Parent of a Child Student visa

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in United Kingdom Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

A parent of a child aged between 4 and 11 who has or is applying for a Child Student visa (or currently has a Tier 4 (Child) visa) and attends an independent school in the UK. The applicant must be the only parent accompanying the child; other children may come only if they also have or are applying for a Child Student visa; other family members cannot be brought on this visa.

See recorded sources

https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You can only apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa if your child has or is applying for a Child Student visa. Or if they currently have a Tier 4 (Child) visa.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
Your child must be aged between 4 and 11 when you apply, and be attending an independent school in the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
To be eligible for a Parent of a Child Student visa you must be the only parent accompanying your child in the UK. The child’s other parent must live abroad, and cannot apply to join you in the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You can bring your other children with you if they also have or are applying for a Child Student visa.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You cannot bring other family members with you on this visa.

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

There is no sponsor in the usual sense: the route is anchored on the child, who must have or be applying for a Child Student visa (or currently have a Tier 4 (Child) visa) and attend an independent school in the UK. The applicant must be the only parent accompanying the child; the child's other parent must live abroad and cannot apply to join.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The source does not use the term 'sponsor'; the anchoring person is the child holding or applying for a Child Student visa.

https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You can only apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa if your child has or is applying for a Child Student visa. Or if they currently have a Tier 4 (Child) visa.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
Your child must be aged between 4 and 11 when you apply, and be attending an independent school in the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
To be eligible for a Parent of a Child Student visa you must be the only parent accompanying your child in the UK. The child’s other parent must live abroad, and cannot apply to join you in the UK.

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the evidence needed to prove the family relationship.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Current GB capture review did not establish a literal, route-specific claim for this answer.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The applicant must show £1,560 for each month of stay up to a maximum of 9 months (£14,040) to support themselves and the child, plus £625 per month (up to 9 months) for each additional child; this is not needed when extending after at least 12 months in the UK on a valid visa. The healthcare surcharge (usually £1,035 per year) must be paid, and the applicant must maintain their main home outside the UK and provide evidence of a permanent home outside the UK.

See recorded sources

https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You’ll need £1,560 for each month of your stay up to a maximum of 9 months. This amount is to support both you and your child.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
For example, if you’re staying for 9 months or longer you’ll need to prove you have £14,040 (9 months × £1,560).
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You’ll need an extra £625 per month, up to a maximum of 9 months, for each additional child that accompanies you to the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
If you’ve been in the UK for at least 12 months on a valid visa, you do not need to prove you have money to support yourself and your child for your visa application.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application. It usually costs £1,035 per year.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
maintain your main home outside the UK
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
evidence that you have a permanent home outside the UK

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Apply online before travelling, at the earliest 6 months before travel, and attend a visa application centre for biometrics; a decision usually takes 3 weeks. The visa costs £726. The parent may stay until the child's visa expires or the child turns 12, whichever is first, and may extend in the UK (£1,407 plus surcharge) while eligible. The parent cannot do paid work, study, start a business, make the UK their main home, claim public funds or the State Pension, bring other family members or switch to another visa, and must plan to leave when the visa expires.

See recorded sources

https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you travel to the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
As part of your online application, you will need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
A Parent of a Child Student visa costs £726.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You can stay in the UK until your child’s visa expires or they turn 12, whichever happens first.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
You can extend your visa while in the UK as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
£1,407 to extend this visa
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
While you’re in the UK on a Parent of a Child Student visa, you cannot: do paid work study start a business make the UK your main home apply for benefits (public funds), or the State Pension bring other family members with you switch to a different type of visa
https://www.gov.uk/parent-of-a-child-at-school-visa/print
plan to leave the UK when your visa expires

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Parent of a Child Student visa

Which family relationships qualify?

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.