UK Immigration
Parent Visa

Parent of a British Child Visa Applications – Immigration Solicitors Manchester

The UK Parent Visa allows a parent to come to or remain in the United Kingdom in order to care for and maintain a relationship with their child who is living in the UK.

This immigration route is intended for parents who cannot apply under the spouse or partner visa categories but who have a child in the UK who is a British citizen, settled person, or has qualifying immigration status.

At TM Fortis Solicitors, our experienced immigration solicitors provide expert legal advice to parents seeking to apply under the Parent Visa route. We understand that immigration applications involving children can be both complex and emotionally challenging, and we guide our clients through each stage of the application process.

What Is the UK Parent Visa?

The Parent Visa allows eligible parents to live in the UK so that they can play an active role in the upbringing of their child.

This visa ensures that parents are not separated from their children where there is a genuine parental relationship and the child lives in the United Kingdom.

The Parent Visa route is typically used where:

The parent is not eligible for a partner or spouse visa, and
The parent has parental responsibility or regular involvement in the child’s life

Parent Visa Requirements

To qualify for a Parent Visa, applicants must meet several eligibility requirements under the UK Immigration Rules.

The child must:

Be under the age of 18 at the time of application, or have been under 18 when the parent was first granted permission under the Parent route
Live in the United Kingdom, unless temporarily away for full-time education
Be a British citizen, Irish citizen, or settled in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain
Alternatively hold qualifying status under the EU Settlement Scheme

If the child has Pre-Settled Status and began living in the UK before 31 December 2020, the parent may also be eligible to apply under this route.

Parental Responsibility Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate that they have a genuine and subsisting parental relationship with their child.

The parent must also show that they:

Have sole parental responsibility, or
Share parental responsibility with another parent who is British, Irish, settled in the UK, or has qualifying EU status

If the child primarily lives with another person, the applicant must demonstrate that they have access rights or regular involvement in the child’s life.

Evidence of the parental relationship is an important part of the application.

Financial and English Language Requirements

Unlike the Spouse Visa route, the Parent Visa does not have a fixed minimum income threshold.

However, applicants must demonstrate that they:

Can financially support themselves and any dependants without relying on public funds
Have adequate accommodation in the UK
Meet the English language requirement

Applicants must normally demonstrate a basic level of English language ability through an approved test or qualifying educational qualification.

Length of the Parent Visa

Successful applicants are granted permission to remain in the UK for a limited period.

Typically, the Parent Visa is granted for:

2 years and 9 months if applying from outside the UK
2 years and 6 months if applying from within the UK

Before the visa expires, applicants may apply for an extension of 2 years and 6 months.

Settlement After the Parent Visa

After completing five years of continuous residence in the UK under the Parent Visa route, applicants may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

To qualify for settlement, applicants must normally demonstrate that they: