Parent-child student visa

The parent-child student visa is a short-stay UK visa that allows one parent to accompany their child to the UK. The child must be aged between 4 and 11 and studying at an independent school in the UK on a British student visa.

What is a Parent of a Child Student Visa?

The Parent of a Child student visa will allow a parent to come or stay in the UK to look after their child (ren) where the child is studying at a fee-paying independent school on a child student visa.

Requirements for a parent of a child student visa

To qualify for a parent-of-child student visa, you will need to meet UK Visas & Immigration requirements that:

• You are at least 18 years old;
• You are the parent of a child who has, or is simultaneously requesting, entry clearance or residence permit as a minor student;
• The under-18 student’s other parent is not in the UK and is not seeking to come to the UK;
• The Child Student is aged between 4 and 11 years and has, or is simultaneously requesting, entry clearance or a residence permit, as a Child Student;
• You intend to live with your student child during your stay in the UK;
• You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
• You do not intend to make the UK your principal residence and you have sufficient funds to maintain your principal residence outside the UK;

The exact requirements you will need to meet will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Financial requirements for a parent of a child’s student visa

Subject to the exceptions below, you will need £1,560 for each month of your intended stay in the UK up to a maximum of 9 months, plus £625 for each month of your intended stay up to a maximum of 9 months for any child other than minor student who will be under your care in the UK.

You will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days up to no more than 31 days before the date of your child’s student visa application.

If you are applying for leave to remain and have been in the UK on leave for more than 12 months, then you will be considered able to meet the financial requirements for the parent-of-a-child student visa and will not need to show funds.

If you and your child student are applying for entry clearance or leave to remain in circumstances where you have both lived in the UK for less than 12 months, then you will meet the financial requirements if the child student meets the applicable financial requirements to their application.

Moving to the Parent path of a child student

If you currently have valid permission to remain in the UK, you can apply to change to the Parent of a Student Child route provided you do not have, or have not been last granted, permission to remain as a visitor, student or short-term or external immigration rules.

Length of stay on a student visa for a parent of a child

If your application for a parent-of-child student visa is successful, you will be granted leave that expires at the same time as that of the student child you will be caring for, or on their 12th birthday, whichever comes first .

Can both parents travel to the UK?

Only one parent can travel to the UK on a parent-of-child student visa, even if multiple children attend school. The other parent may come in as a visitor for short visits or would need to apply under a different category of immigration rules.

• Working for a student visa parent of a child
• Student visa holders who are parents of a child are not permitted to work in the UK.
• Studying on a student visa as a parent of a child
• Student visa holders who are parents of a child are not permitted to study in the UK.

How our immigration lawyers can help

Our team of immigration lawyers are experienced in assisting with all types of student visas for parents of children.

Our lawyers are experts in immigration options for parents of student children and will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We pride ourselves on being helpful and proactive in understanding and meeting our customers’ needs. We are a highly motivated team, committed to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to parents of student children as part of a professional and friendly service.

What are the conditions for the parent of a child student visa?

To be eligible for a student visa as a parent of a child, you must meet the following requirements:

• Your child is under 12 years old.
• Your child is applying as a child student.
• The other parent is not in the UK and is not looking to go.
• Maintain a second home outside the UK.
• You do not intend to work or study during your stay.
• You intend to live with the student child during your stay.
• You intend to leave the UK after the expiry date of your visa.
• You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.
• Do you have enough money for your return or onward journey.

How to apply for a student visa for the parent of a child?

When applying for a student visa for a parent of a child, you must complete the following steps:

• Complete the online application form
• As long as you meet the visa requirements, you can start your application online. You can return to it any time you want to add or remove information.
• Complete the document checklist
• At the time of application it is necessary to present some documents. The documents required are:
• A valid passport or other valid travel document.
• Proof that you have a permanent home in your country.
• Your tuberculosis test results, if you are from a country where you need to take a tuberculosis test.
• Proof of financial means.
• A formal letter of employment. Issued by your employer in your home country and containing information about your working period, salary, job position and company contact.

If you are self-employed, you need documents proving that you are an entrepreneur.

An employment letter confirming that you can leave your job and travel to the UK.

Evidence of financial commitment from third parties (if applicable). This applies when a UK resident covers maintenance costs and he/she is a relative, friend or businessperson. Documents you can use include:

• Third-party bank statements.
• Letter of appointment from the third party’s employer.
• Proof of income if the third party is self-employed.

A letter from your school if you are a student. The letter must indicate that you are a full-time student at the institution and that you have been granted leave of absence.

Proof of kinship to the child on a child student visa. You can present his birth certificate.

Note: Depending on your circumstances, you may require additional documents and certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. The full list of documents will be provided to you during the online application process.