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How To Apply for A Child Visa UK?
When you apply for a child visa in the UK, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria, which typically include having a parent settled in the UK or a valid passport. Next, gather all necessary documents, such as your birth certificate, proof of your parent’s status in the UK, and any other required paperwork. Then, complete the online application form on the UK government’s official website, pay the application fee, and book an appointment at a visa application centre for biometric data collection.
Here are the steps to apply for a child visa UK!
You Were Born in the UK
If you were born in the UK, you would receive the same permission to stay as your parents. For a UK visa child under 5, you have two options:
- Be added to your parent’s next visa application as a dependant: Your parents can include you in their visa application, and you will receive the same permission to stay as they do.
- Apply separately: You can submit your application for permission to stay in the UK.
To qualify, you must:
- Live with your parent in the UK: This is required unless you live away from home for full-time education, such as at a boarding school or university.
- Not be married or in a civil partnership: This ensures you are still considered dependent.
If you are under 18, you need to know the type of permission to stay in the UK (known as ‘limited leave to remain’) your parent has. This information is crucial for your application.
If you are 18 or over, you can only apply if you have permission to stay in the UK (‘leave to enter or remain’), which started when you were under 18. Additionally, you must apply from within the UK.
You Were Born Outside The UK
Whether you can apply for a child visa UK depends on your age and how your parent applied. Here are the detailed requirements:
General Requirements
- Live with your parents: You must reside in the UK unless you live away from home for full-time education, such as at a boarding school or university.
- Not be married or in a civil partnership: This ensures you are still considered dependent.
If You Are Under 18
One of your parents must be applying or have applied for a visa or to extend their permission to stay as a:
- Partner: The partner they are joining must be your other parent.
- Parent: They must have sole parental responsibility for you.
If neither of these conditions applies, you might still be eligible to apply if there are serious reasons to allow you to come to or stay in the UK and plans are in place for your care.
If You Are 18 or Over
- Inclusion in Parent’s Application: Your parent can include you in their application as a dependant.
- Separate Application: You can apply separately yourself.
You can only apply if you have permission to stay in the UK (‘leave to remain’) on a family visa that started when you were under 18. Additionally, you must apply from within the UK.
If You Apply Separately from Your Parent
When applying for a child visa UK, you must include proof of your parent’s income. This ensures that their income meets the financial requirements for their specific type of family visa. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Financial Requirement
Your parent’s income must meet a certain threshold to demonstrate that they can support you without public funds. The exact amount required depends on the type of family visa they are applying for.
Example: Family Visa as a Partner
If your parent is applying for a family visa as a partner, they must prove they can meet the financial requirements for partners. This typically involves showing that they have an annual income of at least £18,600. If they also sponsor children, this amount increases by £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child.
Types of Income
Your parent can meet the financial requirement through various sources of income, including:
- Salaries and wages: Income from employment or self-employment.
- Savings: Savings above a certain threshold can be used to meet the requirement.
- Pensions: Income from pensions can also be considered.
- Other income: Rental income, dividends, or other investments.
Required Documents
When applying, you must provide evidence of your parent’s income. This might include:
- Pay slips: Recent pay slips from their employer.
- Bank statements: Showing regular income deposits.
- Tax returns: For self-employed individuals.
- Savings account statements: If savings are used to meet the requirement,
- Pension statements: If applicable.
Importance of Accurate Documentation
It’s crucial to ensure that all documents are accurate and up-to-date. Any discrepancies or missing information could delay the application process or result in a refusal.
Apply From Outside The UK
When applying for a child visa UK, you must prepare all necessary information and evidence to support your application. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Preparing Your Application
You must gather various documents and information to include with your application. This provides proof of your parent’s income, relationship with your parent, and other relevant details.
Applying at the Same Time as Your Parent
The form you need to fill out depends on your parent’s immigration status and the type of visa they are applying for. Here are the different scenarios:
1) If your parent is applying to enter the UK as the partner of:
- A British or Irish citizen.
- A person with indefinite leave to remain.
- A person settled in the UK (e.g., they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or proof of permanent residence).
- A person from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who has pre-settled status (they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021).
- A person with a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa.
- A person with protection status (leave to remain as a refugee, permission to stay as a refugee, or humanitarian protection).
- A person with permission to stay as a stateless person.
If your parent falls into one of these categories, you must fill in the Appendix FM online form. The Appendix FM online form is a crucial part of the application process for a child visa UK when your parent is applying to enter or remain in the UK under specific categories.
Sections of the Appendix FM online form
The form is divided into several sections, each requiring specific information:
- Personal Details: Provide your full name, date of birth, nationality, and contact information. Include your passport details and any previous immigration history.
- Parent’s Details Include information about your parent’s immigration status and their current visa. If applicable, provide details of your parent’s partner, including their immigration status.
- Financial Requirement Detail your parent’s income and financial situation. Provide evidence such as pay slips, bank statements, and employment contracts. Include information about any savings or additional sources of income.
- Accommodation Describe where you will live in the UK. Provide evidence that your accommodation is adequate and will not be overcrowded.
- Relationship Evidence Submit proof of your relationship to your parent, such as your birth certificate. Include any additional documents that demonstrate your dependency on your parent.
- Health and Character Provide information about your health, including any medical conditions. Detail any criminal convictions or other character issues.
- Supporting Documents Upload digital copies of all supporting documents, which may include:
- Birth certificate
- Parent’s passport and visa
- Financial documents (pay slips, bank statements, etc.)
- Proof of accommodation
- Any other relevant documents
- Submission Process
- Complete the Form: Fill out all sections accurately and thoroughly.
- Upload Documents: Ensure all required documents are uploaded in the correct format.
- Pay the Fee: Pay the application fee online.
- Biometric Appointment: Book an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs)
If your parent does not fall into one of these categories, you will need to complete both:
Online Application Form
The online application form is the primary document you must complete when applying for a UK child visa. This form is available on the UK government’s official visa application website. Here’s what you need to know:
- Personal Information: You must provide detailed personal information, including your full name, date of birth, nationality, and contact details.
- Parent’s Information: Information about your parent, including their immigration status, visa type, and financial details.
- Supporting Documents: You must upload digital copies of supporting documents, such as your birth certificate, proof of your parent’s income, and evidence of your relationship to your parent.
- Application Fee: You must pay the application fee online. The amount varies depending on the type of visa and your circumstances.
- Biometric Information: You must book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs).
Appendix 1 Paper Form
The Appendix 1 paper form is an additional document you may need to complete if your parent does not fall into one of the specified categories for the Appendix FM online form. Here’s what it involves:
- Detailed Questions: The form includes detailed questions about your circumstances, your parent’s immigration status, and your living arrangements.
- Financial Information: You must provide comprehensive financial information to demonstrate that your parent meets the financial requirements.
- Additional Evidence: The form may require additional evidence, such as letters from your school or university if you live away from home for education.
- Submission: This form must be completed and submitted along with the online application form. You may need to mail it to the appropriate visa processing centre or bring it to your biometric appointment.
Apply Separately
The form you need to fill in depends on whether your parent has leave to enter or remain in the UK on a 5- or 10-year route to settlement as the partner of a person with the scenarios discussed above.
- If they do, you must fill in the Appendix FM online form.
- If they do not, you must complete the online application form and the Appendix 1 paper form.
Apply From The UK
Preparing all necessary information and evidence to support your application is crucial when applying for a child visa in the UK. If you’re already in the UK, you must apply online.
To apply online, you must
- Collect all necessary documents, such as:
- Your passport or travel document.
- Your birth certificate or adoption papers.
- Your parent’s visa or residence permit.
- Documents showing your parent’s income, such as pay slips, bank statements, and employment contracts.
- Provide Accommodation Details. Proof of where you will live in the UK, such as a rental agreement or property ownership documents.
- Complete the form on the UK government’s visa application website. Ensure that all information is accurate and matches the supporting documents.
- Scan and upload digital copies of all required documents. Make sure they are clear and legible.
- Pay the required fee online. The amount varies depending on the type of visa and your circumstances. For a child dependent visa in the UK, the fee is £1846 if you are applying from outside the UK or being added as a dependent in the application. It is £1258 from within the UK.
- Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).
You can also check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa.
If You Cannot Pay the Fee
If you are unable to pay the fee for a child visa UK, you may be eligible to apply for a fee waiver.
Eligibility for a Fee Waiver
You can apply for a fee waiver if you meet any of the following conditions:
- Homelessness: You do not have a place to live and cannot afford one.
- Essential Living Costs: You have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs such as food, heating, or other necessities.
- Low Income: You have a meagre income, and paying the visa fee would harm your child’s well-being.
Applying for a Fee Waiver
To apply for a fee waiver, follow these steps:
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet one of the above-mentioned conditions.
- Complete the Fee Waiver Application: You must apply for the fee waiver online. This application is separate from the visa application but must be completed before you submit it.
- Provide Evidence: You must provide evidence to support your fee waiver application. This might include:
- Proof of homelessness or risk of homelessness.
- Evidence of your income and expenses, such as bank statements, pay slips, and bills.
- Any other documents demonstrating your financial situation and the impact of paying the visa fee on your child’s wellbeing.
Learning Fact
You can only apply for a visa fee waiver by completing the Appendix FM online form. This form is used for family visa applications, including those for children.
Processing Times for A Child Visa UK
The time it takes to get a decision on your child visa UK application depends on several factors, including whether you apply from outside or inside the UK and your parent’s immigration status. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Applying from Outside the UK
- Standard Processing Time: If you apply from outside the UK, you will usually receive a decision within 12 weeks of submitting your application.
- Priority Services: In some cases, you may be able to pay for a faster decision through priority or super-priority services. Depending on availability and location, these services can significantly reduce the processing time, often to within five working days or even 24 hours.
Applying from Inside the UK
- Standard Processing Time: If you apply from inside the UK, you will typically receive a decision within 8 weeks from the date you submit your application.
- Priority Services: Similar to applications from outside the UK, you may have the option to pay for priority services to expedite the decision-making process.
Special Cases: 10-Year Route to Settlement
- Extended Processing Time: If your parent has left to enter or remains in the UK on the 10-year route to settlement, it can take about 12 months to decide on your application. This longer processing time is due to the more complex nature of these cases.
- Decision Letters: Your parent’s decision letter will indicate whether they are on the 5-year or 10-year route to settlement. This information is crucial as it affects the processing time for your application.
Extending Your Family Visa as a Child
- Previous Decision Letter: If you are extending your family visa as a child, your previous decision letter will also specify which route you and your parent are on (5-year or 10-year). This helps determine the expected processing time for your extension application
Get Help to Apply Online
If you need assistance with completing the online visa application form, help is available if you:
- Do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device: Support is provided for those uncomfortable with digital devices.
- Do not have internet access: Assistance is available for applicants who lack internet access.
For personalised assistance, you can also contact Legend Consults. We offer expert guidance and support throughout the visa application process, ensuring you have all the help you need to complete your application successfully.
What is a Child Student Visa?
A Child Student visa allows children aged 4 to 17 to study at an independent school in the UK. This visa ensures that young students receive a quality education in the UK while properly cared for.
Eligibility Criteria for a Child Student Visa
To be eligible for a Child Student visa, applicants must meet several criteria:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be between 4 and 17 years old.
- School Admission: Must have an unconditional offer from an independent school in the UK.
- Financial Proof: Evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living costs.
- Parental Consent: Written consent from a parent or guardian is required.
Application Process for a Child Student Visa
The application process varies depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK:
From Outside the UK:
The earliest you can apply is up to 6 months before the course starts. Decisions are usually made within 3 weeks.
From Inside the UK:
You can apply up to 3 months before the course starts and before your current visa expires. Decisions typically take up to 8 weeks.
Duration of Stay on a Child Student Visa
The duration of stay depends on the age of the child:
- Under 16: Course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months.
- Aged 16 or 17: Course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months.
Costs Associated with a Child Student Visa
There are several costs associated with obtaining a Child Student visa:
- Application Fee: £490.
- Healthcare Surcharge: Additional fee based on the length of stay, calculated at £624 per year.
Work and Study Restrictions on a Child Student Visa
Visa holders have specific restrictions regarding work and study:
Work:
If 16 or over, they can work part-time during term (up to 10 hours per week) and full-time during vacations. They cannot take a full-time permanent job.
Public Funds: Cannot access public funds.
Additional Requirements for a Child Student Visa
There are additional requirements that must be met:
- Tuberculosis Test: This may be required depending on the country of residence.
- Accommodation and Care Arrangements: Proof of suitable arrangements for the child’s travel, reception, and care in the UK.
Important Considerations for Parents
Parents of children aged 4 to 11 can apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa to accompany their child. Switching to a Child Student visa from another visa category within the UK is possible, provided the current visa allows for switching.
Regardless of the route you choose, the application process for Greek citizenship generally involves the following steps:
- Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of residence, and financial statements. Ensure they are certified and translated if needed.
- Submit Application: Submit your application to the appropriate Greek authorities, either at a consulate, embassy, or local government office in Greece.
- Interview: You may be required to attend an interview to assess your eligibility and integration into Greek society.
- Decision: The authorities will review your application and decide. This process can take several months to a year.
- Oath of Allegiance: If your application is approved, you may need to take an oath of allegiance to Greece.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, applying for a child UK visa involves meeting specific eligibility criteria and providing necessary documentation, including proof of your parent’s income and residency status. Understanding your options, whether born in or outside the UK, is crucial for a successful application. Ensure you follow the outlined steps to facilitate your journey to reunite with your parent in the UK.
To join your parents in the United Kingdom, you may need to apply for a child visa UK. This depends on whether they have indefinite leave to remain or proof of permanent residence; then, a family visa might not be required. It’s crucial to assess your eligibility for settling in the UK.
This article will guide you through the process of applying for a child visa in the UK and explain what you need to do when completing your application. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
