A UK Parent Visa is a family immigration route that allows a parent to live in the UK where they have an eligible child living here and play an active role in that child's upbringing.
This route is generally intended for parents who are not applying based on a relationship with the child's other parent. If you are married to, in a civil partnership with, or in a relationship with your child's other parent, you may instead need to apply under the partner visa route, depending on their immigration status or nationality.
To qualify for a Parent Visa, your child must be living in the UK and meet one of the following requirements:
For a first Parent Visa application, your child must generally be under the age of 18.
If you already have permission to remain in the UK based on your child and that permission was granted before they turned 18, you may still be able to extend your stay.
In these circumstances, you must show that your child has not formed an independent family unit and is not leading an independent life.
Typically, this means the child:
The Home Office recognises the following individuals as qualifying parents:
As a parent or sole carer, applicants must demonstrate either:
You must demonstrate that you currently have, and intend to continue having, a meaningful role in your child's upbringing. Supporting evidence is often a critical part of a successful application.
Most applicants will need to demonstrate knowledge of English. This can usually be achieved by:
Applicants are generally required to show adequate maintenance.
This means demonstrating that:
Yes.
Exceptions to the English language and financial requirements may apply if you cannot meet them and can show that refusing the application would make it unreasonable to expect your child to leave the UK.
These cases can be highly fact-specific, and professional advice is often essential to determine whether an exception applies. If you are not sure if you meet these exceptions, we can advise further in relation to your own personal circumstances.
In many cases, individuals already present in the UK may be able to make a Parent Visa application from within the country rather than leaving and applying from overseas.
Whether switching is possible will depend on your current immigration status and personal circumstances. Applicants should seek advice before submitting an application, particularly where they hold another type of visa or have a complex immigration history.
It is also important to note that if you are married to, in a civil partnership with, or in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your child's other parent, the Home Office may expect you to apply under the Partner Visa route instead of the Parent Visa route. Further information on partner visas can be found here.
These fees are usually paid in USD or the local currency of the country where the application is submitted. The Home Office also applies a 4% currency conversion fee, meaning the final amount may vary depending on exchange rates at the time of submission.
If you are already in the UK on another type of visa, you can make this application from within the UK.
Applications made from within the UK are paid in GBP.
- Fees are correct as at 24 July 2026.
Successful applicants are typically granted:
Before the visa expires, applicants will normally need to make a further application to extend their permission if they wish to continue living in the UK under this route.
|
|
Applications Made Outside the UK |
Applications Made Inside the UK |
|
Parent Visa Application fee |
£2,064 |
£1,407 |
|
Immigration Health Surcharge |
£1,035 per year |
£2,587.50 |
|
Parent Visa Duration |
2 years and 9 months |
2 years and 6 months |
Where all of the relevant requirements are met, applicants will normally be placed on a five-year route to settlement.
A successful extension application will typically result in a further grant of 2 years and 6 months' leave. Once five years of continuous lawful residence have been completed, applicants may become eligible for settlement, subject to meeting the applicable requirements.
Applicants relying on exceptions to requirements such as the English language or financial requirements will often be placed on a ten-year route to settlement.
Individuals on this route must continue extending their leave until they have completed ten years of continuous lawful residence before becoming eligible for settlement, subject to the relevant requirements.
Parent Visa applications frequently involve complex evidential requirements. Common issues include:
Providing clear and comprehensive evidence is often crucial to a successful application.
Family immigration applications often involve detailed legal and evidential requirements. Even where applicants appear eligible, the quality of the evidence submitted can significantly impact the outcome of the application.
Professional legal advice can help ensure:
Potentially, yes. If your child is a British citizen living in the UK and you meet the other eligibility requirements, you may be able to apply for a Parent Visa.
Sole parental responsibility generally means that one parent has primary responsibility for making major decisions regarding the child's upbringing and welfare. Applicants must provide evidence to support this.
Possibly. Applicants may qualify if they can demonstrate direct, in-person access arrangements agreed with the child's primary carer or established through a court order.
Yes. Parent Visa holders are generally permitted to work and live in the UK throughout the duration of their visa.
Potentially. A child who has lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years may qualify where it would not be reasonable to expect them to leave the UK.
Some applicants may qualify for settlement after five years, while others may be placed on a ten-year route depending on the circumstances of their case.
In many cases, yes. Individuals already in the UK on another type of visa may be able to apply for a Parent Visa from within the UK, depending on their circumstances.
In some circumstances, yes. Whether switching is possible depends on your current immigration status and individual circumstances. Legal advice should be sought before making an application.