Family visa — parent of a child in the UK

If you’re eligible to apply as a partner , you must do that instead of applying as a parent. Your child must either: be under 18 on the date you apply have been under 18 when you were first granted leave Your child must: live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university not be married or in a civil partnership

You need to have sole or shared parental responsibility for your child.

Your child must be living in the UK. One of the following must also be true: they’re a British or Irish citizen they have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021 if you’re applying in the UK, they must have lived in the UK for 7 years continuously and it would not be reasonable for them to leave

If you share parental responsibility, the child’s other parent must not be your partner. They must also either: be a British or Irish citizen have settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status - they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

If the child lives with their other parent or carer, you must have access to the child in person, as agreed with the other parent or carer or by a court order.

You must be able to prove that you’re taking an active role in your child’s upbringing and you plan to continue after you apply. Send evidence that: comes from the government, school, court or a medical professional shows you’re living with or caring for your child is less than 4 years old

You can use things like: a letter from your child’s school confirming you take them to school or go to parent evenings a letter to your address from the local council confirming your child’s school a letter from your child’s doctor, dentist, or health visitor confirming that you take them to appointments court order paperwork confirming that your child lives with you or that you’re taking an active role in their upbringing

You need permission from the court to use court order paperwork as evidence in your application.

Things like greetings cards, photographs and text or social media messages are not considered strong evidence

can financially support yourself without claiming public funds

The caseworker uses your income and housing costs to check if you can support yourself.

If your child or any other dependants live with you, you must also prove you can financially support them without claiming public funds.

You must apply online outside the UK . You must also complete Appendix 5 .

If you apply outside the UK you’ll usually get a decision within 12 weeks. If you apply inside the UK it currently takes about 12 months to get a decision.

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. After this you’ll need to apply to extend your stay. If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

You can: work study You cannot: usually get benefits or other public funds for you or your dependants

is after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years continuously on a family visa as a parent. You cannot include time you’ve spent in the UK on any other visa.