If you want your dependent child aged under the age of 18 to join you in the UK, you can do so by bringing them to the UK under the UK dependent child visa route. The child you want to bring to the UK must be dependent on you and you must be able to support them while they are in the UK.

Dependent child/children can apply under the following circumstances:

• If at least one of the child’s parents is settled or applying for settlement in the UK, the child may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE).
• If at least one of the child’s parents has or is applying for, permission to stay in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or settled person, the child may be eligible to apply for permission to stay in line with their parent.
• If at least one of the child’s parents is on a temporary visa such as a skilled worker, innovator visa, etc. different rules apply depending on the type of visa they are holding.

Dependent children are usually granted leave to enter or remain for the same period their parent(s) have been granted. Also in cases where the parent is British citizen or holds Indefinite Leave to Remain the children can be granted Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK.
They can also be eligible to apply for an extension for their visa along with their parent’s extension applications.
Once the child has completed 5 years in the UK, they may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). To be eligible for permanent residence, the child needs to remain living with the sponsoring parent.

Eligibility Requirements for UK Dependent Child Visa Route

A child or children applying for a UK child-dependent visa need to meet the following requirements:

• They must be under 18 and not married or in a civil partnership;
• They must not be leading an independent life;
• They must prove their relationship with their parent(s);
• At least one of their parents must be in the UK or one parent be in the UK while another parent is applying for leave as a partner or parent, and;
• the child’s parent’s partner is also the child’s parent; or
• the child’s parent has sole responsibility; or
• There are serious and compelling family or other considerations that make the child’s life difficult in their country if they are not allowed to join their parent(s) and suitable arrangements have been made for the child’s care.
• They meet the financial requirements; and
• They meet the adequate accommodation requirement for the family.

How to meet the financial requirement

If you are applying under the family visa route, the sponsoring parent(s) must show evidence of earning £29,000 per annum minimum income requirement. If you are in the UK or are applying to enter the UK under long-term visa categories such as a Skilled Worker visa and you want to bring your dependent children to the UK must show evidence of sufficient support funds. This is £315 for the first child and £200
per child subsequently. This money must have been held for at least 31 days before applying, unless maintenance is certified.

Documents Required

The documents required include but are not limited to the following:

• The child’s passport or other valid travel document
• Child’s birth certificate
• Evidence of relationship between the child and the parent(s) (e.g. photos, messages, emails, correspondence) if necessary
• Proof of sole parental responsibility, if applicable
• Evidence of meeting the financial requirements such as pay slips, bank statements, or a P60
• Proof of suitable accommodation such as tenancy or mortgage documents proving exclusive occupancy
• The parents’ date of birth and nationality if applying from outside the UK
• Tuberculosis test results if from a country where it is necessary to take the test
• A certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh

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If you need assistance with your child’s application, please contact one of our lawyers at Visa and Migration by calling 02034111261 for fast, affordable and correct advise.

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