Parent of a Child Student Visa Guidance

The Parent of a Child Student visa, previously known as the Parent of a Tier 4 Child visa, enables one parent to join a child aged between 4 and 11 with a Child Student visa attending an independent school in the UK. Parent of a Child Student visa holders can stay in the UK for the same duration as the permission given to their child. Parents of a Child Student visa holders can remain in the UK until their child’s Child Student visa expires or when their child reaches the age of 12, whichever happens, soonest.

For parents who wish to join a child who is over 12 years old, other visa options to consider include a Work visa, a Business visa, and a Visitor visa (for periods of up to 6 months in the UK).

Parent of a child student visa requirements

As a Parent of a Child Student visa applicant, you will need to meet the following visa requirements:

• Be the parent or guardian (i.e. have legal parental responsibility) of a child who is aged between 4 and 11 (on the date of application) and will be attending an independent school in the UK with a Child Student visa.
• Be the only parent of the child who is coming to the UK on a Parent of a Child Student visa (the child’s other parent can still visit the UK on a short-term visitor visa).
• Have sufficient support funds for yourself and your child in the UK.
• Fully intend to keep your main home outside the UK.
• Intend to depart the UK when your visa expires.

Support funds requirement

You will need to provide evidence to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that you have sufficient support funds for yourself and your child. The parent of a child student visa guidance states that you will need at least £1,560 for each month of your stay up to a maximum duration of 9 months (e.g. 9 months × £1,560 = £14,040).

If you are bringing one of your other children (who must be a sibling of the Child Student visa holder), you will need an additional £625 per month to cover their support requirements also.

Your support funds must have been in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before the date of your application.

How to apply for a parent of a child student visa

To apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Complete and submit the Parent of a Child Student application form online¹ (you must apply from outside the UK).
2. Pay the application fee of £516 and the immigration healthcare surcharge (giving you access to the National Health Service to receive healthcare) of £1035 per year.
3. Book and attend a biometric appointment with your nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) to have your identity checked, your fingerprints scanned, and photo taken.
4. Upload any documents required to support your application.

In most cases, you can expect to receive a decision on your application within 3 weeks. It is important that you wait to receive a positive decision on your visa application before you travel to the UK.

What can and can’t you do on a parent of child visa

As a Parent of a Child Student visa holder, you will be able to join and care for your child in the UK and do voluntary work if you wish. However, you will not be permitted, to do paid work, study, set up a business, settle in the UK, apply for public funds (e.g. benefits or State Pension), or bring other family members (except siblings of the Child Student visa holder), or switch visa type in the UK.

Extend a Parent of child student visa

It is possible to extend your Parent of a Child Student visa as long as you are still eligible. This means that in addition to meeting the above eligibility requirements, your child must still be under 12 years when you apply. If you wish to extend your Parent of a Child Student visa, it is essential that you do this before your current visa expires to avoid overstaying in the UK.

Your time spent in the UK on a Parent of a Child Student visa does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). If you wish to settle in the UK, you should apply for an ILR qualifying visa such as a UK Work visa or UK family visa, which will typically allow you to acquire permanent residence after 5 years.

How can Reiss Edwards help?

Reiss Edwards can assist with all aspects of your Parent of a Child Student visa application; we can:

• Check if your child is eligible for a Parent of a Child Student visa
• Help overcome any problems regarding your Parent of a Child Student visa application
• Handle your Parent of a Child Student visa application or extension
• Handle a visa refusal of a Parent of a Child Student visa application
• Explain the other visa options available to you to suit your long-term goals

For assistance with your Parent of a Child Student visa application, please speak to our immigration lawyers for a free telephone consultation on 020 3744 2797 or complete our enquiry form.

References

¹ GOV.UK: Parent of a Child Student online application form