Child Visas
There are two child visa options:
Option 1:
A child under the age of 18 who is living abroad may be eligible to apply for a child visa. Which will allow the child to enter and remain in the UK indefinitely provided they have a parent or relation who is settled or has applied for settlement in the UK.
Option 2:
A child under the age of 18 who is living abroad may be eligible to apply for a child visa, which will allow the child to enter and remain in the UK in line with the parent who has or is applying for, limited leave as a partner (spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner) of a British citizen or settled person.
Applying for a child visa:
To learn more about both options select the relevant tab below:
- Option 1 - Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a child
- Option 2 – Limited leave to enter/remain in the UK as a child
A child will need to show all of the following:
- They are under 18 at the date of application;
- They are related to the parent/ relative;
- They are not married/in a civil partnership/ leading an independent life;
- Adequate accommodation & maintenance without recourse to public funds.
If the following circumstances apply:
- A child is coming to the UK to live with both parents where:
- One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and the other parent is applying to come to the UK;
- Both parents are British citizens or have indefinite leave to remain, or are being admitted on the same occasion for settlement; or
- A child is coming to the UK to live with one parent where:
- One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and the other parent has died;
- One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and that parent has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or
- One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and there are serious and compelling family or other considerations making it undesirable to exclude the child from the UK.
- A child is coming to the UK to live with a relative where:
- The relative is not the parent;
- The relative is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain;
- Serious and compelling family or other considerations make it undesirable to exclude the child from the UK.
To qualify for entry clearance/leave to remain as a child of a parent with limited leave as a partner:
The following circumstances apply to the Parent:
- The parent has already been granted entry clearance or leave to remain as a partner of a British citizen or settled person in the UK;
- The parent is applying for entry clearance or leave to remain as the partner of a British citizen or settled person in the UK;
The following circumstances apply to the child:
- They are under 18 at the date of application;
- They are the child of a parent who is in the UK as a partner;
- They are the child of a parent who is applying to come to the UK as a partner;
- They are not married/in a civil partnership/leading an independent life;
- Adequate accommodation & maintenance without recourse to public funds;
- They are over 18 when they apply to extend leave previously granted when they were a child because they have yet to obtain settlement;
A child will need to show one of the following:
- The child’s parent’s partner is also the child’s parent; unless:
- The child’s parent has sole responsibility for the child; or
- Serious and compelling family or other considerations exist making exclusion of the child undesirable and suitable arrangements have been made for the child’s care in the UK.
Child visa financial requirement:
To demonstrate that a child can be adequately maintained without recourse to public funds, the financial requirement must be met. The parent needs to demonstrate a gross annual income of no less than:
- £18,600; and
- £3,800 for the first child (who is not British, settled or an EEA national); and
- £2,400 for each additional child (who is not British, settled or an EEA national).
Meeting the financial requirement:
You can satisfy the financial requirement through a combination of:
- Salaried/non-salaried income;
- Self-employed income;
- Salary and/or dividends as a company director;
- Property rental income;
- Dividends and income from investments;
- Stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds;
- Pension income, insurance payments;
- Maintenance payments;
Cash savings above £16,000 held for at least six months, or less if you can show the money came from a sale of assets or investments.
If the UK sponsor is in receipt of certain benefits then different considerations apply. The financial requirements under the Immigration Rules are complex. UKVI require specific types of documentary evidence to demonstrate you comply and that you have access to relevant funds.
What type of visa will be granted following a successful?
If the parent or relative is settled, or applying for settlement, in the UK, then the child will be granted indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom.
If the parent or relative granted limited leave to remain in the UK, then the child will be granted leave in line with the parent and will when the parent is granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR), the child may be able to apply for ILR.
How can AIB help?
AIB frequently provide advice to overseas children to assist them to relocate to and settle in the UK with their parents.
We can advise you on prospects of success, what you will need to meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, and can prepare your application so you avoid common mistakes which can result in delays.
AiB understand the complex financial requirements of the Immigration Rules. We offer specialist advice across the full spectrum of financial circumstances increasing the chances of securing a successful outcome for your visa application.
We are approachable, responsive and proactive; taking pride in our commitment to meet the needs of our clients by providing sincere, clear, and reliable immigration advice.