The children of British Citizens, settled persons and other qualifying sponsors can apply for a UK visa to join them and stay with them in the UK. It is easy to qualify for a child visa for the UK, where both parents of the child are lawfully in the UK. In most cases where both parents of the child are not lawfully in the UK and are no longer in a relationship with each other, the parent in the UK will have to show sole responsibility for the child to sponsor the child for a UK visa.
Premium Solicitors, open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, are specialist UK immigration solicitors. The high quality of UK visa and immigration services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced SRA-regulated immigration solicitors is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients.
Free Immigration Advice for Applications by Children
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide one-off 5 minutes free immigration advice online regarding your child's application for a UK visa and immigration. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your child's application for a UK visa and immigration.
Children of British Citizens / Settled Persons
Children of British Citizens, settled persons, and other qualifying persons can apply for a UK visa to stay in the UK with their sponsoring parents. In some cases, the children may be able to apply directly for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE), and in other cases, they may have to apply for leave to enter or remain with their sponsoring parent.
Where both biological parents of the children are not lawfully resident in the UK and one of the parents is resident outside the UK, the sponsoring parent may have to demonstrate that the sponsoring parent has had sole responsibility for the upbringing of the child applying to join the sponsoring parent.
Our specialist team of child visa solicitors has a track record of successfully helping thousands of applicants with child visa applications. Our expert team can provide the required immigration advice and legal representation for a child visa application on a fixed-fee basis.
Following are the various applications which can be made by children to the Home Office UKVI from inside and outside the UK to stay with sponsoring parent(s) of the child who is/are British Citizen(s), settled person(s) or other qualifying parent(s) as defined in the Immigration Rules:
- Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) as a Child
- Entry Clearance as a Child of a Person With a Partner Visa Or Parent Visa
- ILR as a Child - SET (F) Application
- Leave To Remain as a Child of a Person With Partner or Parent Visa
Adopted Children of British Citizens / Settled Persons
A child meeting the requirements of legal adoption or de facto adoption can apply for a UK visa to join or accompany an adoptive parent who is a British Citizen or settled in the UK. Children coming to the UK as adopted children or with a view to be adopted in the UK are required to meet the eligibility requirements as set out in Part 8 of the Immigration Rules. The legal adoption of a child can include intercountry adoption, domestic adoption and Hague Convention adoption.
Our specialist team of adoption visa lawyers can provide expert immigration advice and legal representations concerning all types of adoption visa applications by adopted children. We can provide fast, friendly, and reliable fixed-fee legal services for your child adoption visa application.
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors for adoption visa applications can provide legal help and support for the following adoption visa applications:
- Entry Clearance For Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) As An Adopted Child
- ILR As An Adopted Child
- Entry Clearance For Limited Leave To Enter As An Adopted Child
- Application For Leave To Remain As An Adopted Child
- Entry Clearance For Leave To Enter To Be Adopted In The UK
- UK Visa To Be Adopted In The UK Under The Hague Convention
Applications By Surrogate Children
You can bring your surrogate child to the UK either by applying for a British passport/nationality or by applying for an appropriate UK visa to join you in the UK. If your surrogate gives birth abroad, you can only apply for a parental order if you and your partner are living in the UK. If the child is not a UK or EU national, they will need a visa to enter the UK during this process. Using a surrogate abroad can be complicated because different countries have different rules. You may want to get legal advice or contact The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for more information.
Our specialist immigration solicitors can help you bring your surrogate child to the UK if your surrogate gives birth to your surrogate child outside the UK. Our specialist immigration lawyers can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed fee basis for applications by surrogate children of persons who are British Citizens or settled persons.
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors for surrogate child visa applications can provide immigration advice and legal representations for the following applications for surrogate children:
- British Passport Application for Surrogate Child
- Right Of Abode Application for Surrogate Child
- Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) for Surrogate Child
- ILR as a Surrogate Child
- Limited Leave To Enter as a Surrogate Child
- Registration of Surrogate Child as a British Citizen
British Citizenship Applications By Children
Unless the child is a British citizen by birth, the child under the age of 18 can be registered as a British citizen by virtue of various sections of the British Nationality Act 1981. As specialist solicitors for the registration of children as British citizens, we can provide expert immigration advice and representations for the following applications for a child to be registered as a British citizen:
- Registering a Child as a British Citizen after 10 Years of Birth in the UK
- Registering a Stateless Child as a British Citizen
- Register a Child Born in the UK before ILR Grant to Parent
- Registering a Child Born in the UK after Parent Joining HM Forces
- Registering a Child Born Abroad to a British Citizen By Descent
- Registering a Child Born Abroad to a British Citizen By Descent after 3 Years Residence in the UK
- Registering a Child Born Abroad to a Member of HM Forces
- Registering a Child at Discretion of the Secretary of State
Specialist Immigration Solicitors for Children's Applications
Our immigration solicitors are specialists in children's applications. As one of the best immigration solicitors for children's applications, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain child visas, settlement and British citizenship. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your child's UK immigration application.
The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.
Meet Our Team of immigration solicitors in London
At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the legal process with professionalism and care.
Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.
Arshad Mahmood
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Tushita Scalzullo
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Nargis Khodadady
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Asad Malik
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Alina Rizvi
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Victoria Gbenoba
Specialist UK Immigration SolicitorOur team of expert immigration solicitors and lawyers is proficient in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Marathi, Farsi, Italian, and German, enabling us to communicate effectively with you regarding your immigration matters.
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FAQs - Child Visa Applications
The following are the various Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the children's applications:
Children can apply under several immigration categories, including:
- Child Dependant Visa (under a parent’s visa, e.g. Skilled Worker, Student, Innovator Founder)
- Child of a British Citizen or Settled Person
- Appendix FM (Family Visa) – Child Route
- Registration as a British Citizen
- Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) as a Child
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Child
- British passport for a Child
- Visitor Visa (minor)
- Student Visa (Child Student or Student Route)
- Private Life applications including applications under the 7 years child residence route
The appropriate category depends on the child’s immigration history, parental status, and living arrangements.
In limited circumstances, yes. A child may apply:
- As a visitor with consent from both parents.
- As a student at an independent school with appropriate guardianship arrangements.
- Under certain family routes where one parent is in the UK and has sole responsibility.
- In protection or human rights cases.
However, UKVI carefully examines parental consent, custody arrangements, and safeguarding concerns in all child applications.
“Sole responsibility” means that one parent has had exclusive responsibility for the child’s upbringing and major life decisions, even if the child lives abroad.
- This includes decisions relating to:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Religious upbringing
- Financial support
UKVI applies strict evidential standards. Documentary evidence such as school records, medical letters, financial transfers, and custody documents is often required.
Yes. Children under 18 (and sometimes over 18 if already in the UK on dependent child visa) can apply as dependants of a Skilled Worker.
Key requirements include:
- Proof of relationship
- Evidence of financial maintenance
- Parental consent (if both parents are not applying together)
- Confirmation that the child is not leading an independent life
Premium Solicitors assist families with preparing compliant child dependant applications under the UK Immigration Rules.
Yes, a child may apply for ILR:
- With a parent who qualifies for ILR.
- Under the 7 years child residence route.
- After 10 years’ lawful residence.
- Under private life provisions.
Children born in the UK may also qualify for ILR or British registration depending on their parents’ immigration status.
A child born in the UK is not automatically British, unless at least one parent was:
- A British citizen, or
- Settled (ILR/settled status) at the time of birth
However, the child may:
- Be added as a dependant.
- Apply for registration as a British citizen once a parent becomes settled.
- Qualify after living in the UK for 10 continuous years.
Premium Solicitors can assess the most appropriate route.
The documents required for a child's application may vary depending on the type of application and the personal circumstances of the child and the child's parents. Typical documents may include:
- Child’s passport
- Birth certificate
- Parental passports and immigration status
- Proof of relationship
- Financial evidence
- Parental consent letter
- School letters (if applicable)
- Court orders (if parents are separated)
Incomplete documentation is a common reason for refusal.
Yes, but additional scrutiny may apply.
UKVI will require:
- Evidence of sole responsibility, or
- Written consent from the other parent, or
- Court orders confirming custody rights
Failure to demonstrate proper parental consent can lead to refusal under safeguarding provisions.
Depending on the type of application, the options may include:
- Administrative Review
- Appeal (in human rights cases)
- Fresh application
- Judicial Review
Premium Solicitors carefully analyse refusal reasons and advise on the strongest legal strategy.
Yes, depending on the route:
- Skilled Worker dependants must meet maintenance requirements.
- Appendix FM applications require meeting the minimum income threshold (unless exempt).
- Visitor and student routes have separate financial criteria.
Failure to meet the financial threshold is one of the most frequent grounds for refusal.
Yes, but strict legal criteria apply.
- Adopted children must meet:
- Full and permanent adoption requirements
- Recognition of the adoption under UK law
Step-children may qualify if the sponsoring parent has parental responsibility and meets Appendix FM requirements.
Processing times depend on:
- Application type
- Whether applying inside or outside the UK
- Use of Priority or Super Priority services
Delays can occur if safeguarding or custody issues arise.
At Premium Solicitors Ltd, our experienced immigration solicitors:
- Provide detailed case assessments
- Prepare legally robust applications
- Address complex custody and sole responsibility issues
- Offer fixed-fee transparent services
- Provide remote representation across the UK and internationally
We understand that children’s immigration matters require precision, sensitivity, and strict compliance with UKVI rules. If you need expert legal advice on a child’s UK visa or immigration application, contact our specialist immigration solicitors today for a professional assessment and clear fixed-fee quotation.