If you are the parent of a British child who is under the age of 18 and is living in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a visa as a parent.

However, the eligibility criteria and requirements can vary, and you would need to meet specific relationship, financial and accommodation requirements.

If you want to apply for a UK visa as a parent of a British child, a team of immigration lawyers at Wembley Solicitors can help with your visa application.

Call us today at 020 3417 3700 for legal advice and eligibility assessment.

Table of Contents

  1. What is the 5-year parent route?
  2. What are the eligibility criteria for children?
  3. What are the eligibility criteria for parents?
  4. English language requirement
  5. What is sole parental responsibility?
  6. How to apply as a parent of a British child?
  7. Parent visa application processing time
  8. Parent visa application fees
  9. Solicitors for UK parent visa applications
  10. Need legal advice & assistance?

What is the 5-year parent route?

If you are granted a UK Parent visa, you will be allowed to live together with your child in the UK for up to 30 months (2.5 years). After this initial period, you can apply for an extension of the visa for another 30 months.

You may be eligible to apply for settlement (ILR) if you have lived in the UK for at least 5 continuous years under a 5-year parent route.

What are the eligibility criteria for children?

To be eligible, your child must first meet certain eligibility requirements. The child must be:

  • under 18 years of age at the time of application
  • living in the UK
  • either a British citizen or has settled status in the UK

What are the eligibility criteria for parents?

To be eligible, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. The parent must:

  • be over 18 years of age
  • be living outside the UK at the time of application
  • have sole parental responsibility for your child
  • meet the financial requirement
  • have suitable accommodation
  • meet minimum English language requirement

You must meet all other requirements depending on your circumstances and relationship to the British child. Immigration rules and requirements can change, so it is essential to consult with an immigration solicitor before applying for a UK Parent visa.

English language requirement

You may need to meet the English language requirement for the UK Parent visa application if you are from a non-English-speaking country. You may be exempt from taking or passing the English language test.

You can prove your knowledge of the English language with an academic qualification, or by passing an approved English language test.

The parent must also be able to speak English to an acceptable level (CEFR A1).

What is sole parental responsibility?

Sole parental responsibility means that you, as one of the child's parents, have the sole authority and responsibility for making important decisions regarding the child's upbringing. This includes decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and general welfare.

To prove sole parental responsibility, you may be required to provide various forms of evidence, which can include:

  • Legal documentation, such as court orders or custody agreements.
  • Documents demonstrating that you are the child's primary caregiver, such as school records or healthcare documents.
  • Evidence of financial support for the child.
  • Any other relevant documentation that shows you have exclusive responsibility for the child's upbringing.
  • Birth certificate showing you as the parent.

How to apply as a parent of a British child?

The steps for a UK Parent visa application are as follows:

  1. Check your eligibility for a Parent visa
  2. Gather all the supporting documents
  3. Complete and submit your visa application form online
  4. Pay the Parent visa application fee
  5. Pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS)
  6. Upload all the supporting documents
  7. Book and attend your biometric appointment
  8. Wait for the decision

Parent of a British child visa processing time

The UK Parent visa application takes around 24 weeks to process when applying from outside the UK using a standard service. However, you might be able to use 'priority service' to get a faster decision.

Parent of a British child visa application fees

The fee for a UK Parent visa application is £1,538 if you are applying from outside the UK using a standard service. It does not include the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS).

Click here to find out the latest Family visa fees and Healthcare surcharges.

Solicitors for UK parent visa applications

Our expert team of UK immigration solicitors and lawyers will be able to assist you with any type of UK Family visa or immigration application.

Immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors will:

  • Provide detailed immigration advice.
  • Assess your personal circumstances and eligibility for a UK Family visa.
  • Assess the eligibility of your sponsor.
  • Explain the entire UK Family visa application process.
  • Give you a completed checklist of documents according to the type of visa application and your circumstances.
  • Check all the supporting documents to ensure that they are sufficient and in the correct format.
  • Fill out the complete application form and prepare detailed representations/cover letters for the Home Office UKVI in reference to the Immigration Rules.
  • Book an appointment for you to enrol your biometrics.
  • Upload all the supporting documents.
  • Liaise with the Home Office UKVI throughout the process until we receive the decision.
  • Keep you updated with every stage of your application.

Contact our UK Family visa solicitors in Wembley, London on 020 3417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for immediate legal advice & assistance with your UK visa application.

We provide expert advice, practical assistance, and professional representation to guide you through the application and decision-making process, from start to finish. 

We're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), so you know you're in safe hands.

Contact our solicitor today to get legal advice and assistance with your UK immigration matters.

You can call us on 02034173700 or leave your details here for a callback request regarding your legal matter.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.

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