application is made and whether priority services are available. Appendix FM family visa child applications made outside the UK and inside the UK may have different indicative processing times. The current Home Office processing times should be checked before submission.

What should we do if a child visa is refused?

If a child visa application is refused, the refusal decision should be reviewed carefully. The reasons for refusal, the route applied under, the evidence submitted, the child’s current location and status, and any right to challenge the decision should all be checked.

Depending on the route and the decision, the options may include a fresh application, administrative review, appeal or judicial review. Time limits may be short. Further evidence may assist where the refusal was caused by missing documents, weak relationship evidence, unclear parental responsibility evidence, financial or accommodation issues, or unexplained inconsistencies.