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Parent of a British or Settled Child Visa
VisasUnited KingdomParent of a British or Settled Child Visa
United KingdomUnited Kingdom•Europe
Open

Parent of a British or Settled Child Visa

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

2-3 months

Application Fee

9,163.5 GBP

Stay Duration

33 months

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Allowed

Apply Now Official Information
United Kingdom flag

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living
2% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary£31,200
Quality of Life
176/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

This visa is designed for a parent who has sole or shared parental responsibility for a child who is a British citizen, settled in the UK, or has lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years. It is a family/immigrant route that leads to permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

The UK's Appendix FM Parent visa lets a parent live in the UK to care for a British citizen, settled, or long-resident child under 18. The parent must have sole or shared parental responsibility and meet an adequate maintenance requirement.

Initial leave is 33 months (outside UK) or 30 months (inside UK), renewable in 30-month increments. Full work rights apply. After 5 or 10 years on the route, the parent may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Total upfront costs are around £5,169 outside the UK, including the Immigration Health Surcharge.

This visa is ideal for parents outside the UK with an active role in their child's life who want a clear pathway to permanent UK residence.

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee (Outside UK)
2,064 GBP
Application Fee (Inside UK)
1,407 GBP
IHS (Outside UK - 3 years)
3,105 GBP
IHS (Inside UK - 2.5 years)
2,587.5 GBP

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant2.7 years
Extension increments2.5 years

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must be at least 18 years old.

Child must be under 18 (or over 18 if they were under 18 when the parent first entered the route and do not live an independent life).

Child must be a British/Irish citizen, settled in the UK, or have lived in the UK continuously for 7 years.

Must have sole or shared parental responsibility.

Must meet 'adequate maintenance' financial requirement.

Must have adequate accommodation.

English language proficiency (CEFR A1 initial, A2 extension, B1 settlement).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document

Child's birth certificate

Proof of child's status

Evidence of parental responsibility

Evidence of active involvement in child's life

Financial evidence (bank statements, payslips)

Proof of adequate accommodation

English language test certificate

Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate (if applicable)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Full work rights
  • Leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain
  • No job offer required

Worth Knowing

  • Strict relationship rules regarding the other parent
  • Financial requirement based on adequate maintenance
  • High upfront costs including IHS
  • Other parent is the applicant's partner (must apply under Partner route instead)
  • Failure to meet adequate maintenance test
  • Child living an independent life

Application Process

1

Verify eligibility and gather documents

2

Complete online application

3

Pay application fee and IHS

4

Book and attend biometric appointment

5

Upload supporting documents

6

Wait for decision

Application Forms

Go to application portal
Parent Visa Application
Online Parent Visa Application
Fill online

Verified Claims (20)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application StepsVerify eligibility and gather documents; Complete online application; Pay application fee and IHS; B…gov.uk
Dependent VisaOther dependent children under 18 can accompany the parent.gov.uk
Fee BreakdownApplication Fee (Outside UK): 2064 GBP; Application Fee (Inside UK): 1407 GBP; IHS (Outside UK - 3 y…gov.uk
Fees£5,169 (Outside UK) or £3,994.50 (Inside UK)gov.uk
FormsParent Visa Application (Outside UK); Parent Visa Application (Inside UK)gov.uk
Forms · 0 · descriptionOnline Parent Visa Applicationgov.uk
Job Offer Requiredfalsegov.uk
Application Portalhttps://www.gov.uk/parent-visa/applygov.uk

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