Applying for a UK Parent Visa
British nationals with parents currently living outside of the United Kingdom are now able to bring them to the UK through the Parent Visa route established by the Home Office. This UK Parent Visa is however reserved for instances where a parent wants to join their child who is either a British national or resident of the UK with no immigration restrictions. The child must therefore be a dependent UK resident themselves under the age of 18 years old.
UK Parent Visa Definition
The UK Parent Visa falls under the Family Visa category and more specifically as the ELTRPT (Eligibility Leave to Remain as a Parent) under UK Immigration Rules. It allows for adults over the age of 18 who have a child in the UK to go and join them. The child however must already be settled in the UK, identify as a British national else have spent 7 consecutive years living in the UK. In certain instances where it can be proven that the child has spent its primary 8 years in the UK, it will be accepted that the child has established their own private life there and relocation outside of the UK would be an arduous task for them.
UK Parent Visa Requirements
On application of a Parent Child Visa, the UK child resident and the respective parent that wants to join them in the UK must fulfil certain criteria as set out by UK Immigration Authorities. It must also be considered unreasonable for the child to have to relocate anywhere else therefore the Parent Child Visa becomes obligatory to the dependency of the child.
Of the parent:
- The parent must be currently living outside of the UK and over the age of 18 years old.
- The parent must be separate from the other parent of the child resident in the UK.
- The parent must be self-sufficient on arrival to the UK.
- The parent must be able to speak English adequately – (CEFR A1)
- The parent must be able to provide evidence that they have already and will continue to take an active role in their child’s upbringing.
- The parent must be able to evidence if there is shared responsibility of a child such as a court order.
Of the child:
- The child must be under the age of 18 years old and resident in the UK.
- The child must be a British national or have spent at least 7 years living in the UK consecutively.
The parental requirement of having an active role in the child’s upbringing is one of the most important conditions that the Home Office considers. It is therefore possible to evidence this requirement through documentation such as attendance at parent evenings, dentist appointments or exercising some other parental responsibilities. However, if there has been a lapse in contact between a parent and child and therefore a lack of evidence of the parental relationship, recent photographs and pictures of excursions will suffice. The UK Immigration Authorities are only intent on bringing a parent to the UK that is going to take an active role in the child’s upbringing therefore meeting all requirements is fundamental.
UK Parent Visa Application Process
The application process for the UK Parent Visa is like most other UK permit submissions. Applications from outside of the UK must be completed online along with the accompanying VAF4A application form. Applications from inside the UK can be done online or by post. However, it is possible to advance your application through a premium service centre where you fill out the relevant form before booking an appointment.
UK Parent Visa Fees
Fees are dependent on the mode of application. Therefore, applications made outside of the UK cost £1,464 whilst applications made inside the UK cost £993. There is a greater fee for the use of the premium service which costs £1,583 in total. Each dependent that accompanies a parent to the UK incurs the same fees as above.
Financial Requirements
The only financial requirement that the Home Office demand be proof of funds that a parent is considered self-sufficient thus can earn or already has a minimum amount of money to sponsor themselves and any dependents before travelling to the UK. The Home Office therefore require a parent to have an income of at least £18,600 per annum although every legal source of income can be totalled to help make this income requirement.
UK Parent Visa Documents
There are also several required documents that must accompany a Parent Visa Application. Accordingly, they are:
- Valid passport with space to affix visa.
- Copies of previous passports
- Proof of English Language Requirement.
- Proof of financial sufficiency.
- Proof of parental responsibilities.
Further supporting documents include:
- Your full name.
- Date of birth.
- Previous immigration applications.
- Any criminal convictions.
- Accredited translations of any documents not in English.
- Tuberculosis test result (travelling from a country that UK requires TB testing certificate).
Confirmation
Submitting your application in person in the UK using the premium service is the quickest Parent Visa route as you will usually receive your answer within one day. The application process itself takes 12 weeks when you submit your application outside of the UK or up to 8 weeks if you apply online or by post within the UK. However, every application is different as there may be issues regarding the income requirement, failure to submit documents or the need for an interview. The Home Office scrutinise each visa application in order to ensure that all requirements are met before any permit is granted.
Validity
A UK Parent Visa is granted for 2 years and 6 months (30 months) after which you will have to extend your stay. It is then possible to apply for settlement after you have completed 10 years.
Additional Advice
Parent Visa applications are not just offered without thorough inspection from UK Immigration Authorities. As such, it would always be advisable to seek legal advice when attempting to make a Parent Visa application to minimise errors and ensure that you have the best chance of success. Our specialist team of immigration solicitors have a wealth of knowledge to help answer your questions and complete your application without difficulty.
Your Immigration Lawyers offer bespoke advice consultations priced at £199 including VAT these are the perfect next step to get advice on your case and plan the next best steps. Contact us today.
