Parents wishing to bring a child to the UK need to understand how the child dependent visa routes work. Qualifying depends on being able to show that the child relies on the sponsoring parent, and that the family has the means to support the child while they're in the UK.
Who Can Apply
A child dependent visa allows a child living overseas to join a parent already in the UK. In most cases, the Home Office expects both parents to be in the UK alongside the child. Where only one parent is UK-based, that parent must generally show they hold sole parental responsibility for the child.
Where one parent is in the UK and the other remains overseas, and sole responsibility cannot be demonstrated, the sponsoring parent will instead need to show a serious and compelling family reason, or other factors, that make it undesirable to exclude the child from joining them.
Child dependent visa applications generally fall into one of three categories:
A parent is settled, or applying to settle, in the UK. Where a parent already holds settled status (such as ILR), their child can apply to join them and will also be granted ILR. Parents typically reach settled status after living in the UK for a qualifying period — usually five years — under a work visa or another visa route.
A parent holds, or is applying for, a partner visa. Where a parent has been granted, or is applying for, a partner visa under the family visa route, their dependent child can join them in the UK. The child's application can be made alongside the parent's or submitted separately at a later date. After living in the UK for the qualifying period (typically five years), the child becomes eligible to apply for ILR.
A parent holds Limited Leave to Remain. A number of long-term visa categories allow the holder to bring dependants, including the:
- 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 usually granted leave that mirrors the length granted to their parent, and can extend alongside their parent's extension applications. Once a child has spent five years in the UK, they can apply for ILR, provided they've continued living with their sponsoring parent throughout.
Can Step-Children Be Included?
Step-children can be included in a child dependent visa application, though the Home Office typically asks for additional evidence in these cases. Because of its responsibility to avoid decisions that could unintentionally break up a family unit, the Home Office will look closely at whether the applicant or their partner holds legal responsibility for the step-child's care and welfare. This generally means showing that the applicant:
- Can financially support the child
- Is responsible for the child's day-to-day life, including their schooling
- Has the other biological parent's permission for the child to live in the UK
Where there's any doubt about legal custody or responsibility for the child's welfare, the Home Office may refuse the application or request further clarification. Migratia recommends that anyone applying for a step-child's dependent visa seek specialist advice, so that potential grounds for refusal are addressed upfront and the right evidence is submitted from the outset. Migratia's child immigration team can talk through the most efficient route for your family's circumstances — get in touch for an initial consultation.
Eligibility Requirements
The exact requirements vary depending on the applicant's circumstances, but generally include:
- The child must be under 18, and not married or in a civil partnership
- The child must not be living an independent life
- Sufficient funds must be available to support the child in the UK
- The UK-based parent must hold full legal responsibility for the child
- Suitable accommodation must be available for the child and family
Children are not required to demonstrate English language ability.
Financial requirement. Applicants on long-term visa routes (such as the Skilled Worker visa) bringing dependent children must show £315 in available funds for the first child and £200 for each additional child, held for at least 28 days before applying.
Under the family visa route, the main applicant must instead show an additional annual income of £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each subsequent child, on top of the standard £29,000 minimum income requirement.
What counts as a dependent child? A dependent child must be under 18, unmarried, and not living independently. Those over 18 may still be able to apply if they were originally granted permission to stay in the UK before turning 18 and continue to live a dependent, non-independent life.
Proof of relationship. Where a child isn't living with both parents in the UK, the UK-based parent must demonstrate full legal parental responsibility, supported by appropriate evidence.
Suitable accommodation. The Home Office checks that accommodation arrangements meet relevant legislation and standards — meaning the sponsor must have exclusive use of the property and enough space for the whole family.
Required Documents
Applicants should generally expect to provide the following (this list is not exhaustive):
- The main visa holder's (or settled parent's) passport
- Evidence of the UK sponsor's immigration status (e.g., a Home Office letter, passport vignette, or BRP)
- The child's passport
- The child's birth certificate
- Evidence of the relationship with the child, where necessary (e.g., photos, messages, or correspondence)
- Proof of sole parental responsibility, where applicable
- Evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., payslips, bank statements, or a P60)
- Evidence of suitable accommodation (e.g., tenancy or mortgage documents confirming exclusive occupancy)
- Parents' dates of birth and nationality, if applying from outside the UK
- Tuberculosis test results, where required
- Certified translations of any documents not in English or Welsh
How to Apply
The general process involves:
- Completing the correct application form — Migratia can advise on the right form for your child's circumstances (for example, the Appendix FM online form for family route applications). Applications can be submitted alongside a parent's or separately, and will usually need to reference the main visa holder to link the applications
- Paying the visa application fee
- Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Uploading the required supporting documents
- Booking an appointment at a visa application centre (or UKVCAS service point, if applying from within the UK)
- Attending the biometric appointment (fingerprints and photograph)
- Awaiting a decision
Costs
| Application type | Applying outside the UK | Applying inside the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent child (family visa route) | £1,938 | £1,321 |
| Dependent child (of a long-term visa holder, e.g., work visa) — up to 3 years | £769 per person | £885 per person |
| Dependent child (of a long-term visa holder, e.g., work visa) — more than 3 years | £1,519 per person | £1,751 per person |
In addition, the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 per child, per year, covering access to NHS services.
Processing Times
Processing times vary depending on the route:
- Family visa route: around 12 weeks for applications made outside the UK, or 8 weeks for applications made inside the UK
- Dependant of a long-term visa holder (e.g., work visa): typically around 3 weeks
- Child of a settled person: typically around 6 weeks
A super-priority service is also available for £1,000, offering a decision by the end of the next working day.
Route to Settlement (ILR)
A child on a dependent visa can generally apply for ILR after living in the UK for the qualifying period — usually five years. Where a parent becomes eligible for ILR, their dependent child can apply for ILR at the same time.