A UK Child Visa under Appendix FM allows children to join their parents in the UK under the family migration route. This visa is designed for children who are under the age of 18 and are either the biological child, adopted child, or child of a partner (in certain circumstances). To apply, the child must meet the relationship and eligibility requirements outlined in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, which includes proving the parent’s settled or sponsoring status in the UK. Additionally, the applicant must satisfy financial, accommodation, and English language requirements, as well as provide the necessary documents, such as birth certificates and proof of parental relationship. 

Requirements for a UK Child Visa

The key requirements for a UK Child Visa are: 

• Your child must be under the age of 18 at the time of applying 
• They must not have formed an independent life – for example they must not be living away from home or have a long term partner 
• One of the child’s parents must be in the UK, or applying at the same time, as a partner or parent under Appendix FM. 
• The other parent must either be the partner of the sponsored parent, or the sponsored parent must have sole responsibility for the child, unless there are exceptional circumstances 
• You must be able to show, as the child’s parent, that you meet the financial requirement. This is often the hardest aspect of the UK Child visa application. You must be able to meet the financial requirement of an income of at least £29,000 or savings of £88,500. There are multiple ways in which this can be met, for example by using your sponsors income, or income from self-employment. 
•  If the financial requirement is not met, then you would need to show that it is in your child’s best interests for them to be in the UK. This can often lead to a complex application under Human Rights grounds.   

The application process can be complex, and meeting all the eligibility criteria is crucial for a successful outcome. It is advisable to seek professional advice to navigate the specific details of the requirements under Appendix FM. 

FAQs

What documents are required for a child visa application? 

You will need to provide: 

• The child’s birth certificate. If you don’t have a copy you can get one here: gov.uk
• Proof of the parent’s immigration status in the UK (e.g., British passport, residence card, or visa). 
• Financial documents proving the parent’s ability to support the child. 
• Proof of accommodation that is adequate for the child. 
• Parental consent if applicable (for example, if one parent is not involved in the application). 

Can a child apply for a visa without both parents being in the UK? 

Yes, a child can apply if only one parent is in the UK. However, the non-applying parent must provide consent for the child’s immigration to the UK, and the child’s relationship with the applying parent must be clearly documented. It will also be necessary to show sole responsibility of the child, and that moving to the UK is in their best interests. 

What happens if my child’s visa is refused? 

Applications can be refused for a number of reasons, including not providing sufficient evidence or not meeting the requirements in full. If you find that your application has been refused, you may be able to appeal this. There are relatively short timeframes for you to be able to appeal the decision, and if you are in the UK you must make sure you either appeal or submit a new application within 14 days of the refusal, otherwise you will be an overstayer, which can have severe implications on your ability to remain in the UK.