Parent of a Child Family visa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Family
What it is
For a parent coming to the UK to care for a child who is a British or Irish citizen, settled, or has lived in the UK for 7 years, where the parent is not in a relationship with the other parent.
Key facts
- Category
- Family
- Duration
- 2 years 9 months initial; 2 years 6 months on extension; 5 years to settlement
- Processing time
- 12–52 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 33 months
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- English requirement
- A1 (SELT) minimum; A2 to extend; B1 for settlement
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (joining child - apply outside the UK)
- GBP 2,064
- Health surcharge
- GBP 1,035 per year
- Application fee (joining child - apply in the UK)
- GBP 1,407
Key requirements
- Child is British, Irish, settled, has pre-settled status, or 7 years UK residence
- Child is under 18 at first application and living in the UK
- Sole or shared parental responsibility (not with a partner)
- Active involvement in the child's upbringing evidenced
- Meet English language requirement
- Maintain self without recourse to public funds
Working on this visa
What you can do in the UK You can: work study
Bringing family
yes - other children can be added as dependants (conditional: under 18 on the date of application or when first granted leave, living with the applicant, unmarried)
Money you must show
You must also prove you: have a good knowledge of English…
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.