Parent visa
For parents who want to live in the UK and take an active part in their child's upbringing.
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From £1,500 legal fee
Fixed legal fee for an application made from outside the UK (no VAT). From inside the UK: £1,800 including VAT. Home Office fees are extra.
The main requirements at a glance
Your child
Under 18 (or under 18 when you were first given permission), living in the UK, and British, Irish, settled or with another status GOV.UK accepts.
Parental responsibility
Sole or shared. If shared, the other parent is not your partner; if the child lives with them, you have agreed or court-ordered access.
An active role
Evidence less than 4 years old, from a school, doctor, court or the government, that you take part in your child's upbringing.
English and money
A good knowledge of English, and you can support yourself and anyone living with you without claiming public funds.
Who this may be for
- Parents of a child under 18 who lives in the UK and is British, Irish, settled or holds another status GOV.UK accepts.
- Parents with sole or shared parental responsibility, or access to the child agreed with the other parent or by a court.
- Parents whose child's other parent is not their partner.
If you could apply as a partner instead, GOV.UK says you must do that rather than apply as a parent.
The financial requirement
There is no set income figure for parents. The caseworker looks at your income and housing costs to check you can support yourself, and any children or dependants who live with you, without claiming public funds.
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When different rules apply
- If you are extending and do not meet the English and financial requirements, you may still be able to stay where your child is British or Irish, or has lived in the UK for 7 years, and it would be unreasonable for them to leave.
What is usually looked at
- Your child's status
- Your child's age, where they live and their status in the UK.
- Parental responsibility
- Whether you have sole or shared responsibility, and any access arrangements or court orders.
- Your role
- Evidence from schools, doctors, courts or the council that you take an active role in your child's life.
- English and finances
- Your knowledge of English, and that you can support yourself without public funds.
What the application usually asks for
A general list from GOV.UK, not a checklist for your case. Bright & Day can review your documents and tell you what your application needs.
Your role in your child's life
- A letter from the school confirming you take your child to school or go to parents' evenings
- A letter from the child's doctor, dentist or health visitor confirming you take them to appointments
- A council letter to your address confirming your child's school
- Court order paperwork, with written proof the court has given permission to use it
Weaker evidence
- A parental agreement drafted by a solicitor, or HMRC or social services letters: accepted, but an application relying on them is less likely to succeed
- Cards, photos and messages are not considered strong evidence
You and your history
- Current passport, and the photo page and stamps of previous passports
- Details of previous immigration applications and any criminal convictions
- Tuberculosis test results, if you live in a country where the test is required
English, money and translations
- An English test result or other accepted evidence, or proof of an exemption
- Evidence of your income and housing costs
- Certified translations of any document not in English or Welsh
The application, in general terms
This information is general and is not legal advice. Whether a route is open to you depends on your personal circumstances and the rules at the time you apply.
Check the route
Confirm the parent route fits and that the partner route doesn't apply.
Gather evidence
Collect official evidence of your role, and court permission if you use court papers.
Apply
Apply online; from outside the UK an extra form about access to the child is also needed.
Biometrics and decision
Attend a biometrics appointment and wait for the decision.
How Bright & Day can help
Tell Bright & Day's team a little about your situation. The first form only asks for the basics.
Discuss your case- Look at your circumstances and advise which application, if any, fits best, including other routes worth considering.
- Explain the requirements of the Immigration Rules that apply to you, and where your case may need more support.
- Review the evidence you have, give feedback on your documents and help you identify what else may be needed.
- Prepare and submit the application with its documents, if you instruct the firm to do so.
- Explain the possible outcomes and the steps that may follow.
Official GOV.UK guidance
- Apply as a parent · GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Information and evidence you must provide · GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed:
This information is general and is not legal advice. Whether a route is open to you depends on your personal circumstances and the rules at the time you apply.