UK Child Dependent Visa

What is the Child Dependent Visa?

A Dependent Child Visa, part of the UK Family Visa category, allows a child from overseas to join a parent living in the UK or applying for settlement or British citizenship.

Eligibility and application requirements depend on the immigration status of the parent or guardian.

• Suppose one or both parents hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status. Depending on their circumstances, the child may be eligible to apply for a visa or settlement.
• Suppose the parent has status under the EU Settlement Scheme (settled or pre-settled). In that case, the child may be able to apply under the same scheme, provided the relationship and residency requirements are met.
• A child may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years in line with their parent’s visa. British citizenship can follow after ILR and 12 months of residence (if born abroad).
• Standard processing takes 3–12 weeks, depending on visa type and location. Fees vary—e.g., £1,538 (outside the UK, family route) or £625–£1,423 (temporary visa dependants). Priority services are available for faster decisions.

Who is considered a Dependent Child?

The Home Office classifies a dependent child as anyone under 18 who is unmarried or in a civil partnership and not living independently, meaning they are not financially self-sufficient or living apart from their parents.

A child aged 18 or older may still be considered a dependent if they were previously granted permission to stay in the UK before turning 18 and continue to be part of the family unit.

Child Dependent Visa Scenarios

There are several circumstances under which a parent may sponsor a child to come to the UK.

In most cases, the Home Office expects both parents to be in the UK or relocating with the child. However, family situations can be complex, and a visa may still be granted where only one parent is in the UK—particularly if they have sole responsibility for the child or there are compelling reasons.

Common scenarios include:

• One or both parents are settled in the UK or applying for settlement
• One parent holds or is applying for a partner or spouse visa
• One parent has Limited Leave to Remain (e.g. under a work, student, or family route)

Visa Pathway

A child on a dependent visa can usually apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after living in the UK for 5 years, in line with their parent’s immigration route. In most cases, the child can apply for ILR simultaneously as the parent(s), provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

British Citizenship

If the child was born in the UK and at least one parent becomes a British citizen or obtains ILR, the child may be eligible to register as a British citizen immediately.

If the child was born outside the UK, they can usually apply for British citizenship after obtaining ILR and living in the UK for the minimum qualifying period.

Eligibility Criteria

The specific requirements for a Child Dependent Visa depend on individual circumstances, but the general criteria include:

• The child must be under 18, unmarried or in a civil partnership, and not living independently.
  • If the child is 18 or over, they must have held permission as a dependent before turning 18 and still be part of the family unit.
• The child must intend to live with their parent(s) in the UK.
• If the child was born outside the UK, at least one parent must either:
  • Be in the UK or applying to stay in the UK as a partner, and the child is joining their other biological parent, or
  • Be in the UK or applying as a parent with sole parental responsibility for the child.
• Suitable accommodation in the UK
  • There must be adequate space for the child, meeting UK housing standards.
  • Evidence can include a tenancy agreement, mortgage documents, or a letter from a landlord confirming exclusive use and sufficient rooms.

Additional requirements may apply depending on the parent(s)' immigration status and the application route (e.g., family, work, or settlement).

Financial Requirements

The parent(s) must demonstrate sufficient income or savings to support the child without recourse to public funds. Applicants can meet financial requirements through various income sources, including salaries, pensions, and rental income. The financial requirement varies depending on the parent's visa route:

Family visa route

• Meet minimum income requirement equivalent to £29,000 per year for most Visa categories under the Family route

Temporary visa routes

• Savings starting from £315 for the first child, plus savings starting from £200 for each additional child
• Funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days before an application can be submitted.

Single Parent or Sole Responsibility Cases

Where only one parent is in the UK, the Home Office requires evidence that the UK-based parent has sole or primary responsibility for the child's upbringing.

To be eligible, the parent in the UK must show they:

• Have sole or primary responsibility for the child’s welfare and daily needs
• Are actively involved in making decisions about the child’s upbringing (e.g. schooling, healthcare, day-to-day care)
• Provide financial support and practical involvement in the child’s life

Supporting documents may include:

• Parental legal documents showing sole custody or parental responsibility
• Letters from schools or healthcare providers confirming the UK-based parent is the primary contact and decision-maker
• Financial evidence (e.g. bank statements, money transfer receipts) showing the parent provides for the child’s needs
• Written statements or letters from social workers, local authorities, or family members confirming that the UK-based parent provides the day-to-day care.

The evidence must demonstrate an ongoing, active role in the child’s life — not just financial support.

Cases Involving Step-Children

Step-children can be eligible to apply for a Child Dependent Visa if they meet the standard requirements and the Home Office is satisfied that refusing the application would risk separating a family unit.

To qualify, the UK-based step-parent must demonstrate that they:

• Have sole or shared responsibility for the child’s day-to-day life, including decisions about education, healthcare, and general welfare
• Can financially support the child without relying on public funds
• Have consent from the child’s other biological parent (if they have parental responsibility) for the child to live in the UK

Supporting evidence may include custody agreements, consent letters, proof of financial support, and records from schools or healthcare providers confirming the step-parent's involvement.

Required Documentation

When applying for a Child Dependent Visa, you must provide documents to prove your identity, relationship, financial support, and living arrangements. Key documents include and are not limited to:

• Child’s passport with at least one blank page
• Child’s birth certificate (to confirm the relationship with the parent/s)
• Parent’s passport and proof of immigration status (e.g. eVisa, visa vignette, Home Office letter)
• Proof of relationship (e.g. correspondences, travel bookings)
• Financial documents (e.g. payslips, bank statements, P60s)
• Accommodation documents (e.g. tenancy agreement or mortgage statement showing adequate housing)
• Evidence of previous UK immigration history for both parent and child
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results, if required based on the country of residence
• Proof of sole or shared parental responsibility if only one parent is applying (e.g. court orders, school or medical letters)
• Consent letter from the other parent, if not part of the application

Additional documents may be required depending on the child’s circumstances (e.g., stepchildren or medical needs). Certified translations are required for documents not in English or Welsh.

Processing Times

Processing times for a Child Dependent Visa depend on the type of application and whether it's made from inside or outside the UK.

• Outside the UK (Family Visa Route): Applications typically take up to 12 weeks from the date the child attends their biometric appointment.
• Outside the UK (Temporary Visa Route): If the child is applying as a dependent of a parent with a temporary visa (e.g. Skilled Worker), decisions are usually made within 3 weeks.
• Inside the UK (Family Visa or Temporary Route): Applications to extend or switch a child’s visa are generally processed within 8 weeks. However, delays can occur if the case is complex or the Home Office has a backlog.

Priority Services

Applicants can speed up a Child Dependent Visa application using Priority or Super Priority services, where available. These services are optional, cost extra, and are unavailable for all countries or visa types. Please check the availability when you submit your application.

Priority Service

• Priority Service costs £500 and aims to process the application within 5 working days after the biometric appointment.

Super Priority Service

• Super Priority Service costs £1,000 and provides a decision by the end of the next working day.

Fees

The visa fee for a dependent child varies based on the immigration status of the parent in the UK.

How to Apply for a Child Dependent Visa

The child-dependent application process visa can be conducted alongside the parent’s application or separately. The steps to apply include:

Check Eligibility

• Confirm the child meets the age, dependency, and relationship requirements based on the parent’s immigration status.

Prepare Documents

• Gather all required documents, including passports, birth certificates, proof of relationship, financial evidence, and accommodation details.

Complete the Online Application

• Fill out the visa application form on the UK government website. The forms you must complete will depend on the parent's circumstances. For example:
  • Family visa route (joining a parent/partner): Use the Appendix FM or other category-specific online form
  • Dependent of a Skilled Worker or other temporary visa holder: Use the PBS Dependent or other route-specific online form

Pay the Fees

• Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

Book and Attend a Biometrics Appointment

• Schedule and attend an appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph, unless you are able to submit biometrics via the ID Verification app.

Submit Supporting Documents

• Depending on location, upload documents online or submit them at a visa application centre.

Wait for a Decision

• Standard processing times vary depending on the visa route and application location.

Get Support With Child Visa Applications

Navigating the UK child visa application and requirements can be challenging, especially regarding proving eligibility, meeting financial criteria, and maintaining the family unit. Whether you're applying for a dependent child visa or supporting your application as a sponsoring parent, having the right guidance is crucial in such sensitive matters. Our team is highly experienced in presenting applications that highlight the child's best interest to maximise your success rate.

Contact our team today for expert advice and assistance with child-dependent visa applications to ensure a smooth and successful process.