Family Visas
This route lets a child join or stay with a parent who is a British citizen or settled in the UK. It is most often used to reunite a child living abroad with a parent here, or to regularise the status of a child already in the UK. The details of who the child lives with and who has responsibility for them matter, and we make sure the application reflects that clearly.
At a glance
The parent
A parent must be a British citizen or settled in the UK, or applying under Appendix FM at the same time
The child
Normally under 18 at the date of application, not living an independent life, and not married or in a civil partnership
Our fee
Fixed fee from £1,500 to £2,800 for entry clearance, agreed in writing before any work begins
This is part of the family route under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. It allows a child to come to the UK, or remain here, on the basis that their parent is a British citizen or settled in the UK. It is the standard route for bringing a child to join a parent who already has secure status, or for confirming the position of a child who is here but does not yet have leave in line with their parent.
The Home Office looks at the parent's status, the child's age and circumstances, and who holds responsibility for the child. Where only one parent is in the UK, there are particular questions about the other parent, which we explain below. The aim of the route is to keep parent and child together, and a well evidenced application makes that far smoother.
Each case turns on its own evidence, but most applications on this route must satisfy the following.
A qualifying parent
A parent must be a British citizen or settled in the UK. Where the parent applies as a partner at the same time, the child's application is usually considered alongside it.
Sole responsibility or serious considerations
Where only one parent is in the UK, you usually need to show that parent has had and continues to have sole responsibility for the child, or that there are serious and compelling family or other considerations making the child's exclusion undesirable. This is often the decisive point, and the threshold is high.
Maintenance and accommodation
The child must be able to be adequately maintained and accommodated without relying on public funds. Where a parent is also applying as a partner, the financial requirement for that route applies, currently £29,000 a year.
Evidence of the relationship
You must evidence the parent and child relationship and the child's circumstances, such as birth certificates, the living arrangements, and who has cared for and made decisions about the child.
Immigration rules and the conditions on this route change regularly. The points on this page are a general guide, correct as at June 2026, not advice on your case. We confirm the rules that apply to you before any application is made.
We review the parent's status, the child's circumstances, and who has responsibility for the child, then tell you plainly whether the child qualifies.
Where only one parent is in the UK, we focus early on the sole responsibility question, since this is where these applications most often succeed or fail, and plan the evidence around it.
We check every document, draft the supporting letters, and complete the application so it presents the child's circumstances at their strongest.
We submit the application, deal with the Home Office on your behalf, and keep you updated until a decision is made.
Government costs are paid separately and are not part of our fee. These can include the Home Office application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge where it applies, the biometric enrolment fee, and any translation costs. The exact figures depend on the type of application, so we confirm the current amounts with you before you apply.
Often yes, but this is where the rules are strictest. You usually need to show the UK parent has had sole responsibility for the child, or that there are serious and compelling reasons that make excluding the child undesirable. We assess this carefully and build the evidence around it.
The age is generally assessed at the date of application, so applying in good time matters. If your child is close to 18, do not delay, speak to us so the application is made while the route is available.
Where a parent is applying as a partner, the child's application is usually made alongside it so the family is dealt with together. We coordinate both so they are consistent.
Typically birth certificates, evidence of who the child has lived with, school and medical records, and proof of how decisions about the child have been made and by whom. We give you a tailored list for your situation.
