Child Dependent Visa

A Child Dependent Visa allows a child from overseas to join a parent residing in the UK. If you plan to bring your child to the UK, you must consider their eligibility under different child dependent visa categories. To qualify, you must prove their dependency on you and demonstrate that you have the necessary resources to support them while in the UK.

Eligibility for a Child Dependent Visa

Generally, a Child Dependent Visa allows an overseas child to join a parent in the UK. Typically, the Home Office requires both parents to be in the UK with the child. If only one parent is in the UK, the sponsoring parent must demonstrate that they have sole parental responsibility for the child or children. If the UK-based parent cannot show sole responsibility, they must present evidence of a compelling family reason or other considerations that make the child’s exclusion undesirable.

Under the UK immigration system, Child Dependent Visa applications fall into three main categories:

At least one parent is settled or applying for settlement in the UK.
At least one parent has or is applying for a partner visa.
At least one parent has Limited Leave to Remain.

At least one parent is settled or applying for settlement in the UK: When a parent is settled in the UK (e.g., they hold Indefinite Leave to Remain, ILR), the child can apply to join them and will be granted ILR. Typically, the parent must have lived in the UK for a certain period (usually 5 years) on a work visa or another type of visa to qualify for ILR.

At least one parent has or is applying for a partner visa: A child can join a parent who is applying for or has acquired a partner visa under the family visa scheme. The child must be dependent on the partner visa applicant and can apply simultaneously with their parent or separately. After living in the UK for a qualifying period (typically 5 years), the child can apply for ILR.

At least one parent has Limited Leave to Remain: Various long-term visas allow holders to bring or join dependents in the UK, including:

Skilled Worker visa
Health and Care Worker visa
Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
Minister of Religion visa (T2)
International Sportsperson visa
Innovator visa
Start-up visa
Global Talent visa
Ancestry visa
British National (Overseas) visa
Full-time student visas

Dependent children are often granted leave to enter or remain based on their parent’s visa duration. They can apply for renewals alongside their parent’s extension applications. After 5 years in the UK, they can apply for ILR, provided they continue to live with the sponsoring parent.

Including Step-Children in a Child Dependent Visa Application

Step-children can be included in a Child Dependent Visa application, but more evidence may be required to satisfy Home Office immigration rules. The Home Office must ensure that their decisions do not inadvertently break up a family unit. Applicants must provide clear evidence that they:

Can financially support the dependent child.
Have day-to-day responsibility for the child’s life, including their schooling.
Have permission from the other biological parent for the child to live in the UK.

If there is any doubt about the legal custody and responsibility for the child’s welfare, the Home Office may refuse the application or seek further clarification. Therefore, it is advisable to seek the assistance of immigration solicitors when applying for a dependent visa for a step-child.

UK Child Dependent Visa Requirements

The general requirements for a UK Child Dependent Visa include:

The child must be under 18, unmarried, and not in a civil partnership.
The child must not live an independent life.
Financial requirements: Evidence of sufficient funds to support the child’s life in the UK.
Proof of relationship: UK-based parents must have full legal responsibility for the child.
Suitable accommodation: The UK-based parent must have adequate rooms for the child and family.

Children do not need to prove their knowledge of English.

Financial Requirements: Long-term visa applicants (e.g., Skilled Worker visa holders) must show they have sufficient funds. This includes £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child, held for at least 28 days before applying. For the family visa route, the main applicant must earn an additional annual income of £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each subsequent child, on top of a minimum income of £29,000 per annum.

Proof of Relationship Requirements: If a child is not living in the UK with both parents, the parent they will live with must have “parental responsibility” for them. The Home Office requires evidence showing the UK-based parent has full legal responsibility for the child to grant a Child Dependent Visa.

Suitable Accommodation Requirements: The Home Office checks that living arrangements are compliant with relevant legislation. The UK sponsor must have exclusive use of the property and enough rooms for the family.

Documents Required for a UK Child Dependent Visa

Documents typically required include:

Passport of the main visa holder (or the person settled in the UK)
Evidence of immigration status of the UK-based sponsor (e.g., Home Office letter, vignette in passport, or BRP)
Child’s passport and birth certificate
Evidence of relationship with the child (e.g., photos, messages, emails, correspondence)
Proof of sole parental responsibility, if applicable
Evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., pay slips, bank statements, P60)
Evidence of suitable accommodation (e.g., tenancy or mortgage documents)
Parents’ date of birth and nationality if applying from outside the UK
Tuberculosis test results if required
Certified translation of any non-English or Welsh documents
How to Apply for a UK Dependent Visa for a Child

The application process involves:

Completing the required application form (e.g., Appendix FM for the family visa route).
Paying the visa application fee, Biometric Residence Permit fee, and immigration healthcare surcharge.
Uploading requested documents.
Booking and attending a biometric appointment at a local visa application centre.
Waiting for a decision.
Child Dependent Visa Costs

The visa fees are:

Family visa route: £1,538 (outside the UK) or £1,048 (inside the UK).
Dependent of long-term visa holders: Up to 3 years – £625 per person (outside the UK) or £719 (inside the UK); more than 3 years – £1,235 per person (outside the UK) or £1,423 (inside the UK).
Dependent child of a settled person: £2,404.

Additional fees include:

BRP fee: £19.20
Immigration Healthcare Charge: £776 per child per year.
Processing Time

The processing time for a UK Child Dependent Visa varies:

Family visa route: Up to 12 weeks (outside the UK) or 8 weeks (inside the UK).
Dependent of long-term visa holders: Typically 3 weeks.
Child of a settled person: Typically 6 weeks.

Super-priority processing may be available for a fee of £1,000 for a decision by the next working day.

Transition to Settlement (ILR)

A child on a dependent visa can usually apply for ILR after living in the UK for 5 years. When the parent(s) gain ILR, the child can apply for ILR simultaneously.