Partner Visa
Whether you’re looking to apply for the first time or aiming to renew your partner visa, Latitude Law is well placed to help you secure the right to live with your family member in the UK.
UK law is focused on keeping families together wherever possible, but the complexities of modern families means that this is not always straightforward. To summarise this route, any child under the age 18 whose parents are relocating to the UK for a long-term purpose such as a work assignment, travelling to the UK for the purposes of settlement or one of whom is British, may apply for entry clearance in the child dependant category. UK authorities will require you to provide various supporting documents to prove that you and your child meet the visa requirements.
UK visas that allow visa holders to bring their children with them include:
A child whose parent has been granted, or is applying for, one of the above visas may also apply for UK entry clearance as their dependent. Having your child aged under 18 accompany or join you when you relocate to the UK is simple enough when both parents are together. If natural parents are separated, however, expert legal advice is essential as you will have to consider issues such as sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing and whether suitable arrangements have been made for their care.
Navigating the UK’s Immigration Rules can be tricky, which is why Latitude’s lawyers will be with you every step of the way. The processes and rules involved in this visa can vary significantly according to your personal circumstances. For example, if your child’s natural parents are separated, legal advice will be key in making an application. While you can apply for the child dependant visa yourself, this brings with it the risk of making costly and time-consuming mistakes. You should obtain specialist advice if you have adopted a child, or you have entered into a surrogacy arrangement abroad. Our expert solicitors will help you work all this out in your application process.
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Latitude Law has significant experience of preparing a a wide range of successful Child Dependent Visa applications. We have assisted clients with tackling some of the most complex family circumstances and proving that they meet the rules in spite of these.
Thanks to our extensive knowledge of immigration rules, we are able to provide pragmatic advice and meet our clients’ needs. Working with a law firm can be a big decision, which is why we ensure that our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We are a highly driven team that is dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice.
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As the requirements for a child dependant visa are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that the conditions of your children dependant visa are compliant with the very latest immigration rules.
Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.
Usually, both parents need to live in the UK for their child to secure a dependant visa. However, only one parent needs to be in the UK if they have sole responsibility for the child or there are compelling reasons why the child should be granted a visa. Ultimately, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) aims to make decisions in the best interests of the child, which may include granting a child dependant visa even if only one parent lives in the UK, under particular circumstances.
It can be complicated to secure a dependent child visa in the UK, especially because eligibility criteria may change depending on the specific circumstances. Speak to Latitude Law for advice on making a UK dependant visa application, as our support can help you to gain the best possible result.
In theory, you do not need settled status or indefinite leave to remain in order for your child to be granted permanent residence. The Secretary of State can exercise discretion and register your child as a British citizen if it is considered appropriate, having regard to published Home Office guidance. Practically, you must show that your child’s future is in the UK.
Unlike for certain visa applications for adults, there is no requirement for a child to demonstrate an understanding of the English language in order to secure a visa.
Home Office service standards differ depending on the type of visa applied for. Our legal team can advise you of current waiting times for both standard and – where available – priority processing in your chosen visa category.
If your child’s visa is refused, you may be entitled to pursue an administrative review or an appeal. You will normally be told your options with your refusal decision. Note that both these options are currently taking many months to resolve – in the case of administrative review, often more than a year. It may therefore be better to simply re-apply.
A step-child can be eligible for a child dependant visa, but you may be required to provide additional supporting documents in your application. These include:
If your application does not make these points fully clear, the Home Office will want to investigate the situation further until they are satisfied that it is in the family’s best interests for the child to acquire a visa and move to the UK.
For a child to be eligible for a child dependant visa, they must be considered a dependant of the main parent who is making the application. This means the child must be under the age of 18, unmarried and not leading an independent life outside the UK.
If you are concerned about your child's ability to secure a UK visa, speak to the team at Latitude Law. We can advise you on whether or not the child is considered a dependant of the main applicant under UK law and their eligibility for this type of visa - if they are not eligible, we can also discuss other visa routes that may be more suitable for their needs.
There are several types of documentation you may need to supply as part of your application form. The exact evidence you need to supply will depend on your country of origin, and you may be asked for other types of evidence at the discretion of UKVI. The most common types of documentation are a passport, and proof of the child's relationship to the main applicant. You may need to include the results of a tuberculosis test, depending on the country your child lives in. If asked, you must provide evidence that the child will have suitable accommodation in the UK and that you meet any relevant eligibility requirements to sponsor them.
The current visa fee for dependants is £1,846 if you apply from outside the UK, or £1,048 if you apply from within the UK or switch from another visa route. However, these are regularly subject to change and it is vital to check official guidance from the UK government to confirm that this is correct.
A child dependant can study at any level of education in the UK provided they are under the age of 18. A dependant family member who is over 18 or who wants to work may be able to do so but restrictions will apply. To attend university, they may need to apply for a Student visa in their own right. They will be treated as international students for the purposes of university fees, unless they are settled in the UK and can demonstrate three years’ residence.
It is important to note that the child must always comply with the specific conditions of their visa and should not engage in any work or activities that are not allowed under their visa category. The child's sponsor (usually their parent or legal guardian) is responsible for ensuring that the child complies with all visa requirements. If the child wishes to pursue higher education in the UK or engage in full-time work as an adult, they will need to transition to the appropriate visa category. Speak to the team at Latitude Law for advice on visa category restrictions and choosing the right visa route for your needs.
Whether you’re looking to apply for the first time or aiming to renew your partner visa, Latitude Law is well placed to help you secure the right to live with your family member in the UK.
If you need help getting a visa to visit family in the UK, our immigration lawyers can guide you through the process and provide legal guidance in complex cases, particularly where you have faced past refusals.
The UK government believes that family should stay together wherever possible, which is why they offer visas for family members of British citizens or migrants who are settled in the UK. The immigration solicitors at Latitude Law can guide you through the application process and provide legal advice on complex matters, such as past refusals and appeals.
