UK Child Dependent Visas - Bringing Your Child To The UK

Home / IBB Private Client / Child Dependent Visas

UK Child Dependent Visas - Bringing Your Child To The UK

If you have a child whom you would like to bring to the UK, you may be able to apply for a Child Dependent visa. As a parent, if you have a visa that gives you permission to live in the UK, or you will be applying for a visa, you can make an application for your dependent child to come to the UK.

If you have a visa to stay in the UK and your child was born in the UK, they will be entitled to the same permission as that held by you as their parent. A separate application can be made on behalf of your child or they can be added to your next visa application as your dependant.

At IBB Law, our specialist family immigration lawyers have extensive experience in obtaining visas for children to accompany their parents to the UK. We will advise on the best immigration route and complete your child’s visa application on their behalf. This ensures all UK dependant visa requirements are fulfilled, giving you the best possible chance of success.

As well as in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of immigration law and the application process, we are known for providing an excellent standard of personal service. We will ensure that you understand the visa route you and your child will be taking and answer any questions you may have along the way.

We represent clients from around the world, obtaining visas that allow them to live, work and study in the UK, bringing their families with them.

If you would like to check whether a UK Child Dependent visa is the right option for your family, please give us a ring. We also deal with all other types of UK visas and work visas.

Meet the team

Complete support for UK Child Dependent visa applications

Our immigration team provides a full visa service, including the following:

  • Checking your child’s eligibility for a visa and advising on the correct application process
  • Making a visa application on behalf of your child
  • Compiling the correct documents to accompany your child’s visa application
  • Dealing with a child visa rejection or refusal
  • Renewing a UK Child visa

For more information regarding our UK visa services, see Immigration Services for Individuals.

Why choose IBB Law for help with applying for a UK Child Dependent visa?

At IBB Law, our UK Visa immigration experts can offer you:

  • In-depth knowledge of UK Immigration laws, policies and procedures.
  • Hands on support from experts who keep up-to-date with developments in the law so that you always receive practical and accurate advice.
  • A cost-effective and timely service with great attention to detail.
  • Independently accredited immigration expertise with our team being ranked by leading client guide the Legal 500 for Immigration Law.

Looking for immediate help with a UK Child Dependent visa application?

If you would like assistance when applying for a UK Child Dependent visa, our highly experienced immigration team will be happy to hear from you.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

How to apply for a UK Child Dependent visa for the UK

Set out below is guidance in respect of the following key areas in obtaining a Child Dependant visa UK:

Making a UK Child Dependent visa application

If you have a valid UK visa, or limited leave to remain, you can apply for a family visa for your dependent child to join you. If your child is aged under 18, they can be added to your visa application or a separate application can be made on their behalf.

A child who is over 18 can be included on their parent’s visa application if they were born in the UK and do not live an independent life, or if they were granted permission to stay in the UK on a family visa before they turned 18.

If your child is married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life, they will generally not be entitled to apply as a dependent child unless there are serious reasons why they should be allowed and plans for their care have been made.

UK Child Dependent visa refusals and rejections

If your dependent child has had their visa application refused or rejected, we can advise you of the best course of action. It may be the case that the application was not completed correctly or the right documents were not included in support.

We will let you know whether it will be possible to reapply. In some circumstances, it may be possible to ask for an administrative review of a decision or, where UK Visas and Immigration’s decision was unreasonable or not in accordance with the law, a judicial review.

Renewing a UK Child Dependent visa

You can apply to extend or renew your child’s visa at any time before it expires. Up to 28 days can be carried forward to a new visa if it remains on the old visa.

Alternatives to a UK Child Dependent visa

Depending on your circumstances, the following alternatives to a UK Child Dependent visa may be available:

Standard Visitor visa – where your child will be staying in the UK for less than six months

UK Student visa or Child Student visa – an option for those coming to the UK to study who do not qualify for a Family visa

UK Child Dependent visa fees

It costs £1,523 for each UK Child Dependent visa application that is made from outside the UK. If the application is made from within the UK, the cost is £1,033 each.

Where the child is an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative, the cost is £3,250 from outside of the UK and £1,033 from within the UK.

You will also need to pay for the healthcare surcharge. This is £470 per year for visa and immigration applicants who are under 18 at the time they apply.

What rights does a UK Child Dependent visa give you?

A UK Child Dependent visa gives your child the right to live and study in the UK.

UK Child Dependent visa requirements

You will need to supply the following information for your child’s visa:

  • Full name and date of birth
  • Valid passport or other travel identification document
  • Copies of the photo page and visa or entry stamps in any previous passport
  • Biometric identity information
  • Details of any previous visa applications
  • National insurance number if they have one
  • Tuberculosis test results if they are coming from an affected country
  • Details of who the child normally lives with
  • Details of any criminal record
  • Information regarding any other individuals who have parental responsibility for the child
  • How you are involved in their daily life
  • Whether a court has granted you access to the child
  • Details of the child’s extended family
  • Any other countries your child has visited or lived in

You will also need to provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Supporting documents for a UK Child Dependent visa application

You will need to provide documentary evidence of the above. We can advise you as to which documents or copy documents to provide to ensure that your application is as robust as it can be.

Often visa applications are turned down because insufficient supporting evidence is provided. We will work with you to ensure that you cover every point and have all the evidence that you need.

How long does it take to get a UK Child Dependent visa?

UK Visas and Immigration aim to provide a decision within twelve weeks of receiving biometric identity information for applications made outside of the UK. If the application is made from within the UK, they aim to reply within eight weeks.

It may be possible to request a faster processing time by paying an additional fee.

Do you need a UK Visa for the child of a British citizen?

If one of your child’s parents was a British citizen at the time of their birth, your child will also be a British citizen provided that, if the British parent is the father, he was married to the child’s mother at the time of the birth.

If you had the right to live permanently in the UK at the time your child was born, your child will automatically receive British citizenship.

If you received settled status after your child was born, they will be a British citizen if you were eligible for settled status on 30 June 2021 and they were born after 3 June 2021.

The rights of children whose parents are living, or applying to live, in the UK are not always straightforward. We can advise you as to whether you need to apply for a child settlement visa UK and what other choices may be available to them in the future if they wish to stay or settle in the UK.

Get immediate expert advice on applying for a UK Child Dependent visa – bringing your child to the UK

If you need expert advice and support with a UK Child Dependent visa application, our highly experienced immigration team will be happy to assist.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading immigration solicitors, you can call us on  03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk

close