Child Dependant Visa UK | Bringing Your Child to the UK
A Child Dependant Visa allows the child of someone living in the UK on a qualifying visa to join or remain with them. It isn't a standalone visa category — children apply as dependants under the same route as their parent, whether that's Skilled Worker, Global Talent, a family (partner) visa, or another qualifying route. The eligibility rules are broadly consistent across routes, but the detail — financial thresholds, parental consent evidence, and which routes even permit dependants — varies significantly depending on which visa the sponsoring parent holds. We help families identify the correct route and avoid the parental consent issues that are the most common cause of refusal.
We assess the relevant route and family evidence before confirming whether we can assist with a straightforward child dependant application. Complex responsibility or welfare issues require specialist assessment
Who This Visa Is For
You may qualify for this visa category if you are:
Children of a parent already in the UK, or applying at the same time, on a route that permits dependants
Children of Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Senior/Specialist Worker, Scale-up, UK Ancestry, or postgraduate research Student visa holders
Children of a parent applying for, or holding, a Spouse, Partner or Fiancé Visa under the family route
Families where one parent is not travelling to the UK, requiring evidence of consent
Routes That Do Not Currently Permit New Dependants
It's important to check this before assuming eligibility. As things stand, new dependants generally cannot be added under:
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Health & Care Worker Visa holders sponsored as care workers or senior care workers (unless the worker has held that visa continuously since before 11 March 2024)
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Standard Visitor and other short-term visit routes
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Most Student Visa holders below PhD/research level, or on courses under 9 months
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Youth Mobility Scheme, Seasonal Worker, and other temporary worker routes
If you're unsure which category your family falls into, this is worth checking with us directly — the cut-off dates for transitional arrangements differ by route and are easy to get wrong.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a child dependant, the child must:
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Be under 18 at the time of application (in most cases — a child already in the UK as a dependant who turns 18 during their parent's visa period may, in some circumstances, be able to extend)
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Be the biological, legally adopted, or step-child of the sponsoring parent, with documentary evidence of the relationship
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Not be married, in a civil partnership, or leading an independent life
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Normally live with the sponsoring parent, other than where away at boarding school or university
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Be adequately accommodated and financially supported without recourse to public funds
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A child’s eligibility depends on the route under which the parent is applying or holds permission. Relevant requirements may concern both parents’ immigration position, sole responsibility, the child’s living arrangements and any permitted exception. Parental consent by itself does not establish that every immigration requirement is met.
How We Help — Our Process
Free Initial Consultation
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Consent & Relationship Evidence
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Financial & Accommodation Evidence
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Application Submission
Ongoing Support
Key Facts
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Visa length: normally matches the sponsoring parent's visa — where both parents hold visas with different expiry dates, the child's visa typically ends on the earlier date
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Immigration Health Surcharge: payable per child, per year of the visa, alongside the application fee
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Processing time: around 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK, or around 8 weeks for in-country applications on work routes; priority services may be available
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Work and study: children can attend UK state or independent schools; there are no work rights for children under 16, and standard part-time/holiday work rules apply from 16
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Settlement: children generally become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain alongside the sponsoring parent after 5 years of continuous residence, provided they still meet the dependant requirements at that point
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A dependant child’s eligibility for settlement depends on the applicable route and family circumstances. It should not be assumed that every child qualifies automatically after five years.