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UK law is focused on keeping families together wherever possible, but the complexities of modern families mean this is not always straightforward. That is because the processes and rules involved can vary hugely depending on your circumstances. Navigating these rules can be tricky, which is why Latitude’s lawyers will be with you every step of the way.
We can help you to navigate the complexities of obtaining a child visa; UK authorities require you to provide supporting documentation to prove that you and your child meet the visa’s requirements. While you can apply for the child dependant visa yourself, this brings with it the risk of making costly and time-consuming mistakes. Our team is made up of immigration experts who will ensure you avoid the many pitfalls surrounding applying for immigration status.
Contact our child dependant visa (UK) experts for help applying on behalf of your child. Call our Manchester team on 0044 161 234 6800 or our London team on 0044 207 046 7185. Alternatively, fill out an online contact form and we will return your call at a time convenient for you.
Any child under 18 of parents who are relocating to the UK for a long-term purpose such as a work assignment, settled, travelling to the UK for the purpose of settlement, or one of whom is British, may apply for entry clearance in the child dependant category. 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. You will have to consider issues such as sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing, or whether their exclusion from the UK would be undesirable, and whether suitable arrangements have been made for their care.
UK visas that allow visa holders to bring their children with them include:
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.
It is important that you understand the Home Office’s requirements of your application for a dependant child visa: UK authorities will more easily accept your application if both of the child’s parents are travelling to the UK for the purpose of settlement. Latitude Law’s solicitors have broad experience of complex family cases, and can work out the best possible route for you and your children.
You are required to provide the following documentation when applying for a UK child visa:
If you are applying for your child as a single parent, you must also provide proof that you have parental responsibility for your child. Parental responsibility is the legal position that declares that you are the decision maker for the child and are responsible for their care.
You will have to provide evidence that your children will be financially supported without the use of public funds, and dependent children must not be married or living an independent life. For example, for a dependent spouse with one child joining a settled partner, household income of at least £22,400 plus £2,400 each for any additional children must be shown.
Your solicitor will help you to complete the relevant online form, which will differ depending on which visa route you are using. Following this, we will help you compile all of the necessary evidence required for the application, and pay the visa application fee. Once you have done this you may also be required to pay the following fees:
We will then upload the necessary documents to the Home Office portal and book an appointment at your nearest local visa application centre. Biometric information will be taken from all applicants over the age of four. For children aged five to 12, this is normally just a face scan.
Processing times vary according to the visa route you are using; priority services are not available for all visa types.
At Latitude Law, we know all too well how important it is for children and their parents to stay together. However, one of the most important parts of applying for any visa is having the support of a legal expert to make sure your application contains all the correct information and documentation.
Our immigration solicitors have vast experience in not only the child visa application process, but also administrative reviews and the appeals processes that may follow if an initial application is refused. That means you will be working with some of the best solicitors in the industry when you and your family are looking to relocate to the UK. Learn more about how we can help you after you have submitted your application with our UK visa application status services.
Latitude Law’s reputation in immigration law is second to none. That’s because we make sure we handle every case with as much care and attention as the next. Our in-depth knowledge of Home Office policy and the case law that guides the courts and tribunals in the UK make us one of the best choices for legal help when applying for a child dependant visa for the UK.
Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation with a specialist immigration solicitor. Call us on 0044 161 234 6800 for our Manchester office or 0044 207 046 7185 for our London office, or complete our online contact form and we will get back to you shortly.
Usually, both parents need to live in the UK. 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.
In theory, no. 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.
No, there is no requirement for a child to demonstrate an understanding of the English language.
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.
If you need help securing a visa to travel to the UK to join family settled here, the immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are here to help. We can help you through the application process and provide legal advice and guidance on complex matters, such as appeals.
There is a clear focus to keep family together under UK law. If your partner currently lives in the UK, you can apply for a Spouse Visa to join them.
If you need help securing a visa through the ancestral route, the immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are here to help. We can help you through the application process and provide legal advice and guidance on complex matters, such as appeals.
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All content on this page was reviewed by Latitude Law and is accurate as of 17/02/2023.