What is this route?
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.
Who this visa is for
- The child has a parent who is a British citizen or settled in the UK.
- The child is normally under 18 at the date of application.
- The child is not leading an independent life and is not married or in a civil partnership.
- The child can be adequately maintained and accommodated in the UK without relying on public funds.
The main requirements
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.
How we handle your application
- 1
Initial consultation
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.
- 2
Sole responsibility assessment
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.
- 3
Preparing the case
We check every document, draft the supporting letters, and complete the application so it presents the child's circumstances at their strongest.
- 4
Submission and follow-up
We submit the application, deal with the Home Office on your behalf, and keep you updated until a decision is made.
What is included in our service
- A full eligibility assessment of the case
- Advice on the sole responsibility question
- A tailored document checklist
- Review of all evidence
- Drafting of supporting letters
- Completion of the application and Home Office correspondence
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.