You can apply to extend your parent visa from inside the UK if meet all the eligibility requirements as set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

You can submit your UK parent visa extension application 28 days before the expiry date of your current parent visa to continue your stay in the UK with your child.

Usually, an initial parent visa under the 5-year route grants permission to live in the UK for 2.5 years (30 months), after which you will be able to extend it for another 2.5 years.

A UK Parent visa is a route to settlement which means 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.

If you want to apply to extend your UK Parent visa, a team of immigration lawyers at Wembley Solicitors can help with your visa extension application. Call us today at 0203 417 3700 for legal advice and eligibility assessment.

Table of Contents

  1. Parent of a British child visa extension
  2. What are the requirements for a Parent visa extension?
  3. What is sole parental responsibility?
  4. Parent of a British child visa processing time
  5. Super priority service for the extension of a UK Parent visa
  6. Parent of a British child visa application fees
  7. Solicitors for the renewal of a UK Parent visa
  8. Need legal advice & assistance?

What are the requirements for a Parent visa extension?

You can apply to extend your parent visa from inside the UK if meet all the eligibility requirements as set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

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.
  • The child must be living in the UK.
  • The child must be either a British citizen or has settled status in the UK.

Eligibility criteria for parents

To be eligible, parents must meet certain eligibility requirements:

  • You must be over 18 years of age.
  • You must be the parent of a child who is a British citizen, settled in the UK, or has lived in the UK for at least 7 years continuously.
  • You must have sole parental responsibility for your child.
  • You must be currently in the UK under the parent of a British child visa route.
  • You must demonstrate that you can adequately maintain and accommodate yourself without relying on public funds.
  • You should have adequate accommodation for you and your child in the UK.
  • You may need to demonstrate your knowledge of the English language, although this requirement could be waived in some cases, especially for older applicants.

You must meet all other UK Parent visa extension requirements depending on your personal circumstances and relationship with the British child. If there are custody disputes or legal restrictions on your access to the child, it could affect your eligibility for this visa. Speak to our immigration solicitors to discuss the requirements of a parent visa extension application.

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.

Parent of a British child visa processing time

If you apply from inside the UK to extend your parent visa, a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service. However, you might be able to use 'priority service' to get a faster decision.

Super priority service for the extension of a UK Parent visa

If you're applying from inside the UK to extend your parent visa, you may be able to use the "Super Priority Service" to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You'll need to pay the "Super Priority Service" fee in addition to the ILR application fee.

Parent of a British child visa application fees

The application fee for the renewal of a UK Parent visa is £1,048 if you are applying from inside 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 the renewal of a UK Parent visa

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.

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