Calderwood House, Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham GL50 1UA
Our immigration solicitors can advise families applying for a child visa to join or remain with a parent in the UK. We can help with eligibility, family relationships, immigration status, financial and accommodation requirements, supporting evidence and the application process.
Child and Dependant Visa Advice
Arranging a child's move to the UK involves more than matching their application to a parent's visa. You may need to explain who cares for them now, obtain consent or coordinate travel with school and family commitments. Our immigration solicitors help parents understand the route that fits the child's age, nationality and circumstances. We check the whole family's position before recommending an application, including any possibility that the child already has British citizenship or could qualify for settlement.
We can prepare evidence about parentage, dependency and living arrangements, and address cases where one parent remains overseas or responsibility is disputed. Our legal advice also covers children applying separately, older dependants and children born in the UK. We explain the fees for each applicant and any further evidence needed, so the family can make informed plans. The application should give a clear, accurate account of the child's care and immigration position.
A child visa gives a qualifying child immigration permission linked to the relevant family or dependant route. Eligibility depends on the child’s circumstances and the parents’ status, rather than simply their intention to live together. We check nationality and settlement first, then assess the requirements for any limited permission needed.
A child may apply with a parent or separately to join a parent in the UK. The route differs according to the child's place of birth, age, current permission and the parent's status. A child born in the UK may need permission in line with a parent, while a child born overseas may need to meet additional family and care requirements.
Children under 18 must normally live with the parent unless away in full-time education and must not be married or living an independent life. A person aged 18 or over can sometimes continue as a dependant only where their family-route permission began before they turned 18 and dependency continues.
A child born in the UK is not automatically British in every case. The parents' status on the date of birth may give the child citizenship, a later registration entitlement or a need to apply for immigration permission.
Checking nationality and settlement options first can prevent a family from paying for a temporary visa that the child does not need.
The application becomes more complex when only one parent is in the UK, the other parent remains overseas, responsibility is shared or the child applies later than the main applicant. The Home Office may examine sole responsibility, serious and compelling circumstances and the proposed care arrangements.
Advice can also identify a better route. A child with a settled parent may qualify for settlement, a child born in the UK may have a registration entitlement, and a child connected to someone with protection status may fall under a different set of rules.
A refusal can arise when the child's route does not match the parent's permission, the child is no longer regarded as dependent or the Home Office is not satisfied with the proposed care arrangements. Cases involving only one parent can be particularly difficult if sole responsibility, consent from the other parent or serious and compelling reasons have not been established.
We review the application from the child's position and explain the family arrangements in a way that addresses both the immigration rule and the child's best interests.
We check the parents' immigration status, the child's birth and residence history, consent and responsibility, dependency and the proposed household. We can prepare the application, supporting evidence and a clear explanation of any separation or unusual care arrangement.
We also consider connected applications for the parent and siblings so dates and evidence remain consistent. Where nationality may be available, we can assess British citizenship registration instead of assuming a visa is required.
We examine the whole family position before choosing the route. This can prevent a child from being placed in a temporary category when settlement or citizenship should first be considered.
At 15 September 2026, a family-route application generally costs £2,064 outside the UK or £1,407 inside the UK for each child. The reduced Immigration Health Surcharge for an applicant under 18 is £776 per year, calculated against the length of permission. Some routes and settlement applications are charged differently.
Certified translations, DNA testing from an approved laboratory in a disputed relationship case, priority services and legal advice may add to the total. A fee waiver can be available for specified family and human-rights applications. Our fee depends on the number of children and the complexity of the parental evidence.
Child Visa FAQs
Answers about eligibility, parental responsibility, older children, fees and alternative routes.
Yes, in some circumstances. The parent’s status, the child’s age and the relevant dependant rules still apply. We coordinate the evidence with the parent’s earlier application and explain any change in care arrangements or reason for applying later.
The application may need to show sole responsibility or serious and compelling circumstances where the route requires them, alongside any relevant consent for the child to join that parent. Consent to travel is not necessarily proof of sole responsibility. Evidence about who makes decisions on education, healthcare and daily upbringing helps us assess the appropriate legal test.
An older child may continue on a family route if their permission began before 18 and they have not formed an independent life. New applications by adult children are more restricted. Continuing permission for an existing dependant is different from a first application by an adult child. The route and grant history matter, along with evidence that the person has not formed an independent family unit.
A child born in the UK is not automatically British in every case. They may need immigration permission in line with a parent or may qualify for citizenship or settlement. The answer should be checked before overseas travel or a visa fee is paid. Birth certificates and both parents’ status on the birth date can establish if citizenship arose automatically or if another application is needed.
Birth and adoption records are common evidence. Where records are unavailable or disputed, further evidence and a detailed explanation may be required. Where names, dates or records differ, provide an accurate explanation and any lawful corrections. Documents about responsibility and care may still be needed even when the biological relationship is not disputed.
DNA evidence is voluntary but may help in a disputed relationship case. Any test relied upon should use a laboratory meeting Home Office standards. If considered, we explain the appropriate testing standards and alternatives. A biological link alone does not prove sole responsibility or satisfy every visa condition.
Each child generally pays an application fee and, for limited permission, a reduced child health surcharge. Translation, testing, priority and legal fees can also arise. The child’s route and proposed grant determine the total. A settlement or nationality application has different charges from limited permission; we check those options before assuming the ordinary family visa fee and IHS apply.
A waiver can be available for eligible family or human-rights applications where the required financial test is met, including cases where payment would harm a child's wellbeing. The waiver route and supporting household finances need assessment. It does not waive the underlying immigration criteria, and a child’s citizenship fee waiver is a separate scheme with its own requirements.
It can, but the timing often follows the parent's route. Some children may qualify for settlement immediately while others receive permission linked to a parent. We assess both parents’ status and the child’s grant history rather than assume all children follow one timetable.
Do not assume a pending application gives permission to enter. We check nationality, existing permission and the entry requirements before travel arrangements are made. Travelling as a visitor does not establish a right to remain as a dependant, and plans should account for the child’s care, school and application requirements.
Arrange a telephone call or visit our Cheltenham office by appointment. We will discuss your circumstances, any deadline and the legal work required, then explain the scope and fees before proceeding.
Call 0330 900 0377, email info@pembridgesolicitors.co.uk or request a consultation.
We assist clients in Cheltenham and the surrounding Gloucestershire area, including applications involving family members or applicants overseas.
Pembridge Solicitors
Calderwood House, Montpellier Parade
Cheltenham GL50 1UA
Office visits by appointment.
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