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UKU — United Kingdom Uncovered

Family and Partners

Child and parent applications

Applications involving children cover several different situations: children applying with a parent, children joining a parent already here, and parents applying because of their relationship with a child in the UK.

Each has its own requirements, and consent and responsibility questions often need careful handling.

Speak to an Adviser07894 853654

Who this is for

  • children applying as dependants
  • children joining a parent settled in the UK
  • parents applying on the basis of access to a child
  • families where one parent is not involved or cannot be contacted

Key considerations

  • the relationship between the child and parent
  • arrangements for the child's care and, where relevant, sole responsibility
  • consent from the other parent where required
  • adequate maintenance and accommodation
  • suitability requirements

In detail

Children applying with or to join a parent

A child can apply at the same time as a parent or later to join a parent already in the UK. The key questions are the parental relationship, sole responsibility or serious and compelling circumstances where only one parent is in the UK, adequate maintenance and accommodation, and the child's own circumstances.

Where a child is applying to join one parent while the other remains abroad, the application usually turns on whether the UK parent has sole responsibility for the child's upbringing, or on whether there are serious and compelling family or other considerations that make exclusion undesirable.

The parent route

The parent route is for a parent seeking permission on the basis of their relationship with a child who is British or settled in the UK, or who has lived here for a qualifying period. It requires evidence of parental responsibility and of direct access to, and involvement in, the child's life.

It is often used where a relationship has broken down and the parent's own permission was tied to the former partner.

The best interests of the child

The Home Office has a statutory duty to have regard to the welfare of children in the UK. In practice this means that a well-prepared application explains the child's schooling, health, relationships and circumstances rather than treating the child as an add-on to the adult's case.

Evidence and information commonly required

  • birth certificates and documents evidencing parentage
  • evidence of care arrangements and financial support
  • consent from the other parent, or evidence about why it cannot be given
  • school, medical and residence records
  • court orders where they exist

What is actually needed depends on your circumstances. We confirm the list with you before anything is prepared.

How the process works

  1. Step 1

    Understand the circumstances

    We start with your history, your relationships, your work and your time in the UK. The right route follows from the facts.

  2. Step 2

    Confirm the route

    We explain which route fits, what it requires and what the realistic alternatives are if it does not.

  3. Step 3

    Build the evidence

    We work out what the Home Office will expect, what you already have and what needs to be obtained.

  4. Step 4

    Prepare and submit

    We prepare the application, explain anything that needs explaining and advise on what happens after submission.

Issues that may need closer attention

  • a second parent who is absent, uncontactable or unwilling to consent
  • sole responsibility asserted but thinly evidenced
  • informal care arrangements with little documentary trail
  • children turning eighteen while an application is being planned

How UKU can help

  • assessing your circumstances against the route requirements
  • identifying issues early, before they become refusals
  • advising on the evidence you will need
  • preparing and checking the application
  • explaining what happens after the application is submitted
Discuss your situation

Common questions

Related services

Back to Family and Partner Visas

This page is general information about UK immigration and is not advice on your individual circumstances. Requirements, guidance and procedures change. Please obtain advice before relying on anything published here.

Tell us what you need help with

We will tell you how UKU can assist, and what the realistic options are.

07894 853654Speak to an Adviser